Today's post comes from Skylerpet, a submissive pet in a D/s relationship who volunteered to write an essay for me after seeing the Weekly Tips on YouTube. Thank you, Skylerpet! She has since written another short piece specifically on Human Pets, which you can read here.

Pet play is one of the most unique, least known, and, in my opinion, the most fun and entertaining sub-cultures in the BDSM, D/s, and “kink” lifestyle. Now, I write this from the perspective of a submissive female, so please keep in mind that you can change the pronouns to ones that apply to you.

Pet play involves one or more people acting like an animal, typically the submissive being the animal and the Dominant being the “Owner” and “Trainer.” I have heard of the Dominant being the animal and Dominating their submissive that way, such as holding the submissive down with a bite on the neck, but I am unfamiliar with this.

What animals are common for submissives to be? Most commonly, you will see ponies, puppies, and pigs. I have been a kitty; as of this writing, I am a puppy. Less frequently, I have also seen bunnies, cows, and once a seal, though I have yet to experience with these animals.

Aside from simply being fun, one of the biggest reasons I enjoy pet play is that it reinforces the Owner/owned relationship. Non-human pets are owned and utterly dependent on their owner. They get fed when the owner decides and only then. Their toys and medical care wholly depend upon their owner remembering and doing it. In a 24/7 D/s relationship, this is often also true. The slave is fed after their Owner has eaten. They wear what their Owner wishes, sleep when and where their Owner tells them, and follow their Owner's rules. So it is with non-human pets. The only difference is that your non-human pets didn't consent. You choose them and bring them home on your own whim. With D/s pet play, the submissive consents to be the property of their Owner. For me, being an animal, being “less than human,” reinforces my Dom's Dominance of me. He is a Man and wholly human. I am a pup- His pup.

How is the animal chosen?

There are typically three ways:

  • One way is for the submissive to act upon their instincts to which animal they most identify with. If the submissive is loyal and playful, perhaps they lean towards the puppy. If they enjoy being led around and high protocol training, perhaps it would be a pony.
  • One other common way for the animal to be chosen is for the Dominant to select for the submissive. If S/He prefers a puppy to a kitty, the submissive will be molded into a puppy. As another example, if the Dom is a farmer who enjoys breastfeeding from His submissive, perhaps He would like her to be a cow.
  • The submissive can also occasionally switch animals if their pet play is temporary, if they simply enjoy experimentation, or if they do not identify with one particular animal.

Why pet play?

  • One significant reason many D/s couples go into pet play is for the humiliation and dependency aspect. Restricting a submissive's movement and vocalizations forces them to be that much more dependent on their Dom. Also, not being allowed to sit on furniture or use a litter box instead of a toilet can be very humiliating for some.
  • Another is because it is simply fun. It is an excellent psychological and emotional release to come home and let loose the restrictions of humanity and what humans are “supposed to be like.” It is fun to bat around a cat toy, play tricks, and get treat rewards. It could also be described as a “de-stressing” process from the rigors of daily life, especially if the participants work outside the home.
  • It can help with submission, as taking away some parts of the submissive's humanity can help take away their sense of equality. It can help the submissive orient their mind to their Dom being their focus in life.
  • Pet play could also be used as punishment. If the submissive misbehaves badly, it could be a punishment to be put out in the pig stalls with the pigs for a time, or whatever animal is available, and made to act like that animal as the punishment.

How does one engage in pet play?

  • Restrict movement via bondage.
  • Restrict verbal communication, perhaps to only certain words or animal sounds such as “woof!” or “mew!” or more child-like words such as “up!” or “potty!”.
  • Training exercises include tricks for puppies, walking on leads and leashes, and ponies pulling a cart or plow.
  • Eating and drinking out of bowls without using hands or silverware.
  • Learning to use a litter box instead of a toilet or even going outside.
  • Playing with toys, such as batting toys for kitties or tug-of-war toys for puppies.
  • Begging in the manner of the animal you identify with, such as a puppy whining.
  • Caging.
  • Not being allowed on furniture without permission.
  • Check out Stockroom.com’s entire Animal Play category for equipment and pet wear needs!

Also, safety is paramount!

So please keep these things in mind, and also any others that fit your lifestyle:

  • When it comes to eating actual animal food, while it is okay for perhaps a short scene, it is not safe to do so regularly. Humans have different nutritional needs than animals, and getting your nutritional needs is essential. There are many ways to simulate animal food and treats, such as mashing up meatloaf with ketchup, using stews, or even baking treats in the shapes of bones and such. However, for any long-term play, Eukanuba, Purina, and other animal food you use are for canines and felines, not humans.
  • Please read the instructions if you choose to use training or shock collars! I am not into electric play, but it is out there. So please, be careful and safe.
  • If you put your pup slave into a kennel, please keep in mind that they are very cramped. You do not want your pup slave to be damaged from being in that position for long periods of time.
  • If the submissive has had their ability to move and speak restricted, some form of communication must be available so that they may communicate if something has happened or gone wrong, both physically and emotionally.
  • Also, in my opinion, having a human pet can add some responsibility to the Dom because when some of the submissive's humanity is taken away, especially if their communication is restricted, the Dominant must be much more aware of the submissive's frame of mind.

That's a very basic overview of pet play. It can get more specific if one looks at each relationship and the animal(s) involved. A note, though: pet play can sometimes be sexual and sometimes completely non-sexual. It, as with everything else, simply depends on the couple involved. Please keep in mind that I am in no way speaking of bestiality. This is two or more human beings acting and role-playing within the confines of their negotiated relationship.

Pet play can deepen submission, but only if it's right for you. Most importantly, Have fun and ask questions if you need or want to!!

Pet Play Instructional Videos at Kink Academy†:

† Submissive Guide is an affiliate partner of Kink Academy.com.

Check out Skylerpet’s newer post on Human Pets!

Skylerpet is a 24/7 submissive pup in her late 20's. She has been into pet play since she discovered the D/s lifestyle and can be reached at: requiemskye@yahoo.com for emails and also YIM chat.