Why You Love Animals More than you Love Humans

We’ve all been there: you watch a cute video of some puppies running through a park, or you look over at your kitty sleeping peacefully on her back: tummy and all four little paws exposed. Joyful tears in your eyes, you find yourself exclaiming “Man, animals are so great! Why can’t people be this pure?” or “I don’t need a boyfriend/girlfriend, my pet is so much better!”. I’ve probably said some variation of these things myself. So, you’re not weird! Of course you love your pets more than you love other humans...but don’t you ever take the time to question that? And just why is it so difficult to feel the same about our fellow human beings?

My ex used to tell me all the time that his cat was way more important than me; despite the fact that the cat only used him for body heat and food, ripped up furniture, puked hairballs and attacked him often. I actually loved him complexly. But hey, she was cute and couldn’t speak up for her needs like I could. Don’t get me wrong, to some degree the pet should be your priority. After all, you did take on the responsibility of meeting their needs when you chose to have them.

But that brings me to my first point: you pets are dependent on you, because you feed them and provide water etc. And you like that dependence because it makes you feel special and loved; even though it’s contingent on you providing it’s basic needs. Stop feeding the pet and see what happens (no please, don’t actually do this. It’s rhetorical). That same cat would eat you if it was hungry enough. That dog would quickly find ways to escape to get its needs met, or eat that beloved cat. It’s not gruesome. Despite how adorable your pet is; it’s animal nature.

The point is, If you “feed” and nurture your relationships you will also get a more loving response from humans. But you don’t want to put in the effort. It’s easier to feed a dog. Animals provide instant gratification that humans don’t. You want that instant burst of happiness that comes from your pet being excited to see you. Again, this instant gratification is contingent on the pets dependence on you. Humans don’t give as instant gratification, we require more work and relationship building to develop gratification.

We, as fellow humans, don’t like to wait for anything. Especially not excitement. It’s the same reason you enjoy looking at models on the internet more than you enjoy blind dating. It’s the reason microwaves are preferred over baking ovens. It’s why we have smartphones that provide information at the utterance of “hey Siri”. Pets don’t make us wait. They are ready and excited for playtime, for a bathroom break, or a bowl of food. You don’t wait for them, they wait for you!

But the most disturbing and true reason we love animals (aside from the fact they are really freaking cute): animals can’t speak to us in a language that we fully understand; and we prefer that. They can’t share their opinions (even though they might have some on some level). They can’t argue (even though they may want to). You get to interpret their behavior however you want, even if you’re wrong. They can’t tell you that you are wrong or that they don’t actually like you. And I think that’s the NUMBER 1 reason that people like animals better- they don’t challenge your ego. Humans do. Humans require growth, humility, debate, and forced social learning. Humans will use your language to hurt your feelings. Humans cause fear in you because you don’t know what they will say or do next. Your pet can’t do these things to you, even if they want to.

So really think about that when you say you prefer animals to humans. It makes sense in a lot of ways. Because it’s not just “love” your brain wants, it’s agreeability. You don’t have to learn and adapt to new ideas and challenges that other humans present.

And yes, you might say “animals are innocent and humans are jerks”. Actually, most animals are quite far from innocent. They commit atrocities that we would deem illegal or evil if a human used the same behavior without disernability. They eat their own children, they attack things that are cute, they drink out of your toilet bowl. But that’s animal nature and that’s their role in the chain. Your role as a human involves other humans; whether you like it or not. You only think humans are jerks because their individual agendas and egos interfere more directly with your individual agenda and ego. I said what I said, now go hug your puppies and kitties!