Calling your animal a “pet” is derogatory, according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. According to a study published in the Journal of Animal Ethics, using the word can affect the way animals are treated. A PETA representative, Jennifer White, suggested it should be switched with more respectful terms, as our cats and dogs also understand us and have emotions.
Here at Bright Side, we always listen to what human or animal rights activists have to say. So here’s some news from PETA on how we offend our little animal friends and what to do about it.
Animal rights activists are saying not to use the word “pet” when referring to animals they own. In their opinion, it’s offensive and “patronizes the animal.” Considering our furry friends to not be living beings affects the treatment of these animals and even impacts their behavior.
PETA believes that using the term “pet” evokes associations with an inanimate object and even with an animal being disposable. Still, many people think that an animal is an object and a toy. In December, for example, many people receive puppies and kittens as a gift and in January, shelters are filled with these unwanted animals.
We all know animals can think and feel, so calling our small friends a “pet” reduces their wide range of emotions, feelings, and mental abilities to just a small fluffy object that can be held and cuddled, or “a possession to be used in any way the ‘owner’ wishes,” explained Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA.
Domestic animals like cats and dogs understand our intonations, read our emotions, and in general, realize what we mean when we speak to them. Therefore, adjusting the way we refer to our furry friends can actually be a good idea.
For example, when we call an animal a “companion” and even change it to “he/she” instead of “it,” this puts the animal on the same level as a human. That increases the importance of the animal’s life and in the future, might prevent some cases of animal husbandry and abandonment. It’s also good for educating children so they’ll understand that their animal friend has a soul, mind, and feelings, just like a human.
Do you think calling an animal by a more respectful name can change its behavior and attitude toward the owner? We’d be happy to hear your opinion in the comment section below!
It's easy to have a knee-jerk reaction to this kind of suggestion, but the words we use really do shape the way we think and act. It seems reasonable to call the animals who share our homes and lives “companions.” It reflects how much they mean to us.
I agree with you! Animals are living beings, therefore, they feel like us
I don't really listen to PETA anymore. This notoriously psychotic organization has been riddled with bad bad bad reputation over the years. They drove a man to bankcruptcy just because he helped a monkey took a selfie! Not to mention claiming the Pokemon game is teaching the kids to abuse the animals? I could go on and on about this but really, I don't take them seriously. They're getting even more ridiculous now. P/S. I love my cats and my dog, they are my whole world. I call them my pets, my bestfriends, my babies, my kiddies, whatever I want, but one thing that never change is my love for them. And they know that. Doesnt matter what I call them.
First off, the animal doesn't understand what the word pet means, and it seems Peta doesn't as well... Second, who the hell puts any living being on the same level as a motherfing chair? Like come on, some thought process would be nice for a change...
I don't call my animals pets , he's my dog ,my cat, my birds that's what they are to me with names Dumas Moo, Rea Jean, Joey
I have a feeling that our pets actually don't understand if you call them "pets" ?
Yeah lol, they learn how to understand things you say like their names and react on the interactions that you tell them, but being called a "pet" probably makes no sense to them.
unless you call them a "pet" and then abuse a poor animal. Then they will make a negative correlation out of this world and become scared a sad
Just people trying to give purpose to things that actually don't matter I guess.
People from this PETA probably don't have other more important things to do ?
taking care of our little fluffy friends is awesome, but sometimes claims like this might be too much
What nonsense. They don't understand what you are saying. In fact I find it hilarious for some reason to insult my cats with silly names. Like smelly-head. They have no idea.
I think they do! I've had several fluffy friends and they totally understood when I was sad, angry or happy... they have feeling too!
They can understand if you're happy, angry, or sad. But they won't understand you if you tried talking to them... The same thing goes for us. They can growl, make noises, and you won't understand a thing. They use gestures as same as us, or use their voice to show off their mood. They do have feelings, but they can't comprehend any human language. That's what this article is saying. Somehow pets understand human words... Which is frankly, completely bollocks.
I totally agree with this article. Animals know things and feel as well. It's common sense to think they can get affected when called pets because yeah, it's like they're an object rather than a living being
