Are you more likely to dress you dog in a cute onesie, pop them in your handbag and stroll down to the local café so you can both enjoy a latte? Or do you sling your dog into the back of the car and drive down to the river so your dog can run free and wallow in mud? Which of these activities do you think would make your dog happier?

In a world where many people consider their dogs to be ‘fur children’ and themselves as ‘pet parents’, it is prudent to ponder a crucial question: Are we harming our dogs by treating them too much like human children? In this blog article, we'll aim to answer this question by exploring the phenomenon of anthropomorphism – being the attribution of human characteristics to non-human objects or entities. We’ll consider both the benefits of close canine companionship as well as the potential pitfalls of taking pet parenting too far.

What is anthropomorphism?

As mentioned previously, anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human or objects entities. When it comes to our pets, this usually manifests as the projection of human emotions, thoughts and behaviours onto our animals.

On the less extreme end of the spectrum, anthropomorphism represents a means to reinforce the human to animal connection, show empathy and demonstrate care and interest in the wellbeing of our animals. But on the more extreme end of the spectrum, pets have become surrogates for maternity and human childcare.

Some examples of anthropomorphic behaviour towards our pets include:

• Feeding our pets foods that are highly appealing to us but are not ‘species appropriate’ for a carnivore – think pup lattes, doggie donuts or glittery canine cupcakes.
• Dressing our pets in shoes and clothing because we think it looks cute or we believe they require foot protection or warmth.
• Carrying dogs in handbags or baby prams because they make a nice fashion accessory or we believe they’re tired, chilly or incapable.
• Applying cosmetics, lotions and/or dye to an animal’s fur, skin or nails to make them smell nice or to make them look ‘fashionable’.
• Communicating and interacting with a dog as though it’s a human – think scooping them up and hugging them when they display fear, or waving you finger in their face and explaining to them how naughty they’ve been for pooping on the carpet.
• Creating social media accounts for our dogs and cats and capturing every special moment of their lives!
• Sending your dog to the inner-city doggie day care so he can see his friends and play on the plastic jungle-jim.

But my dog is half human! Don’t they have the same feelings and emotions as us?

It is easy to treat an animal as a human when they display human-like behaviour. Research has shown that dogs have all the same brain structures that produce emotions in humans – they also have the same hormones and undergo the same chemical changes that humans do during emotional states (3). This is why we see behavioural and hormonal responses that parallel human-to-human responses when dogs interact with their owner/s (1) (for example, a boost of the ‘happy hormone’ oxytocin with the expression of affection).

However, even though dogs show incredible similarities to humans, there are limitations to their emotional capacity. Research indicates that dogs have the mental and emotional capacity that is roughly equivalent to a human aged 2 – 2.5 years old. This means that dogs feel basic and instinctive emotions such as excitement, distress, contentment, disgust, fear, anger, joy, suspicion and even love; but they do not have complex emotions like shame, pride, guilt or contempt (3). So, when your dog looks at you with big round eyes after he’s shredded your favourite shoes – you may perceive that he’s feeling guilty for what he’s done, but he really isn’t.

Benefits of treating our dogs like family

With the emergence of terms such as the ‘multi-species family’ (being “a newly diversified and non-traditional family structure”) (5), pets are increasingly thought of, and treated, as part of the family. This shift in mindset brings with it a greater likelihood that ‘pet parents’ will provide a higher level of holistic care to their pets with consideration of, and investment in, diet, exercise, safety, grooming, training/education, physical healthcare and mental wellbeing.

And when it comes to us humans, close interaction and connection with our companion animals can bring feelings of friendship; reduce stress, anxiety and depression; reduce loneliness; provide psychological and social support; improve self-esteem; encourage physical exercise; and improve mental and physical health (4).

So, what’s the problem?

Potential pitfalls of anthropomorphism

There is a fine line between affectionate attentive care and excessive anthropomorphism. Dogs evolved to hunt, work and live in packs – they are not designed to wear clothing, be carried in a handbag or sip on pup lattes at the local café. Problems arise when human behaviour becomes incompatible with an animal’s evolutionary needs. This can have a negative impact on the animal’s physical and metal welfare. It can also put human welfare at risk if a dog develops difficult or dangerous behavioural disorders. Some examples of how excessive humanisation can harm our animals (and ourselves) include (4):

Feeding dogs & cats non-species appropriate food

As evidenced by their sharp dentine (tooth structure) and short digestive tract, both dogs & cats are carnivorous by nature. Unsurprisingly, they have a predilection for products of animal origin over vegetable foods; they prefer raw animal protein over cooked; and they prefer moist food over dry (4). Further, dogs have only a limited ability to digest and metabolise carbohydrate, while cats have a complete inability. When fed a diet that does not meet their nutritional needs and preferences, dogs & cats suffer obesity, malnutrition and disease (with high rates of cancer). Examples of inappropriate diets are those with high proportions of processed, dry and/or high carbohydrate foods; vegan diets; or homemade diets that lack variety.

Putting clothing and shoes on animals

Clothing can form a barrier that may negatively impact an animal’s ability to thermoregulate (i.e. regulate body temperature). This is especially true if animals are dressed in clothing while exercising. Textiles also raise moisture levels in the skin, which can cause adhesion and chafing between the cloth and the animal’s skin, producing discomfort or even cutaneous lesions (4). I will however note that there are instances when clothing might be required for warmth - when a certain dog breed is living in a climate for which they are not designed e.g. Greyhounds in very cold climates.

Restricting mobility and movement by putting animals in handbags or strollers

These practices deny a dog the opportunity to gain the physical and mental benefits of exercise (and sniffing). They can also have a negative effect on behaviour because the animal is not allowed to respond to environmental stimuli in a natural way (for example, if a dog gets a fright, being held in a handbag or stroller means they’re unable to move away from the stimuli). This may lead to the development of behavioural disorders, such as phobias and anxiety. Furthermore, putting a dog in a handbag or stroller can force them into unnatural postures, which may create temporary discomfort or result in more debilitating permanent conditions such as biomechanical and metabolic syndrome (4).

Applying cosmetics, lotions and dye to an animal’s fur, skin or nails

Practices related to animal hygiene and care seem to have shifted from a focus on maintaining animal health to one concerned with human concepts of fashion or cleanliness (4). Use of cosmetics, lotions and dyes on dogs and cats can have numerous damaging effects – including damage to the skin; allergic reaction; intoxication (if substances are ingested); and loss or interference with sense of smell. It is important to note that dogs have characteristic odours from the secretion of chemical substances by glands in their paw pads, ears, and anus. These odours serve as a means of communication with other dogs. If these natural odours are masked by the smell of lotions and perfumes, a dog may be considered foreign or strange by other dogs (4).

Communicating with and interacting with a dog as though it’s a human

Attributing human mental and emotional states to a dog may lead to misinterpretation of its behaviour and subsequent inappropriate human responses and reactions. Such responses and reactions may in turn drive the development of behavioural disorders within the animal. Some common examples include (4):

• The attribution of complex emotions such as shame, pride, guilt or contempt to an animal and our resultant reaction or response to those perceived feelings.
• Comforting a dog when they are displaying signs of fear – this is a great way to reinforce their fear-based behaviour.
• Hugging dogs to show affection – where hugging is a human expression of affection that may not be well tolerated by dogs. While some dogs adapt to and tolerate their owner’s manifestations of affection, others may perceive hugging as highly invasive.
• Having no rules or boundaries within the house and allowing your dog to sit on the furniture and/or sleep in your bed. This places your dog at an equal or higher physical position to you, which signals that he/she is ‘top of the pack’. This can be especially problematic if a dog becomes dominant and possessive and/or if there are young children in the household.

So how should I treat my dog?

Humanising a dog can lead to faulty assumptions about their internal motivations. It is better to worry about what you are ‘saying’ or communicating to your dog, rather worrying about what your dog is thinking in their own mind.

When dealing with a dog, everything becomes a signal to perform or not perform a behaviour – so you need to ensure your signals are deliberate, clear and consistent (2). It’s also important that your dog knows their place within ‘the pack’ (hint: this isn’t at the top!). Dogs gain comfort and security if they are confident that their leader (i.e. you), is in control and will keep them safe. And for avoidance of doubt, I am not suggesting that stop showing your dog affection. Just be mindful of showing your affection in a way that your dog understands and enjoys (choose ear scratching and belly rubs over hugs).   

With respect to physical care, a dog thrives when they are fed a fresh unprocessed species-appropriate diet that satisfies their nutritional needs. And unless your dog is exposed to extreme weather conditions for which he is not naturally equipped to deal with, he will be much happier without the onesie. Further, understand that your dog would much prefer to walk, run, sniff and be free to react/respond to the outside world rather than being carried in a handbag or baby stroller. And when it comes to grooming, your primary concern should be maintaining your dog’s health and wellbeing rather than inflicting inappropriate standards of human beauty upon them. So, ditch the dyes, pungent perfumes and nail polish and groom your dog in a way that keeps their skin, coat and nails clean and well-maintained, while still retaining their natural oils and odours (within reason).

- December 2023

Author: Lorna Brennan, Managing Director, Led & Collared®

Additional references:

1. Powell, A. (February 2022). Does your dog care if you die? The Harvard Gazette.
2. American Kennel Club. The Impacts of Anthropomorphism.
3. Coren, S. (March 2013). Which emotions do dogs actually experience? Psychology Today.
4. Mota-Rojas D, Mariti C, Zdeinert A, Riggio G, Mora-Medina P, Del Mar Reyes A, Gazzano A, Domínguez-Oliva A, Lezama-García K, José-Pérez N, Hernández-Ávalos I. (November 2021). Anthropomorphism and Its Adverse Effects on the Distress and Welfare of Companion Animals. Animals (Basel). 2021 Nov 15;11(11):3263. doi: 10.3390/ani11113263. PMID: 34827996; PMCID: PMC8614365.
5. Coren, S. (November 2023). Could dogs be legally considered members of the family? Psychology Today.