The main content of animals’ stereotypes is identified.

The animal stereotype approach complements animalized dehumanization.

Dehumanization focuses on animals’ affective capacities, abilities, and wildness.

Dehumanization also attend to animals’ physical needs, intention, and appearance.

The animal stereotype approach dissolves ‘animals’ into diverse images depending on their species. First, we reviewed recent research showing the attributes socially ascribed to different animal species. Next, we discussed how the animal stereotype approach may complement dehumanization by broadening the distinct forms of animalized dehumanization based on 1) intentions (warm, friendly, and harmful), 2) abilities (perceptual and cognitive), 3) physical appearance (size, aesthetic appeal), 4) affective capacities, 5) physiological needs, and 6) domestic–wild nature.

© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.