Why Do Animals Suffer?

[Jersey_Jeepster]

First, let me start with the disclosure that, two days ago, I put my beloved cat, Fang, to sleep. So, I am very distraught and grief-stricken and this post is born out of the loss I feel. My grief has brought questions to mind about animals in general, but specifically those we keep as pets.

Why do animals suffer? I understand the reward that we humans receive for our suffering. I understand what redemptive suffering is and that the level of suffering humans experience on Earth pales in comparison to the eternal joy and ecstasy that we will experience in Heaven. Humans have an eternal soul and, I guess, animals do not. So, if animals do not receive the reward of Heaven, what purpose does their suffering serve, other than giving them pain and upsetting animal lovers like me?

I do not place animals on a higher level than humans, but I do not understand why God has placed animals on Earth, especially those that enrich our lives and show us love, companionship, and appreciation as pets, if we have to watch the animals we love suffer and eventually have their lives ended by our decision to end that suffering. We feel grateful that we can relieve their suffering by putting them to sleep, but what do animals receive for their suffering? Why are we left to try to cope with the fact that we have to kill the animals we love so much?

I hope these questions don’t seem irrational. I am certainly trying to navigate through great sadness, grief, and confusion right now.

 

[Havard]

Domestic animals may not live in the wild, but they still have instincts to help them survive.

Pain and suffering are important survival responses. If animals didn’t have them, they wouldn’t know when to take it easy, when to rest, etc. And their families might not know they need extra care if they didn’t exhibit suffering, as some ailments aren’t externally visible.

 

[meltzerboy]

Domestic animals may not live in the wild, but they still have instincts to help them survive.

Pain and suffering are important survival responses. If animals didn’t have them, they wouldn’t know when to take it easy, when to rest, etc. And their families might not know they need extra care if they didn’t exhibit suffering, as some ailments aren’t externally visible.

Part of that survival mechanism is NOT displaying suffering in order not to appear vulnerable to predators, which cats are notorious for doing.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Suffering is built into any creature with intelligence - through diseases, injury, etc. Animals don’t suffer in the same way we do, and I don’t think they suffer the same kind of pain, because they can’t know why they have pain and anticipate their own death.

Having to put an animal down is very distressing and as I get older, I think having a pet isn’t worth what usually happens to them at the end.

 

[meltzerboy]

First, let me start with the disclosure that, two days ago, I put my beloved cat, Fang, to sleep. So, I am very distraught and grief-stricken and this post is born out of the loss I feel. My grief has brought questions to mind about animals in general, but specifically those we keep as pets.

Why do animals suffer? I understand the reward that we humans receive for our suffering. I understand what redemptive suffering is and that the level of suffering humans experience on Earth pales in comparison to the eternal joy and ecstasy that we will experience in Heaven. Humans have an eternal soul and, I guess, animals do not. So, if animals do not receive the reward of Heaven, what purpose does their suffering serve, other than giving them pain and upsetting animal lovers like me?

I do not place animals on a higher level than humans, but I do not understand why God has placed animals on Earth, especially those that enrich our lives and show us love, companionship, and appreciation as pets, if we have to watch the animals we love suffer and eventually have their lives ended by our decision to end that suffering. We feel grateful that we can relieve their suffering by putting them to sleep, but what do animals receive for their suffering? Why are we left to try to cope with the fact that we have to kill the animals we love so much?

I hope these questions don’t seem irrational. I am certainly trying to navigate through great sadness, grief, and confusion right now.

I can empathize with your pain and loss, as I had to put my beloved cat, Huey, to sleep seven months ago. It is my personal belief that our pets will be rewarded for their love and we will be with them again in heaven. Meanwhile, have no fear, they are in good hands.

 

[itullian]

i don’t know. i don’t understand suffering period.

to me, it’s the one good argument against Gods existance.

it’s horrible. for those poor animals and all of us.

i will not be back to this thread.

(no lectures please)

 

[Love_is]

It’s another of the effects of sin. God allows suffering and pain (for both animals and humans) because of the sin Adam and Eve(we) CHOSE to commit…I think. Don’t quote me on that

 

[Angelsflight]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved cat. I have a cat that is getting up in years too, and I dread the day she goes. She is my best buddy.

I know this is not what the church teaches, but it is my personal belief too, that our pets will be in heaven to greet us when we arrive.

Hang in there.

 

[Jersey_Jeepster]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved cat. I have a cat that is getting up in years too, and I dread the day she goes. She is my best buddy.

I know this is not what the church teaches, but it is my personal belief too, that our pets will be in heaven to greet us when we arrive.

Hang in there.

Thank you, Angelsflight. I think your belief is not far off from what Catholics can believe about pets and Heaven. I think that there is the possibility that God would re-create our pets for us in Heaven, but they don’t go to Heaven after their earthly presence.

I hang on to that hope. It makes what seems like such a horrible thing to endure, the fact animals suffer and receive no reward or grace for it and that we have to kill the very animals we love, at least make a little sense.

 

[GEddie]

Physical beings undergo deterioration and damage because the material of the organism or body, is subject to the law of entropy.

When the being has a brain and nervous system, this deterioration and damage registers therein as “suffering”. The degree of the suffering depends on the level of development of the brain. An earthworm “suffers” when pushed onto a fish hook, but probably less than a dog whose nose triggers a mouse trap. A fish “suffers” when being caught; so does a human being who is being choked, probably much more.

Suffering is wholly subjective, and so cannot be quantified. But complexity of the being adds depth to suffering, as does intelligence. It’s just the way life is designed.

My condolences on the loss of your cat.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Havard]

Part of that survival mechanism is NOT displaying suffering in order not to appear vulnerable to predators, which cats are notorious for doing.

That too. Not sure if you were sharing that to attenuate my point, or just for our edification, but I was just providing examples of why it is good that animals can feel and express their pain.

 

[meltzerboy]

That too. Not sure if you were sharing that to attenuate my point, or just for our edification, but I was just providing examples of why it is good that animals can feel and express their pain.

I admit to a dual motivation, more so the latter.

 

[JRRTFAN]

First, let me start with the disclosure that, two days ago, I put my beloved cat, Fang, to sleep. So, I am very distraught and grief-stricken and this post is born out of the loss I feel. My grief has brought questions to mind about animals in general, but specifically those we keep as pets.

Why do animals suffer? I understand the reward that we humans receive for our suffering. I understand what redemptive suffering is and that the level of suffering humans experience on Earth pales in comparison to the eternal joy and ecstasy that we will experience in Heaven. Humans have an eternal soul and, I guess, animals do not. So, if animals do not receive the reward of Heaven, what purpose does their suffering serve, other than giving them pain and upsetting animal lovers like me?

I do not place animals on a higher level than humans, but I do not understand why God has placed animals on Earth, especially those that enrich our lives and show us love, companionship, and appreciation as pets, if we have to watch the animals we love suffer and eventually have their lives ended by our decision to end that suffering. We feel grateful that we can relieve their suffering by putting them to sleep, but what do animals receive for their suffering? Why are we left to try to cope with the fact that we have to kill the animals we love so much?

I hope these questions don’t seem irrational. I am certainly trying to navigate through great sadness, grief, and confusion right now.

C.S. Lewis takes up this subject in “The Problem of Pain”. I commend it to you and offer sympathy on your loss.

 

[pollycarp]

I think for us to see animals suffer is just another form of suffering that we ourselves have to bear in this valley of tears, and we should offer it up.

 

[vera_dicere]

Christ suffered on the cross because we understand suffering and can understand the level of the sacrifice he made for us. We can appreciate it better.

Animals, I think are the same, their suffer is something we can see and in seeing it, we are motivated to do something to try and stop their suffering. Even the horribly grumpy stray who’s been hit by a car and lies dying on the side of the road stirrs in the hearts of the mentally stable a motivation to help ease their pain. I think Pope JPII wrote about how those who suffer give us the opportunity to care for them and show empathy and love - and so that person who is suffering is giving us a great gift. Perhaps the same can be said of our animal friends.

But animals are very “here and now” kind of thinkers, they can’t really predict an event or worry about a past one. If I kick my cat now, she will suffer, and she’ll remember enough to not want to go near me again, but she won’t worry about the pain it caused a week from now. *. Its like rats. I used to have 11. If they eat somethign that makes them sick, they’ll never eat that thing again - even if they find an unspoiled sample of that food. Will they steer clear of that food because of the suffering? No, because of the illness it caused them, and the illness could kill them. They are driven by a need to survive and spread their genes.

I don’t think the sufffering of animals negates the evidence of God. If anything, it enhances the truth of sin’s effect on all of us. Its not God’s fault people sin. Its not God’s fault when Fluffy suffers because her owner kicks her. [My cat’s name is Sassy, nnot Fluffy].

I often um and ahh over whether or not I think Sassy is going to be in Heaven. My childhood cat and dog are dead, as are my 11 rats. I think the fact they don’t have immortal souls makes their lives all the more precious, and makes me all the more motivated to ease the suffering of pets and animals I have authority over. But I have to admit, I like the notion of the “Rainbow Bridge”.

I’m sorry about your kitty, Fang is an awesome name, I bet they were a great cat.*

 

[LSK]

First, let me start with the disclosure that, two days ago, I put my beloved cat, Fang, to sleep. So, I am very distraught and grief-stricken and this post is born out of the loss I feel. My grief has brought questions to mind about animals in general, but specifically those we keep as pets.

Why do animals suffer? I understand the reward that we humans receive for our suffering. I understand what redemptive suffering is and that the level of suffering humans experience on Earth pales in comparison to the eternal joy and ecstasy that we will experience in Heaven. Humans have an eternal soul and, I guess, animals do not. So, if animals do not receive the reward of Heaven, what purpose does their suffering serve, other than giving them pain and upsetting animal lovers like me?

I do not place animals on a higher level than humans, but I do not understand why God has placed animals on Earth, especially those that enrich our lives and show us love, companionship, and appreciation as pets, if we have to watch the animals we love suffer and eventually have their lives ended by our decision to end that suffering. We feel grateful that we can relieve their suffering by putting them to sleep, but what do animals receive for their suffering? Why are we left to try to cope with the fact that we have to kill the animals we love so much?

I hope these questions don’t seem irrational. I am certainly trying to navigate through great sadness, grief, and confusion right now.

First of all, I am so sorry for your loss. Over the years, my Four-Legged Fur Babies have given me lots of love and attention and I am so grateful for the privilige of being their Steward. Losing them to illness or accident is never easy. I always cry. You have a sister in me.:hug1:

That being said, remember that all creatures suffer death because death is in the world. And you can be grateful that the status of our furbabies allows us to end their lives so the suffering does not go on needlessly - for OUR suffering, as HUMANS, is NEVER needless. We can offer it up for the redemption of souls around us. Animals cannot do that and so we have the privilige of being able to end their lives and, thus, their suffering.

Meanwhile, remember what a wonderful life Fang had with you and when you are ready be sure to share your life again with another of God’s fur babies.

I am on Scottish Terrier number three. Angus MacDuff (#1) died at the age of 14. He had cancer and I had to put him down. Roddy MacDuff (#2) died in his sleep, at home, of lymphoma. He was one of the top obedience dogs in the state when he died. His great nephew - Shaw’s William Wallace MacDuff (known as Duffy) - is 8 years old this year and thinks all that obedience stuff is really dumb, that I have control issues and should go to Al - Apet.

Hang in there, honey.

 

[Luvz2travel]

Suffering is part of life for everyone. I’ve had to put two cats down myself and another most likely in the next few years as he’s edging 15-16 years old. It’s always hard to let them go especially when you’ve had them most of their lives and they are attuned to you but it’s better to let them go then see them suffer. Suffering is part of the natural order in nature where a wounded animal is fair game for a stronger species.

 

[FurtherSuntime]

Everything points to animals not wondering, not testing, not guessing, not proving to others, not worrying… knowing that a God exists instinctively!
They share our world with us, they are also little ones There are many kinds of little ones. We don’t know, God had to work on the human race climbing out of this assertive existence of instinctive experience…The percentage of critters which live a whole life relative to the intended, naturally tweeting in the trees and so on, shame the 95% unhappy , and reasons for it human species…A God of All Innocence which defines All Powerful a simple consequence,( simplicity is important) could never use the billions of critters as doormattss for his piece of art, that being the creation. Critters will be part I’m sure of the infinite construction…how can it be said then that not a leaf falls to the ground without a reason, and leave the floating leaf in higher regard then the often freezing to death of a critter. A reason is required, and the answer is in the ultimate infinite reality. So don’t worry about your pet…they know all about the higher power, goodness, peace harmony…its instinctive and they really don’t have to write books or worry about it…can’t see there wouldn’t be room for everybody:thumbsup:.

 

[sacred_words]

I’m so sorry for your loss! I’ve been there before. I lost my girl cat back in mid-March after a six month battle with kidney failure. Her illness took a huge turn for the worse toward the end, and she was practically on death’s doorstep the day we took her to the vet for the last time. She was the first pet i’ve ever owned, and it was really hard those first few weeks since that day in the vet’s office, for my mom and me, and our boy cat. He’s 9, and she would have been 11 in October. I still miss her.

I’m not gonna tell you to just get another cat and get over it. It doesn’t work that way, and frankly it sounds insensitive, even if whoever tells you that means well. You need time to grieve, so take it. Fang had a great life with you, so honor him (or her), cherish those wonderful memories you and Fang had in life together. And if the time comes you do want another cat, then it comes. If not, then it doesn’t. Don’t be surprised when people try to offer you kittens or cats that someone they know doesn’t want. I got that reaction a lot.

That said, i’ve wrestled with the idea of why suffering happens in general, not just with animals. It’s something i’m still trying to figure out and trying to reconcile. I don’t think there’s any real* reason* for it per se, though it seems to be a part of life, i guess. It doesn’t make it any easier.

A :hug1: if you want one.

 

[joshvanrad]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved cat. I have a cat that is getting up in years too, and I dread the day she goes. She is my best buddy.

I know this is not what the church teaches, but it is my personal belief too, that our pets will be in heaven to greet us when we arrive.

Hang in there.

The way I see it- in heaven we are given ALL of what we NEED, and if we so loved an animal of this world with our whole being then why would God deny us of that friend in heaven? I believe God will return the pets we loved and cared for to us, in heaven.