You and I both know that talking to your pet like they’re human isn’t silly—it’s just our way of connecting.
Psychology says this behavior reveals a lot about us, and trust me, it’s not all about being a “crazy cat lady”.
In fact, there are seven specific behaviors that people who chat with their pets display, and you may be surprised by what they say about you.
Get ready to nod your head in agreement as we explore these seven behaviors of people who talk to their pets like humans.
You’re about to see yourself in a whole new light:
1) Anthropomorphism at its finest
Let’s face it, those of us who chat away with our pets like they’re human, we’ve got a knack for anthropomorphism.
That’s just a fancy word for attributing human characteristics to non-human entities.
And guess what? This behavior isn’t a sign of eccentricity but rather an indicator of our deep-rooted empathy.
When we apply this to our pets, it shows our ability to understand and share their feelings.
We can’t exactly ask them how their day was, but we can interpret their behaviors and respond in kind.
The next time you find yourself chatting to your cat about your work woes or asking your dog about his day, remember, it’s not silly—it’s empathy.
2) The joy of shared rituals
Remember those shared rituals you have with your pet?
Those aren’t just routines, they’re a form of connection.
Take my morning ritual with my dog, Baxter.
Each day, after I’ve had my coffee, we go for our morning walk.
It’s not just a walk though as it’s a time when I talk to him about my plans for the day, and he wags his tail, seemingly understanding every word.
This behavior of creating shared rituals with our pets and talking to them during these times is another way we strengthen our bond with them.
It shows a level of respect and understanding that transcends the usual pet-owner relationship.
As Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, once said, “Words have a magical power. They can bring either the greatest happiness or deepest despair.”
While our pets may not understand our words in the way humans do, they certainly pick up on our emotions behind them.
Whether it’s a morning walk or an evening cuddle session, these shared rituals where we talk to our pets are a form of love language.
3) Unconditional listeners
Have you ever noticed how our pets seem to be the best listeners?
Sure, they might not understand everything we’re saying, but they’re always there, looking at us with those understanding eyes, providing a comforting presence when we need it most.
I’ve personally found myself confessing my deepest fears and sharing my highest hopes with my pet.
They become our non-judgmental sounding boards, allowing us to express our thoughts and feelings freely and without fear of criticism or misunderstanding.
This behavior is more than just a sign of our bond with our pets, it’s also a testament to our own emotional intelligence and need for meaningful connection.
When we talk to our pets like humans, we’re effectively opening up our souls to them.
In doing so, we’re acknowledging our own need for empathy, understanding, and unconditional love.
4) Emotional resonance
We often find ourselves mirroring the emotions of our pets.
If they’re happy, we’re happy; if they’re anxious, we feel a tinge of unease too.
This emotional resonance is a clear sign of our deep emotional bond with them.
Did you know that people can guess a dog’s emotions just by looking at its face?
This level of emotional understanding extends to our verbal communication with them too.
When we talk to our pets as if they’re human, it’s not just about the words we say, but also how we say them.
Our tone and inflection convey a myriad of emotions that our pets can pick up on.
5) A sense of companionship
Pets aren’t just pets, they’re family: They’re our confidants, our cheerleaders, and sometimes, the best company we could ask for.
For instance, I can’t count the number of times I’ve enjoyed a quiet evening at home with just my cat for company, chatting away about my day as she purrs contentedly on my lap.
This sense of companionship goes beyond just cohabiting.
When we talk to our pets like they’re human, we’re acknowledging them as integral parts of our lives.
It’s our way of saying, “I see you, I value you.”
6) The power of silence
Now, here’s something you might not expect—a crucial part of talking to our pets like they’re human is knowing when to be silent.
True communication is about understanding the power of silence, the unspoken bond that connects us to our pets even when words fail us.
Choosing to sit silently with our pets, stroking their fur or simply sharing a quiet moment indicates we’re embracing a different kind of conversation with them.
It’s in these moments of silence that we learn to listen—really listen—to what our pets are trying to communicate.
Remember, talking to your pets like they’re humans isn’t just about the words—it’s about understanding the language of silence too.
7) Pets as teachers
In the process of talking to our pets like they’re human, we often end up learning more about ourselves.
Our pets become our unwitting teachers, reflecting back to us our own emotions and reactions.
As psychologist Carl Rogers said, “People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be.”
The same can be said for our pets.
When we talk to them as if they’re human, we give them space to be wonderful and, in turn, learn more about our own humanity.
Final musings
The bond we share with our pets is a beautiful and complex dance of emotions and understanding.
It goes beyond the spoken word, reaching into the deepest corners of our hearts.
When we talk to our pets like they’re human, we’re not just communicating, we’re connecting.
We’re acknowledging their presence in our lives, their significance in our daily routines, and the joy they bring us; we’re also acknowledging our own need for connection, for empathy, for companionship.
Our pets are more than just animals—they’re family.
They’re our confidants, our cheerleaders, and perhaps most importantly, they’re our friends.
The next time you find yourself deep in conversation with your furry friend, remember this—it’s a testament to the deep bond you share, a bond forged in love and respect.
