Receiving sexual gratification through petting or associating with animals is referred to as?

The term that describes receiving sexual gratification through petting or associating with animals is zoophilia. This condition is characterized by an attraction to animals, where the individual may derive pleasure from physical contact or interactions with them.

Zoophilia is distinct from other related terms. Bestiality, for instance, specifically refers to sexual acts performed with animals, emphasizing the act itself rather than the attraction. Fetishism generally pertains to a sexual attraction to inanimate objects or non-sexual body parts, while frottage is the act of rubbing against another person, typically in a sexual context, without the involvement of animals.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping the nuances of human sexual behavior and the terminology used within this context.