Consent in pets: a demonstration of respect

By Dorothée Pâris Pasturel • 10 December 2024

The concept of consent, often reserved for human interactions, also finds its place in the relationship we have with our pets. Too often, we assume that animals, because they are domesticated, are always ready to receive our caresses and participate in our interactions. However, respecting their consent is an essential element in strengthening a healthy and trusting relationship.

Understanding Animal Consent

Pets, like humans, have their preferences, moods, and limitations. Each animal has a unique personality that affects how they interact with their environment and humans. For example, a cat may be very cuddly at certain times of the day but distant or irritable at others. A dog may love to be petted on its back but hate having its paws touched.

Learning to read an animal’s body signals is the first step in respecting consent. These signals can include positive signals, such as a gently wagging tail in a dog or a purring sound in a cat, or negative signals, such as backing away, growling, or pinning the ears back. These indicators are clear messages about how comfortable or uncomfortable the animal is with a situation.

Why is consent important?

Respecting your pet’s consent is about more than just avoiding physical injury or stressful situations. It’s about overall well-being and building trust. A pet who knows their boundaries are respected will be more relaxed, more confident, and more likely to willingly participate in positive interactions.

Conversely, forcing an animal to accept petting or handling that it does not want can lead to defensive behaviors, anxiety, or even aggression. For example, a dog that growls when someone approaches to pet it may be seen as aggressive, when it is simply trying to express its discomfort.

How to respect consent?

Ask before you act: Approach your pet calmly and give him time to come to you. If he stays at a distance, don’t force the interaction.
Observe reactions: Pay attention to the signals your cat is sending. If you are petting your cat and it starts wagging its tail rapidly, it is time to stop.
Adapt your behavior: Every animal has its comfort zones. Respect individual preferences, whether it’s a dog who likes to be scratched behind the ears or a cat who prefers to play rather than be handled.
Teaching children about consent: Show your children how to respectfully interact with animals and how to interpret consent signals.

A relationship based on trust

By respecting your pets’ consent, you create an environment where they feel safe and listened to. This approach strengthens complicity and promotes a harmonious relationship, based on communication and mutual respect.

Check out two videos showing how to recognize consent in our animals:

Consent test in cats