Plushophilia

Characterisation and related fetishes

Plushophilia is a noncoercive paraphilia; it can be practiced by one's self, as it directly involves a non-living object. Some researchers have drawn comparisons between plushophilia and being attracted to fursuits, animal mascots or anthropomorphic animals such as furries. Plushophilia is notably found within AB/DL pornography, and academics Sunil M. Doshi, Kalpesh Zanzrukiya and Lavlesh Kumar said that plushophilia was another "childhood related [fantasy]" alongside diapers. Anthony Ferguson draws a "slight connection" between plushophilia and necrophilia in that, in the case of both paraphilias, the source of one's sexual desire cannot move autonomously during sexual engagement—it is a "non-resisting other".

Ursusagalmatophilia is the paraphilia for teddy bears specifically. Autoplushophilia is the paraphilia for imaging oneself as a plushie.

Association with the furry fandom

Plushophilia has erroneously been described as a common occurrence within the furry fandom. The source for this has been attributed to George Gurley's 2001 article about the hobby for Vanity Fair that was criticised by furries for incorrectly portraying the furry fandom as inherently sexual. Jessica Ruth Austin criticised the writings on plushophilia by psychologist and sexologist Anne Lawrence as "problematic" because the way it is written perhaps suggests that "Lawrence is unconvinced that not all fursuiters have plushophilia." Lawrence's principal source for fursuiting activities came from the 2001 article by Gurley.

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