Wisely about humanisation – consciously following your pet’s needs

More than just care

The modern relationship between humans and companion animals has come a long way. Dogs and cats have become not only everyday companions but are often treated as full family members. Pet humanisation is a phenomenon that, while natural and rooted in the closeness between owners and their pets, should be approached consciously. The key lies in distinguishing between ensuring their wellbeing and attributing human needs and behaviours to them.

What is pet humanisation?

Pet humanisation means treating animals in a way similar to humans, which can manifest in many ways: dressing them in clothes, celebrating birthdays or providing sophisticated meals. In extreme cases, this may lead to overlooking their actual needs – instead of considering natural instincts and species-specific requirements, we begin to shape their lives around our preferences.

This does not mean, however, that pet humanisation is inherently negative. As HiProMine’s animal nutrition expert Dr Zuzanna Mikołajczak points out: “Closeness between an owner and an animal can build a deep bond based on mutual understanding, as long as we do not forget that a dog is still a dog and a cat remains a cat. The key is empathy rooted in knowledge of the species’ needs, not in attributing human emotions and behaviours to them.”

Where is the boundary?

Not all forms of pet humanisation are harmful. On the contrary – many contribute to improving their wellbeing. Using high-quality bedding, adjusting the home environment to their needs or dedicating time to interaction are positive practices. The problem arises when the animal’s needs are replaced by our own. An example is when an owner imposes a plant-based diet on a dog or cat without considering its biological nutritional requirements. Similarly, dressing a dog in human-style clothing may seem cute, but in reality it does not always serve the animal – if it does not need extra protection from the cold, it can cause discomfort.

Nutrition as a key aspect of care

One of the most important elements of conscious pet care is diet.

“The approach to animals is changing drastically today. It concerns not only direct contact with the animal and building a relationship with it. It also significantly affects owner awareness of nutrition, which is crucial to pets’ health,” notes Dr Katarzyna Perz, HiProMine.

Proper nutrition is based on providing all essential nutrients in the right proportions. In recent years, innovative nutritional components, including those derived from insects, have gained increasing popularity.

The benefits of using insect-derived ingredients in animal diets include:

• High digestibility and nutritional value – these ingredients are rich in protein and fatty acids essential for animal health.
• Hypoallergenic properties – they work well in diets for animals with sensitivities and food intolerances.
• Excellent impact on gut microbiota – thanks to the presence of lauric acid, AMPs and chitin, which act together as prebiotics, reducing pathogens and supporting colonisation of the digestive tract with beneficial bacteria. This keeps pets healthy, calm and in great condition!

Summary

Wisely following the humanisation of pets means adapting our care to their natural needs rather than attributing human behaviours and emotions to them. Instead of being guided only by our own preferences, we should make conscious choices based on knowledge. This applies particularly to nutrition, where a modern approach based on science and innovative ingredients makes it possible to provide animals with the best possible diet. In this way, our care can translate into real benefits for the health and wellbeing of our pets.