Victorian Pet-Keeping

Definition

Victorian pet-keeping refers to the cultural phenomenon of keeping domestic animals as pets that emerged and flourished during the Victorian era in the 19th century. This practice reflected the changing attitudes and values of the Victorian society towards animals and their role in the domestic sphere.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The rise of the middle class and increased disposable income during the Victorian era contributed to the growth of pet-keeping as a leisure activity among the affluent.
2. Victorians often anthropomorphized their pets, treating them as members of the family and projecting human emotions and characteristics onto them.
3. Pets, particularly dogs and cats, were seen as symbols of status and refinement, reflecting the owners' wealth and social standing.
4. The keeping of exotic pets, such as monkeys, parrots, and even small wild animals, became a fashion among the upper classes during the Victorian period.
5. The Victorian era witnessed the emergence of specialized pet shops, veterinary care, and the development of various breeds of domestic animals, further contributing to the popularity of pet-keeping.

Review Questions

• Explain how the rise of the middle class and increased disposable income during the Victorian era contributed to the growth of pet-keeping as a leisure activity.
  • The growth of the middle class and their increased disposable income during the Victorian era allowed more people to afford the costs associated with keeping pets. This newfound wealth and social status enabled the middle class to indulge in leisure activities, such as pet-keeping, which was previously more exclusive to the upper classes. The ability to purchase and maintain pets, as well as access to specialized pet shops and veterinary care, made pet-keeping a more accessible and popular pastime among the Victorian middle class.
• Describe the role of anthropomorphism and sentimentality in shaping the Victorian attitudes towards pets.
  • Victorian pet-keeping was characterized by a strong tendency to anthropomorphize pets, attributing human-like emotions, characteristics, and even social status to their animal companions. This practice of projecting human qualities onto pets was a reflection of the Victorian society's growing sentimentality towards animals. Victorians often viewed their pets as members of the family, developing deep emotional attachments and treating them with the same care and affection as human loved ones. This sentimental approach to pet-keeping reinforced the idea of pets as extensions of the household, further solidifying their place within the domestic sphere.
• Analyze the significance of the keeping of exotic pets during the Victorian era and how it related to the broader cultural values and social dynamics of the time.
  • The keeping of exotic pets, such as monkeys, parrots, and small wild animals, among the upper classes during the Victorian era was a reflection of their wealth, social status, and desire to display their refinement and sophistication. The acquisition of these rare and often-times expensive animals served as a symbol of the owners' affluence and social standing, distinguishing them from the middle class. This practice was also tied to the Victorian fascination with the natural world and the desire to collect and display exotic specimens, which was a reflection of the broader imperialist and colonialist attitudes of the time. The keeping of exotic pets, therefore, not only catered to the Victorian elite's sense of status and refinement but also reinforced the cultural values and social dynamics that characterized the Victorian era.

Related terms

Anthropomorphism:

The attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, such as pets, which was common in Victorian pet-keeping practices.

Sentimentality: The emphasis on emotional attachment and sentimental feelings towards pets, which was a defining characteristic of Victorian pet-keeping.

Domestication:

The process of adapting wild animals to live in close association with humans, which allowed for the keeping of various species as pets during the Victorian era.