People Who Prefer Cats & Dogs To Their Fellow Humans Usually Say 7 Phrases In Casual Conversation
Gerain0812 / Shutterstock It’s a great feeling when a pet owner comes home to find their animal waiting at the door. Pets provide people with emotional support and endless amounts of love, so it's understandable that many people genuinely prefer both cats and dogs to their fellow humans.
When someone feels this way, you'll often hear them say specific things that hint at the fact that if they had the choice, they would rather spend time with their beloved pet than with pretty much anyone they know.
If a person prefers cats and dogs to their fellow humans, they'll frequently say these phrases in casual conversations
1. “My pet is part of my family.”
Family members and pets can share certain qualities. Both are supposed to be there for you and be present in your life. Still, people's connection to their family and their connection to their pets are different.
Someone who prefers their dog or cat to the people in their lives truly sees their animals as members of their chosen family. wouldn’t see it that way. They may even say that their pet is like their child. When a person feels that close to their pet, it's often because they find a sense of "mutual care and joy" in that connection that they don't find with other people.
2. “I need to leave early to feed my pup."
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Every pet owner should care for their animals and make sure they get enough food. Most dogs and cats can handle a missed or late meal here or there, but if someone would rather be home with their furry friend anyway, getting back to them in time for their regular dinner will often take priority over staying out with people.
These people know that animals are creatures of habit, and that even if their pet could wait, a consistent routine will keep them happier and healthier in the long run.
And if they're being honest, they may even use this as an excuse because the truth is that they don't really want to spend more time out being social than they have to.
3. “Do you want to see a picture of fur baby?”
Some people get annoyed when a new parent constantly tries to show them pictures of their baby, and many feel the same way about being shown pictures of people's pets. That doesn't stop someone who likes animals more than they like people anyway.
These people want to show off their pet because that dog or cat is so incredibly important to them. And hey, when someone shows you pictures of their animals, they're actually doing you a favor. Researchers have found that looking at pictures of cute animals can improve concentration and attention to detail, and it also brings people closer to one another.
4. "It's not that deep."
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The relationship an owner has with their dog or cat is usually pretty low maintenance. The owner takes care of them, and their pet shows them unconditional love in return. Some people who spend a lot of time with their pets end up preferring those relationships to the ones they have with people. They like that they don’t have to put in much energy for their pet to love them. Instead of dealing with a friend's drama or playing games to get someone interested in them romantically, they can just give their pet some food and cuddles, and that animal looks at them like they're the best thing they've ever seen.
If someone in their life feels neglected in favor of the pet, they may respond by saying, “It’s not that deep.” They aren't trying to hurt anyone. They just don't want to have to put in the effort it would take to keep other people happy when they can get unconditional love from their animal instead.
5. “I can always count on my pet to be there for me.”
Pets don’t have other things pulling them in different directions like people do. They won’t have a meeting pop up or a hobby they really want to practice that makes them reschedule plans. They’re more available than people, and that makes them a more reliable source of comfort.
When a pet owner is having a bad day, they can trust their pet to be there waiting at home. When they’re in a bad spot, they’ll say, “I can always count on my pet to be there for me.” They prefer the consistent support of their dog or cat to the inconsistent support of friends or co-workers who aren't always available or empathetic. They can’t always have the same expectations for their friends because they know people have a lot more going on in their lives that can make them unavailable.
6. “Can I pet your dog?”
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When someone who would rather be with animals than humans spots a dog while they're out and about, it can be difficult for them to resist the urge to connect with a fellow animal lover and give that person's dog some love. And because they respect animals and the people who love them as much as they do, they are careful to ask permission before petting a dog they don't know.
Not only is asking first proper etiquette, but it's an important safety measure. You can love every single dog that you see, but it still may not be safe to reach out and pet one that is naturally reactive or anxious around strangers.
7. “My pet understands me better than anyone.”
Animals are intuitive and can pick up on emotions without a person ever having to say a word. They can read their owner’s mood through body language and facial expressions, then use that information to decide how to behave in that moment.
Many people don't have the same ability to pick up on someone's mood without that person saying what they're feeling. If someone isn't great at articulating their emotions or doesn't like the vulnerability of having to explicitly say what's on their mind, being with an animal that just seems to get them can be a huge comfort.
Lily Bell is a college student studying English and Publications who covers relationships, mental health, and personal narratives surrounding the human experience.
