Why Do People Have Pets?

L[Deactivated] on 14/09/2021 - 10:20
Last edited 14/09/2021 - 11:17 by 1 other user

Personally, I feel pets are always a burden financially, emotionally, and environmentally.

I am totally in support of native species who got destroyed by pets turned feral. If there is no demand there will be no supply. People who breed these dogs or cats do breed specifically because there is a demand. Humans already go through a lot of trauma and personal losses, why add a few more (pets) to your life which is totally avoidable. Is companionship a reason? Or do humans want to feel special? Domestication is fairly recent in our evolutionary past. No other animal will take care of another species in the wild(If they do, we will consider as a wonder). Then why do humans do it? Is pets are one of the side effects of having an analytical and creative brain like the creation of religion or have people fell for marketing fairly recently like diamonds and Halloween or Fathers, Mothers, Valentines days, etc.

Can you tell what is the reason why you have pets because it is beyond my sense why people have pets?

Pets

closed Comments

  • Icecold5000 on 14/09/2021 - 10:21
    +154

    Because they like the companionship.

    • Stopback on 14/09/2021 - 12:54
      +10

      And they like the food, its a good trade.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 14/09/2021 - 17:01
        +10

        And for some they are the food.

        • Kangal on 14/09/2021 - 21:47
          +3

          Not sure why the downvote, but you are right. It's "wrong" but there are those some people.

          • Archi on 15/09/2021 - 09:29
            +6

            @Kangal: not sure if it is wrong… maybe just different…

            for the same reason… we had pet chickens growing up for eggs, but my sister till this day refuses to eat chickens and ducks, she sort of formed an emotional attachment to them.

          • Antikythera on 15/09/2021 - 23:28
            +1

            @Kangal: yeah it is wrong. never name the calf / lamb you are bottle feeding.

        • Haliax on 16/09/2021 - 20:44
          +1

          And for some we are the food if we die.

    • morse on 14/09/2021 - 20:12
      +14

      Yes this and love - we were only meant to foster our dog, but adopted him. Despite walks in the rain, organising doggy sitters, trips to the vet, fur and dog slobber on our clothes and through our house - there is love. He’s worth it - we love him, he’s brought us joy and is part of our family.

  • Muzeeb on 14/09/2021 - 10:24
    +137

    Some people like pets. Some don't. Please don't get a pet op.

    • SF3 on 14/09/2021 - 11:13
      -1

      Please don't get a pet op.

      Maybe OP, wants to be convinced by trying the shoe on the other foot.

      OP, you may have a theory in your mind, that might be fun. However, thinking is cheap…

      I reckon you should try owning a pet and report back with your real life experiences.

      Maybe starting with a parrot, that might be a good one.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 14/09/2021 - 17:10
        +20

        Parrots require a lot of care and stimulation. They can also be very noisy. For these and other reasons they're not appropriate as a pet for someone not sure about pet ownership.

        An ant farm would be much more suitable.

        • jerimiahhalls on 14/09/2021 - 21:32
          +6

          How about… Sea Monkeys

        • bbinc on 15/09/2021 - 08:01
          +7

          I suggest the OP start with a pet rock.

        • BruvMeister on 17/09/2021 - 11:18

          Glad most people have upvoted this comment. Parrots are highly social and intelligent - they will stress and act out if not stimulated.

      • neophytte on 14/09/2021 - 19:08
        +7

        All species of parrot's live for a long time, would not be a good pet for someone unsure …

        • SF3 on 14/09/2021 - 19:29
          +1

          live for a long time

          It could be a substitute to play back OP’s rhetorical questions.

          It might do a better job than a human.

          However it could be animal cruelty…

        • rentonc on 14/09/2021 - 20:04
          +3

          This cockatoo received a letter from the Queen when he turned 100!
          https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-02/wildlife-park-throws-…

        • SF3 on 15/09/2021 - 00:29
          +1

          I thought you were jv! lol.

          Your comment was too sensible!

          • neophytte on 15/09/2021 - 19:19
            +1

            @SF3: he stole my meme

            • SF3 on 15/09/2021 - 22:24

              @neophytte: Quite plausible!

              jv
              Member Since
              01/01/2009

              neophytte
              Member Since
              16/11/2008

          • JayParker on 16/09/2021 - 11:17

            @SF3: Same here! Only bold text was missing..

      • ChampofAus on 15/09/2021 - 18:39

        Or may be OPs GF BF has one and trying to convince with no outcome

    • anonymous01 on 14/09/2021 - 22:20
      +28

      I don't think he/she really understands. His/Her reasoning is correct, but he/she is only looking at half the picture, Logic and Reasoning.

      Why do we humans get pets? Well the grand question is, why do we do anything at all? I don't have a pet, but not everything is based on reason and logic, sometimes it's about our emotions as well.

      If Domestication is a fairly recent event of our evolutionary past, so is Agriculture, so is Science, so is our Laws and understanding of right and wrong. We were barbarians before Laws were implemented. We judged people on ethnicity, colour of their skin, gender etc. If OP's reason is fairly recent event of our evolutionary past, then according to him/her, we should also get rid of all these things. It's not that we don't do these barbarian things anymore, but the rate which we used to do them has decreased a lot. Education helps.

      OP, just because you think they are a burden financially and emotionally, doesn't mean you have the right to speak for everyone. Some people are well off, and some people are more happy emotionally with their pets, and they feel sad when their pets passes away just like a human feels depressed when his loved one (another human) passes away.

      May be these people don't see them as pets, or animals, but more like a life form and living sentient being identical to them, just different level of intelligence (we are the dumb ones by the way :p).

      As for your "No other animal will take care of another species", is absolutely wrong. Ants keep ladybugs as pets. There are many cases where a female animal adopts a little one from another animal and feeds it milk as if one of her own. Nature truly is miraculous. I haven't read this but here's few quick examples: https://www.cracked.com/article_21321_5-animals-that-are-cle…

      Just remember, we are an animal after all. The only thing we are dominant than other animals is in Intelligence. Everything else, they are superior, whether it's strength, speed, sight, calmness, etc.

      • Roman Sandstorm on 15/09/2021 - 12:26
        +11

        We were barbarians before Laws were implemented. We judged people on ethnicity, colour of their skin, gender etc.

        I'm pleased we are so civilised that doesn't happen any more.

        • zephyrfox on 16/09/2021 - 09:55
          -4

          Can't tell if this is sarcasm, but if it's not I hope you're not trying to compare the way people were treated historically to today… because genocide and mass slavery (of every people at one stage or another) vs not having an ethnically diverse superhero movie is not really the same…

      • Charmoffensive on 15/09/2021 - 13:59
        +5

        His/Her reasoning is correct, but he/she is only looking at half the picture, Logic and Reasoning.

        Even if you follow pure logic, the data shows that people who own dogs live longer. the OP sounds like an autist who doesn't understand the value of any social connections.

        a more recent meta-analysis, published in the journal Circulation in 2019, came to a different conclusion. Looking at data from studies between 1950 and May 2019, they found that dog owners live longer than those without a dog. The benefit was greatest for those who had a history of heart attack and there was a 65% reduced risk of mortality.

        https://www.verywellhealth.com/pets-and-longevity-2223874

      • JayParker on 16/09/2021 - 11:20
        +2

        Why not just use they/their? Honest question.

        • anonymous01 on 16/09/2021 - 20:40
          +1

          Are they multiple people?

          Edit: I know it's accepted and normal as 'They/Their', but I always find it a bit odd. It sounds like you are referring to multiple people. For example "They didn't want to come to the party" sounds like more than one person, but "He didn't want to come to the party" sounds like a single person.

    • juki on 15/09/2021 - 00:13
      +5

      I can see a point, all through my neighbourhood people have pets, but not suitable for where they live, large dogs without gardens (even small dogs like to run), cats all over the place at night and i do seem to see fewer birds and possums…

      i suppose having a pet and being responsible are two different problems

      • sAmiZZle on 15/09/2021 - 00:43
        +4

        As a general FYI, sometimes large dogs actually require less space and exercise

        • juki on 15/09/2021 - 00:54
          -6

          all dogs like a space to walk and smell given the chance, yeah huskies, labs, german shepherds on balconies or small yards, must be exceptions according to you, but they are probably the ones i see the most

      • pjammies on 16/09/2021 - 23:05
        +1

        A dog that is regularly stimulated from walks, training, exercises is better off than a dog that is left in a yard without any attention whatsoever. That's why you often hear of dogs being 'destructive', even if they have a big yard.

        • juki on 17/09/2021 - 09:18
          +1

          wow the downvotes but just one reply, must be a lot of people with big dogs in small places….

          "A dog that is regularly stimulated from walks, training, exercises is better off " that goes without saying, isnt that a compulsory part of having a dog? (otherwise its neglect!).

          • pjammies on 17/09/2021 - 22:44
            +2

            @juki: Just saying how you can't judge every person who owns a dog in an apartment. I've seen dogs flourish regardless if they live in an apartment or not. There are owners who take their dogs on runs and hikes everyday, or do constant mental and physical training/exercises. There are also dogs and breed types who love to sleep more than 16 hours a day.

            You'd also be surprised at the amount of people who rarely take their dogs on just a simple walk.

            • juki on 18/09/2021 - 01:13

              @pjammies: i am sure there are people that do take excellent care of their dogs, and while yeah some dogs love their sleep as much as cats, many popular breeds arent as i mentioned in my previous message.

              Maybe i do only notice the negative, but i lived many years in city areas with apartments and many dwellings were inappropriate for dogs. I do believe many people may love their dog but also acquire them as status symbols.

              I may be biased, growing up in the middle of nowhere, even small dogs love to run wild in large spaces so i cant imagine working dogs or nut bags like terriers being stuck indoors.

              i didnt feel as if i was being judgy nor saying it is the case for every person, maybe you guys are a bit too sensitive especially if you tick a few boxes, which is understandable we all love our pets like family.

              • pjammies on 18/09/2021 - 15:19
                +2

                @juki: I do agree that there are types of dogs who shouldn't be kept in apartments, especially with owners who have busy lifestyles who don't have enough time to tend to their specific dogs needs. I just wanted to make sure there is awareness that it's not always the same case that 'no dog should live in an apartment'.

                I previously live in a decently sized apartment a courtyard with a medium sized dog (I now live in a house with a yard). It's not something I could have done if I had a super active working dog, but given my dogs nature of needing just 1 hour of solid exercise and sleeping for most of the day, only to wake up for food (if she was bothered), I was able to justify it. Also to note, her sleeping habits haven't changed since moving to a house, if anything she now just has more places to sleep.

  • iforgotmysocks on 14/09/2021 - 10:24
    +61

    You don't like pets. Some people do. Why does it bother you?

      • iforgotmysocks on 14/09/2021 - 10:42
        +75

        I'm just here for the bargains

        • redfox1200 on 14/09/2021 - 16:32
          +1

          got any pet bargains

      • SF3 on 14/09/2021 - 10:44
        +60

        To learn new things and look from another perspective

        Yes, it appears that is not what you are doing with your comments. But rather seek validation with your own thoughts and ideas.

        • pegaxs on 14/09/2021 - 11:43
          +9

          But rather seek validation with your own thoughts and ideas.

          God damn it, I've logged into OzConfirmationBias.com.au again, haven't I??

          • SF3 on 14/09/2021 - 12:40

            @pegaxs: I think OP, should learn how to live up to peel the onion.

          • gimli on 14/09/2021 - 21:03

            @pegaxs:

            God damn it, I've logged into OzConfirmationBias.com.au again, haven't I??

            Lol everyone except OP has?

        • Rick Sanchez on 17/09/2021 - 08:24

          *dumb thoughts and ideas

      • Eeples on 14/09/2021 - 23:34

        I believe the meme is “Wouldn’t you like to know - weather boy!”

      • cheeseburger on 15/09/2021 - 14:00

        Clever boy? You sound like you're talking to a dog. Maybe deep down inside you really want a pet.

  • Fergy1987 on 14/09/2021 - 10:27
    +48

    Why anything

      • Fergy1987 on 14/09/2021 - 10:32
        +17

        Take that logic and apply that to pets.

        I have a pet and have no kids because the thought of having children sickens me. People like different stuff.

        • ChatCPT on 15/09/2021 - 20:18

          Take that logic

          Does not compute. OP broke at this step

      • mbck on 14/09/2021 - 10:39
        +14

        Way to go making those who can't have kids feel bad.

        Maybe you have issues with empathising? Tactless? Insensitive? Judgemental? Immature? All of the above?

          • SF3 on 14/09/2021 - 10:49
            +4

            @[Deactivated]: You can't have a discussion without Cognitive dissonance, yeah, it is a bummer if you are not seeking confirmation bias (to feel good).

          • El cheepo on 14/09/2021 - 11:06
            +9

            @[Deactivated]: As already pointed out by a few people.

            The problem is you don’t want to discuss anything, you just want to validate your own opinion.

            Thus the problem lies with you.

          • ChatCPT on 15/09/2021 - 20:19

            @[Deactivated]: feel bad for your kids/family

        • Roman Sandstorm on 15/09/2021 - 12:32

          Way to go making those who can't have kids feel bad.

          Where did you get that from? Is there a comment from the OP I cannot see?

      • dogboy on 14/09/2021 - 10:55
        +5

        Why does someone who tries sooo hard to sound smart be sooo dumb?!

        • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2021 - 11:03
          -7

          I never think of myself as smart. Did I criticize anyone? I don't know why some people are getting triggered.

          • Icecold5000 on 14/09/2021 - 21:01
            +4

            @[Deactivated]:

            I never think of myself as smart.

            Well, at least you have insight into your cognitive ability.

      • timthetoolman on 14/09/2021 - 11:00
        +3

        Our genes compel us to have food?
        I only eat coz my dad liked food and passed it down to me….

        • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2021 - 11:11
          -5

          You are totally wrong. In billions of years of evolution from single-cell organism to animals every species want food or some kind of energy. If your dad didn't eat the food he wouldn't have survived and you would not exist.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 14/09/2021 - 17:19
        +3

        Are you an engineer or autistic by any chance?

      • pe arl on 14/09/2021 - 18:50

        Troll post but I'll bite. Why do you think everything has to be due to "evolutionary urges"? Why does anyone spend time and money and energy on playing video games, riding roller coasters, staring at stars, tending to flower beds, whatever, when in that time they should be out looking for partners and ways to increase their life expectancy?

        • ChadHominem on 15/09/2021 - 16:12

          Why do you think everything has to be due to "evolutionary urges"?

          They’ve spent a semester at uni and are trying to make sense of the entirety of existence with their limited knowledge

      • morse on 14/09/2021 - 20:14

        Life is so much more than this.

      • cookie2 on 14/09/2021 - 20:58
        +3

        We're getting a little too Freudian here i think. In all honesty you probably grew up where pets were a burden rather than a part of the family. I'm not dissing you, I'm just assuming this from your strong stance on pets being ALL negative without being able to see ANY of the positive side of pet ownership. Pets give love, laughter, fun, companionship, stimulation and the ability to care for something not yourself. If you've never had a pet, i strongly advise you to get out there and try and experience what animals can offer. Pets provide an emotional connection that is different to the connection between partners and they're just pure love, no matter how much you stink (metaphorically ofcourse). Life is full of losses and pain and nothing lasts forever but animals you've cared for for years end up owing a little piece of your heart that will always be for them. I also think they can make us more empathetic, considerate and caring people.

      • Eeples on 14/09/2021 - 23:36

        That last sentence doesn’t read well.

      • The Wololo Wombat on 15/09/2021 - 06:22
        +1

        I'm convinced that our obsession with cats is due to toxoplasmosis. Roughly 30% of people have that brain parasite according to some studies.

        • Bjingo on 15/09/2021 - 12:21

          The reason Cats and people ended up symbiotic was due to the results of the birth of agriculture which lead to civilizations.

          Due to being able to live in a single location and produce enough food for the people and for storage rodent infestations became common place. With this surplus of rodents cats naturally followed, they would hunt rodents then camp at peoples houses. Seeing how cats could help curb the rodent problem people began to take cats in and shelter them inside and protected them from predator's with the relationship being beneficial for both parties, cats stuck around. People even took them on ships to stop rodents eating their food storage.

          In modern times I think its partially due to the origin and partially because they are basically little independent people you live with.

        • ChadHominem on 15/09/2021 - 16:13

          Lol agree

      • crentist on 15/09/2021 - 11:59

        Those are survival instincts. Is that the only reason you do anything? To survive?
        No interests, thoughts, or activities beyond mere energy intake and procreation?

        You might be that absolutely boring, but that seems nearly impossible.
        You definitely interpret human behaviour in the most boring and shallow way though, so maybe you are.
        Or more likely, you have absolutely no ability for introspection or empathy, and unwittingly think we all behave according to your edgelord oversimplification, failing to realise that you don't even do that yourself

      • NigelTufnel on 15/09/2021 - 16:03
        +1

        You can use this reason to argue the opposite We get a endorphin and oxytocin releases when we look in dogs eyes, and vice versa.

      • ChadHominem on 15/09/2021 - 16:43

        If you want to talk about evolution and genes then think about the role of genetic variation in traits. Pets may seem like they’re purely a burden to you because they ARE for the genetic population that you belong to. You’d get nothing out of it and you probably wouldn’t give much to the pet in return, which is just a bad situation. On the opposite side you get people who have genes that are very similar to what makes domesticated pets so friendly that get along well with other species and have amazing reciprocal relationships with their pets that give them heaps while costing them very little in relation. And yes it sucks emotionally when the pet dies, but how bad the experience of death is is in direct proportion to how much positive emotion they brought when they were alive so you can’t say that’s a bad thing

  • SnowDragon on 14/09/2021 - 10:27
    +57

    I feel pets are always a burden financially, emotionally, and environmentally.

    You could say the same thing about children, cars, hobbies, sticky notes etc.

      • Archi on 14/09/2021 - 10:44
        +18

        How dare you say my Eleanor has no feelings.

      • Gronk on 14/09/2021 - 10:47
        +19

        Cars and hobbies are not living things. They don't have feelings.

        So? They're still an emotional and financial burden - ask any car guy….

      • tikei on 14/09/2021 - 11:26
        +3

        Can't you understand that everyone has different wants and preferences?
        I know many who prefer to be child-free.

      • valleyrain on 14/09/2021 - 12:04

        So children are part of evolutionary urges

        Tell that to the monks and saints who have renounced these urges. You are projecting your qualities onto others.

          • valleyrain on 14/09/2021 - 12:19
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: so just because you can't control these urges, it's alright for you to place a burden financially, emotionally and environmentally with children, but you want to criticise people with pets?

            • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2021 - 12:22

              @valleyrain: I didn't criticize anyone

      • lonewolf on 14/09/2021 - 18:00
        +3

        So by your argument, No-one should ever adopt a child? Because the only point of a child is to pass on genes? WOW!

      • Jaysful on 15/09/2021 - 15:27

        I mean happiness and mental health helps people survive right? It fits in the evolutionary thingymagig you mentioned.

        So surely you can't tell me you don't enjoy any kind of book, tv show/movie, art, colour, clothes, websites. They can all cause financial burden and most are not great for the environment, some can cause emotional stress (such as all the arguments happening in this thread).

      • BrotherSharp on 16/09/2021 - 02:53

        Hi Op, for some they are the food :)

        Eaten Pig after 100 days

        Does this one make sense to you?

      • ChadHominem on 17/09/2021 - 10:43

        That’s not genes man that’s hormones!
        Otherwise little kids and old people would be F beasts cuz “it’s in their genes”

    • SF3 on 14/09/2021 - 11:32
      +2

      OP, doesn't this also reflect on oneself too?… or you are implying you are more superior? Warning, slippery slope ahead.

    • BOGOF on 14/09/2021 - 11:49

      You could say the same thing about Ozbargain.

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