What does yiffing mean?
Yiffing actually describes the sound that foxes, especially Arctic foxes, make when mating. It is therefore the answer to the well-known question: “What does the fox say“. However, yiffing is also a term that has taken on a new meaning within the so-called furry community, which uses many terms from the animal kingdom: It stands for sexual acts between furries!
Furry, in turn, comes from English and means “furred,” “furry,” or “clad in fur.” It is the collective term for anthropomorphic animals. The term “anthropomorphism” is a combination of the ancient Greek words for “human” and “form,” referring to the attribution of human characteristics to animals, gods, natural forces, and the like. Anthropomorphic thus means “human-like” or “humanized.” It refers to (fantasy) beings with an animal appearance and human behavior or character.
The term also stands for an international subculture. Through mentions in TV shows, movies, comics, video games, and books, furries have become widely known. It is a form of role-playing where people assume unique, creative roles and characters. However, caution is advised! Similar to pet players, furries are not individuals who are sexually attracted to animals.
Yiffing therefore describes sexual acts between furries. These can be performed as porn, in chat form, via video or in person. What is meant are the acts between the so-called fursonas. This in turn is the term for furry personas, i.e. the respective characters that are chosen for the role-playing game.
What activities do you do when yiffing?
Yiffing refers to any form of sexual interaction that furries engage in consensually. This includes sexual activities in full fursuits or parts of a fursuit. Ears, tails, paws, or similar accessories can also be worn. However, wearing special clothing is not necessary. The primary focus is on the headspace, the mental attitude that immerses one in the character or fursona.
Yiff also includes erotic images, games, comics or porn as well as cybersex or so-called RPGs (role play games), in which actions and dialog are exchanged online. Yiffing can also describe masturbation fantasies as or with furries.
Who enjoys yiffing?
Since yiffing is primarily an action between Fetishists, it can be performed by any role. Within the furry community, there are also distinct BDSM streams, where characters align themselves with specific roles, fetishes, or kinks.
What to consider when yiffing:
Not everyone in the furry community is into yiffing. For some, furry is a non-sexual hobby that offers the opportunity to take on a different role. For others, it’s a lifestyle, and for some people, it’s part of their sexuality. So, always ask beforehand if someone is comfortable with this topic and where the limits lie.
If you’re not sure how to communicate your preferences, we’ve listed some tips here. You can find more about the history of yiffing here.