Are cuddling enthusiasts less likely to be pet people?

StructuredQueryLanguageStructuredQueryLanguage
edited April 2023 in General

I've met a lot of folks who don't like or don't understand the appeal of platonic cuddling with other adults but who also adore cuddling with their dogs or cats and seem to get a lot of their needs for warm touch and affection met via that avenue.

I have an hypothesis that cuddling enthusiasts are less likely to be pet people. I think pet people are more likely to have the same need cuddling fulfills met via their pets, but for folks who aren't into pets, they need to have those needs met with other humans beings.

I have nothing against others owning pets, but I'm personally not into the responsibility of owning pets nor some of the cleanliness issues, which I acknowledge are less of a big deal with cats than dogs. I also like my cuddly-ness given freely by an equal, hence why other adult humans are my preference. It would feel strange to me trying to cuddle with a pet whom cannot truly give consent on some level and whom cannot truly understand me as a person...

Of course, I'm sure many cuddling enthusiasts are also pet people, so I am only claiming there is a slightly higher likelihood for cuddling enthusiasts not being pet people than there is for non-enthusiasts or anti-cuddling folks.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Comments

  • [Deleted User]MrAdmirer (deleted user)

    I know it’s better to say nothing when you have nothing nice to say, but some people spend way too much time overthinking this whole cuddling lifestyle . I see so many odd topics here….

  • GreatHornedOwlGreatHornedOwl

    I hate to be the one to tell you this, but it's obvious that you don't know much about either cats or dogs. The idea that a pet can't consent to being cuddled is absurd. One of my cats will repeatedly bump head into my leg, whine, and bump me again. He's telling me that he wants some treats, but that isn't enough. If I give him treats at that point. he'll refuse to eat them. First, he'll roll over onto his back so I can scratch his belly. He'll grab my wrist with both paws, and move my hand around to scratch his neck, and his head. Between the scratching, he insists on play fighting. I attack his belly, while he fights back with his hind feet, but always with his claws sheathed. Only after 5 of 10 minutes, of this will he condescend to eat his treats.

    The other one is less aggressive about it, but no less demanding. When I'm at the computer, she'll sit in the chair next to me and whine until i scratch her. It isn't easy typing with one hand (as I'm doing now), while the other hand is occupied rubbing ans scratching a cat.

    If you don't believe that these two are not only consenting to be cuddled, but are absolutely demanding it. If you don't believe me, just try cuddling a cat who isn't in the mood to be cuddled.

  • [Deleted User]MaverickLegend (deleted user)

    If there was an award for thread of the year, this would be it!

  • Matt462Matt462

    I wish my dog would ask for consent! She climbs right under the covers and sleeps right up against me!

  • xandriarainxandriarain

    I am a huge pet person, and I love to cuddle humans. I have two dogs to rabbits and two guinea pigs. My dog cookie pretty much demands cuddles and gets upset if she’s not the center of attention. When animals don’t want to cuddle, they will squirm away so they can give consent. I believe a true cuddle enthusiast wants to cuddle everyone and everything

  • [Deleted User]AR78Kindly (deleted user)

    Hmm, interesting. My only real thought on this, the next cuddler I consider I'm going to use this as an icebreaker, lol. Thanks. :)

  • AngelMAngelM

    @AR78Kindly that could definitely be a good icebreaker and tell you a lot about the person based on their response haha.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    @StructuredQueryLanguage Doesn't matter what others in this thread think. You do you. I have turned down cuddle partners who have cats because they don’t put them away. I have never been a fan of cats but I love dogs. Doesn’t make me better or worse—it is purely a preference. Not having any pets at all is also a preference and it should be respected.

    As to whether enthusiasts are less likely to own pets is something we will never know and really, is it even relevant? I mean if you have preferences, and only 15% of cuddlers match your preferences then that is 100% of your target of cuddlers.

  • MorpheusMorpheus

    I don’t think this thread is strange at all. As I type this, my six year old retired racing greyhound is cuddled up next to me. Anytime I hit the couch, within a minute or two, she’ll come cuddle with me. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats. Pets are family in our home. I do think the opposite though, I think the community is full of pet lovers.

  • frankparker9frankparker9
    edited April 2023

    Some pets meet quite a lot of touch and affection needs for some owners, and that could be part of someone not understanding why meeting up with other adults specifically to cuddle would be a thing (like anyone who gets enough touch and affection in their life without making cuddling into a sort of hobby!).

    I don't agree with the part about consent. And some people feel better understood by their dog than any human. And it's not an either/or thing (animals or humans). Of course, human affection, company, and understanding has dimensions that animal cuddles and companionship don't.

  • cuddlefaerycuddlefaery

    I think there's a good mix of both pet lovers and not. Personally, I'm that crazy cat lady everyone warned you about 😂 And I love dogs and small furry animals too, and birbs (I have a budgie currently but have had other larger companion birds in the past). I've always been the type to rescue every injured animal and bring it home, annoying the hell out of my mom I'm sure 😅 As an adult I've volunteered with several rescue organizations...which is how I ended up with my current managerie.

    Animals absolutely can consent, or not, to touch and other interactions - you just have to know how to speak their language. The problem is far, far too many people get a pet because it is "cute" or because their kids want one and they don't do any research or other education on the care necessary for said animal to have a full and healthy life. And thus we end up with the heartbreaking number of abandoned animals with severe behavior problems because they were neglected or abused. 😞 If there's anything that makes me want to get violent, it's the abuse and neglect of animals and kids...but I digress.

    Cats are particularly good at teaching consent... They all have such different personalities and definitely will let you know if they do not wish to be touched/held. People think this means that they're aloof...no, they just have boundaries and are better at upholding them than say dogs because they don't have the same motivations. But both deserve to be treated with respect and listened to when they're asking to be left alone.

    But, the same way human companionship isn't full replacement for that of their own kind, pet cuddles aren't a 1-to-1 replacement for human connection and cuddles. People who enjoy pet cuddles still may desire human cuddles.

  • Baby_Baby_

    i personally dont cuddle with dogs or cats or any animal, but i do love animals i am a reptile enthusiast and i dont mind small dogs outside the house

  • cuddlefaerycuddlefaery

    Tangential, but @xandriarain I miss having penny gigs and buns 💖 I have to live vicariously through following all the cute pics and videos online. I miss having proper space even for my kittehs, too. Some day I'll have a full yard for a grand catio and pet garden with aviary where we can all sun ourselves 😅 for now, my boys make due with literally climbing the walls and stomping all over me lol

  • KarmicKuddles20KarmicKuddles20

    @Baby_ I love reptiles too!

    I have a dog who requires a lot of cuddles. I've told her my rate, but she's broke. I cuddle her anyway ;)

  • GreatHornedOwlGreatHornedOwl

    I've had a Indigo snake, a Boa constrictor. a Black Rat snake, and numerous Garter snakes. Out of them all, only the Black Rat snake would seek out cuddling. The Indigo and the Boa, seemed oblivious to it, and none of the Garter snakes liked it at all.

  • MecitMecit

    Nope, there are definitely pet lovers who also look for human cuddles.

  • BearBear

    @StructuredQueryLanguage

    From my experience people who don’t find platonic Cuddling, appealing usually will only cuddle a partner or significant other. That’s having pets or no pets. Cuddling is more intimate to them.

    I also check profiles and profile pics for animals, as I’m allergic to cats. There has been more than a few enthusiast that will say they have cats on their profile. I don’t approach them because I would have allergic reactions in their home.

    I have also found that animals can consent and will let you know in their own way that they don’t want to be touched. As there are people who don’t like platonic cuddling, I would say you are not a animal person. Hence not knowing how most pets love and consent to multiple forms of human touch.

    As you check out enthusiast profiles, look at the pet section. See for yourself.

  • [Deleted User]KYtransplant (deleted user)

    I blurred out my friends face as they are not on this platform.

    But I own a donkey that actively seeks out anyone within cuddling range. @waynewv can hardly walk past the fence without him running over to get some attention.

    As you can see he does not suffer from a lack of people willing to cuddle him.

    Love the cuddley and affectionate critters.

  • Matt462Matt462

    I want a cuddle donkey!!!

  • WKplatonicWKplatonic

    People don't understand the appeal of platonic cuddling with other adults because we don't use the word "platonic' often enough. As a society, we don't discuss or have the skill set to form good healthy, lasting relationships with one another. It is much easier to befriend a furry friend because they don't talk back. Their love for us is unconditional and takes less effort.

  • pmvinespmvines

    Nope


  • OhioMikeOhioMike
    edited April 2023

    I would think that a cuddle enthusiast would be more likely than not likely to be pet people. Never really gave it thought till this thread came up. My two pets are always ready to snuggle and IDK, they kinda set the mood 😊👍
    I Shih-Tzu not 😁

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne

    @pmvines @OhioMike
    You’re breaking my heart! I love those babies. Just wish I could have a dog or cat right now but the time isn’t right yet. 😢

  • AngelPendavezAngelPendavez

    Uhhhh.. I don't understand.

    If pet people are getting their cuddling needs met with pets as you say... doesn't that mean they're enthusiasts?
    And enthusiast who isn't looking for a human companion at the moment is still an enthusiast, I'd say.
    Certainly not anti-cuddle ~

    I'd definitely consider myself a pet person, I just can't take on the responsibility right now. But I love the idea of having a dog or two and having them join a cuddle session with me and a potential partner ~

  • dialthegatedialthegate
    edited May 2023

    I think a basic venn diagram with 2 circles is all you need... Im sure there are people who prefer to cuddle with pets and some who prefer to cuddle other people and that there is a large overlap... They arent mutually exclusive populations. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venn_diagram

  • AmortentiaAmortentia

    As a pro, I am not a pet person like at all. Basically same reason as stated by you.

    "I have nothing against others owning pets, but I'm personally not into the responsibility of owning pets nor some of the cleanliness issues"

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    @Amortentia 💯

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