Is it okay to kiss your pet?

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prolifewife

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I’ve always wondered this myself. We are infertile and unable to have children so our pets are extra special to us. So, yes they get lots of attention, including hugs and kisses on the top of their heads or cheeks. Is this okay? Yeah, its an odd question, but I tend to be scrupulous. :o
 
Absolutely it’s all right! It’d better be because I do the same thing with my 5 cats (those that will allow me to, that is 😉).

The only danger I can see is thinking of them as human beings. As much as I dote on my cats, I see them for what they are–animals. I love and appreciate each one for what he is and see him as one of God’s creatures, but I don’t think of them as “babies with fur”. That would be unreasonable, and might lead me to expect things from them they can’t provide or do, which wouldn’t be fair to them or helpful to me.
 
prolifewife said:
I’ve always wondered this myself. We are infertile and unable to have children so our pets are extra special to us. So, yes they get lots of attention, including hugs and kisses on the top of their heads or cheeks. Is this okay? Yeah, its an odd question, but I tend to be scrupulous. :o
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Showing appropriate affection to God’s creatures is not wrong. Note that I said appropriate.

Our cats are our “babies” - we are not stupid about it, but you’re darn right I snuggle and kiss them all the time. What’s wrong with demonstrating that affection that God has given us to share?

~Liza
 
prolifewife said:
I’ve always wondered this myself. We are infertile and unable to have children so our pets are extra special to us. So, yes they get lots of attention, including hugs and kisses on the top of their heads or cheeks. Is this okay? Yeah, its an odd question, but I tend to be scrupulous. :o
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I cant see a problem, as long as there is no tongue 😉

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I may be wrong, but I believe Dante reserved the 10th circle of hell for those who kiss their pets. I hope your parish has a screened confessional.
 
I kiss my dogs and my 2 cows (better to give than to receive for sure) all the time. I don’t care who says it’s okay or not. I usually love all over a goat kid before I have to part with them. It’s so sad when they go to new homes :sad_bye: And I’m all over the calves too. I love my animals. I am blessed to have them and they are blessed to have me. :flowers:
 
prolifewife said:
I’ve always wondered this myself. We are infertile and unable to have children so our pets are extra special to us. So, yes they get lots of attention, including hugs and kisses on the top of their heads or cheeks. Is this okay? Yeah, its an odd question, but I tend to be scrupulous. :o
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No-as long as they brush their teeth first.
 
Della said:
Only if you inhale or chew on whatever you might find in their fur. :dancing:
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Well, yes. Cats like to travel under bushes and lick themselves to clean. There is also the issue of fleas. Sometimes, they like to roll in dirt.

I really like cats, by the way.

God bless,
Ed
 
Actually…we have to on the one hand not scruple about these things…and on the other hand…not treat animals as if they were our children…etc

But again do not scruple over it (and you can ask your confessor specifics)

Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says–Particularly 2416 and 2418)

Respect for the integrity of creation

2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity.194 Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man’s dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation.195

2416 Animals are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory.196 Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.

2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image.197 Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.

2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.
 
edwest2 said:
Well, yes. Cats like to travel under bushes and lick themselves to clean. There is also the issue of fleas. Sometimes, they like to roll in dirt.

I really like cats, by the way.

God bless,
Ed
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So do children. 😛 But seriously, cats can be bathed and their tongues have a cleanser, which is really what some people are allergic to. Being overly clean can actually be bad for us. It’s why so many children died in America during the great influenza epidemic following WWI. We’re part of the natural order. A little dirt is generally harmless.
 
In_Spiration said:
I may be wrong, but I believe Dante reserved the 10th circle of hell for those who kiss their pets. I hope your parish has a screened confessional.
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Are you being serious? I’m pretty sure there were only 9 circles.
 
only if you don’t lose sight of what pets really are

we should not assign human dignity on animals. while God has created these creatures to be companions of humans, they are not to be regarded as the same level as humans

a kiss of course doesn’t necessarily do that. but it all depends on the intention.
 
I do call my dogs “my babies”, but I know they aren’t really babies. They are just what I am blessed with at the moment. We would much rather have REAL babies, but it’s not something we are blessed with. So I now realize that this was my scrupulosity talking and not my conscience. 😉 Thank you! 👍
 
JAGCath28 said:
Are you being serious? I’m pretty sure there were only 9 circles.
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lol, he was absolutely serious. And the 11th through the 13th are for those who wear plaid and stripes, white after labor day, and talk on the cell phone and drive.

Or so I have been told…

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FidesSpesCarita said:
lol, he was absolutely serious. And the 11th through the 13th are for those who wear plaid and stripes, white after labor day, and talk on the cell phone and drive.

Or so I have been told…

FSC
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And, at least in my translation, the 14th is specifically home to folks who fail to instantly pick up on dry sarcasm over the internet, even despite the absence of voice tone or body language as hints. We are dealing with serious issues of gravity here.

Sincerely,
In Spiration
 
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