Reclaiming Human Bonds: Moving Beyond the “Fur Baby” Phenomenon

Connection with Other People Has Never Been More Important.

In recent years, anthropomorphizing pets—attributing human characteristics, emotions, and behaviors to them—has grown exponentially in American culture.

This trend has reshaped the way people perceive and interact with animals. From dressing pets in stylish outfits to holding elaborate birthday parties, the desire to treat pets like humans has influenced societal norms and consumer markets. Even laws grant animals powers of “emotional support” to humans.

Yet, Christians must rethink a culture that is so confused that it simultaneously champions prioritizing the killing of unborn children over adopting stray animals into a “forever family.”

The Place of Animals in the Divine Order

Animals have a place in the divine order. Yet, it is against God’s intentions to make them into something they are not. They are not “fur babies,” and their owners are not “pet parents.”

There is a distinct pattern in creation revealed in the Bible (see Genesis 1-3 and elsewhere): It is:

Angels
Humans
Animals
Plants

Treating angels, animals, and plants like humans subverts God’s creative plan. God intended animals to be beasts of burden, sacrifices, and food. There is no case in the Bible where they were replacements for human companionship.

OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER. No, I do not hate animals. Don’t even think it! I learned animal husbandry as a 4-H member in my youth. I’ve owned dogs most of my life. I encouraged my children to have goldfish, gerbils, and rabbits as they grew up. Yet, these creatures were always animals and never considered to be humans in a different form.

Let’s explore the causes and implications of this cultural shift and offer biblical insight into a trend that’s far from slowing down.

Pets Are a Modern Concept

Pets are not mentioned in the Bible. A pet is defined as “a domestic or tamed animal kept for companionship or pleasure.” The concept only came into being in the mid-18th century.

Yes, animals are mentioned throughout the Bible, but never in the context of being a pet. They were used for doing work, offering as a sacrifice, or eating. In the time of Jesus, it appears that there was no pet animal ownership, and feral dogs were scavengers (Matthew 15:26-28).

Some will point to Jesus’ story about the willingness to leave the flock to go after a lost sheep as evidence of his care for animals. I’m sure he did care, but never as pets. This story was an illustration for those who already understood the relationship between tending animals and having food on the table. The analogy is lost on many people today who think meat automatically appears shrink-wrapped in a grocery store.

This is not to say people did not distort their devotion to animals in biblical times. In Exodus 32:5-14 people failed in their allegiance to God and perverted the divine order. They turned to worshipping an animal, the Golden Calf.

When people lose a meaningful connection with God and each other, they pledge their allegiance to animals. Pets get the adoration that belongs to God and the love and attention we should show people.

Why People Humanize Their Pets

Why do people treat their pets like they were children? Some think it is part of the delusional era in which we live, in which people think they can choose their race or gender.

It is a short jump from believing that sort of thing to believing an animal is a surrogate human. Here are three other reasons for this freakish trend.

Mental Health Considerations

The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the trend of anthropomorphizing pets. Isolation increased the need for emotional support and connection. Pets became trusted companions during these uncertain times, often considered crucial for mental well-being.

While pets offer companionship, some experts worry that anthropomorphizing pets could create an unhealthy emotional overreliance, leading to codependent relationships. Owners often project their own emotions and fears onto their pets, which is undesirable for both people and pets.

This is a spiritually unhealthy condition. The concept of “God” is reversed and becomes “Dog,” Humanity is horribly diminished as people get comfort from creatures rather than the Creator.

Changing Family Structures

Boomer (those born between 1946 and 1964) households are changing as people of that generation die, and remaining spouses depend upon pets for comfort and companionship. Even though most would deny it, many are happy not to deal with human relationships. They are content with the master-slave relationship that pet ownership offers.

More recent generations are anthropomorphizing pets for only slightly different reasons. As people delay having children or choose not to have them, pets often fill that emotional void. They pretend animals have human qualities.

Cultural Evolution of Animal Rights

Over the years, societal perspectives on animal welfare have changed, and some would say not for the better. This shift has fostered a collective sentiment that pets deserve the same comfort and emotional care as people.

The Bible supports the humane treatment of animals. For example, Proverbs 12:10 reminds us: “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast.” Yet, humane treatment is a universe away from granting animals child status or human rights. Remember, God only preserved a few animals on the Ark during the Great Flood. He allow the rest of them to perish.

Elevating animals to near-human status is a rebellion against God fomented by PETA and other humanistic groups. There is no question that respect and empathy for animals are important. Still, PETA, the ASPCA, and others are extremists who pretend that animals have, or should have, human rights.

Corporations are perpetuating the humanizing of pets. They understand consumers are willing to spend generously on their pets, leading to aggressive marketing campaigns promoting high-end goods and services. Pet owners are persuaded that their animals require premium products, further humanizing their pets.

One TV commercial for premium pet food even shows a dog owner happily letting his girlfriend walk out because she is incredulous that the dog’s high-priced food is kept in the refrigerator with human food. This company is willing to dehumanize people for dog food profits.
Implications and Concerns
Before we look at pets in a Christian context, let’s briefly examine the strong negative implications for people who treat animals as humans. They include:

Emotional Overreliance and Anxiety. When people project human-like emotions and characteristics onto their pets, it can foster an unhealthy emotional dependence. For instance, when pets are treated as “fur babies,” their perceived well-being may cause undue anxiety in their owners.

An excessive focus on the pet’s happiness might create stress if the animal’s behavior doesn’t meet the owner’s expectations, ultimately leading to feelings of guilt or inadequacy.

Social Isolation. For some individuals, the intense attachment to pets as a substitute for human relationships can result in social isolation. Individuals might miss out on meaningful connections by prioritizing pet companionship over developing relationships with family, friends, or communities, creating a wider social support network.
Financial Strain. Treating pets as miniature humans often involves spending on luxury goods and specialized services, leading some owners to overextend their finances. Have you taken an animal to a vet recently? Fees are astronomical.

Excessive spending, driven by emotional attachment and societal expectations, can result in financial stress, debt, or reduced funds available for personal savings and long-term goals. Many pet lovers let their animals go feral or take them to shelters when they can no longer afford them.

Unrealistic Expectations. Anthropomorphizing pets can create unrealistic expectations about their behavior, training, and emotional responses. When owners expect pets to behave like humans or possess advanced cognitive abilities, they may experience frustration or disappointment. The natural behavior of pets can’t align with the imagined relationship.

Scientific research reveals that dogs can understand about 12 words. Both dogs and cats will be loyal to anyone who feeds them. No one should ascribe child-like attributes to animals in an attempt to parent them.

Christ Before Culture

An anthropomorphizing of pets has become a hallmark of contemporary American culture. It is driven by evolving family structures, the pursuit of companionship, a false societal empathy, and a return to paganism.

Many people want to delegitimize God’s order of creation. Animals are the new Gold Calf. Everyone is expected to be a vegetarian or vegan in reverence to animals. We are expected to rescue an animal that should probably be humanely put down. We are told that forsaking human relationships and treating a pet like a child is okay.

But it’s not okay. It is the philosophy of secular culture that is eating away at Christian values. If we seek to serve Christ, we must maintain the integrity of the Divine Order of Creation.