How does consent work for non sexual things?

[Necoblast]

Sorry if I sound stupid, I have a brain issue that makes things harder to understand.
As far as I know, consent is when you ask for permission to do something. But you don't need consent for everything, such as reading a book, or feeding a baby. When does consent apply or not apply? Somebody told me that children can't consent to anything, but they can say yes or no, so I don't understand why they can't consent to, for example, painting their nails. If a parent wants to paint their childs nails but the child doesn't want it, who decides? Is it the parents choice, is it a default no, do both parties need to say yes, or only one person, or what? What about dogs?
dogs can't talk, so we will never know if they consent or not. When we take a dog for a walk or feed it a certain food or even pet it, we don't have the consent but we do it anyways. Why is that? Is it that consent is not needed if there are no risks for harm or anything permanent? Or are there different rules for adults and kids and animals and stuff? Does a cat have different rules than a dog?
(Yes I know that assault is very bad, no I am not a troll)

Consent is agreeing about things done to you. You don’t need consent to read a book.
Children should have bodily autonomy, as long as they are safe and healthy. Parents should insist when it’s medicine for example, but not when it’s nail varnish.
Dogs give consent with body language. It’s fairly clear when a dog or cat wants to be petted. Also fairly clear when they don’t want it! Trainers now tend to use positive techniques- they train the dog to want to do the task. Aversive techniques where you punish the dog for misbehaving are now frowned upon.

Is there a specific consent issue that’s bothering you?

What is worrying you OP?

for example if you have to ask, get consent, from partner for non sexual things like going to the toilet, what clothes can i wear, can I have something to eat or drink. This is not ok.

Most animal lovers and all behaviourists will tell you that you need to gain an animal's consent before petting it, but we judge this through body language and light, brief, touch in an acceptable way before progressing further.

There's a saying, "you can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink" which literally applies to all animals we care for. We give dogs dog food but don't force them to eat it, if a dog or cat doesn't want to eat what you've given them then they won't. So no breach of consent there.

Dogs enjoy walks and gentle training helps them get used to walking on a lead, the same way as children we get used to holding our parents hand when we cross the road.

Cats aren't that different from dogs,you need to learn to read their body language that's all.

When it comes to feeding a baby, we are meeting a primary need for their survival. But equally, we can't force a baby to eat. Babies naturally consent to eating.

There are times in life when we may act without a persons consent and there are laws about when this can be done. For example, a person has the right to refuse medical treatment if they're ill - even if they're dying - and the law states that they can only be forced to undergoing medical treatment without their consent if, after a proper assessment by certain trained professionals, they are judged to not have the mental capacity to consent to treatment.

In the case of young children and animals, their parents/guardians/owners have a responsibility to make the best decision on their behalf because they are deemed to not have the ability to fully consent. However, in practice, childrens views are sought and taken into account as much as possible. Owners of pets will refuse treatment if they believe the medical treatment is causing more pain and stress to their pet and this outweighs the benefits.

For anyone deemed to not be able to consent, we have a responsibility to treat them with respect and work within their wishes as much as possible. We also have a responsibility to do what is best for them. It is not always easy to judge, but this is why those who cannot consent may have medical treatment against their wishes.

In cases where parents disagree about whether their child can wear nail varnish, they have to sort it out between themselves.

If someone says ‘no’ or ‘I don’t want to’, that’s a clear refusal of consent.

Someone who doesn’t have words or doesn’t use words can still show consent or non consent. Body language or behaviour communicates. Leaning towards something indicates desire, away from it is distaste.

Would it help to see consent as joining in enthusiastically, or not needing to be encouraged?

Encouragement is offering someone the opportunity more than once, making room for them to get involved or do the activity.

Do you need help with something? Are you in a difficult situation?

Beautiful response.

This is why I like mn , clear and well articulated response.

Context is everything - I dont ask permission if I can touch my GF bum/leg/whatever and neither does she...

Generally we tell each other if we plan to do some things at weekends more of a courtesy than anything else.

With kids, the older they get the more consent they get. When they are young, making them eat all their veg is perfectly fine even if they dont consent!

An adult is responsible for their baby so no a baby doesn't consent. A dog doesn't consent because it's an animal and consent is a human concept. It doesn't apply to other species.

That's why having a baby or animals comes with a lot of responsibility.