Why Do People Have Pets?

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?

closed Comments

  • +6

    Each to their own.

    Just like you are able to have you own diverse thinking and ideas, it's what makes us human.

    Cognitive dissonance isn't against you, it's to open up your mind.

    "The truth is out there"

    • -8

      There is a story in ABC news other day. One lady has a daughter and a dog. And it's a story that she couldn't afford to live on the dole money. Why she is having a dog when she can't properly provide for her or her daughter.

      • +7

        That's an unusual situation, most people who have pets can afford them.

        • +10

          Not always the case, you see homeless people with their pets; dogs in most cases. It keeps them company.

          • +7

            @CrispyChrispy: most homeless people used dog for warms and fed their dogs before themself and company.

      • It's that lady's choice. Anyone's opinions on that is purely subjective.

        Asking "Why", you'll have infinite reasons and become a circular discussion (which seems to be where this post is going…).

        How she is able to do, that would be insightful.

      • If the lady (and daughter) gets emotional regulation from the dog instead of drugs/alcohol then it’s a much better use of her money

  • +53

    I love my dog more than my hooman friends :D

    • +8

      amen brother.

      • +6

        I think OP's sentiment is much sadder.
        To me, the OP's question is like asking, "why do people have friends?"
        Clearly OP has never opened up and cared for a dog.
        A well looked after dog in a family home is loyal and loving in return, and a life experience I couldn't imagine not having.

      • +3

        I can cuddle up with my dog when I am sad :D

        • -4

          You should try cuddling a human, some say it is better :) I hope you find compatible companionship soon!

    • +7

      There are genuinely qualities of unconditional love you get from a pet that you don’t experience from humans. Not to say they’re better than or worse than humans. But being loved by a companion animal and loving them back is one of the most special things you can experience in life, in my opinion.

    • -3

      liking animal pets more than people is a sign of being a sociopath, just so you know

      • +1

        Do you have a source for that statement?

        I spend most of every day around my dogs - I spend a few hours a month with most of my friends.
        I love my dogs like family and they show me unconditional love - I like my friends, but most I would not consider family, and I would argue a lot of the feelings are conditional.

        How is I sociopathic to love your pets more than some friends, when you spend so much more quality time with them?

        • From Joseph Goebbels' diaries:
          "Man should not feel so superior to animals. He has no reason to. Man believes that he alone has intelligence, a soul, and the power of speech. Has not the animal these things? Just because we, with our dull senses, cannot recognize them, it does not prove that they are not there…"
          "As soon as I am with a person for three days, I don’t like him any longer; and if I am with him for a whole week, I hate him like the plague… I have learned to despise the human being from the bottom of my soul. He makes me sick in my stomach, Phoeey… Much dirt [gossip] and many intrigues. The only real friend one has in the end is the dog… The more I get to know the human species, the more I care for my Benno."

          P.S. Not saying you are a nazi, just to be clear.

          • +2

            @liongalahad: …Okay, I also don't see any evidence for your statement there either. Just something a Nazi said about his hate for humans.

            Kind of different.

  • +3

    Would you be in support of selling domesticated native animals instead of European exotic animals like dogs and cats?

    • -3

      No, let them be in their natural habitat

      • Their natural habitat is shrinking though while exotic pet ownership is skyrocketing. Even if we ban exotic per ownership, the natural habitat will still shrink.

  • +26

    you're a strange cat OP

    • +11

      They're probably having a dog of a day

      • +6

        Don't have a cow OP!

        • OP is having a giraffe

  • Because they can't/won't have kids yet 😷

    • -5

      I saw many people who have kids and pets

  • +2

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

    It all depends on your outlook, people who like pets will probably find certain behaviours cute or amusing whereas someone who doesn't like pets would probably see them as annoying.

    I got a cat a few years back because I wanted a cat, had the extra room and had a friend with a kitten who needed a home, I do not regret that decision in the slightest :)

  • +23

    Not all of us are emotionless robots like yourself OP

    please dont get any pets and if you dont like pets, please dont have kids either - kids are like pets which live for 100 years

    a well brought doggo provides unconditional love and doesn't ask for $20 all the time to see their friends.

  • +4

    That eatable just hit hard hey OP?

  • There is no better way of understanding a person than asking if they are a pet person. People who do not love or value animals are worthless human beings. I pity people who have never loved an animal. We are better for having them in our lives. No question.

    • +4

      People who do not love or value animals are worthless human beings.

      That's a bit far. Pets aren't for everyone.

  • +1

    No real answer other than some people just like pets.
    They enjoy caring for them rather than finding them a burden.

  • +9

    Pets like dogs can love you unconditionally and in turn bring insane amounts of joy where other avenues fail to do so, cant say the same for every other humans. Nothing better than returning home after a hard day at work/tough times and having a pet appreciate your presence. To your point yes pets are 100% a burden, but they make up for that exponentially with the happiness/colour they can bring to your life.

    • +1

      That's because they're social creatures. If left alone, they feel terrible. I only got a dog when wfh.

      I wish people would get two dogs if they're going to be left alone for hours.

  • +3

    Companionship. I don't support breeders though, it is unethical to bring more animals into this world when there are already so many animals that are homeless and will be put to death sooner or later (usually sooner), just because they aren't a puppy / kitten, aren't the right breed etc.

    • +1

      so breeders are responsible for all the animals on death row ? And if there are no breeders, where would one get a pet from - the wild or breed your own ? There will always be a need for pets.

      • +1

        Not all, but a lot of them wouldn't be there if people didn't have the option to go and buy a brand new puppy.

        There are plenty of bad owners who let their pets breed (not breeders, just lazy), there would be no shortage of available animals.

      • +6

        Breeders should be banned except for ones producing excellent working animals, keeping those lines going. The world really does not need ugly bulldogs who are good for nothing except single-handedly keeping vets in business because they're so poorly designed they can't breathe properly. Or any other pet breed with known genetic flaws that make it susceptible to particular illnesses or defects.

        • +5

          it really should be considered animal cruelty under the law to breed animals like that, i just feel sorry for the animals. 2 of our cats have issues breathing and one was even used as a breeder for several years, they also have rather flat faces so it is difficult for them to eat.

    • +1

      I don't support human breeders that leech off welfare but here we are. (oh wait I do support them)
      hypothetically if there were no dog breeders, then the only choice of dogs are wild strays! so eventually where does one get a dog that isn't wild.

  • +11

    that's a strangely worded question. You are assuming your view is correct and you're asking people to justify pet ownership. Maybe your question should be around 'responsible' pet ownership.
    Dogs have been bred to co-exist with humans for thousands of years. They rely on us to provide them with purpose, as much as they give some people companionship, structure to life, assistance, work or just exercise. It's proven that people who enjoy dog ownership are less likely to have narcissistic traits.

    • -7

      that's a strangely worded question. You are assuming your view is correct and you're asking people to justify pet ownership. Maybe your question should be around 'responsible' pet ownership.
      I can't assume is correct. I put forward some points and my point of view.
      Dogs have been bred to co-exist with humans for thousands of years. They rely on us to provide them with purpose, as much as they give some people companionship, structure to life, assistance, work, or just exercise. It's proven that people who enjoy dog ownership are less likely to have narcissistic traits.
      Yeah, they started them a few thousand years back because they had a purpose back then to protect their livestock. I can vouch for that narcissistic part.

      • Yeah, they started them a few thousand years back because they had a purpose back then to protect their livestock.

        So, here's the thing we do not know exactly when dogs and humans became symbiotic but it was definitely long before agriculture, we do not even know if we originally domesticated them or they domesticated themselves.

        The current most compelling theory was that about 40,000 years ago some wolves began following and approaching human hunter-gatherer camps in search of food, the wolves that were less aggressive and more friendly would get food and stick around the camp, becoming the camps wolves. Now because they were not fully domesticated normally the issue would arise where in times of difficulty there would be competition over food. However, due to canines being able to digest protein more efficiently than humans they were able to live off just the lean meat which we could not, so we could split the food without competition.
        After a couple generations of wolves we were able to have them assist us with hunting, they would track, harass and herd the prey towards the humans who could easily kill it. This was a huge advantage as at the time the the top predators' were; Homo Sapiens, Homo Neanderthals and wolves, and now that Sapiens and wolves had teamed up they were by far the most formidable, some believe this is actually what lead to the Neanderthals going extinct 28,000 years ago.

        What we know for a fact was that the earliest undisputed domesticated dog fossil is about 15,000 years old but other similar remains have been found dating as early as 35,000 years ago.

  • +1

    There is almost 8 billion people on this globe, there is always going to be people who like different things.

  • +10

    I never had pets until I met my wife - I originally thought "why does she have a dog, never mind 2 of them"

    One was a rescue at 11 years old, on medication, pee'd all over the house…………………… he became my best friend, my son's middle name is after him….Rupert.

    Dogs are better than people, as an introvert I love having a sidekick that doesn't talk! haha

    But when out and about it's also a nice way to interact with people, as dog people tend to ask about each other's dog.

    I recommended minding someone else's dog to see what all the fuss is about.

    • +6

      I never had pets until I met my wife

      I was about to tell you to stop calling your wife names! lol

  • +15

    Did you ask your parents if you were a burden financially, emotionally, and environmentally? Just saying.

      • +30

        perhaps your birth was an accident - I know mine was a conscious decision on the part of my parents.

        • I know mine was a conscious decision on the part of my parents.

          Eewww

      • +18

        Every birth is an accident

        wut?

        • -7

          Ask that to millions of sperms that missed the boat.

          • +22

            @[Deactivated]: You seem like a really lost soul. I recommend some other sites or forums for the discussion you are after.
            This is a different type of party

      • So what's IVF then?

        • +6

          IVF is when someone accidently blows into a cup, then someone else accidently picks it up and accidently puts it into an egg. Then while they're walking, they slip and accidently shove that whole concoction up someone. That someone coincidently was lying there with their legs open.

      • +6

        Excuse me sir - were you dropped at birth or something?

      • +3

        u WOT m8

      • I accidentally had sex with the wife and we accidentally had a child. Twice.

  • +7

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

    Just like many other things in life? I could say the same thing about other humans, companies, animals, and inanimate objects (Internet, toys, cars).

    I am totally in support of native species who got destroyed by pets turned feral.

    Good on you. Careless ownership can be an issue but that's not exactly a problem with the pets. People can carelessly abuse of anything (alcohol, food, work, Netflix).

    Humans already go through a lot of trauma and personal losses, why add a few more (pets) to your life which is totally avoidable.

    You define your trauma and losses. Why do people have kids when it is an avoidable trauma and loss? Why do you get into a relationship with someone when you risk getting hurt and lose a lot emotionally and financially)?

    It comes down to pros and cons - the benefits are larger. The joy of having a pet is bigger than the loss of it.

    Is companionship a reason?

    For most, yes.

    Or do humans want to feel special?

    Probably.

    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?

    For some, the benefits of having a pet are larger than not having a pet. It is of subjective value but it is still valuable.

    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.

    This is a convoluted question. It sounds like you are targeting the pet industry more than pet ownership with that question.
    Anyway, I get where you are coming from with these points. I am not religious nor celebrate those "special days" that you mentioned. However, I have no issues with people who are/do as long as they are happy to do so.

    If you logically break down everything, many things do not make sense. People are fast to scientifically break down religions - where is the proof? where is the clinical trial? etc.. but it does not matter as long as the person is making it work for himself/herself. Besides, modern science is based on assumptions upon assumptions.

    If you are science minded, the best available research (in fields like psychology, economics, negotiation) says that humans - yes, you and I included - do not make logical decisions at all.

    Can you tell what is the reason why you have pets?

    A mixture of reasons. I like the companionship. I like observing the cat and its body movement. I like to play with the cat.

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

    Just like friends and family?

  • +5

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

    I think when compared to other humans, pets are not a burden at all.

      • +19

        oh, it's a sociopath episode.

        • -5

          There is a sociopath hidden in everyone

          • +11

            @[Deactivated]: So you're using the word "accident" to refer to one sperm beating millions of others to the egg (because it's an item of chance, and all accidents happen by chance, I suppose(?)), and you're also using "opportunity" to refer to "a possible option to be explored", I guess?
            China and western governments have an option of going full fascist and eugenics, should they choose, so COVID would be an opportunity for population reduction, I guess?

            That's the most charitable exploration of those concepts I can afford you. You either don't know what either of those words really mean and are misusing them (in which case the fact right now you could slam your hand in a desk drawer repeatedly until you broke your fingers is an "opportunity" for you as well, in your own language, and you would describe it as such)

            Or

            Or you're an troll and deliberately provoking people and JuSt AsKinG QuEstIoNs. I'd find it a remarkable coincidence someone who called themself "peeltheonion" wasn't positioning themself as a modern day philosopher-king just causing all of the people to re-examine society's paradigms in such a delightfully unsettling way.

            A more interesting question to ask of yourself is why you're pursuing this posturing. Maybe you actually believe there are some great universal truths (and untruths) you can explore and this bargain forum is the ideal place to set the world on its ear and usher in some new ways of thinking.

            Then again, maybe you're just a bit of a weirdo, a sociopath-lite, who actually struggles with some of the overarching societal constructs, and you comfort yourself by telling yourself that everyone is a little bit broken like this and it's fine to not get it, because let's face it, who really does, none of it really makes sense, and we're all really just the unformed husks awaiting a sense of connection to everyone else with a quiet desperation we hide behind our edgelord masks. Maybe everyone else is lying to themselves and they're like this too.

            My advice is read/watch Death Note, get it out of your system, then go on to pursue some interesting opportunities.
            And yes, opportunities, not "opportunities".

            TL DR: I'm using this giant wall of text as the Cliffs' Notes for all future interactions with your varied posts, incidentally. I figured we might as well get it out of the way this once and the next time you're startling all the sheep with your revolutionary ideas, we can just link back to this callout.

          • @[Deactivated]:

            There is a sociopath hidden in everyone

            Where abouts?

          • +1

            @[Deactivated]: In your case, it doesn't seem hidden.

            • -6

              @goonsta: Like Vegans, some pet owners are triggered by everything. Good to know.

      • So you're saying COVID19 was purposefully released by China in an act to reduce the world's population, and western society should have encouraged this?

        Ooooh boy.

        • -3

          I replied to the above comment in a sarcastic way

  • +6

    You can't have happiness without having sadness, OP.

    'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. That's true of pets as well, they bring a lot of joy into our lives, much like everything worth doing in life. Trying to measure that by economic gain becomes extremely cold and misses the point of doing anything enjoyable in life.

    • Nice research work YM - hopefully PTO will now move on or seek help.
      (YM is a euphemism for Youfah Mizzum)

    • Not every birth is an accident, but every child is conceived out of selfishness.

      What does the research say on that one?

  • +9

    I have pets, because people are usually unreliable arseholes…

    • +1

      I take it you don't have a cat then? I found them to be lovably "unreliable arseholes", as a whole :p

  • +21

    I have a pet so I don't have to deal with people like you.

    Also, because in the grand scheme of things, they're less of a financial, emotional, and environmental burden than humans.

    • -4

      You dealt atlast. I won

      • +22

        I see not only can't you comprehend, you can't speak either.

  • i prefer fish or plants or small rodents

  • Some people have pets to help them work, like shepherds dogs or guardian breeds like Maremmas protecting livestock.
    Would you still qualify this as a burden?

    Some people have pets to assist them on a day to day basis with either medical conditions or simply because they have lost sight.

    Your question is broad and frankly it is the first time I ever heard anyone making such comments and not understanding the concept of owning pets, even simply for emotional support. Perhaps you need to talk to a specialist, I feel your issue is deeper and seems to come from a lack of empathy OR maybe you need a pet!

    • Please don't suggest a pet is to be burdened by the OP - that would be cruel.

    • Builders need their dogs to look after their tools in the back of their Ute.

  • +15

    I'd suggest the OP finds the answers to the post from within - go talk to a psychiatrist, seriously.

  • Emotional support? I did look after a few pet (had to catsit and dogsit a few times), and found the interactions with them very soothing and pleasant.
    I do want a pet eventually, when I am ready (financially, mentally and when I have talked with someone about owning a pet etc etc).

    If it is possible, I would want to have my kids in an environment where they have an animal companion. I think that kind of experience would be valuable.

  • +5

    I find it's just nice to have a pet around.
    We had a cat who made it to 19, and we were very sad when she died. About 3 months afterwards, just as Melbourne was about to go into Lockdown #1, my wife suggested that we look for another cat, so we decided to move fast.
    Found our boy Gus at the RSPCA on the second weekend, had to go through distancing protocols, etc. Since then I have been forced to work from home, and my only work interaction is via email, online chat and a weekly Zoom meeting.
    So I like to have him in the house, he talks a lot and keeps me company, until he sits by the garage door waiting for my wife to get home.
    He is cheap to run, about $20pm, and a source of enjoyment for us both.
    I have a family member who recently spent $6.5K on a dog, not sure I would do that though

    • +3

      Rescued cats are the best kind of cat. I had one, and he was the sweetest, most gentle and huggable cat I have ever had.

      The OP doesn't like pets, and that's okay. He or she doesn't have to have one. But millions of people in Australia voluntarily choose to have a furry companion, so they can't all be wrong.

  • +11

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

    Cool, so are children so why have them? In fact they are a million times more of a burden than a pet.

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

    Sorry to be blunt but are you on the spectrum? This is a pretty basic human requirement for companionship and connection, and a pet can fulfil that. The fact that you're asking why is telling me that you don't understand these emotions.

  • +2

    OP, do you have children? I suspect not. Ever had a small child plead for a kitten or puppy? Now try rationalizing to them why that kitten is a burden on your pocket, the environment, and that the child is selfish for wanting one.

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