Fetish Friday: Pet Play
The word ‘kink’ describes any ‘non-conventional’ practises that a person takes part in or the sexual fantasies they have. ‘Fetish’ explains the object of their sexual fantasies, whether that is a living being or an inanimate object. When considering both definitions, they are often perceived as taboo from the perspective of prescribed societal norms.
Fortunately, the world is becoming increasingly sex-positive, meaning that many fetishes and kinks are considered ‘normal.’ However, not every fetish (or fetishes) that a person has is understood, possibly due to varying subcultures often branching from a single fetish or kink. This can leave outsiders uncertain of what it entails.
Today, we’re discussing the topic of pet play and animal roleplaying in the world of BDSM to help eliminate any misperceptions and uncertainties surrounding the topic. We hope it will give you a better idea of what it’s like to experience this kink or fetish, and what someone who takes part in it is into.
What is pet play?
Pet play is a sub-culture of BDSM, where one (or more) Dominants act as a pet owner, while one (or more) submissives act like a pet. The person in the submissive animal role acts like a non-human creature — typically a dog or cat — and can engage in any activity a pet would generally do. This includes playing fetch, walking on all fours with a leash, and even defecating or urinating outdoors.
Common misconceptions
There are several uncertainties on pet play, one being that the person who acts as a pet believes that they are a real animal. While they’ve adopted the mannerisms and habits of a pet during this roleplay, they typically do not think of themselves as non-human. As well, folks who participate in animal roleplay in the context of BDSM are not to be confused with the furry fandom; this is a different kink, where someone dresses up in anthropomorphic costumes and takes on an animal character with human-like characteristics.
How to talk about it with your partner
If you have a kink where you enjoy roleplaying as a pet or a fetish where you’d like your significant other to act like an animal, it’s essential to talk to your partner about it. Be open about what you expect, if you’re hoping to involve people outside of your relationship in the roleplay, and how they can participate. Be sure to have explicit consent before moving forward with anything.
Things to try
Anything you might do with a pet, you can do in animal roleplay. Walking on all fours, being led around in public while on a leash, wearing a collar with the owner’s information etched on a tag, and using the washroom out in the backyard are all excellent starting points. Of course, these can take on a more sexual nature, with the pet licking and following their owners’ commands, often followed by a “good boy,” “good girl,” or even “good dog” (or whichever animal is played).
Are there risks to consider?
When it comes to pet play, there are risks when using electric shock or pronged training collars (typically used on animals), tasers of any kind, and similar instruments that can be used in the more severe, cruel training of pets. As well, walking on all fours in public may result in being cut or scraped by foreign objects, which may cause infection if not treated and disinfected quickly.
How can I learn more?
Pet play is relatively common in BDSM, meaning that there are plenty of online resources available. One of our favourite Instagram accounts, Madam Storm, will often share a peek into her animal roleplay with her pet, Clorinda. However, many other profiles, websites, and blogs discuss pet play, which can be a great informational source. Additionally, there are chat rooms and online threads to discuss the subject with other folks who share this kink or fetish.
We hope you now have a deeper understanding of what pet play in the context of animal roleplay is, and what this kink (or, as the pet owner, the fetish) involves. Should the topic come up in future conversations, we hope you will feel more open to speaking about it confidently and knowledgeably. Whether it’s understanding the kink or fetish from someone who engages in it themselves or educating another person who may be closed off to the idea of it, we feel that we have done our job to help make the world a more sexually inclusive place.
Have you considered adding animal roleplay as a part of your BDSM routine? Would you be interested in acting like a pet full-time? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
