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Are you familiar with terms like pet play, pony play, dog/puppies, or pig play? These are all variations of animal play, a trend popular in the BDSM community. The goal is to take on the role of an animal, mimic its traits and behavior, and submit to a master. If you want to learn about the three most common animals in pet play / animal play, read on and get inspired.
Puppies, Ponies, Pigs: What is Pet play About?
There are various motivations behind why people engage in pet play. One is the desire to explore a power dynamic in the (sexual) relationship with a partner, where the more submissive partner submits to their dominant counterpart (the Top). For the Bottom (i.e., the submissive partner), petplay can also serve as an opportunity to shed human behaviors, even temporarily, and embrace new, animalistic ones.
This usually involves obeying the dominant partner and avoiding verbal communication during the roleplay. Many submissive pet players choose their animal role based on the perceived characteristics of the animal, such as a dog’s loyalty, a pony’s trainability, or a cat’s affection. They often pick an animal whose personality resonates most closely with their own.
The role they assume is typically passive and controlled, while their partner takes on the decisive, controlling role. For the submissive, the act of relinquishing responsibility while embodying an animal role can be fulfilling, whereas the Top derives satisfaction from controlling their partner’s behavior, often through “training.” Playful forms of humiliation are frequently incorporated as a sexual element.
Puppy Play – Embracing the Role of a Playful Pup
If you’ve ever attended a Pride parade, you may have seen participants barking or squeaking like puppies, crawling on all fours with a leash held by a handler, wearing dog masks, gloves resembling paws, or even tails. What you witnessed was puppy play in its purest form. Many gay men enjoy puppy play, taking on the role of a spoiled, mischievous, and trainable pup. Some prefer the role of an adult dog instead.
In puppy play or dogplay, the individual in the dog role imitates typical elements of dog ownership or training. They fetch, walk on a leash, or eat and drink from a dog bowl. Experimenting with puppy play can be done with minimal effort and cost since only a few inexpensive items are usually required. Elements of dogplay also appear in non-animal-centric BDSM practices, such as wearing a collar or being led on a leash.
Loyalty to the owner is a central theme in puppy play. Once an owner selects a puppy (or vice versa), the puppy follows them with unwavering devotion. The puppy remains “owned” until the owner releases them, at which point the puppy may seek a new owner. While in their owner’s care, puppies often wear a collar and a tag (the “doggy tag”), which records key information such as the puppy’s name, the owner’s name, and additional details. This tag signals to potential owners that the puppy is already “taken.”
Pony Play – Role of a Riding, Draft, or Show Animal
Pony play, also known as Equus eroticus or “love horse,” is another popular form of pet play within the BDSM community. It’s also one of the most recognized outside the scene. In pony play, the submissive partner assumes the role of a horse or pony. Many participants differentiate between show ponies, riding animals, and draft horses. Each role involves specific tasks related to that type of horse, and the submissive partner is trained accordingly by their owner (trainer or rider).
Pony play often involves elaborate equipment, such as harnesses and even carts (sulkies) or other tools, which can be used outdoors, typically in private settings. Common pony play accessories include riding crops, whips, and bit gags, symbolizing the pony’s submission to the trainer or rider’s will.
Pig Play – The Role of Livestock
Another facet of pet play involves assuming the roles of classic livestock animals, with pig play being especially popular. Here, the participant adopts characteristics of a pig and acts them out playfully, grunting, rooting, and wearing a pig mask. The person in the pig role is treated like a pig by their handler, confined to a stall, made to sleep on straw, fattened, or used for breeding purposes. In breeding scenarios, examinations and semen collection may take place. In some cases, the pig may be “led to slaughter” as part of the roleplay. These scenarios, often bordering on sadomasochism, can generate intense sexual arousal for all participants.
Pig play can also include elements of punishment and humiliation, such as eating from a trough or wallowing in dirt. If the submissive partner is cast as a breeding pig, they may be inspected and bred by other “farmers.” Such scenarios often elicit playful grunts of approval from the pig.
Other Animals in Pet Play
While puppies, ponies, and pigs are the most well-known types of petplay, you can take on the role of any animal you choose. Some people enjoy playing cats, while others prefer goats or sheep, embodying these animals’ behaviors. The possibilities in pet play are endless, allowing you to mimic any animal you connect with. However, with animals like cats, the themes of submission and dominance can be harder to realize, as cats are often seen as independent and headstrong. This might present a unique challenge for your Top.
Pet Play – It’s All a Game
Regardless of which animal you choose or whether you play the Bottom or the Top in puppy, pony, or pig play, remember that it’s all just a game meant to bring enjoyment to both partners. If the sexual aspect of the play is important, it’s best to discuss boundaries and preferences in advance. Consider also how much of this unique roleplay you wish to express in public settings. Some people may respond with reservation or disapproval when encountering puppy, pony, pig or another animal roleplay. If you’re a beginner, it’s a good idea to start exploring your role in a private environment. Eventually, you’ll find the right moment to venture out with your handler, rider, or breeder.
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