Fetish Friday: Zoophilia
*Please note that we do not, under any circumstances, agree with the abuse of animals (sexual or otherwise), as they are unable to give consent.*
‘Fetish’ defines the object of one’s sexual fantasies, whether it is a living being or an inanimate object. ‘Kink’ describes the less conventional sexual practises that a person takes part in or fantasizes about. When regarding either of these definitions, both are typically viewed as straying from mainstream social norms.
Thankfully, recent years have seen the world become more sex-positive and, thus, many fetishes and kinks are considered to be ‘acceptable.’ However, not every fetish that a person has is understood by everyone; this is partly due to varied subcultures that often branch from a single fetish or kink, which can leave outsiders unsure of what it entails.
To help eliminate misunderstandings and answer your questions, today, we’re explaining the topic of zoophilia, including what it’s like to be a zoophile with a sexual interest in bestiality. We hope that it will give you a better idea of what it’s like to experience this fetish, as well as what someone who takes part in it enjoys.
What is zoophilia?
Zoophilia is a sexual interest or paraphilia that involves a human's attraction to animals, whether that is just a fantasy or an act they would like to carry out. The term ‘bestiality’ describes when these interactions become physical and sexual. The folks who experience this paraphilia are called ‘zoophiles.’
It is essential to keep in mind that in any sexual interaction with an animal, one party — the animal — is non-consenting.
Common misconceptions
Not everyone who is a zoophile wants to have sex with an animal and, even if they do, they will not necessarily act on it. That said, the term ‘zoophilia’ generally describes a paraphilia or fixation on non-human animals, meaning that a zoophile may solely become aroused simply by watching other animals have sex (without human involvement in the act), either within the same species or cross-species (for example, a cat and dog).
How to talk about it with your partner
Talking to your partner about your kinks and fetishes does not have to be difficult. If you decide to address your sexual attraction towards animals with them, consider being clear about what it is you are interested in, if you plan on acting on this fantasy, and the degree to which you would want to become involved with a non-human animal.
Things to try
As noted at the beginning of this article, we do not — under any circumstances — agree with the abuse of animals (sexual or otherwise), as they are unable to give consent. However, for zoophiles looking to incorporate forms of bestiality into their sexual play, we have a few suggestions. You can consider joining the furry fandom, where folks dress up in animal-like costumes and, in some cases, identify as being an animal. Perhaps you can ask your sexual partner to wear a headband of animal ears or to try out underwear or even a butt plug with an attached tail.
Are there risks to consider?
The Criminal Code of Canada prohibits bestiality, as well as offences related to animal cruelty. Thus, engaging in sexual activity with any animal should always be avoided. For those still considering breaking the law, be wary of zoonotic diseases (diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans). This includes rabies, the rare fungal infection of blastomycosis, valley fever, cat scratch disease, and trichinosis. Intestinal illnesses, such as E. coli, can also be transmitted from animals to humans.
How can I learn more?
The internet is an excellent resource to find more information on zoophilic activities, including first-hand answers from other zoophiles. If you are interested in looking at non-sexualized images of animals, there are countless places to find such photos, including social media. While watching pornography featuring a human engaging in sexual activities with an animal is unethical, you can discover animal-on-animal sexual encounters online that do not have the same moral concerns.
In reading this breakdown, we hope you have gained a deeper understanding of zoophilia (the sexual attraction to animals) and zoophiles. If ever the topic were to come up in conversation, we hope you will feel encouraged to speak about it. Whether it’s learning more about the fetish from someone who experiences it first-hand or educating someone who may be riddled by misperceptions, we feel that we have done our job to help make the world a more sexually inclusive place.
Have you ever engaged in bestiality before? Is zoophilia a sexual interest that you have ever experienced? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
