Is it wrong to have a pet?

Question

As a vegan and a strong supporter of animal rights I am still confused as to wether or not it is wrong to have a pet? Sure it is supporting a cruel and depraved industry, but these animals do exist and they arent just going to go away they need homes and care. What do you think?

Sorry winenut, I dont know if you are having a go at me or not, I am not saying at all that animals are being exploited by being pets. I am just gathering other opinions on the subject. I myself adopted a cat that had been dumped from a vet and he leads a lovely life ruling my house. Having a go is the wrong phrase I think.

A few people have talked about a vegan lifestyle for your pet, I dont think I could do that with my cat. You need to really get a proper balance and provide all the minerals and vitamins the animal needs and I think as a proper carnivore I would rather my cat was on a raw food diet.

Answer 1

As long as you take GOOD care of the animal and aren't raising to eat, then I don't see where the moral dilemma would come from!

Answer 2

I agree with what most have said about not buying animals from pet stores or roadside vendors, as this is supporting a cruel industry.

I disagree with the implication from all of these answers that there is no debate. The fact is, there is quite a bit of debate in the vegan community as to whether or not owning pets is an ethical thing to do for animal rights activists. Just to be clear, I do not believe there is anything wrong with owning pets and I have two now, but we need to recognize there are arguments to be made for the other side.

If you own a dog or cat (the most common companion animals), you are 95% likely to buy food containing animal products. If you didn't have the animal, that's that much less meat and slaughter byproducts that wouldn't be sold. Owning a pet encourages you to support the factory farming industry, which vegans detest.

A more difficult point to argue is that, by "owning" an animal and making it do what you want (sit here, don't eat that, go outside, etc.), you are exploiting them for your own gains. People will most often argue that their pets love them dearly, and the other side can argue that the "love" they perceive is just a survival mechanism, to continue receiving the food and shelter you provide.

I have pets, I don't think it's wrong to own them, but I do understand that point of view.

Answer 3

Personally I don't see anything wrong with having domesticated pets as long as they are happy and not kept in cages all day everyday. There are certain species which are basically still wild (eg snakes, lizards etc) that I think shouldn't be kept as pets because most don't belong in this climate.

I would however only get a pet from a rescue centre because I wouldn't want to contribute to the 'producing' of animals for profit. There are so many animals that need loving homes and I think it's quite unethical to make money by adding to the problem. Pet shops and puppy farms for example often raise these animals in appauling conditions and only care about profit. Rescue centres on the other hand are great organizations and are deserving of our help.

Answer 4

I think it is perfectly fine to have a pet as long as you do not BUY the pet!!! I am vehemently against breeding and selling animals for profit. That includes everything from dogs and cats, to fish and rodents. They are living things, not merchandise to be peddled.

I think it is fine to ADOPT an animal from a shelter - the animal needs a home and obviously, since it is domesticated, can not be tossed out into the wild to fend for itself. These animals need loving homes.

One might argue that an animal that has been purposely bred by a for-profit breeder needs a good home too, but to buy one from such a person only encourages them to breed more. If everyone went to the shelter and adopted instead, these people would be forced to eventually stop. I know it sucks for the animals they already have, but unfortunately there is no easy solution here.

Answer 5

Animals have been the companions of humans for all of the time that humans have existed. We work together as friends in this lifetime. I have to say my dog has been my best friend for 10 years... and there are vegan dog and cat foods that you can buy (Wysong brand). It's not so much the eating of meat and dairy that most vegans/animal rights activists have a problem with, it's the factory farm and puppy mill type places where they treat animals cruelly that are beyond sick and wrong. You can look into making your own dog and cat food out of meat that is not raised cruelly.

Answer 6

I see no problem in living with a cat or a dog. They've been domesticated to the extent that they rely on humans.

I live with a cat (I don't "own" her), who I adopted from a Humane Society shelter almost 13 years ago. Yes, she eats meat; cats are carnivores. I look for the least-cruel brands I can find (those that don't do animal testing and the more "natural" products). I appreciate having someone to come home to, even if all she says is "meow," and she gets someone who feeds her regularly and provides her with a safe home.

If you want to share your home with an animal, please, please go to your local shelter. You will find many darling cats and dogs, eager for a home. And you will not be supporting a cruel industry.

Answer 7

As long as you look after your pet, then I don't think it's cruel to have one. I treat my cat like a little person!

However, being that he is a cat and therefore a carnivore by nature, I would not force a vegetarian diet on him because it would make him poorly. Making your pet poorly for the sake of your own beliefs is cruelty.

Domesticated animals deserve loving homes.

Answer 8

There a thousandsssss of dear animals that need caring people. From young ones to elderly ones. You can make a life better by having them.
Get a rescued pet, no need to support the pet mills.
My dog came to me from a rescue she was found on the street, ill at about 4 months old. Shes a Boxer-Lab mix. She has been my wonderful companion for 10 years. Look at your local Humane society, or other rescue places in your area.

Answer 9

If you adopt an animal, that is a wonderful thing.

If you "buy" an animal, you are condemning another that lives in a shelter to be euthanized.

If done correctly, both dogs AND cats can be healthy on a vegan diet. Just make sure that you do extensive research on he subject first.

Answer 10

I think it is foolish to say that no one should have a pet. These animals have been domesticated for hundreds of years and the majority could not survive on their own if all pets were set free. So, wouldn't that mean that it is a positive thing to adopt a pet so it does not have to be put to sleep and can be taken care of. Yes, it's wrong to continue the process buy purchasing animals from pet stores or breeding them, but there's nothing wrong with helping out a homeless animal.

Answer 11

Get the pet. I am sure you will find this pet to be part of your family soon and will no longer ask the question is it wrong. No it is not wrong. If you are having doubts about getting a pet it is probably for other reasons. If there is room, then I say get the pet, but the final decision is yours.