A lot of people kiss their pets or non-human animals in general. I find that very weird. I understand that it is a sign of affection but it seems so off. One reason is that I doubt whether animals really understand this. Also it seems to be on a level of intimacy to me that I find weird sharing with a pet. Not necessarily romantically or sexually (that would be even more weird and wrong and probably illegal). But it is still “more”. I am not sure whether I can really explain why exactly I find that weird.

Anyway, what is something that is weird to you but not to most other people?

  • Hemingways_Shotgun@lemmy.caEnglish
    35·
    1 day ago

    One reason is that I doubt whether animals really understand this

    You would be objectively wrong on that. It’s been shown that affection to animals fires off the same parts of the brain in them as it does in humans, and delivers the same chemicals.

    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6826447/

    Just because animals can’t communicate like you or me (though I firmly believe pets have a language that you can understand if you own one long enough), it doesn’t mean they don’t have the same feelings of bonding and closeness. Biologically we’re all very similar, so the Oxytocin that we get from being loved is identical to the oxytocin that THEY get when being loved.

    • RebekahWSD@lemmy.world
      11·
      17 hours ago

      Every cat I’ve ever met has a nice little language. It was always possible to tell when they were happy or annoyed at the very least. I love them. I always hope they know I love them.

    • Zacryon@feddit.orgOP
      5·
      1 day ago

      Thank you for the link. Does the paper reveal anything about kissing specifically? Haven’t had the time to read it yet.
      I know that humans and other animals can feel affection for each other and that physical contact, e.g., by stroking, induces a sensation of ‘affective touch’ facilitated by C-tactile fibers. So while kissing itself might induce similar effects by similar pressure force and temperature, I wonder whether it really makes a difference to ‘poking’ your pet with your finger in a similar way. In other words: if the physical sensation is similar, does another animal understand a kiss versus another form of affective touch?

      • Hemingways_Shotgun@lemmy.caEnglish
        14·
        1 day ago

        Dogs have the ability to read body language. So a gentle behaviour like kissing or cuddling would definitely be perceived differently than an abrupt gesture like poking them.