Am I a zoophile because I’m attracted to cartoon animal pornography (images of animals having sex)? Am I at risk to sexually harm a pet (beastiality)?

Young people have reached out to us with the worry that they may be sexually attracted to animals because they’re watching pornography involving cartoon animals, sometimes called animal erotica. 

What is Zoophilia? 

Zoophilia describes a paraphilia where someone is sexually attracted to non-human animals. Zoophilic disorder is located in theDSM (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: the diagnostic tool for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals), and describes someone who has this attraction. Some people who are attracted to animals are also attracted to people, but not every person is. While the use of the word "zoophile" is intended to mean a person who has zoophilia, this blog will address the concern of zoophilia and will not reference a person by a diagnostic label. 

What is cartoon animal pornography?

Content that depicts animated animals engaging in sexual activity is known as cartoon animal pornography or animal erotica. We reached out to some professionals who are members of ATSA (The Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual abuse, which is a member agency that specializes in treating sexual behaviors that are or could be harmful). They shared with us that the animals in these cartoons often are drawn with very human-like characteristics. The genitals are very human-like and exaggerated, similar to how furries are often drawn. 

ATSA said that typically, unless someone is also finding themselves sexually attracted to animals in real life, it’s likely that it’s just that these intentionally human-like and highly-sexualized cartoon animals are making a person aroused because of the similarities to people.  

How is arousal to animals different from beastiality, or engaging in sexual behaviors with an animal?

Attraction and action are always different. While some people may experience arousal from animals having sex or cartoon animal pornography, they still have a choice to whether or not to act on it. Arousal isn’t always a choice either — in fact, it’s often a response we have that tells us that something is “sexually relevant” to our bodies (for more information, check out our blog on Sexual Arousal). Although that doesn’t mean we need to act on it, that we like it, or that we want more of it (for example, some people also get unwanted orgasms while sleeping or being abused), it is our bodies telling us something. What a person does from there is always a choice.

We, as humans, are hard-wired to be attracted to other humans, and if a cartoon animal is highly stylized to look like it has a person’s genitals, it makes sense that some people would find this arousing. We can also be aroused by things that don’t match with our values and beliefs, or with sexual behaviors we’d never act on in real life, or to things that make us feel uncomfortable. What we do with our feelings is what matters — and we never have to act on behaviors that can hurt others, human and non-human animals alike. 

Sexual contact with animals (beastiality) is illegal

Engaging in sexual behavior with an animal, also called beastiality, is always considered sexual abuse because animals can’t give free and informed consent.  If you are having thoughts or fantasies about harming an animal, you can get help before you cross the line.

Safety planning and next steps for zoophilia and sexual contact with animals (beastiality)

A lot of people write to us because they’re worried about their sexual thoughts, fantasies or behaviors. Even if they’re not watching abusive content like child sexual abuse material, or other sexualized fictional content like hentai, shoticon, or lolicon, people may realize that what they’re viewing doesn’t feel right and doesn’t align with their values, or that their pornography use or other sexual thoughts and behaviors feels out of control, or something else about how they are feeling and behaving feels concerning. 

If someone is still a youth and they’re watching pornography, if they’re concerned about how much pornography they’re consuming, or if they are struggling with feelings of guilt or shame, this isn’t something a person needs to handle on their own. For more information, check out our pages called I think I’m watching too much porn. What should I do? and Finding Help. You can also reach out directly to our Helpline to text, chat, email, or call one of our consultants to receive non-judgemental and confidential support. 

If you are worried that you might act on sexual thoughts about an animal in real life, then it’s important to plan for safety and seek out professional support. There are ways a person who is worried about their feelings towards animals can still stay safe. One thing is considering when they have interactions with the pet currently, and how they can take steps to ensure they’re staying accountable to making safe choices. 

This can include things like having excuses to share if a family member asks them to watch the dog or care for them, and to only interact with the pet when there are other people around (not behind closed doors, only in a common area, etc.). Keeping good boundaries for themselves to stick to is also important — to only pet the animal under the chin or on their back, and if they feel like that is too much for them, to avoid touching or interacting with the animal as much as they can.

If they’re an adult and this is their animal, it would be important to consider if this is a safe environment for them both — and rehoming them can be necessary. For more information on a similar topic, check out our information on Safety Planning and What should I do if I’m trying to avoid triggering situations?.

When someone is worried about their behavior, thoughts or fantasies, an important next step can be to involve a therapist. There are specialists who work with people on these types of questions and worries, and this person can get help to continue to make safe choices. If you want more information on how to get this type of help, or have specific concerns about talking to a therapist about this, please reach out to our Helpline — you don’t have to go through this alone.