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?

Sorry it's SimpleThings

How exactly is a dog being disrespected if someone tells them to "find daddy" in the comfort of their own home? Is if better for the dog for everyone to refer to the male owner by their first name?
Christ, this site is nuts sometimes.

“It's very much part of the zeitgeist to blur all formerly well accepted lines, very unthinkingly.”

100% agree.

When my son was tiny (under 3) he once saw an older child out and about and innocently asked 'if he'd need to go back to his owner' guessing that would send op over the edge!

Leave my babies alone. They are all I have.

We're not equal to cats and dogs. Babies and children cannot be compared to animals.

Anthropomorphism is part of a pernicious and extremely corrosive anti-child element in our culture that needs to be exposed and analysed.

I have both children and cats, I'm mummy to all 😁

Eh my husband and I refer to ourselves as mommy and daddy to our dogs, as silly as it is, and I call them my babies...but we just do it between us. We're not referring to ourselves as dog parents in front of other people, they're just silly titles we use at home or in conversation with one another. I'd be mortified to do it in front of other people haha. I don't think it's hurting anyone or undermining parents, though. We very much acknowledge that having dogs is still far less responsibility, time, effort, etc than having children, and very much respect parents.

No one actually believes they birthed their pets. It is just a term of endearment. It hurts no one at all, and you don't really get to say how people refer to themselves to their pets in their own home.

I consider myself the mother of my cat and dog and my DH considers himself their father. I know they feel the same as they talk (through me) and call us Mum and Dad.

Agreed. Repulsive.

I can understand loving your pets. I have no issue with this on an individual level

In terms of society I find it rather Orwellian that humans are having less and less children whilst calling other species their children.

So what if people call their pets fur babies, not harming anyone.

I call my cat my “little girl” and couldn’t care less if anyone doesn’t like it. Also when we hear my boyfriends key in the lock as he arrives home I look at her excitedly and say “is daddy home? Yes he is!” and gather her in my arms and we go to the hallway to greet him. And he usually says “there’s my girls!” and we have a family hug. Lovely.

Ooh you'd hate me OP. Not only am I mum to my cat, I am nan to her kitten who adopted with her. I am also nan to DS cat and Auntie Gap to my nephews dog. Also Auntie to various pets of friends. Though of course that's just a courtesy title as we're not related.

Yes, Furbabies as well
🙄

Because the dog is not the offspring of your husband.

Yes, the male owner's first name would be preferable for philosophical reasons.

If the clear distinction is maintained, it is easier for people to stop dressing dogs in silly clothing or feeding them ice cream or other unsuitable diets or, more importantly, failing to train them in appropriate behaviour around other people in case their feelings were hurt or the owners felt they were being mean to their furbaby by consistently keeping them under control.

The dog's need for a pack leader is also satisfied by the clear line. Dogs appreciate a clear hierarchy, whether that means they are fed after the family has eaten or they don't get to lounge on the couch or they are trained to obey verbal commands instantly. They are confused by a democracy and by unearned privilege. Treating them as if they were anything but dogs fills a human need but not a dog's. It's not kind.

@LouH5 similar in our house with our beautiful dog!

And we sign his name in greeting cards then put a drawing of a paw print next to it.

I've got a photo of my boy engraved with his name near the kitchen sink right with special pics of dh and the kids.

And my boy will be getting his own dog treat advent calendar at Christmas. I've already bought and wrapped him a gift too.

@mathanxiety I adore my dog in ways you disapprove of but would never dress him in clothes or do many of the other things you've also listed - you're making sweeping generalisations now.

And people calling stinky dogs their fur baby...

Bleugh....

How do you plan on exposing it?

My neighbour has a dog pushchair for her Jack Russell. This is because he’s too old to walk far but he loves meeting his mates in the park, so he rides there, has fun sniffing about & playing & rides back. Her equally elderly chihuahua rode in it too until he had to be put to sleep a couple of months ago.

Are you saying that’s ridiculous?

The pets in my family exchange birthday & Xmas presents.

No they don't. You buy things and pretend they are doing it.

Can't imagine getting upset over something so silly. It's not interfering with your life, try to care less?