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Original poster

Dreams about neglected animals ... what are they all about?

60 replies

JMSA · 29/06/2024 22:24

A horrible dream last night. I discovered that I had left my pet hamster - which I don't actually have! - in a large tub of water, with the lid on Confused
On opening the lid, I was obviously horrified and consumed by guilt. The hamster was somehow still breathing but struggling ... funny that! Hmm I fished him out and put him on my body, to get some warmth into him.
I can feel tears pricking my eyes as I read this, as it was awful!
It's not the first time I've had a dream like this, as the last time I left a pet in a drawer.
What are these dreams about animal neglect all about?

OP posts:
minthybobs · 29/06/2024 22:46

Enoughwiththisshit · 29/06/2024 22:39

That's an interesting take. I have raging ADHD, so it makes sense 😂

Show quote history

Yeah I suspect it’s basically an anxiety dream whereby you are worried about not doing something important or feeling pressured in some way.

If you wanna go a bit woo, maybe the animal represents a part of you that you are neglecting? Life being so busy etc that you aren’t taking full care of your own needs?

CherrySocks · 29/06/2024 22:44

If you google 'dreams about animal neglect' it seems to be quite common.

Various theories as to what it means.
Anxiety about responsibilities?

ComingInByAnsible · 29/06/2024 22:42

OP, perhaps your subconscious is trying to remind you of an ignored or neglected part of yourself that needs some loving care and attention.

RitaFromThePitCanteen · 29/06/2024 22:41

The other night I dreamt I was rescuing baby rabbits from a children's plastic sandpit that someone had flooded and closed the lid on. It was a horrible, vivid dream, so I sympathise. I wonder if these kind of dreams have a any meaning.

Getoffthesofaplease · 29/06/2024 22:40

Oh my god I dream fairly regularly that I've shut my cat in a cupboard and forgotten about her or have cats I didn't know I had and haven't looked after them

Enoughwiththisshit · 29/06/2024 22:39

minthybobs · 29/06/2024 22:30

I’ve had numerous dreams along the same lines- really upsetting as I adore my pets. I’d forget to feed them and they’d be half starved in my dream etc When I googled it - this was pretty accurate for me:

t's possible that you often put the needs of others before your own, going above and beyond to help those around you. The recurring theme of forgetting to feed the pets could symbolize a fear of neglecting important tasks or obligations.

That's an interesting take. I have raging ADHD, so it makes sense 😂

Enoughwiththisshit · 29/06/2024 22:38

Most of my dreams are about desperately trying to stop my vulnerable pets escaping from various terrible temporary enclosures.😭

Laboheme78 · 29/06/2024 22:36

Omg. I had this on and off for years. As a young adult I had 2 horses which I sold on when I went to uni. I used to dream that I’d forgotten about them and that I suddenly remembered I’d left them in the field. So upsetting when I woke up. Thought I was mad! So interesting to hear that other people have this too.

minthybobs · 29/06/2024 22:30

I’ve had numerous dreams along the same lines- really upsetting as I adore my pets. I’d forget to feed them and they’d be half starved in my dream etc When I googled it - this was pretty accurate for me:

t's possible that you often put the needs of others before your own, going above and beyond to help those around you. The recurring theme of forgetting to feed the pets could symbolize a fear of neglecting important tasks or obligations.

AuntieDolly · 29/06/2024 22:29

I dreamt I forgot I had chickens and hadn't fed or watered them for weeks