To think pet owners should stop calling themselves “dog mums” and “cat dads?”

[TheDeftAquaViewer]

It just feels a bit much when people treat their pets as if they’re children. AIBU to think this trend has gone a bit too far?

I’m so sorry, @Floralnomad.

I don't mind quite so much if owners do it as I immediately mentally laugh, but when advertisers and vets etc say pet parents I'm gritting my teeth . I'm it's owner thanks

I absolutely agree. My dog is a family member & I don’t give a rats ass if that bothers anyone.

I’m sorry for your loss, it’s the most horrendous time.

Goodness me🤣 we’re a thick bunch of dog parents on here aren’t we! But good on you for stating the obvious reminding us.

I blame it on all the life admin…ordering the food, doggy play dates, booking vets, grooomers, flea treatment.

Ha I was gonna say raw carrots and chicken then thought people would think I feed my girl raw chicken (which I don’t). Just cooked chicken, sorry for the confusion.

I agree with all of this.

You do realise that first, most rescue animals have lost their families long before they get taken in and second, that cats expect their kittens to bugger off as soon as they’re old enough to look after themselves?

I don’t know how it works with dogs. I do agree that taking a baby animal from its mother before it’s ready is cruel though.

Sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved dog

@Pusheen467

Wolves chose to hang out with people. Not the other way around, scientists now think.

Pets aren't wild animals anymore. My dog would be distraught if she didn't have her soft bed, her warm house, her three human servants to wait on her hand and foot. Even if they did live in the wild, the babies would grow up and leave their family to prevent inbreeding.

@QueenTweenandKingTeen

I judge people who believe that we actually think our pets are our children just because we call ourselves dog/cat parents. 🤣🤣🤣. It is just a fun and affectionate name. And the more people get their knickers in a twist about, the more I want to keep doing it.

This is such a mental thread. Who honestly gives that much of a fuck what anyone calls their cat? Yet, oddly I'm gripped.

I do exactly this! 😀

I'm known as the cat's mum in my household. It is a bit of fun that makes us all smile, I know I am not her literal mother.
It's bonkers to me that anyone would care so much about how I talk to my own cat in my own house. Why does it matter and how does it affect you OP?

I think pet owners should claim mum and dad as their own and get exclusive use. Parents of non-pets should find a different set of words to use.

They can use their actual real names (like at least 2 posters have said on here to do).

Why, because you say so.Is this affecting you in anyway, no of course it isn’t.

Oh yes, I will certainly be doing the same going forward. Collapse of modern civilisation indeed 😅

Pets are prevented from behaving in natural ways - no scratching, digging, marking etc. We even decide if they get to keep their sex organs or not. Plus, anyone buying from a breeder is funding the reproductuve slavery of another female.

I have seen it mentioned on MN before that when someone posts about losing their little girl/boy, people assume they mean their child, and that people who have lost their own are either triggered by it, or are psyching themselves up to reply. They then find out it was a pet, and they are angry for being mislead.

So, I can see where they are coming from, but I think that is something they have to deal with themselves, and not police the language of someone who is is still going through something devastating.

Are you equally angry about how farm animals are treated? I very much hope so.

As for sex organs, kittens can become pregnant as young as four months old. There was an 18-month-old cat in our rescue who was already a grandmother, FFS.

The kindest thing you can do to a female cat is spay her.

Pets are prevented from behaving in natural ways - no scratching, digging, marking etc. We even decide if they get to keep their sex organs or not. Plus, anyone buying from a breeder is funding the reproductuve slavery of another female

I assume you are a vegan then? Seeing as you feel so strongly about animal rights.

We call ourselves our dog's Dad and Mom. No regrets.

I don't prevent my greyhound from doing anything (which is mainly sleeping). She is too old now, but my garden is very uneven as a result of zoomies and digging.

I have had cats, and they had scratching posts (and the corner of my sofa).

My dog is spayed, as intact female dogs are at risk for things like pyometra (I know someone who lost her dog to that). Any female cats I have had have also been spayed as living with a cat in heat is awful! They don't miss their sexual organs, and they don't pine about not having a litter of their own.

My previous employer (complete bitch might I add) referred to her dogs as "her boys"

My cats are my babies. I also say they are my sons and daughters sisters. 🤷‍♀️