Are pets worth it? Pros and Cons of pet ownership

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My problem was, after work, you want that 5 minute chill period. But now you’ve got a happy excited animal that’s waited all day for this moment. And look ! They’ve torn up your favorite thing while you were gone. And they spilled the water bowl and soaked the floor. They probably couldn’t hold it and went to the bathroom also. So now you’re tired and angry and you still have to clean up the mess AND take care of the animal.

Like I said. Pets are great if you’re ready for a pet. Otherwise, you’re just gonna hate having the pet. At least I did.
 
I have two precious lap dogs. Sometimes I joke that they are my best friends, and that might not be healthy considering that I’m human.
I consider them totally worth it. They sleep in the big bed with us, and I wake up smiling at them as they scriggle up to the pillows, offer a tummy to be rubbed, or lick my hand. I just don’t think I would be as happy without them. In fact sometimes I joke that their behavior is how ours should be as Christians: cheerful, hopeful, loving, forgiving.
They do have their pricey moments though. Even getting their teeth cleaned is s big undertaking.
Another possible downside is that it can be tricky to travel.
 
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The cons you list can be applied (although not exactly in the same way, for example, shedding) to having children and to being married. But are any of these things worth it? You bet they are. Just living will entail its share of problems no matter what, but is life worth it? I think so, especially due to the love, affection, consolation, companionship, and simply the experience and adventure itself, including the negatives. And having, caring for, and bonding with a pet is one of the great experiences of life.
 
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One other pro of pet ownership: it teaches children about love, loyalty, companionship, and responsibility. I must admit I am wary of people who dislike both dogs and cats.
 
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Tommy999 said:
Good point. We have an adult son who lives alone, works long hours, and is thinking of getting a dog. I try not to meddle but can’t help but wonder if it’s a good thing when the dog will be alone for long periods of time.
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1-2 cats are a good alternative. Some cats are loners and do fine but I found two cats keep each other company. They don’t give the same joy as a dog but are good company to come home to and are lower maintenance (no walks) 🙂
 
Theo520 said:
They don’t give the same joy as a dog but are good company to come home to and are lower maintenance (no walks) 🙂
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And they do bring such scrumptious pressies…mice…voles…the odd slug now and again.
 
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Niblo said:
And they do bring such scrumptious pressies…mice…voles…the odd slug now and again.
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I miss out on the pressies as I’m urban and keep indoor cats.
Though I did get a mouse once, not sure how it got in in the first place.
 
Theo520 said:
Though I did get a mouse once, not sure how it got in in the first place.
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The strangest one for me was finding a young frog just over an inch long (we have a pond). The frog was in our hallway, alive and quite uninjured. How the cat managed to catch it, carry it, pass it through the cat flap (in her mouth, of course) without harming it is quite beyond me! A very lucky frog - returned to the pond, of course. By the way, the cat was not at all pleased with me when I took the frog away. She sulked for quite some time.
 
A logical alternative that makes a lot of sense, except my son doesn’t like cats much but likes dogs. We hope he gets a dog when he has more time to spend with one or gets married and has a spouse who has the time and who also likes dogs.
 
The pros of pet ownership greatly outweigh the cons. Pets are gifts. They give us far more than we give them, and they usually don’t demand much. Just to have their basic needs met, and to be treated kindly.

Life would be much poorer without pets.

BTW, we don’t own cats – they own US.
 
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JanR said:
BTW, we don’t own cats – they own US.
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I’m sure that you’ve probably heard of that expression, “Dogs have owners, cats have staff.” LOL!! 😁

Those of us who are owned by a cat/s, can certainly vouch for this! 😉 🐈
 
My cats have maid service – ME! All they have to do is sit there and look cute while I fill their feeders, water dishes and scoop their litter boxes. I’m also their masseuse when they DEMAND to be petted.
 
Just like boats, don’t get a boat. Get a friend with a boat.
 
I once heard a dog owner say something like “I wish I was half the person that my dog thinks I am”.

That’s one of the reasons I’ve had them over the years. Just seeing the smile and joy on his face when taking my dog for a walk — it’s like it’s DisneyWorld, SixFlags, his birthday, Christmas, and New Year’s Day all rolled up in one for him.

The hardest part continues to be the grief and sadness when they grow old and die. It’s as if they become a beloved family member. As I’ve grown older I thought that part would become easier, but it doesn’t.
 
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Not much different than dogs…except instead of scooping out litter boxes, I follow behind my dog with baggies on our walks! 😂

However, having a dog greet you at the door when you’ve been gone…often for two minutes to get the mail…is one of the happiest feelings ever!
 
Ever notice, their is not a dog house any more. Your house is the dog house. You just get to live in it while not at work.
 
I bought a dog house for my dog. He sniffed around it and never went in, except for one time when I tossed a treat inside. He grabbed it and got out as soon as he could. I ended up putting in a doggie door so he could enter and exit the house as he pleased. He trained me well.
 
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