What is Critter Play?

If you found your way to this site then perhaps you are curious, what is Critter play? In the most basic definition: Critter play is a mental health hobby.

But we're going to dive a little deeper, let start with what it's not, critter play is NOT about bestiality. Human critter play does not involve real animals in sexual activities and it does not mean someone desires to perform sexual activities with real biological animals. 

Critter play is the act of role playing as an animal of a personal choice. In the most basic sense critter play is what you make it. There is not a manual on how to be a critter, other than your own personal interpretation of how the animals acts in the wild. 

Play is often about being playful, mischievous, cheeky and instinctive. Many human critters like to simplify their desires and motivations as they embrace the side of themselves that acts solely on instinct. A great deal of animal role play occurs socially. A group of like-minded pet-players will gather at events specifically organized for social pet play. At pet play events, for example, which occur all over the world, human critters will act like bio animals, relaxing, playing fetch, and interacting with human handlers.

There is history and roots in BDSM lifestyle, but it doesn't have to be about that. Some critters enjoy referring to themselves as pets, and find structure and safety in the care of a dominate or handlers. While others enjoy being wild and free. 

Critter play can be sexual or a part of fetish play, while others can simply enjoy the act of roleplaying an animal. Critter players even have different levels of their headspace or roleplay, where some go completely non-verbal and retain none of their human attributes, others integrate the animal aspects into their human personalities to form a new persona all their own. 

Critter play is not restricted to one animal or animal type, it can be anything you wish it to be. 

It's also good to keep in mind the more spiritual side of Critter play: Therianthropy. Therian is a person who experiences being and identifies as a non-human animal on an integral, personal level. This side of the community don't see what they do as play, but rather an integrated part of their soul. Lots of Therians also identify with the Critter play community.