I like petting animals bc I feel more like them than any human I’ve met. And they seem to understand me more than any human I’ve met. For context, I’m autistic.
I don’t pet animals because I like it, I pet animals because they seem to like it. If they are giving signals they don’t like it, I’m never petting them again.
That’s such a strange yet oddly comforting thought. It actually makes sense evolutionarily too ….. we did have body hair for warmth and social grooming. Petting might be a nostalgic echo of that. It’s like we’re subconsciously trying to reconnect with a part of ourselves we’ve lost.
I think an innate urge is on the right track. But it’s probably more because domesticated / non aggressive animals pose no harm. And given the language barrier, it’s one of the few ways of welcoming them.
We haven’t had fur since forever. All of cousins don’t really have fur either, they have hair all over their bodies. I know it sounds similar but by god a fluffy cats fur is so much better than a goat’s hair.
I have pretty hairy legs, and believe me, I don’t ‘miss’ having fur. Quite the opposite exactly. (What’s the opposite of ‘miss’? Hate? Yeah, let’s just go with hate.)
I always assumed it was some sort of residual predator instinct. Like we see small animals and our mind is just telling us to grab them because it sees them as prey.
People like to walk dogs because they miss walking, people like to feed dogs because they miss eating, people like to play with dogs because they miss playing, people like dogs because they miss being a dog
…no. We enjoy physical touch with other creatures we love. Including other humans
I love petting dogs, especially cause they will basically let you do it all day and love it lmao, dogs are the best. And cats. But I’m less keen on petting rodents or, idk, even a tamed brown bear. Or horses. I’m not afraid of horses but I don’t really trust them.
I do like petting cows and goats, even tame deerz because they are cute and very nice.
I also like petting wild dolphins and they have no fur.
That’s an interesting thought! It could be true that some people enjoy petting animals because it taps into a sense of comfort or nostalgia—especially if they miss the feeling of softness and warmth that comes with having fur. It could also be a way to feel connected to something comforting and non-judgmental. The act of petting an animal can trigger the release of oxytocin, which promotes bonding and can reduce stress, so it’s not just about the fur but also the emotional connection and relaxation it provides. There’s definitely something soothing about the tactile experience of petting animals, even if it’s not consciously about missing fur!
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Every bald person I’ve met had a cat
This is the most shower thought
Its just for the anions.
They never had fur. Put down the bong.
Now this is a shower thought
Given how often I play with my own hair and beard, you may be onto something…
People like petting fish too
And animals like being pet because they miss having hands.
I think you have something here
I like petting animals bc I feel more like them than any human I’ve met. And they seem to understand me more than any human I’ve met. For context, I’m autistic.
I’m plenty hairy do I just like having my own kind around?
You like to pet animals because you miss having fur.
I like to pet animals due to extreme emotional neglect for many years. We are not the same.
I like hairy men, I guess I miss having fur too.
All of us who like birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and hairless mammals would like to have little chat with you.
Just like when I scratch my balls when I miss pet hamsters
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Co-evolution is my theory.
this is more of a highdea than a showerthought
Speak for yourself, I’m Eastern European.
Now that probably explains why I don’t care much about animals (I care about animals, just not for pets). I’m constantly reminded of my fur
This deserves showerthought status
I like petting animals because petting humans takes too many social skills
I think it’s more to do with the primate grooming instinct, actually.
Some folks still have fur.
I enjoy petting them, too.
Seven syllables-bles-bles
So this is what Furries have going on inside their head
I don’t pet animals because I like it, I pet animals because they seem to like it. If they are giving signals they don’t like it, I’m never petting them again.
That’s an interesting take lol
Maybe we only like ketchup cause it’s the same color as blood
Interesting thought, but not all animals have fur and that doesn’t deter people wanting to pet them.
People pet animals for the same reason you rub your hand gently on someone’s face or squeeze their shoulder in support.
When you care about or love something, there’s an instinct to touch, hold and caress that thing close to you.
It’s a mutually beneficial experience that triggers a hormonal reward response and creates emotional connection.
TL;DR: the instinct to pet is to express affection, to soothe and to protect.
The furry pipeline at work
That’s such a strange yet oddly comforting thought. It actually makes sense evolutionarily too ….. we did have body hair for warmth and social grooming. Petting might be a nostalgic echo of that. It’s like we’re subconsciously trying to reconnect with a part of ourselves we’ve lost.
I do be petting my beard a lot
No, you are a furry I guess
Not all animals having fur can be petted..
that explains why they also like to play with the furry part of their bodies
I have fur Greg can you pet me?
Bold of you to assume I don’t have fur
I want to put this on a t-shirt!
I think an innate urge is on the right track. But it’s probably more because domesticated / non aggressive animals pose no harm. And given the language barrier, it’s one of the few ways of welcoming them.
My brother in Christ, Furries.
We haven’t had fur since forever. All of cousins don’t really have fur either, they have hair all over their bodies. I know it sounds similar but by god a fluffy cats fur is so much better than a goat’s hair.
I have pretty hairy legs, and believe me, I don’t ‘miss’ having fur. Quite the opposite exactly. (What’s the opposite of ‘miss’? Hate? Yeah, let’s just go with hate.)
I do still love petting kitties tho
Does that explain why the homeless dude always has his hands down the front of his pants?
This ain’t a shower thought, this is a philosophical conundrum
As a hairy human I can concur. People love to pet me too.
Surprised this is getting so much attention because I mean, probably not lmao
It would be weird if they pet their own “fur”. Just saying….. sitting at work, on an elevator, at a restaurant, etc….
I always assumed it was some sort of residual predator instinct. Like we see small animals and our mind is just telling us to grab them because it sees them as prey.
You keep being you, bud.
People like to walk dogs because they miss walking, people like to feed dogs because they miss eating, people like to play with dogs because they miss playing, people like dogs because they miss being a dog
Maybe we pet animals because, deep down, we all just want to give and receive a little love in the most low-key, judgment free way possible.
…no. We enjoy physical touch with other creatures we love. Including other humans
I love petting dogs, especially cause they will basically let you do it all day and love it lmao, dogs are the best. And cats. But I’m less keen on petting rodents or, idk, even a tamed brown bear. Or horses. I’m not afraid of horses but I don’t really trust them.
I do like petting cows and goats, even tame deerz because they are cute and very nice.
I also like petting wild dolphins and they have no fur.
That’s not entirely [in]accurate
Interesting thought, I often say your are so soft, fluffy and cute!
Hah I still have plenty of fur.
I like petting animals cuz they seem to love the physical affection, and I like making other being happy. So it’s a win win
Yes, because we are just jealous of their fur.
It’s because they miss the taste of delicious lice.
I don’t like to pet animals because they stink.
I like to pet animals because they let me.
I’d say it’s a bit more of: I have hair and I know how it can itch, pets however do not have hands to scratch said itches.
*strokes beard*
Maybe
That’s an interesting thought! It could be true that some people enjoy petting animals because it taps into a sense of comfort or nostalgia—especially if they miss the feeling of softness and warmth that comes with having fur. It could also be a way to feel connected to something comforting and non-judgmental. The act of petting an animal can trigger the release of oxytocin, which promotes bonding and can reduce stress, so it’s not just about the fur but also the emotional connection and relaxation it provides. There’s definitely something soothing about the tactile experience of petting animals, even if it’s not consciously about missing fur!
Maybe we pet animals because petting hairy humans would be weird…
Let me re-introduce: furries.
Or because we show them love and care. Then again we’d pet humans too if we could XD
Interesting thought! It could be an instinctual comfort from our evolutionary past.
Then my ancestors had scales. I much prefer pet reptiles to mamals.
No, I like to pet my cats because they’re soft. Human hair was never like car hair
I do have the constant urge to stick my face in my cats’ fur, so maybe you’ve got something there.
No, it’s because social animals evolved grooming to limit the number of pests that live in their fur. Thereby making the pack healthier and stronger.
…valid.
I think it’s more about the fact that animals are adorable and they get excited for pets.
The fuck does this mean
That’s a thinker I think you had a long shower ..