By: Sammy Wang

Why do people have pets?

There are many reasons for that: some want them as companions, others want them for stress relief and mental health. And there are many, many stories where pets have helped, or even saved lives.

So, naturally, most pet owners would want to shower their pets with love. Buying them the best pet food, clothes, toys, and when the owners are away, putting them in special pet hotels.

“We now view pets not only as family members but as equivalent to children,” said James Serpell, an emeritus professor of ethics and animal welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

“The problem is, dogs and cats are not children, and owners have become increasingly protective and restrictive.” She adds on. “So animals are not able to express their own doggy and catty natures as freely as they might.”

Many people keep their pets indoors for fear of them harming the environment or losing them. But by doing this, they are also alternating their pets’ reactions to their surroundings.

Jessica Pierce, a bioethicist in Colorado said, “Although dogs several decades ago were more likely to be hit by cars, those risks were outweighed by the freedom of experience and movement.

Dr. Andy Roark, a practicing veterinarian at Cleveland Park Animal Hospital, compares pet owners’ overbearing love for their pets to an experience he had with daughter. When going outside to see snow, he had wrapped his daughter in so much clothing that she couldn’t even move the moment she got outside. Roark goes on to say that animals should be able to interact with their surroundings. If pet owners don’t let their pets socialize, they won’t be able to interact with others normally. He also warns pet owners to not over feed their pets as it may lead to pets being overweight with other problems like diabetes and heart disease.

Although caring for a pet’s safety is a good thing, if we care too much, it will limit a pet’s capabilities.

Sources:

Google search: why do people have pets
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
https://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/are-you-loving-your-pet-to-death
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/aug/11/pets-how-we-hurt-the-animals-we-cherish