• Question: Why do we give animals names, eg- a pet dog called Tim. Etc...?

    Asked by gabic to Charlotte, Jo, Kevin, Louise, Valeria on 15 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by anna1999.
    • Photo: Kevin Mahon

      Kevin Mahon answered on 15 Jun 2012:

      I suppose to give them some identity and make them more relatable? I used to have a cat called ‘Dog’ who didn’t seem to mind the name.

    • Photo: Joanna Cruden

      Joanna Cruden answered on 15 Jun 2012:

      I think that when we give animals a name we have a more Anthropomorphic view towards that animal (give them human characteristics) and they become more like someone we are friends with than an animal.

      It makes a real difference in how we feel about the individual animal and is part of the reason when people work with hundreds of animals like on farms, in research and pet shops they avoid naming them.

Comments