Is it morally right to keep animals as pets?

Question

Can it ever be morally right to 'posess' another living being ? Only animals are owned nowadays but is this justifiable?

Answer 1

That depends on the pet and the situation.

I would love to let 'my' dogs roam around free (hoping that they would come back to me!!), but I would be so worried about them being injured or attacking other animals that I don't do it (apart from the fact that it's against the law).

If you are a responsible and caring pet owner, I don't see a problem with keeping animals that are traditionally meant as companions, but I don't agree with exotic pets such as snakes.

Answer 2

Depends on the animal of cause, a wild animal obviously not, an animal bred for the pet trade in a humane manner, with no stress etc in its birth and life, then why not ... Do you think they are worried at being in the hands of another, or happy to be in a good loving home ?

There are far worse things to be morally outraged by of that I am 100% sure. Maybe you mean "Under the control of another" rather than own. As technically every plant in your garden is owned or "posessed", but we have yet to get quite that politically correct that we whip ourselves for not always watering them ... fortunately.

Answer 3

It would be more right to ask if it's morally right to keep pets as animals?

If you love your dog, for instance, how can you keep him in a wood box outside with all the fleas in creation on a chafing leash and collar having slobbery water that you change only once a day? It's one thing if he's livestock and you have no emotions concerning him or his future as a milk machine or pile of steaks. I'd understand then. But if you love him???

Maybe in 1602 or 543 BC it was somehow justifiable, but here and now? Either animals are animals, or they are pets. And if they are pets, they deserve far more than to be treated as animals.

That's the better question.

Answer 4

Morality is based only in the mind of man. There is no absolute morality. Therefore, basing something on a *universal* morality is an oxymoron.

As for the relationships that people have with animals. I can say that our two cats, at least as I can ascertain, not being able to communicate directly with them, are quite content in our little house and they don't even really want to go outside anymore. So you could say that this arrangement is working out very well for both parties.

FP

Answer 5

I would think that depends on the animal. Dogs and cats are the most common pets because they are pack animals and so are quite happy living with a human pack and farm animals such as sheep and cattle are herd animals so are happy living in a herd with plenty of good food but I don't think it is right to keep birds in cages or to keep spiders or lizards as pets.

Answer 6

I'd like to add that we have domesticated animals, and regulated domestic animals with laws, to avoid spread of disease (rabies, fleas, parvo, etc.) and over population of dogs and cats. When you mess with the balance of nature with over population, it effects all of us. My dogs LOVE living in my house. I feel they are a part of my family, NOT a possession. Same goes for my cat, who is 17 years old. So, morally I think it's a good idea to have cats and dogs as pets. I'm also not for domesticating exotic animals such as monkeys, tigers, lions, etc. - I think zoos are kind of mean.

Answer 7

Domestic animals are a mainstay of today's society. The only solution to NOT keeping them as pets would be to release them into the wild where they would have not means of survival, or to kill them. Either option is not acceptable. Wild animals? Leave them in the wild where they belong! Domestic animals, keep them, treasure them and make their time on this earth as pleasant as possible.

Answer 8

Well no, thats why i have cats. They choose to live with me there still wild animals they just moved in because they like the warm if they get board of me or find somewhere better they move on. Perfect for everyone

Answer 9

Depends on the animal - worked well for dogs, cats etc over the years - but a definate no no to monkies and exotic pets

Answer 10

I don't feel as though I do own my pet. I have a cat and this is my second one. Both cats chose to come and live in my house in one way and another. Both were free to come and go as they wished but both have chosen not to. My cat lives in my home as an equal resident - people who visit the house don't have to like her or pay her any attention but they do have to treat her with respect. She owns me as much as I own her.