Do humans like being petted?

[Icelogist]

I have been quite confused with the concept of petting animals, we have pet dogs, cats, birds, snakes, pigs, etc. But if people are saying some animals like being pet, are we no exception? If we are just going around rubbing our hands on some dog's head and saying "it like it" would it be fair to ask the question to ourselves?

[Melooon]

Something about this question reminds me of something Id have asked on yahoo answers around 2006

Of course! Although unlike most animals, humans have more complicated social rules, consent being the most important.

(Oh no its Melon posting another DW documentary!) This is a really good documentary for understanding how humans evolved and the links between our social cues and those in the animal kingdom. Great apes engage in petting, grooming and even casual sex as way of building social connections and relationships.

Between humans, the amount of physical contact we like relates directly to how close our relationship is with the other person.

[di]

What Melon said.

But speaking purely anecdotally - of course! I love a good back rub

[ellievoyyd]

i very much enjoy being pet and petting others!

[caldera (aka cyberspace) ^_^]

i do!!!
but you should always ask first... some humans don't like being petted D:

[I]

i do!!!
but you should always ask first... some humans don't like being petted D:

Understandable, it's not like if you would like to be pet by a random dude while trying to go back home.

[Neonriser]

It depends, you need to ask for permission first.

[Sylvian]

To be fair, I don't think other animals like random people petting them either.

[syx (dead)]

I personally do love being petted. My bf pats my head and runs his fingers through my hair and it's v relaxing

[Kitchen Staff]

I like getting petted but only by my friends and if they ask first.

[MamboGator]

Does a massage count as being petted? If so, then yes I do, but only by a paid professional so that it's purely transactional. But I don't even like hugs...

[MrsMoe]

I mean....I'd like to be pet, but most people won't because they naturally assume I won't like it

[October]

Well, I guess it depends on alot of stuff

[TheFrugalGamer]

Do the tons of ASMR hair care videos on Youtube and similar answer that question? I'd say yes

There are medical studies that show petting animals can lower blood pressure for the participants:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3236382/
so I'm inclined to think that there's a scientific reason for it.

[orcuslightningearth]

As a member of the Cuddler Webring I feel compelled to answer: Yes.

"Surely you are not suggesting that petting and cuddling are equivalent? "

Perhaps not, good sir. But I would not risk having my position questioned and put into jeopardy because I thought otherwise.