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- #41
I really doubt that cat gives a shiter whether Irefer to it as an "IT" or not. It's an animal.Yes, it's absolutely true that having a pet can have therapeutic effects for your emotions and overall health.
When I was in school, I was taught that it is proper to refer to an animal as "it" when you don't know the animal's gender or when you are unfamiliar with the animal or the owner. However, after somebody introduces you to the animal and tells you whether it's a boy or a girl, it is okay to refer to the animal as "he" or "she" as the case may be.
For instance, if you were a wildlife biologist studying animals in nature, it is more proper to refer to animals as "it."
If you were a veterinarian speaking of animals in a clinical setting, it is more proper to refer to animals as "it" but, if you were talking to a client about their pet, it is more proper to refer to the animal as "he" or "she."
When a person speaks of an animal in the wrong context it makes them seem like they are being cold when they should be friendly or overly familiar when they should be neutral.