I just wanted to know, how many of you have substituted pets for children?
I have a 4 year old black Pomeranian that I treat like my child, and most people think that it is weird. So just how many of us out there do it?

My family treats both of our cats as if they were my Brother and Sister, in addition to my actual brother and sister. Its kinda always been that way, and I dont think it will ever change.

I've done this! I treat pets like they are family, they're people too. ^^

Both my mom and I see our cat that way I think. XD But I think he sees my mom more as his mom than me. Probably because I was pretty young myself when we got him, and I'm sure I annoyed him back then. But since I don't plan on having any human children, I'm sure it'll be this way with any pets I get. I feel much more comfortable taking care of animals than I would taking care of a human child. I already know my little family is going to consist of me, my boyfriend, and a few pets, most of which will probably be cats. I'm hoping to eventually convince him to be open to the idea of a dog as well though. He doesn't really like dogs, and I'm a cat person, but I'd like to have a dog for once.

Each to their own, I don't think it's mentally healthy to do this. An adult companion animal is not a child of our species.
They might require and benefit from the same care in certain areas and in other areas they have differing needs.
For instance a fundamental difference; a child of our species unless severally handicapped is being raised to become self empowered and independent. A companion animal is not being raised to become independent, the companion animal is going to be with us for life or re-homed to another person's care.

I remember practice filling out adoption forms from a rescues over wanting a chihuahua and being unable to afford.
One of the questions is will you make this companion animal a member of your family. Honestly I'd have to answer no./ It's a companion animal, not a person child. In order for me to raise the companion animal like a child, I'd have to be teaching them skills to get a job so they could support themselves once they became self empowered.

Well, I'm not old enough to have a child... but I call my 3 Guinea pigs my babys :P Anytime my boyfriend comes over and I decide to take them out, he calls himself the daddy... so... I guess you could say I substitute my guinea pigs for children ^.^

I treat my cat like my bitchy yet loving little sister XD. I have an American short haired tabby who's about six years old :3

I always figured after I've had kids and they move out, or if I ever live alone, I run high risk of becoming a crotchety old cat-man. I love cats too much. When I see them I say "Kitty!" in that annoying talking-to-pets voice before even thinking about it, and I go and bug them. So I guess I'm not substituting them for people at all. I think I just love cats.

I treat all my pets as if they were my child. I am a huge animal-lover, to say. I always put my pets before myself, than again, my boyfriend says I spoil them *too* much, bhaha. I love the look on my dog's face when I bring her a new toy, or when I bring my rats new treats to try, or the way my cats act when I give 'em a toy with catnip, just priceless <3

Well.... my cat's name is baby. :D
I raised her from when she was about a week old, living under our bin. I think she sees me as her mother. She talks to me, sleeps in (not on, in) my bed and we're always together.

Misfittbaby, not enough people have pet rats. Rats are actually such smart animals, and they make really good pets. People think they're dirty, but they're not dirty when they're pets because they live in a good environment.

My mom always calls my 12 year old cat my son, especially when he gets in trouble. XD Mostly, though, it's because he refuses to listen to anyone but me.

I'm very glad to see that there are some others out there that are like me :) It's very nice to meet you all :) Thank you so much for posting!

Originally Posted by Claudia

Each to their own, I don't think it's mentally healthy to do this. An adult companion animal is not a child of our species.
They might require and benefit from the same care in certain areas and in other areas they have differing needs.
For instance a fundamental difference; a child of our species unless severally handicapped is being raised to become self empowered and independent. A companion animal is not being raised to become independent, the companion animal is going to be with us for life or re-homed to another person's care.

I remember practice filling out adoption forms from a rescues over wanting a chihuahua and being unable to afford.
One of the questions is will you make this companion animal a member of your family. Honestly I'd have to answer no./ It's a companion animal, not a person child. In order for me to raise the companion animal like a child, I'd have to be teaching them skills to get a job so they could support themselves once they became self empowered.

Just because thay are companion animals doesn't mean they aren't our children.


I'm the aunt to my two older sister's dogs. We were the sister to our family dog, still are after she is past away.

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I adopted a dog this past fall and I see her as my daughter. afterall, I feed her, bathe her, keep her safe and play with her and I teach her everything she needs to know. when she's hurt or scared of something she comes running to me so i think she knows I'm her mama. I don't see anything wrong with that. I know she's not human, but she is still my daughter and my responsibility.

I treat my lil orange tabby kinda like my child. I love her tons, feed her, look after her, take her to the vet when she's sick, and pay for it all. She is my little studio buddy and my life would be a little darker without her. I love my Alta :heart:

We don't think of our animals as like our brothers or sisters, but I think that they think they are human..

Originally Posted by Wynna

We don't think of our animals as like our brothers or sisters, but I think that they think they are human..

I'm not speaking for everyone when I say this, but I look at my dogs as my brother and sisters and my guinea pigs as my babies.

Amen, OP! I have two kitties, and I love them to death. They're our fuzzy babies. Dorian T. turns 2 on Wednesday! We're having a little party for him, giving him soft food for once and treats, etc. etc. :3 I love our babies. People think I'm weird for babying them and telling them I love them and whatnot, but they are very much our children.

Wynna, I have cats. Those things don't just think they're human- they think they own the house.
Well, actually when one got old she got passive and doesn't act like the owner anymore since my Dad's girlfriend moved in, but still cats rule houses. =P

I don't think animals are my children.

But I think children are animals.

I tease them with treats and put their dishes on the ground. I train them and everything. There's one rowdy one I keep chained in back...if you get to close he tries to bite you (I think he's teething).

Now that I think of it, I think my dog thinks she's human too lol she always sits my be and tries to talk to me. I ask her to tell me how her day went and she off she goes lol its so cute. She talks a lot while she's in her obedience class though lol. I have conversations with her and we argue when i tell her not do something. I say no and she barks and starts her weird goose noises and I just go "I don't care, Mama said no!" and she starts arguing lol. Just another way she's like a real daughter :)

I have 2 extreemly cute ratties named king edward and minion.
I would have to say i treat them somewhare inbetween small child of mine and best friend. However when they feel the need to bite my toes whenever they get a chance, then they are not so much friends lawl!

I treat my cat as if she's my own child which is nice because its a good way to get ready for kids but i'm not expecting anyway XD but she's adorable i don't think people think its that werid o-o;

Cats are a bit easier to handle than babies, trust me. Cats are sort of like, the first step in the chain of things to care for before a baby. xD I mean, if you forget to feed your cat, it'll find mice, or learn to open the cupboard. If you forget to feed your baby, you lose your baby.