My first controversial question?

Question

Why is it that people always jump on each other (including me) for the way they view their pets?
I am an animal lover, I have had many pets all my life. My pets are spoiled rotten, they are fed, bathed, they have toys to their hearts content, all the love and petting they could ever want, but I do not forget that they are ANIMALS.
People seem to get so offended when I don't put my pets on the same level as me. No, they do not NEED routine medical checkups (heck, I don't even get routine medical checkups). No, I don't feel bad if my dog sleeps in a crate and not in my bed. No, I don't see a problem in sedating or crating a hyper animal under certain circumstances.
There is a HUGE difference between animal cruelty, and treating your pet like an animal. When did it become so common to treat our pets like little people? Hasn't anyone ever been on a farm??

Wait, let me clarify. I do understand the importance of vaccines and taking care of my pet's health. I do not believe in taking my pets to a vet for no reason, or when any little thing happens. I don't run to a doctor for every little thing, and I don't run my pets to a doctor for every little thing either. Pets get sick, people get sick, pets die, people die... I really try not to blow this out of proportion like a lot of people do.

I hate that you can't respond to these. Because people ask a question in the answer, then no one can say anything in response. My cats are indoor cats. They had vaccines, some time ago, but I choose not to vaccinate them now. I also feel pretty strongly that vaccines can be more harmful than helpful, so I am wary of doling them out like candy.
Dogs, however, are exposed to more than my cats, my dog goes outside, she is around other dogs, her vaccines are more relevant. Also, you can purchase vaccines, you don't need a vet. Just to make that clear.My pets eat all natural food, I try never to use chemical pesticides or treatments on them.. overall, I try to limit their chemical intake. Doctors/vets do just the opposite, and I have a big problem with that. But that is an entirely different debate.
I remember as a kid, my grandmothers ailing cat was ready to be put down, and she took it behind the shelter house. Also, my grandfather (other side of the family) and his dog.Desensitize.

Answer 1

See lots of people didnt grow up on the family farm, they dont understand that you are not putting your dog into a human form. Some people love there pet so much they think they are like children and totaly forget that they are an animal. You know there is NOTHING wrong with how you love your pet. I say as long as you provide decent shelter, food, exercise, medical care when needed, responsibility, and socialization its fine at that. You dont need to baby your pet. I personally tend to do that, cause thats my nature, but I grew up on the farm, my parents were the hardcore, people are people, animals are animals. I was diffrent despite them. They were never cruel or hard or mean to any animals. They just didnt handle and care for them like I did. Its a matter of personal choice. If more people remember that animals were animals first, there would be less social and behavioral problems out there to deal with.

Answer 2

OH, so you're saying that you are okay with people that spoil their pets but still treat them like pets? then yeah, i agree. It's easy to forget sometimes, though, that they are indeed animals and not people. I do sometimes, but at the same time, some people take it a little too far. Like i once saw this lady wipe her dogs' butt after it crapped! and even i, the animal lover, said that that person was a little strange. I agree with you, people need to better understand that an animal is an animal, but at the same time, they don't need to underestimate. Yes it is an animal, but it does have feelings, maybe not as much or as intense as people, but feelings non-the-less. If you really think about it, it was always common to treat the pets like people back in the days when most of the breeds that we have now were first being made, it has just gotten more into the light now.

Answer 3

I can see your point on most things although it does not mean I agree. You should have a medical checkup annually and so should your pet. To catch a disease early is to save your life or your pets. Your pet needs to have a rabies shot on an annual basis and that requires a trip to the vet. Since there are people like you around, it has been made the law. There are other shots necessary for other diseases that require annual vaccinations. To have their ears cleaned, checked for worms or other diseases is something you do for an animal you care about. If you don't get your animal in for basic medical treatments it is cruel. Do you know anything about heartworms? I don't even want to know how you think farm animals should be treated.

Answer 4

I think a lot of it is that people are uneducated. No, they are not stupid, but they cannot always tell whether or not their pet's ailments are minor or not, and so they rely on the vet to tell them. Better safe than sorry if you do not know yourself, you know? It IS like having a child, even if you disagree, because that pet relies on you for its food and warmth the way any offspring would. So you just do what you can to keep them healthy and comfortable in return for all the love they give you.

I do agree that people with too much time and money, who spoil their pets with five-star treats, pet clothing, manicures and all that should really get a reality check, though.

Answer 5

One time, I was at a friends house for a birthday party, she lived with her grandmother.. Her grandmother was in a different room when the fattest cat I'd ever seen in my life came waltzing into the room. Without thinking anyone would be offended, I said "Good lord thats a fat cat" another friend turned and gave me a look of complete horror. Luckilly, the grandmother hadnt heard this comment, but My friend quickly informed me not to repeat it because if she had, she would've been furious with me. (and probably would've kicked me out)

I guess she thought her cat was a little (fat) person and hearing me make fun of him might hurt his feelings.

I love my pets too, but I havent forgotten that theyre not furry people..and I do think its a little weird when people get sooo uptight about it. And i agree about the check up thing. If somethign is wrong, then by all means a visit to the vets is in order, but I think it'd be slightly off if my pet went to the doctors more than I did. if theyre healthy and happy thats all that matters.

Answer 6

I agree with everything you said except the medical check up thing. I do get my pets regular checkups and the reason is it can save me money in the future. I love my pets and want to spend all the time I can with them. It is no fun when you have costly medical bills that could have been avoided with a regular check up. Then you have to sit here and worry, do I pay it and be broke or just put the animal to sleep. With regular checkups you can avoid these probelms...but hey, thats just me..

Answer 7

There are responsible ways to do what you're doing. Responsible owners go to the vet every year and get blood titres for their animals, to make sure they still have immunity to what they're being vaccinated against.

Your pet MAY develop problems from overvaccinating, but I can assure you that many of the illnesses vaccinated against WILL kill them if they catch them.

Answer 8

lmao yeah same here. My dogs are on a much lower level than me. I am god to them. They do not sleep on my bed...all being crated except one who is confined to a room. They aren't allowed to even look at the furniture like they want to jump on it unless someone invites them up there. They do not eat unless I allow them and are not even allowed to complain about it (no howling or begging)

Yes there are beds in the crates. I do bathe them. They have toys.

They do need medical check ups.....just like humans do. Yes sweety that means you need them too. My personal check ups don't happen unless I feel sick. Same with my animals but mine are probably on a different diet to where as I can see a problem occurring and know how to fix it to where (any kibble fed dog) has tons of underlying problems.

Otherwise I totally understand what you are saying. People are idiots. I am over my dogs not because they are animals but because they are kids.

Answer 9

It all started with the book 'A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy"
Ever since then people started thinking that maybe we should treat animals like the have created everything and we are just some big experiment in one of their labs.

Answer 10

Spoken like a true farm girl!!! I love my animals but I agree with you, they are animals. I care for them when they get sick and am in regular contact with my vet regarding their care. I am just not one to rush to his office every time one has a scrape or cold. On the up side of that, my vet knows if I call for him, it is serious and he comes no matter when it is. That comes from being reasonable and realistic.