The human love of pets is a powerful and global phenomenon. For many pet owners, their furry (or scaly) domestic companions transcend any simple categorization of non-human animal. Research shows that it is a growing global trend for pet owners to consider their animals to be full members of their families, to dote upon them as they would children or romantic partners, and to thereby develop strong bonds of dependency, love, and support.
Key Takeaways
- The human-animal bond is a widespread and cross-cultural phenomenon, with pets often considered family members.
- Pets play a significant role in shaping the social and emotional lives of their owners around the world.
- Anthropomorphism, or the attribution of human characteristics to non-human animals, is a common aspect of the human-pet relationship.
- The pet industry has grown substantially, reflecting the central role pets play in modern societies.
- Promoting responsible pet ownership and animal welfare is crucial as pet ownership continues to rise globally.
The Origins of Pet-Keeping
The history of pets is closely intertwined with the process of animal domestication. While the timings and processes of domestication remain largely unknown, there are plenty of theories that provide us with a rough idea.
Animal Domestication and the Emergence of Pets
Other animals were also domesticated much later, with donkeys thought to have been domesticated in East Africa around 7,000 years ago, and cattle and sheep domestication taking place 8,000 years ago in the Middle East. Many researchers have questioned how cats came to live amongst people, as they don’t directly offer much towards human survival. Genetic and archaeological findings suggest that cats grew closer to humans in order to take advantage of mice and food scraps found in settlements.
The First Domesticated Animals: Dogs and Cats
However, it is generally believed that cats weren’t domesticated as pets until about 16th Century BCE by the ancient Egyptians, much later than dogs.
Archaeological Evidence of Ancient Human-Pet Bonds
Archaeological and ethnographic evidence supports the recognition of a longstanding bond between humans and animals far back into prehistory. In ancient Egypt (5000-2000 BCE), burials of dogs and donkeys suggest they may have been family pets, as they do not seem to be the subject of cult or religious observance. Similarly, the purposeful interment of animals in prehistoric settlements is known throughout the American Southwest and northern Mexico, with archaeologists pondering if certain animal burials denote pets given special treatment by their owners.
Pets as Family Members Across Cultures
A broad cross-cultural study of human–pet dynamics around the world revealed that dogs, birds, and cats were the most common pets, followed by horses, other hoofed mammals, rodents, nonhuman primates, and pigs. The authors suggest various reasons that peoples around the world keep pets, including rearing the animals for food, training them for assistance, or keeping them as playful companions. Attitudes and sentiments towards the domesticated animals vary, with many societies attaching spiritual meaning to their pets that illustrate how they are woven into the broader belief system of a society.
Emotional Bonds and Anthropomorphism
Regardless of the reasons for domestication, the emotional connection between pets and their owners is worthy of cross-cultural attention. Research has discovered that dogs are able to read emotional cues from the faces of their owners and respond accordingly. Other studies have shown that people tend to have more compassion for animals who are suffering than for adult humans in similar circumstances, treating hurt dogs akin to helpless infants who need protection. Based on global data, researchers have concluded that subjects “did not view their dogs as animals, but rather as ‘fur babies’ or family members alongside human children”.
Archaeological and Ethnographic Evidence of Pet Adoration
Archaeological and ethnographic evidence supports the recognition of a longstanding bond between humans and animals far back into prehistory. For example, in ancient Egypt, burials of dogs and donkeys suggest they may have been family pets, while in the American Southwest and northern Mexico, the purposeful interment of animals in prehistoric settlements denotes pets given special treatment by their owners. Ethnographic accounts from diverse cultures, such as the Amazonian Tukano people caring for domesticated animals “as if they were their own children” and the Yap Islanders nursing piglets alongside human babies, further illustrate the deep emotional attachments people can form with their companion animals.
The Cultural Significance of Pets
The profound cultural and social impacts of pet ownership, from ancient traditions to modern therapy pets, demonstrate the unique human-animal bond that transcends practical needs. Pets are woven into the broader belief systems and social structures of societies around the world, with many cultures attaching spiritual meaning and emotional significance to their companion animals. The capacity for our love of pets stems from the process of animal domestication in early human history, enhancing our senses of empathy and understanding that underpin the strong bonds we form with specific animals.
Across diverse cultures, pets are cherished as family members, treated with the same tenderness and devotion as human children, revealing the deep emotional value people derive from their relationships with companion animals.
| Cultural Significance of Pets | Human-Animal Relationships | Emotional Value of Pets |
|---|---|---|
| Pets are woven into belief systems and social structures worldwide | Capacity for love of pets stems from animal domestication | Pets cherished as family members, treated with tenderness |
| Cultures attach spiritual meaning and significance to companion animals | Strong bonds formed through empathy and understanding | Pets provide deep emotional value to their owners |
| Pets have profound cultural and social impacts | Human-animal bond transcends practical needs | Relationships with companion animals are highly valued |
“Pets are woven into the broader belief systems and social structures of societies around the world, with many cultures attaching spiritual meaning and emotional significance to their companion animals.”
Attitudes Towards Pets: Edible or Lovable?
While the keeping of domestic pets appears to be overwhelmingly common, what makes an animal a suitable pet – and one worthy of great adoration and pampering by their human owners – can vary across cultures. Anthropologist Edmund Leach’s seminal work presents the human relationship to animals in terms of social distance, with the most familiar or “closest” creatures subject to ritual provisions or prohibitions because they are considered “taboo”, and therefore most worthy of human-like care and devotion. Conversely, those animals physically or symbolically more distant from the self can be seen as suitable food.
Edmund Leach’s Model of Social Distance
Dentan’s description of Semai dietary restrictions in Malaysia provides insight into this categorization of animals as either lovable or edible. The Semai consider tame animals like dogs, cats and monkeys as “not eatable” because “we love them”, while wild but synoecious animals like house rats and cockroaches are “not eatable” because they are “dirty” or “evil spirits”. This aptly illustrates Leach’s model of how humans construct a social distance that aids in understanding human-animal relationships.
Fur Babies: Treating Pets Like Children
The dynamic of intimacy in the human relationship to animals is evident around the world, with instances of beloved species being cared for as fondly and tenderly as human babies. The Amazonian Tukano people, for example, enjoy the companionship of domesticated animals in their homes, “loving and taking care of these animals as if they were their own children”, even chewing their food before feeding it to the animals when they are small. Chickens are kept solely for bartering, not consumed, illustrating how the Tukano categorize certain animals as lovable rather than edible.
The Tukano People’s Nurturing of Pets
On the Pacific Island of Yap in Micronesia, an even closer parent-child relationship between human and animal is simulated in the case of piglets. Yap women often take newborn piglets away from their mothers to nurse and protect them “with a tenderness and solicitude bordering on the love given to a child”, not unusual to see women carrying their “baby” pigs while their human offspring hang on their backs.
Yap Islanders and Their Cherished Piglets
Dogs are one of the most cherished animals around the world, and it is not uncommon for puppies to be raised alongside human babies, with the same attention and devotion. The Onge people of the Andaman Islands, for instance, will “suckle the family puppies quite naturally with their own children”, demonstrating the intense emotional bonds that can form between humans and their animal companions.
Nursing Puppies Alongside Human Babies
Historical Perspectives on Pet-Keeping
Throughout history, the world’s wealthy and ruling classes have demonstrated a powerful affinity for pets. In Europe since classical times, the gentry and nobility kept animals as pets, with the practice subject to popular satire. Ancient Greek and Roman upper classes were extravagantly fond of their companion animals, with the Emperor Hadrian burying his favorite dogs beneath monumental tombstones. This trend continued through the Middle Ages, with aristocracy and the ecclesiastical elite lavishing attention on their pets while largely ignoring the plight of the working population.
Pets as Status Symbols Among the Wealthy
The royal pet-keeping tradition has been maintained for centuries, with figures like Mary Queen of Scots surrounding herself with an entourage of tiny dogs, some dressed in blue velvet. Her son James I, along with Charles I and his children Charles II, James I, and Mary, were all enthusiastic dog owners, with Charles II’s fondness for the little spaniels that now bear his name becoming notorious. The present British monarch, Elizabeth II, is also world-famous for her ever-present coterie of corgis, continuing the royal obsession with companion animals.
Royal Obsessions with Lapdogs and Other Pets
The royal pet-keeping tradition has been maintained for centuries, with figures like Mary Queen of Scots surrounding herself with an entourage of tiny dogs, some dressed in blue velvet. Her son James I, along with Charles I and his children Charles II, James I, and Mary, were all enthusiastic dog owners, with Charles II’s fondness for the little spaniels that now bear his name becoming notorious. The present British monarch, Elizabeth II, is also world-famous for her ever-present coterie of corgis, continuing the royal obsession with companion animals.
The Cultural Significance of Pets
While the practice of capturing, taming, and keeping wild animals for companionship is widespread among hunting and gathering and simple horticultural societies, it has only rarely been studied or even described in any detail, and explanations for its existence are often strangely contrived. There is a prevailing misconception that pet-keeping is a pointless and unnecessary luxury, a mere by-product of Western wealth that is wasteful in terms of emotional and material resources.
Misconceptions About Pet-Keeping in Non-Western Societies
Research in other disciplines has begun to shed light on the potential social, emotional, and recreational value of companion animals in human society. Recognition of the fact that pets are not entirely useless, but rather serve important functions in fostering empathy, social bonds, and emotional well-being, challenges the assumption that pet-keeping is simply a frivolous invention of the idle rich. Across diverse cultures, the cherishing of companion animals reveals their profound significance in shaping human social structures and belief systems, transcending mere material affluence.
The Social and Emotional Value of Companion Animals
Research in other disciplines has begun to shed light on the potential social, emotional, and recreational value of companion animals in human society. Recognition of the fact that pets are not entirely useless, but rather serve important functions in fostering empathy, social bonds, and emotional well-being, challenges the assumption that pet-keeping is simply a frivolous invention of the idle rich. Across diverse cultures, the cherishing of companion animals reveals their profound significance in shaping human social structures and belief systems, transcending mere material affluence.
Pet Ownership Trends and Industry
Over the last century, pet-keeping has gradually achieved full emancipation in the Western world, with ownership of companion animals now fairly evenly distributed across all social classes. This growing trend of pet ownership has coincided with rising standards of living, leading to the increased popularity of pet-friendly policies and the expansion of the pet product and services industry.
The Rise of Pet Populations and Pet-Friendly Policies
The global demand for pets and the desire to pamper them has fueled the rapid growth of the pet industry, which now encompasses a wide range of products and services catering to the emotional and practical needs of companion animals and their owners. From specialized pet food and grooming supplies to pet daycare, training, and even therapy services, the pet industry has become a multi-billion dollar business, reflecting the central role pets play in modern societies.
The Growing Pet Product and Services Industry
The global demand for pets and the desire to pamper them has fueled the rapid growth of the pet industry, which now encompasses a wide range of products and services catering to the emotional and practical needs of companion animals and their owners. From specialized pet food and grooming supplies to pet daycare, training, and even therapy services, the pet industry has become a multi-billion dollar business, reflecting the central role pets play in modern societies.
Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Welfare
As pet ownership continues to rise globally, there is an increasing focus on promoting the ethical treatment of companion animals and ensuring their well-being. This includes advocating for responsible pet ownership practices, such as proper care, training, and veterinary attention, as well as raising awareness about pet adoption and supporting rescue efforts to save animals in need. By fostering a culture of compassion and respect for the animals we invite into our homes and lives, we can help to ensure that the special bond between humans and their pets remains a positive and meaningful one.
Promoting Ethical Treatment of Companion Animals
Responsible pet ownership requires a commitment to providing the best possible care for our furry, feathered, or scaly companions. This means ensuring that our pets receive proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary attention, as well as training and socialization to help them thrive. By prioritizing the animal welfare of our pets, we can strengthen the human-animal bond and create a more ethical and enriching environment for our beloved companions.
Pet Adoption Awareness and Rescue Efforts
Pet adoption and rescue efforts play a crucial role in promoting the responsible and humane treatment of companion animals. By raising awareness about the importance of adopting animals from shelters and supporting organizations that work to rehabilitate and rehome pets in need, we can help to reduce the suffering of homeless and abandoned animals while encouraging the public to make informed and ethical choices when acquiring a new pet. Through these efforts, we can foster a society that values responsible pet ownership and the well-being of all animals in our care.
Conclusion
The profound cultural and social significance of pets in global societies cannot be overstated. From the ancient origins of animal domestication to the modern trend of treating companion animals as beloved family members, the human-pet bond has shaped the beliefs, traditions, and emotional lives of people around the world. This special relationship between humans and their pets has become increasingly central to our societies, with research demonstrating the unique value that pets provide in fostering empathy, social connections, and overall well-being.
As pet ownership continues to rise globally, it is crucial that we promote responsible and ethical practices that prioritize the welfare of companion animals. By raising awareness about the importance of pet adoption, supporting animal rescue efforts, and encouraging compassionate care for our furry (or scaly) friends, we can ensure that this enduring bond between humans and their pets endures for generations to come. The significance of human-pet relationships, reflected in the summary of key points, highlights the profound impact that our beloved companions have on the cultural and social fabric of our world.
As I continue to explore the depths of this human-pet connection, I am reminded of the immense value that our animal companions bring to our lives. From the ancient Egyptians who cherished their dogs as family members to the modern-day pet owners who dote on their “fur babies,” the symbolic and cultural significance of pets in global societies is a testament to the powerful and enduring nature of this special bond.
FAQ
What is the cultural significance of pets in global societies?
The human love of pets is a powerful and global phenomenon. Pets are often considered full members of the family, with strong bonds of dependency, love, and support developing between owners and their companion animals. Pets are woven into the broader belief systems and social structures of societies around the world, with many cultures attaching spiritual meaning and emotional significance to their furry, feathered, or scaly friends.
What is the origin of pet-keeping and animal domestication?
The history of pets is closely intertwined with the process of animal domestication. While the timings and processes of domestication remain largely unknown, it is generally believed that dogs were the first animals domesticated, followed by donkeys, cattle, sheep, and cats. Archaeological and ethnographic evidence suggests that humans have had longstanding bonds with animals far back into prehistory, with burials and purposeful interments of animals in ancient settlements indicating the special treatment and status of certain species as family pets.
How do different cultures view and treat pets as family members?
Cross-cultural studies have revealed that dogs, birds, and cats are the most common pets globally, with various reasons for keeping them, including as food, assistance animals, or beloved companions. Many societies attach spiritual meaning to their pets and weave them into their broader belief systems. Research has shown that people often view their pets as “fur babies” or family members, forming deep emotional attachments and treating them with the same tenderness and devotion as human children.
What are some examples of the cultural and social significance of pets around the world?
Ethnographic accounts from diverse cultures, such as the Amazonian Tukano people caring for domesticated animals “as if they were their own children” and the Yap Islanders nursing piglets alongside human babies, illustrate the profound emotional attachments people can form with their companion animals. The capacity for this human-animal bond stems from the process of domestication in early human history, enhancing our empathy and understanding that underpin the strong bonds we form with specific animals.
How do attitudes towards pets vary between being considered “edible” or “lovable”?
Anthropologist Edmund Leach’s model of social distance suggests that the most familiar or “closest” animals to humans are often subject to ritual provisions or prohibitions because they are considered “taboo” and therefore worthy of human-like care and devotion. Conversely, animals that are physically or symbolically more distant from the self can be seen as suitable food. This categorization of animals as either lovable or edible is evident in various cultures, such as the Semai people of Malaysia, who consider tame animals like dogs and cats as “not eatable” because “we love them”.
How have pets been treated as children or family members throughout history?
Across diverse cultures, there are numerous examples of beloved pets being cared for as fondly and tenderly as human babies. The Amazonian Tukano people “love and take care of these animals as if they were their own children”, while on the Pacific Island of Yap, women often nurse and protect newborn piglets “with a tenderness and solicitude bordering on the love given to a child”. Even the keeping of puppies alongside human babies, with the same attention and devotion, is not uncommon in certain societies.
How have pets been viewed as status symbols by the wealthy and ruling classes throughout history?
The world’s wealthy and ruling classes have demonstrated a powerful affinity for pets throughout history. In Europe since classical times, the gentry and nobility kept animals as pets, with the practice subject to popular satire. This trend continued through the Middle Ages, with aristocracy and the ecclesiastical elite lavishing attention on their pets while largely ignoring the plight of the working population. The royal pet-keeping tradition has been maintained for centuries, with figures like Mary Queen of Scots and the British monarchs known for their love of companion animals.
What are the misconceptions about pet-keeping in non-Western societies, and how has research challenged this?
There is a prevailing misconception that pet-keeping is a pointless and unnecessary luxury, a mere by-product of Western wealth that is wasteful in terms of emotional and material resources. However, research in other disciplines has begun to shed light on the potential social, emotional, and recreational value of companion animals in human society, challenging the assumption that pet-keeping is simply a frivolous invention of the idle rich. Across diverse cultures, the cherishing of companion animals reveals their profound significance in shaping human social structures and belief systems, transcending mere material affluence.
What are the current trends and industry surrounding pet ownership?
Over the last century, pet-keeping has gradually achieved full emancipation in the Western world, with ownership of companion animals now fairly evenly distributed across all social classes. This growing trend of pet ownership has coincided with rising standards of living, leading to the increased popularity of pet-friendly policies and the expansion of the pet product and services industry, which now encompasses a wide range of products and services catering to the emotional and practical needs of companion animals and their owners.
How can we promote responsible pet ownership and animal welfare?
As pet ownership continues to rise globally, there is an increasing focus on promoting the ethical treatment of companion animals and ensuring their well-being. This includes advocating for responsible pet ownership practices, such as proper care, training, and veterinary attention, as well as raising awareness about pet adoption and supporting rescue efforts to save animals in need. By fostering a culture of compassion and respect for the animals we invite into our homes and lives, we can help to ensure that the special bond between humans and their pets remains a positive and meaningful one.
Source Links
- https://hraf.yale.edu/unconditional-love-is-devotion-to-pets-a-cultural-universal/
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zd7g8p3
- https://sites.evergreen.edu/anthrozoology/wp-content/uploads/sites/142/2015/11/pet-keeping-Serpell-1987.pdf