Regression in animal-role contexts refers to the consensual return, within a scene or dynamic, to earlier, simpler or less adult modes of experience. Animal-role regression differs from other regression traditions in that it is oriented toward an animal register rather than a human-child register.

Regression has a long history within psychology and adjacent kink communities; animal-role communities have adapted the vocabulary to describe their own experiences.

Regression is a sensitive topic and its language overlaps with other traditions. The Lexicon records the animal-role usage without implying identity with adjacent practices.