What exactly constitutes a non-sexual fetish?

[Foxridley]

So, in discussions of fetishes among furries and how sexual or non-sexual the fandom is and what should be considered NSFW. One point that a few people brought up is that a fetish is not necessarily sexual. This was kind of new to me since I had thought that a fetish was sexual by definition. I sort of get the idea since my furry interests are largely non-sexual, and I’ve seen some furries’ interests have both sexual and non-sexual aspects.
But I don’t think I have a full grasp on the idea. When is something a non-sexual fetish as opposed to just a hobby or general interest?

 

[Deleted member 160111]

Heh, I think that the interest in transformation, macro-micro, at least, is something interesting, not always bearing sexual overtones. Diapers, as we have already discussed, too. Tickling, for sure, also does not always carry sexual overtones. Perhaps as a game of domination, or if you just love the feeling of being tickled. BDSM, oddly enough, is a game with domination and submission much more. than sex.
It would be strange if asexuals had absolutely no fetish. Yes, it won't be sexualized, but it's something that takes a certain place in your life

Are there any stink lovers here? Many skunks on FA fetishize the stink. It is interesting.

 

[TyraWadman]

Fetish: an excessive and irrational devotion or commitment to a particular thing.

Doesn't have to be sexual in nature, but sexual ones are definitely common.

Its definitely something I'd measure on a person to person basis.

 

[Borophagus Sarcophagus]

I have a shoe fetish, but they don’t make me horny.

 

[Punji]

Well if we go by the definition Tyra provided, "Fetish: an excessive and irrational devotion or commitment to a particular thing," I would argue anthros themselves are often a non-sexual fetish for many furries.

I'd definitely say so myself.

 

[Vanessa Howl]

fet·ish
/ˈfediSH/

noun

1. 1.
   a form of sexual desire in which gratification is linked to an abnormal degree to a particular object, item of clothing, part of the body, etc.
   
   
   By definition a fetish seems to be sexual in nature (or some kind of idol that's worshiped but that's the unrelated definition) so I don't think you can really have something be your FETISH and it not be sexual in some way.

 

[Baron Tredegar]

I have a shoe fetish, but they don’t make me horny.

I do too. Pretty much have had it my whole life.

 

[Pogo]

"2. an inanimate object worshiped for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit."

is also a definition for fetish.

I have this idea about the definition tho I could be off the mark.
The spirit inhabiting an object isnt exactly a ghostly enigma but rather the objects function in combination with the perceivers evaluation of the thing. For all it's possible uses the fact the the object is distinctly itself is the spirit of the object.

shrines are shrines.
a pen is a pen.
and these words somehow making sense is the spirit of this expression in worded form.



More on topic, Kinks of a sexual nature can be enhanced with a fetish. So I think a fetish as a sexual image/object is a thing a person employs in order to huff or whatever.

 

[Mambi]

So, in discussions of fetishes among furries and how sexual or non-sexual the fandom is and what should be considered NSFW. One point that a few people brought up is that a fetish is not necessarily sexual. This was kind of new to me since I had thought that a fetish was sexual by definition. I sort of get the idea since my furry interests are largely non-sexual, and I’ve seen some furries’ interests have both sexual and non-sexual aspects.
But I don’t think I have a full grasp on the idea. When is something a non-sexual fetish as opposed to just a hobby or general interest?

Nothing. There is nothing that is a fetish that doesn't turn someone on. Otherwise it's just an "interest". The moment you get excited it becomes a "fetish" by definition.

So you can have a non-sexual fetish but all that means is that it is an interest that is not normally associated with obvious sexual interest. Like balloon popping or pulling on pigtails or watching someone get smashed in the face with a cream pie or even borderline-understandable ones like foot fetishes or wearing furry outfits. But still, I promise you hand on heart...there are groups of people who DO get sexually excited with balloon popping ("looners") and pigtail pulling ("trichophilia") and cream pie smashing ("Charlie Chaplin") and feet ("Quentin Tarantino") and wearing furry outfits ("Mambi"). <grins impishly>

So fetishes that are non-sexual really just mean "fetishes that usually are non-sexual to most". Help any?

 

[quoting_mungo]

I could quite easily see someone having a kink or fetish (I personally feel that “fetish” gets overused; in a sexual context I would reserve that primarily for things that are necessary or near necessary for arousal) that that can be sexual but which also brings non-sexual satisfaction. Like… there’s plenty of people into BDSM who get feel-good chemicals pumping from, like… being told to bring their dom breakfast in bed, doing it, and getting praise/approval. That doesn’t mean any part of that particular exchange is necessarily sexual to them, it just pushes some buttons that are very satisfying for them to have pushed.

I’m sure similar examples can be found in other groups as well. Not precluding the existence of completely non-sexual fetishism entirely (could sex-repulsed aces have kinks? Don’t see why not!), but I would imagine “both” is more common. The whole thing gets a bit muddled with the very broad definition of “fetish” that tends to get kicked around a lot in online spaces like this.

 

[RamblingRenegade]

I mean I like inflatable things, some people it's a sexual thing, but I don't get turned on or have to "hump them", I just like to sit on it and see if it holds me up, like trying to see if a balloon can take my weight without popping, or using a pool float for a chair while I'm gaming

 

[AniwayasSong]

So, in discussions of fetishes among furries and how sexual or non-sexual the fandom is and what should be considered NSFW. One point that a few people brought up is that a fetish is not necessarily sexual. This was kind of new to me since I had thought that a fetish was sexual by definition. I sort of get the idea since my furry interests are largely non-sexual, and I’ve seen some furries’ interests have both sexual and non-sexual aspects.
But I don’t think I have a full grasp on the idea. When is something a non-sexual fetish as opposed to just a hobby or general interest?

I stayed out of the NSFW topic(s) associated with this, but didn't think to make one NON-NSFW!
Good on you!
:-D
I have some very strong NON-sexual fetishes that seem to cover a wide range of things. Tactile, Scent, Taste and a very few Audial that will just send me right into a state of *BLISS* I don't have the proper words to describe it, but they definitely exist! Think 'Cat-in-the-catnip' and you're on the right track!

;-)

 

[AniwayasSong]

I have a shoe fetish, but they don’t make me horny.

So does my Husky!
I can't leave my footwear 'Alone and Un-attended' anywhere NEAR this beast, else he'll claim it/them as 'His', and there's no arguing or trying to deny him his claim once he's made it! (No, not even wearing them, thinking he'll leave them/me alone as I do. Many tussles/near-real-battles have happened over this one!) He doesn't try to hump/mate with them, and he doesn't really even use them as chew toys (he's got plenty of those). He'll just stuff his snoot into them, and 'Play Maul/lick/sniff' like he's a darn cat with catnip!
It has to be something he associates with 'Me', because he won't trouble other people's footwear (even the 'Barn/Muck' boots folks store outside their domiciles. At worse he'll maybe pee on the tall boots, adding his 'Peemail' to whatever other 'Stuff' is clinging to them).

 

[CreachureComforts]

Someone on another thread brought up how if it's not sexual, then it's just an extreme fascination, and I think that's a good way to put it. Anything can be a fetish or a fascination depending on the person, but it can't be considered a fetish without actually feeling something sexual for it. There's a lot of "niche" fetishes, I guess, that most people aren't going to notice, so maybe the question is about that sort of thing.

 

[Fallowfox]

The vagaries of furry sex.

 

[ben909]

<placeholder comment to remind me to post later>

 

[Troj]

I can fully understand how a fetish or kink might have non-sexual aspects, absolutely! Fetishes can elicit feelings of empowerment, control, self-esteem, nostalgia, comfort, safety, excitement, self-realization, and more, and can help people to delve into their own psyches, explore their fantasies safely, assume or experiment with different personas or personalities, and even, process and heal from trauma and pain.

What I don't personally get is how a fetish or kink can be entirely non-sexual, and I admittedly raise an eyebrow in confusion and skepticism when folks insist that their kinks are entirely non-sexual. I cannot personally wrap my head around how asexual people can have fetishes, and what those fetishes mean to them personally. If anyone has insight into this, please share!

I reckon that when two people technically share the same kink or fetish, but have different libidos or sexual desires/motivations related to that kink or fetish, it can be almost as awkward or as frustrating as if they had different kinks altogether!

 

[Foxridley]

I cannot personally wrap my head around how asexual people can have fetishes, and what those fetishes mean to them personally. If anyone has insight into this, please share!

I reckon that when two people technically share the same kink or fetish, but have different libidos or sexual desires/motivations related to that kink or fetish, it can be almost as awkward or as frustrating as if they had different kinks altogether!

If we're talking about being asexual as an orientation, it just means a lack of sexual attraction to other people. It's still possible to experience arousal at a situation, for instance.
Taking my own interest in transformation, for example (though my "kink" is mostly non-sexual); when I view transformation art, the excitement comes from picturing myself in the position of the one being transformed. While some of those situations involve being transformed by another character, the transformation is the source of attraction/excitement rather than the other character.

 

[rufe-squirrel]

how did havign a 'non-sexual' fetish turn into a complex debate ont he nature of asexual people??

Really the thing about non-sexual fetish... this is not exclusively the domain of asexual people, its all over the furry world. Basically a nonsexual kink would be an excitement or arousal over something that does not involve act related to intercourse of sexual activity. And there is a lot of this. A big one is the trasformation scene, and also the macro/stomp/crush trampe theme. Another is latex clothing, there is an attraction to pooltoys, and you can clearly say pushophilia is this too. And ive seen more obscure ones like an excitement over tree cutting, being tied up, playign with pillows, watching trash compactors is a popular one, another is a kink for shoes. Its actually very diverse. some who like those things may call themselves asexual but that is not the whole of it. Non-sexual fetish you could even say happens to certain animals. Such as the bower bird male who builds a complex structure covered in junk just to attract females. the females choose the male ofver the quality of their little structure they arrange and even get into a frenzy when the male destroys his structure sometimes.

 

[quoting_mungo]

Really the thing about non-sexual fetish... this is not exclusively the domain of asexual people, its all over the furry world. Basically a nonsexual kink would be an excitement or arousal over something that does not involve act related to intercourse of sexual activity.

Sexual excitement or physical arousal inspired by not overtly sexual objects, acts, or body parts is already in line with the textbook definition of a kink or fetish. The question being discussed is whether a fetish can exist without there being a sexual response to the stimulus.

Sex-repulsed asexual people with kinks or fetishes are absolutely interesting and relevant in that context.

Animal courting behaviors aren’t a form of fetishism any more than engagement rings or weddings are. They’re a complex behavior evolved over generations as a form of competition for eligible mates.

 

[Woozle]

I have trypophilia. (It's the opposite of trypophobia.) I wouldn't describe it as sexual, but I get a thrill from watching blackhead removal videos on YouTube. It is hard to describe but I find it overwhelmingly gratifying.

I discovered this fetish thanks to an image by artist Junji Ito.

Don't look if you're squeamish.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_laniv6wQcq1qzrl4lo1_1280.jpg

 

[Troj]

Woozle, do you like the show Dr. Pimple-Popper, out of curiosity? I find it fascinating, personally.

Also, wow; most people discover their worst nightmares through Junji Ito, so, mazel on discovering an interest or kink.

 

[Fallowfox]

Woozle, do you like the show Dr. Pimple-Popper, out of curiosity? I find it fascinating, personally.

Also, wow; most people discover their worst nightmares through Junji Ito, so, mazel on discovering an interest or kink.

All respect lost, Troj. lmao

 

[Woozle]

Woozle, do you like the show Dr. Pimple-Popper, out of curiosity? I find it fascinating, personally.

Also, wow; most people discover their worst nightmares through Junji Ito, so, mazel on discovering an interest or kink.

I am tempted to share some videos I like but I'd probably get banned, lol.

I like big tough blackheads.

I've recently started to see these animations which are less disgusting (probably) but do scratch the itch a bit.

Spoiler

I'm weird.

 

[Deleted member 160111]

Ugh, what are you doing? Fuu. Keep your pimples away from my eyes.