New research investigates how trans and non-binary people view their relationships with companion animals.

Due to their unique experiences, it’s possible that trans and non-binary people may have different relationships with their pets. Pets can offer strong social and emotional support during challenging times, such as ‘coming out’ and undergoing medical procedures. Previous research has also highlighted the value of their non-judgmental acceptance which is distinct from the support offered by people. For this reason, recent research from Flinders University, South Australia, has investigated the relationships between trans people and their companion animals.

New research into the pet relationship

The study included 27 binary trans and non-binary individuals, aged between 19-76 years, living in Australia. Participants were interviewed via MS Teams about their family dynamics and their relationship with animals. These interviews were then transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, which identified three key themes.

Animals as facilitators of connections to the ‘natural world’

Participants felt that their relationship with animals reconnected them with the natural world and challenged the artificial divide between nature and humanity.

“I mean, we just always had animals around. They were always a part of our–me and my brother’s – adventures. Like, roaming around outside and running around the farm and everything. We had goats and chickens and geese and fish inside at some point, and yes played a big part in our lives. But I always felt guilty because they were outside in the cold and stuff, and I kind of felt like they needed to be in. So, I didn’t like how my parents enforced their care.”

Coming to understand animal ways of being

This theme captured how trans people challenged human-centric views of animals and came to understand animal ways of being.

“If I did have challenges with friends or other social connections, I guess I could always, seek comfort in the company of my cats. I guess this is something that I’ve kind of heard through, like TikTok and things. Cats teach you a lot about, like, social
boundaries and things like that.”

Challenging norms of animal ownership

Participants shared their discomfort with the traditional concept of pet ownership.

“I now conceptually when it comes to pet ownership, I feel really weird about it. I don’t like us breeding wild animals into captive state and then holding them in pens. It’s very strange, I don’t like it. But I guess prior to me coming to that realisation and conclusion, it was nice having a companion.”

Study implications

The study’s findings provide valuable insights into how trans and non-binary people view their relationships with animals, challenging the concept of human exceptionalism. Instead of viewing pet ownership in the traditional sense, the researchers instead focused on the more-than-human relationships, emphasising the animal’s unique qualities and a more equitable way of co-existing.

Through their experiences with animals, trans and non-binary people defined what it means to be human, extending beyond binarities to see humanity as part of the interconnected natural world. Their discomfort with the traditional model of pet ownership also calls for a re-evaluation of how humans interact with animals, prioritising their agency and wellbeing.

Key study findings:

• Participants felt that animals helped them to reconnect with the natural world
• Participants expressed that their relationships with animals gave them new perspectives on animal ways of being
• Participants were uncomfortable with traditional views of pet ownership
• The findings call for a rethink of what it means to be human