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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To find the increasing humanisation of animals ridiculous?

109 replies

pinkmagic1 · 14/04/2017 16:30

I will start by saying that I am a huge animal lover. I studied animal care at college, have worked in a boarding kennels and volunteered at my local city Farm.

I totally understand the bond between humans and their pets and know people wish to treat them on occasion. However on visiting a local pet shop today I find dog perfume, cat and dog beer and wine, including something called pursecco and bottom sniffer, along with full size dog easter eggs for sale! Not to mention the little outfits they sell for dogs.
Am I being unreasonable in thinking the humanisation of animals has gone just a little far?

OP posts:
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Cantusethatname · 14/04/2017 17:01

Dog perfume? Does it smell of fox shit? grin

best response

kathkim · 14/04/2017 17:02

My little doggie will stay nice and cool and have a splashing good time.

MikeUniformMike · 14/04/2017 17:03

CharlieAlphaTango has a stripy onesie that he wears 24/7. He licks it clean regularly. I buy him cute collars though.

kathkim · 14/04/2017 17:07

LOL

To find the increasing humanisation of animals ridiculous?
limon · 14/04/2017 17:07

Yanbu. When I see bigoted racists and anti-refugee peoole posting about animal cruelty I can hardly believe it. Animals are not like your children. You may consider them family of sorts but people humanising animals in just silly

CollectingCoins · 14/04/2017 17:10

Actually paddling pools are useful for short face breeds in hot weather. My vet recommended we get one for our Frenchie to make the summer more pleasant for him.

Cherrysoup · 14/04/2017 17:10

I hate dogs being dressed up. Coats/protective jackets, fine, but outfits made me cringe. However, if it's not harming the dog and makes the owner happy, fine. I don't see the need for dog 'chocolate' etc. They would probably rather have a nice raw bone, much more satisfying.

I'm on several dog groups and the things that drive me most mad are people posting as though they were the dog, along with stupid shitty spelling and people asking for 'girl/boyfriends' for their dog. They don't need to breed, there are no health benefits and having pups just because a dog has a uterus makes me very cross.

Sparklingbrook · 14/04/2017 17:11

Dog paddling pools. May be pleasant for the dog but not the owners. Wet dog smell all summer long. Bleurgh.

NeonGod73 · 14/04/2017 17:13

It's a bit soppy but as long as there's no harm in it then why not. There's a whole market out there for this kinda shit like doggy perfume etc..and it's good news for the sellers. They make a living because some soppy owners have a lot of disposable income to spend on Fido and Jasper. Everybody's happy. End of.

Sparklingbrook · 14/04/2017 17:14

Is the dog happy though?

Ohyesiam · 14/04/2017 17:14

It feels like a sign that our culture had really lost itself up it's own arse.

newtlover · 14/04/2017 17:15

DD2 told me she saw on FB a post for mother's day, best wishes to all the mothers of 'furry babies'- we are thinking they do NOT mean animal mothers!

pinkmagic1 · 14/04/2017 17:16

That's nauseating newt lover!

OP posts:
AbernathysFringe · 14/04/2017 17:17

Yes, dogs don't need clothes (unless they're old and thin or small) or any of the other crap. But the perfume...i live with two dogs...I can get behind that. Or at least scented grooming spray.

kathkim · 14/04/2017 17:17

For some reason my dog doesn't smell when wet. He's also a non-shedder. I don't know if that's related.

kathkim · 14/04/2017 17:17

!

To find the increasing humanisation of animals ridiculous?
AnnieAnoniMouse · 14/04/2017 17:17

I don't see the issue with buying a paddling pool. Not everyone lives near a stream or a beach.

Coats/jumpers, many dogs seem to need them in the UK.

Occasional festive stuff seems harmless enough, cars & dogs dontbtend to tolerate stuff they don't want to wear.

Dressing them in 'dress up' clothes routinely strikes me as a tad peculiar.

Dog perfume? That's like smokers spraying perfume. Bleurgh. Love the name though 'Old Spike' 😂

That carrier though. That looks like all kinds of wrong in shape/design for a dog.

GoodGirlGoneWrong · 14/04/2017 17:17

My dogs have their own paddling pool Blush stops them jumping in and out of the kids one.

CornflakeHomunculus · 14/04/2017 17:18

I agree that as long as the dog is happy and not prevented from expressing natural behaviours it's just a bit daft and not really harmful.

However there's a clear issue with people being unable to recognise discomfort and distress in their dogs. You've only got to look at the popularity of extremely brachycephalic breeds to see that.

kathkim · 14/04/2017 17:19

Ah, but do they dress up like this GoodGirl? Wink

To find the increasing humanisation of animals ridiculous?
AbernathysFringe · 14/04/2017 17:22

Oh limon, I knew one person would bring up the old 'you can't care about animals and not people or you can't care about animals as much as people or you can't care about animals because there's so much human suffering' routine. Caring's not finite. I'd rather people just cared. So they are dumb ignorant fuckers about people, then take the fact they care about animals as their one redeeming feature.

tigerdriverII · 14/04/2017 17:23

Dog perfume = air freshener, of the Glade type stinkeroonee

Meekonsandwich · 14/04/2017 17:23

That reminds me to get an Easter egg for my beagle tomorrow! I love including her because she's part of the family _

I think as long as they enhance the enjoyment of the animal, treats, flavoured water, paddling pools, costs for when they're cold, or shorthanded, strollers for elderly or disabled dogs, I see no problem!

Forcing it upon an animal that doesn't enjoy it, a different story.

Evelight · 14/04/2017 17:23

YANBU. I think the same all the time.

My DD cries routinely when her friends' pets die. I find it irksome. I am dreading the day when our own cat will move on to rainbow cat land. The emotion she invests in that creature is far more than what she spends on her family members (eg, younger brother).

One of my friends teaches some sort of family studies class at a local uni, and she says she does this questionnaire at the beginning of term asking ppl to list who they consider close family members (regardless of whether living under same roof).There is a clear trend in that students regularly list cats and dogs, but not grandparentsé older siblings/aunts/cousins.

Sometimes I think pets and friends have replaced the close extended family ties we used to have, as our social/emotional support and network.

Meekonsandwich · 14/04/2017 17:28

I know as few people who have lots of animals because they can't have children, but what about children? If people have the money to spend on their animals why not let them?
People spend gross amounts on their children/babies on stuff they really don't need,
Designer push chairs, hair bows, designer clothes, toys they don't even play with, trainers for babies, birthday parties for 1year olds??
Babies aren't aware and dont realise, but if it makes the parents happy and they have the money why not??