Is it really that unusual to dislike animals ?

[Whyisthatweird]

I’ve been told so many times now that it’s either not normal or a sign that something is wrong and one person even said it made them feel so uncomfortable to be around me when realising what an aversion I have to animals ??!! Surely I’m not alone ??

I don’t hate animals - I’m just either phobic about them or I can’t stand them for multiple sensory reasons (smell, dirt, germs etc) and therefore totally avoid them ! I don’t make a fuss about it it’s just when anyone realises they act like it’s a sign of being some kind of psychopath ! A colleague recently got a puppy and I couldn’t be in the same room. I can see why others find them cute and accept that but I feel nauseous around animals and she was trying to follow me around saying ‘what’s wrong with you ?’ It got really uncomfortable.

Am I the only one ? I feel like some kind of freak !

It seems strange to dislike all species of animals, they are all so different. And if it wasn't for other animals, we as a species of animal wouldn't be here either. And if the things you don't like about them is that they are dirty, germy and they poo, that's not any different to humans.

Agree with everything you say @Misthios 👍

VeniVidiWeeWee
All of them? From aardvarks to zebras?

Yes and as a child at school I couldn’t participate in anything to do with Noah’s ark! There was a song in assembly I used to have to be taken out as I’d feel/be sick (the thought of being on a boat with animals 😂) and if it was talked about I’d get really distressed. Had a disastrous school trip to the zoo at one point a teacher had to stay in the gift shop with me as I had a panic attack as didn’t like the smell.

It’s odd as I can appreciate why people would find some animals cute (eg puppies or kittens ) but if there’s a real one actually near me I feel like I have to just get away*

It sounds like a phobia, rather than simply a dislike. I have a completely irrational phobia so I think I understand the feeling of repugnance.

It's definitely pretty unusual (in this country, anyway) to really dislike animals. I think you must be in a very small minority. If you're phobic, though, there's not much you can easily do about it.

Animals are all part of nature, we wouldn’t exist without them so I have a huge respect for the natural world. It fascinates me and it is hardwired into our brain to be comfortable in nature. So for people to be actively repulsed by the thought of it is really bizarre and unnerving. It’s psychopathic to be so removed from nature, I immediately feel like those people are cold hearted and untrustworthy. I understand if people might not like dogs or cats or snakes or spiders but to hate the whole biological kingdom that is animals is just odd.

I'm a huge animal lover from a family of 'animals belong outside' people - most of my family don't hate animals but see them as dirty and something that belongs outside. I've got some friends who are scared of dogs/cats so avoid them. Not liking animals isn't an issue but maybe try and work out what it specifically is you don't like? Not being able to be in the same room for a short period does seem like an extreme response. My family knows that if they come to my house the dog and cat will be there (which they have no problem with as they are now fond of them both), but if I go to my families house I respect them not wanting their house 'dirty' by the dog either being in the garden or he stays on a dog bed while we're in their house so he isn't walking around.