This article needs additional citations for verification .(February 2024) |
This article may incorporate text from a large language model .(April 2024) |
Pet humanization is the practice in pet culture of treating companion animals with a level of care, attention and luxury relatively higher than for the average domesticated animal. This trend involves the owners being at odds with the pet's status as property in wider society and can range from relying on them for emotional support to treating them like human family members. [1] [2]
To the extent that the treatment involves providing for the pet beyond their means of appreciation, it's considered to be a form of anthropomorphism though the limits of this remain an open topic.
In many ancient civilizations, people formed close bonds with animals, often using them for various purposes like hunting, protection, companionship and animal worship. For example, some cats in ancient Egypt were considered sacred animals and were personified with the deity Bastet, [3] and provided with elaborate burials. [4] Dogs in religion hold various symbolic and cultural meanings across different religions and belief systems.
The modern concept of pet humanization began to gain significant momentum in Western culture and societies during the 19th century and continued to grow throughout the 20th century.
In the mid-20th century, the pet industry started to expand, offering a wide range of products and services catering to pet owners' desires to provide the best possible care for their animals. This included the development of specialized pet foods, [5] veterinary medicine, grooming services and even luxury items. [6]
In the modern era, this trend reflects changing societal attitudes towards pets, where they are seen less as a property and more as valued members of the family. [7]
Key aspects of pet humanization include owners that may prioritize premium or organic pet food, special diets and even prepare homemade meals for their pets. [8] Pets receive regular check-ups, vaccinations and even medical treatments that were once uncommon. Pets may have a wide array of accessories such as clothing, collars, leashes and even designer items. Luxurious pet accommodations, such as elaborate pet beds or specialized animal furniture, may be used. Pets are provided with toys, entertainment and enrichment activities to keep them mentally stimulated. Pets might have birthdays celebrated with parties, special treats and social gatherings. Pet-friendly accommodations and travel arrangements are made for vacations or trips. Pets may have their own social media profiles with followers and interactions. Owners often form deep emotional bonds with their pets, considering them as family members and seeking companionship and emotional support from them.
The psychology behind pet humanization involves understanding the motivations, emotions and behaviours that drive individuals to treat their pets as more than just animals and instead as valued members of the family or even as surrogate companions. [9]
Humans have a natural inclination to form emotional bonds with other living beings and pets often provide unconditional love, companionship and a sense of belonging. This emotional connection can lead to the desire to provide the best possible care and attention to pets. [10]
Anthrozoology is the interdisciplinary study of the interactions and relationships between humans and animals. It encompasses a wide range of topics related to human-animal interactions, including the emotional, psychological, social and biological aspects of these relationships. [11]
Pet humanization is a concept within the field of anthrozoology that focuses on the tendency of humans to attribute human-like qualities and behaviours to their pets.
Pet humanization has a significant impact on the pet food industry, leading to changes in consumer preferences, product offerings and marketing strategies. [12] As pet owners increasingly view their pets as integral members of their families, they seek out higher quality and more specialized food options for their pet companions. [13] Pet owners who humanize their pets often seek pet foods made with high-quality, natural and wholesome ingredients. [14] This has led to a rise in demand for premium pet foods that are free from artificial additives, preservatives and fillers.
Pet healthcare and pet humanization has had a notable impact on the health care of pets, leading to changes in how pet owners approach veterinary care, preventive measures, medical treatments and overall wellness for their animal companions. [15]
Pet insurance is considered a component of pet humanization because it reflects the growing trend of treating pets as members of the family and providing them with similar care and services that humans receive. [16]
Pet bereavement and pet humanization are two concepts that are closely related and often intersect in the realm of human-pet relationships. [17] [18] [19]
Pet bereavement is the emotional response that pet owners experience when their pets pass away. It involves a range of emotions similar to the mourning process for a human loved one. [20] [21] [22] [23]
In order to promote animal welfare and increase animal ethics, a balance must be found between treating pets with care, love and respect and ensuring that their physical and emotional needs are not compromised by well-intentioned but potentially misguided humanization practices. [24] [ verification needed ]
A pet, or companion animal, is an animal kept primarily for a person's company or entertainment rather than as a working animal, livestock, or a laboratory animal. Popular pets are often considered to have attractive/cute appearances, intelligence, and relatable personalities, but some pets may be taken in on an altruistic basis and accepted by the owner regardless of these characteristics.
Comparative psychology is the scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of non-human animals, especially as these relate to the phylogenetic history, adaptive significance, and development of behavior. The phrase comparative psychology may be employed in either a narrow or a broad meaning. In its narrow meaning, it refers to the study of the similarities and differences in the psychology and behavior of different species. In a broader meaning, comparative psychology includes comparisons between different biological and socio-cultural groups, such as species, sexes, developmental stages, ages, and ethnicities. Research in this area addresses many different issues, uses many different methods and explores the behavior of many different species, from insects to primates.
Robotic pets are artificially intelligent machines that are made to resemble actual pets. While the first robotic pets produced in the late 1990s were not too advanced, they have since grown technologically. Many now use machine learning, making them much more realistic. Most consumers buy robotic pets with the aim of getting similar companionship that real pets offer, without some of the drawbacks that come with caring for live animals. The pets on the market currently have a wide price range, from the low hundreds into the several thousands of dollars. Multiple studies have been done to show that we treat robotic pets in a similar way as actual pets, despite their obvious differences. However, there is some controversy regarding how ethical using robotic pets is, and whether or not they should be widely adopted in elderly care.
Anthrozoology, also known as human–nonhuman-animal studies (HAS), is the subset of ethnobiology that deals with interactions between humans and other animals. It is an interdisciplinary field that overlaps with other disciplines including anthropology, ethnology, medicine, psychology, social work, veterinary medicine, and zoology. A major focus of anthrozoologic research is the quantifying of the positive effects of human–animal relationships on either party and the study of their interactions. It includes scholars from fields such as anthropology, sociology, biology, history and philosophy.
Emotion is defined as any mental experience with high intensity and high hedonic content. The existence and nature of emotions in non-human animals are believed to be correlated with those of humans and to have evolved from the same mechanisms. Charles Darwin was one of the first scientists to write about the subject, and his observational approach has since developed into a more robust, hypothesis-driven, scientific approach. Cognitive bias tests and learned helplessness models have shown feelings of optimism and pessimism in a wide range of species, including rats, dogs, cats, rhesus macaques, sheep, chicks, starlings, pigs, and honeybees. Jaak Panksepp played a large role in the study of animal emotion, basing his research on the neurological aspect. Mentioning seven core emotional feelings reflected through a variety of neuro-dynamic limbic emotional action systems, including seeking, fear, rage, lust, care, panic and play. Through brain stimulation and pharmacological challenges, such emotional responses can be effectively monitored.
An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that provides support to individuals with a mental health or psychiatric disability. Emotional support animals are not required to be trained. Any animal that provides support, comfort, or aid, to an individual through companionship, unconditional positive regard, and affection may be regarded as an emotional support animal.
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. It is considered to be an innate tendency of human psychology. Personification is the related attribution of human form and characteristics to abstract concepts such as nations, emotions, and natural forces, such as seasons and weather. Both have ancient roots as storytelling and artistic devices, and most cultures have traditional fables with anthropomorphized animals as characters. People have also routinely attributed human emotions and behavioral traits to wild as well as domesticated animals.
The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) is a non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to promoting animal welfare and animal husbandry practices, strengthening the human-animal bond, and safeguarding the rights of responsible animal owners and professionals through research, public education and public policy. The NAIA mission is "to promote the welfare of animals."
The human–canine bond is rooted in the domestication of the dog, which began occurring through their long-term association with hunter-gatherers more than 30,000–40,000 years ago. The earliest known relationship between dogs and humans is attested by the 1914 discovery of the Bonn–Oberkassel dog, who was buried alongside two humans in modern-day Oberkassel, Germany, approximately 15,000 years ago. For centuries, the phrase "man's best friend" has commonly been used to refer to dogs, as they were the first species and the only large carnivore to have been domesticated. This companionship is most evident in Western countries, such as the United States, where 44% of households were found to be keeping at least one dog as a pet.
Human interaction with cats relates to the hundreds of millions of cats that are kept as pets around the world. The inter-relationship involves companionship, communication and caregiving. Dating back thousands of years, cats were originally domesticated for their ability to control pests and later became valued companions. Cats communicate through vocalizations, body language and behaviors, forming strong bonds with their human owners. Owners provide the food, shelter, and medical care, while play and enrichment activities stimulate their physical and mental well-being. Despite their independent nature, cats enjoy human company and require understanding of their unique behaviours. Positive reinforcement training can shape desired behaviours, fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and their feline companions, built on mutual respect and affection.
The term "interspecies family" refers to a group consisting of at least two members of different species who deeply care for each other. Examples include a human and their dog, a couple and their cats, a dog and a cat, or even a mule and a sheep. The emphasis is on love and that the members of the group care for and treat each other like a family. For instance, "interspecies family" may describe a group composed of a dog and a person who refers to their dog as their child, best friend, or other phrase that connotes a stronger bond than just a "pet", a term which implies a sense of property and ownership.
An interspecies friendship is a nonsexual bond that is formed between animals of different species. Numerous cases of interspecies friendships among wild and domesticated animals have been reported and documented with photography and video. Domestication of animals has led to interspecies friendships between species that would never naturally exist together. In many cases of interspecies friendship, the species are not normally seen together, and sometimes, one is of a species that ordinarily preys on the other in nature.
Pauleen Charmayne Bennett is an Australian scientist researching anthrozoology at La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia.
Between 5% and 10% of homeless peoplein the United States own pets. Studies of homeless pet owners in urban settings show a sense of identity and community connection between pets and their owners. This topic is part of the Animals and Society branch of study in the field of Sociology, and is also an issue with the values and responsibility of pet ownership.
James A. Serpell is professor of Animal Ethics and Welfare at the University of Pennsylvania. He lectures in the School of Veterinary Medicine on veterinary ethics, applied animal behavior and welfare, and human-animal interactions. Serpell also directs the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society (CIAS). Serpell was a founder of The International Society for Anthrozoology(ISAZ) and remains on the board.
The pet industry is the market industry associated with companion animals. It includes things that are associated with the production, consumption and cultural activities linked to the market. Next to nutrition, toys and animal healthcare, new services and products like taxis, kindergartens, hotels, IT appliances, broadcasting, theme parks and funeral services are appearing on the market.
A companion robot is a robot created to create real or apparent companionship for human beings. Target markets for companion robots include the elderly and single children. Companions robots are expected to communicate with non-experts in a natural and intuitive way. They offer a variety of functions, such as monitoring the home remotely, communicating with people, or waking people up in the morning. Their aim is to perform a wide array of tasks including educational functions, home security, diary duties, entertainment and message delivery services, etc.
Juliana Schroeder is an American behavioral scientist and academic. She is a professor at University of California, Berkeley.
Pet culture refers to the culture revolving around the interaction of humans and pets.
Dog meat consumption can be found in Vietnam, similar to other Asian countries such as Laos, and China.