First, a disclaimer: Pet play does not involve actual pets. Your dog, cat, rabbit, hamster etc are not at all included in pet play. Pet play is not bestiality, which is a crime. Moving on!
Pet play involves humans who dress up as animals. It's a form of role play within the BDSM community where one (or more) consenting participants take on the role of a domesticated animal such as a dog, cat, rabbit, pony, or other "pet", while another person assumes the role of owner, trainer, or handler. It can be lighthearted and playful or can be very structured and intimate, depending on the preferences of those involved.
Humans have dressed up as animals seemingly since the beginning of time, with ancient cave paintings showing our ancestors engaged in rituals where they don the guise of an important animal they hunt, such as deer or bear. Indigenous peoples worldwide still do this for various ceremonies and cultural occasions.
The terms "furry" and "therian" are often confused with pet play, and although they can be adjacent, they're not the same thing - and they're not interchangeable terms.
A furry is someone who enjoys or participates in furry fandom, which is centered around anthropomorphic animals - animals who exhibit human traits such as walking on two legs or talking - as a hobby or interest. Think characters like Sonic the Hedgehog, Bugs Bunny, Garfield, just about any Disney critter you can imagine. Furries might adopt fursonas - fictional animal personas - to represent themselves in the fandom. They might wear fursuits or participate in roleplay or in conventions which take place all over the world.
A therian, or therianthrope, is someone who identifies on a spiritual, psychological, or intrinsic level as an animal, either wholly or in part. It's not about fandom or roleplay - its about identity. For therians, there is a strong connection to a specific animal (called their theriotype), such as a wolf, cat, or bird, and they believe that this animal is an integral part of who they are. This connection is very much about identity.
There can be some overlap, as some therians are also part of the furry fandom because they enjoy the creative aspects of anthropomorphic art, but being a therian is not dependent on being a furry.
Neither being a furry nor a therian is sexual, whereas pet play, on the other hand, can have a sexual element - although it doesn't have to.
Let's back this truck up. Given that pet play is a form of roleplay which falls under the umbrella of BDSM, it's more about power and control, dominance and submission. While pet play can have sexual elements, many people engage in it for the emotional, psychological, or recreational aspects. Pet play is about tapping into your primal instincts, letting go of inhibitions, and expressing yourself - pushing boundaries and exploring in a way you might not otherwise get to do in "real life".
Participants in pet play - also called animal roleplay or primal play - often embody the behavior and persona of a chosen animal for the duration of their session or experience with their "handler" - if they're playing as a puppy, for example, they might crawl on all fours, bark, or hold a dog toy in their mouth. A "kitten" might purr or groom themselves. And the owner or handler might train, guide, or care for their "pet" during the session.
There are often props involved - leashes, collars, ears and tails, or gloves/mittens shaped as paws. Some participants wear masks or hoods, and others might wear a more extensive costume like a full-body fursuit. They might have scratching posts, chew toys, or even balls and rope toys to play with. The point of these accessories is to help immerse participants in the experience, so your inner "pet" can come out to play.
Like all BDSM activities, pet play relies on clear, enthusiastic consent, ongoing communication, and defined boundaries. Because it involves a power exchange, with the "pet" submitting to their "owner", it's important that everyone feels comfortable within the limits of the session.
It can be sexual or non-sexual, depending on the choices of the people involved, and can involve "training" scenarios where the owner teaches their pet tricks or reinforces certain behaviors. It can be a fun way to explore dominance and submission - if you're acting the parts of pet and owner, expectations can be a bit clearer than if you're both in your human guise.
Pet play is pretty easy to get started with. You don't really need much in the way of equipment to begin - just discuss with your intimate partner and then assume the roles! As you explore and experiment you can get as involved as you want to. The most important thing is keeping the lines of communication open and making sure everyone involved is consenting at all times. Otherwise, have a tail-waggingly good time!
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