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Is it wrong to get a pet to fight loneliness?
- Thread starter Laekon
- Start date
FOSTER FOSTER FOSTER FOSTER
Your local shelters likely have programs where you can take in foster animals for a limited amount of time, then return them. Usually, you will get kittens that are too young to receive spay/neuter surgery. You feed and take care of them for a few weeks until they are old enough to be spayed, then you take them back to the shelter to be adopted by someone else. Less commonly, you can take care of adult cats that have undergone some kind of surgery and need time to heal and recover before they can be adopted.
Not only does this immensely help the shelter by freeing up space in their kennels, but it gives you time to experience owning and caring for an animal. It also lets you take in animals on a trial basis, and see if their personality is a good match for you. If you really like your foster cat, you can always choose to adopt it full time. There's a chance you might be mildly allergic to cats, so it also helps you see if having a cat present in your house persistently will give you sneezes and sniffles.
I am allergic to cats, so I exclusively foster. They don't bother me in limited amounts, but after a cat has been in my house for a few weeks I start to wake up with a stuffy nose every day, and find myself sneezing often. Fostering works out great because by the time my allergies set in, it's time for my kittens to go back and get their forever-home. Work with a No-Kill shelter, because obviously you don't want the pressure of thinking your animal might be euthanized if somebody else doesn't adopted it. Fortunately my entire city is No-Kill, so it's not an issue for me. Kittens are almost inevitably adopted anyway, it's the adult cats who have a hard time finding homes.
FOSTER FOSTER FOSTER FOSTER
Your local shelters likely have programs where you can take in foster animals for a limited amount of time, then return them. Usually, you will get kittens that are too young to receive spay/neuter surgery. You feed and take care of them for a few weeks until they are old enough to be spayed, then you take them back to the shelter to be adopted by someone else. Less commonly, you can take care of adult cats that have undergone some kind of surgery and need time to heal and recover before they can be adopted.
Not only does this immensely help the shelter by freeing up space in their kennels, but it gives you time to experience owning and caring for an animal. It also lets you take in animals on a trial basis, and see if their personality is a good match for you. If you really like your foster cat, you can always choose to adopt it full time. There's a chance you might be mildly allergic to cats, so it also helps you see if having a cat present in your house persistently will give you sneezes and sniffles.
I am allergic to cats, so I exclusively foster. They don't bother me in limited amounts, but after a cat has been in my house for a few weeks I start to wake up with a stuffy nose every day, and find myself sneezing often. Fostering works out great because by the time my allergies set in, it's time for my kittens to go back and get their forever-home. Work with a No-Kill shelter, because obviously you don't want the pressure of thinking your animal might be euthanized if somebody else doesn't adopted it. Fortunately my entire city is No-Kill, so it's not an issue for me. Kittens are almost inevitably adopted anyway, it's the adult cats who have a hard time finding homes.
FOSTER FOSTER FOSTER FOSTER
curiouscharles
Member
OP, not at all bro!
this is exactly what pets excel at!
i love my little buddies, don't know what i'd do without them! [and i'm married!]
this is exactly what pets excel at!
i love my little buddies, don't know what i'd do without them! [and i'm married!]
You sound like a great candidate for a pair of cats. Kittens are work but they're very rewarding, and cats can be home alone much longer than a dog could (12+ hrs alone wouldn't work for a dog's bathroom schedule or attention needs), but a pair of cats that are either kittens or have already bonded will keep each other company while you're working and can do their business in a litter box.
Like someone else said, rescuing adult cats rather than kittens can help you know what you're going to get, personality wise. Pairs are sometimes available from shelters because it's easier to adopt out single cats rather than two that have already bonded.
Expect that some of your stuff will inevitably get scratched, but you can usually find a way to get that to stop by giving them something more preferable to use.
Like someone else said, rescuing adult cats rather than kittens can help you know what you're going to get, personality wise. Pairs are sometimes available from shelters because it's easier to adopt out single cats rather than two that have already bonded.
Expect that some of your stuff will inevitably get scratched, but you can usually find a way to get that to stop by giving them something more preferable to use.
Quote
Member
BomberMouse
Member
You said kittens, if you are out sll day get at least two.
PersonAndStuff
Member
Generally no. As long as you understand that a pet is a lengthy affair. Lonely or not, that cat is going to be there for a good 10-20 years.
Kite
Member
It's a great reason to get a pet, but don't kittens require more time and attention? OP could consider getting an adult or maybe senior cat, they're more stable, their personalities are known and they're pretty ok with being alone while you're at work. Or maybe get two kittens from the same litter so they can keep each other company while you're away.
Nothing wrong with wanting a pet for companionship.
Being out on a regular basis for 12 hours at a time is certainly something to be concerned about. I'm not sure I'd feel good about leaving a cat or dog alone for that long. Can you get home on lunch breaks? There are some other options to mitigate the issue for dogs, like having a dog walker show up midway through or going to doggie daycare - are there similar options for cats?
Being out on a regular basis for 12 hours at a time is certainly something to be concerned about. I'm not sure I'd feel good about leaving a cat or dog alone for that long. Can you get home on lunch breaks? There are some other options to mitigate the issue for dogs, like having a dog walker show up midway through or going to doggie daycare - are there similar options for cats?
Boogie9IGN
Member
I was going through a really rough patch with my gf when I got my dog. He's my best friend and regardless of the reason why I got him, I'm glad every day that I did.
blame space
Banned
I think when you think about it everything we do is wrong
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
It's perfectly fine. Plenty of research to back it up as being a good thing to boot.
Just don't dress it up and pretend its your kid.
blame space
Banned
Feeling lonely on a planet with 8 billion people is wrong.
andythinkpad
Member
You are over 35 do you really have to hear GAF's opinion? Just do it bevause you like it.
ChubbyHuggs
Member
No, but it is wrong to neglect said pet when you're no longer lonely.
Baron Doggystyle von Woof
Member
Definitely not wrong.
Just give them enough attention. Good thing about cats is that you can leave them alone for a few hours.
Just give them enough attention. Good thing about cats is that you can leave them alone for a few hours.
Link
The Autumn Wind
This right here. You don't want them getting lonely either. Kittens love to play.
starchild excalibur
Member
As long as you trust yourself to take care of it and not use it for just short term companionship, then it should be fine.
tearsintherain
Member
Try to get it from a shelter too, its nice saving a life that may get euthanized otherwise. Dogs are awesome, nothing wrong with getting one as a companion and one thing to remember: while you may love them for 8-15 years, they will love you, unconditionally, for the rest of their life.
Strangelove77
Member
It's one of the best reasons to.
It's totally okay to get a pet to fight loneliness. Although the phrasing: "get a pet" is kind of reducing the animal to some kind of object so maybe it would be better to say "find a companion" or something. Only consideration is, if you are lonely, is there someone to take care of the pet when you're busy? If you need to go to work 9-5 or something then don't find a dog unless someone else can keep it company, a cat would be better in that situation as they seem to be more independent and comfortable with solitude
Eye for an Eye
Member
We kept our cat in the bathroom for the first month as a kitten. It was so small I was afraid it would get stuck under the stove or something, or hide under furniture forever. He never had any trouble with it, but he thinks the bathroom is his domain now and must accompany anyone in there.
He's fine with us being gone for long stretches at a time. He usually acts like we're disturbing his slumber when we come home. But it also needs to be counter-balanced with play time.
I will only use wood based cat litter (blue buffalo walnut). I cannot stand the smell of clay litter. It's the masking perfume that gives a house that distinct cat house smell. The litter gets scooped daily or every other day. Once a month the whole thing gets dumped and the box washed out. Keep a little broom and dust pan near the litter box, they always kick some out. I keep a mat just outside the litter box and one more just outside the bathroom door. It usually doesn't get beyond that. But he'll carry food where ever he pleases.
It's hard to tell as a kitten how they'll be, but it's also how you are around them that helps shape their demeanor.
He's fine with us being gone for long stretches at a time. He usually acts like we're disturbing his slumber when we come home. But it also needs to be counter-balanced with play time.
I will only use wood based cat litter (blue buffalo walnut). I cannot stand the smell of clay litter. It's the masking perfume that gives a house that distinct cat house smell. The litter gets scooped daily or every other day. Once a month the whole thing gets dumped and the box washed out. Keep a little broom and dust pan near the litter box, they always kick some out. I keep a mat just outside the litter box and one more just outside the bathroom door. It usually doesn't get beyond that. But he'll carry food where ever he pleases.
It's hard to tell as a kitten how they'll be, but it's also how you are around them that helps shape their demeanor.
disappeared
Banned
This.
Also, an older black cat.
I heard a story a while back that people are still generally superstitious of black cats and thus they tend to be the least adopted. It's a shame.
Moggelicious
Banned
A pet is a familymember 
Annoying Old Party Man
Member
I read "is it wrong to get a pet to fight a lioness" and thought WTF!
OP, especially with cats, you cannot go wrong - they're independent, caring, and love to spend time with you.
I would say get a dog too, but dogs are a little more dependent and you might regret a few stuff.
OP, especially with cats, you cannot go wrong - they're independent, caring, and love to spend time with you.
I would say get a dog too, but dogs are a little more dependent and you might regret a few stuff.
Imho it's one of the best reasons to get a pet. It'll become your new best friends and you'll both benefit from each others love.
I'd love to get a dog, but since I'm out for about 10 hours a day I couldn't give it half the time and attention it deserved. If I had the time, I'd get one in a heartbeat.
I'd love to get a dog, but since I'm out for about 10 hours a day I couldn't give it half the time and attention it deserved. If I had the time, I'd get one in a heartbeat.
CaviarMeths
Member
Loneliness is one of the best reasons to get a pet! Love that cat and it will love you right back.
ClivePwned
Member
nope. if you're lonely, they can be a lifesaver (for both of you).
They're not a magical cure for loneliness or depression, but they will make you care for something other than yourself, which really, really helps.
They're not a magical cure for loneliness or depression, but they will make you care for something other than yourself, which really, really helps.
Omnii-chan
Member
As long as you don't neglect it if your loneliness gets filled in another way, like finding a girl or making a new closer friend.
It's not just a tool to fix something.
It's not just a tool to fix something.
gustave154
Member
Nope i have a puffer fish and i regularly talk to it when i'm lonely
Depends what you mean by "loneliness"
I've often thought it wrong to have a child when one finds their life lacking. I don't think the same applies to something that already exists though, especially when there is a chance it will be put down if you don't give it a home.
If I'm a cat I think I would rather have an owner with your mindset over one that didn't give a shit about me.
I've often thought it wrong to have a child when one finds their life lacking. I don't think the same applies to something that already exists though, especially when there is a chance it will be put down if you don't give it a home.
If I'm a cat I think I would rather have an owner with your mindset over one that didn't give a shit about me.
Paracelsus
Member
It's a surrogate, like having kids because you have nothing else going on in your life. To some people it works, to other it doesn't.
HarryHengst
Member
Pets are extremely cool and good and you should get one or two or three. I got two cats and they are the best. It owns coming home and having two furry balls being all happy that you are home.
Fantastapotamus
Wrong about commas, wrong about everything
No, not at all.
They also need you to fight their loneliness and give them a good home.
Pets are awesome. I wish I could have a dog.
They also need you to fight their loneliness and give them a good home.
Pets are awesome. I wish I could have a dog.
davepoobond
you can't put a price on sparks
Just get a human pet instead, problem solved lol
lvl99 Pixel
Member
save kitty, save yourself
Black-Wind
Member
... What reasons do you think people get pets for OP?
My list of reasons people get a pet from best to worse ...
1-Companionship
2-Cat to take care of my mice problem
3-Dog to guard my house (I put this lower as IMO many people who get dogs to guard their homes make them "outside dogs" which is shitty)
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4-(the worse IMO) A Puppy or Kitten that I don't really want or have time to deal with just for my child too young to take care of shit to play with and push all the care taking on me ... causing unwanted and unneeded stress and resentment/ Something I thought looked cute in passing (a TEA CUP DOG! A PET PIGGY! That lil kitten is sooo cute, gonna post pics of em everyday!) and got as an impulse buy and will likely regret and return-misstreat-give away/ "I think the black doggy goes well with my black sofa!"
Companionship is the BEST reason to get an animal IMO.
My list of reasons people get a pet from best to worse ...
1-Companionship
2-Cat to take care of my mice problem
3-Dog to guard my house (I put this lower as IMO many people who get dogs to guard their homes make them "outside dogs" which is shitty)
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4-(the worse IMO) A Puppy or Kitten that I don't really want or have time to deal with just for my child too young to take care of shit to play with and push all the care taking on me ... causing unwanted and unneeded stress and resentment/ Something I thought looked cute in passing (a TEA CUP DOG! A PET PIGGY! That lil kitten is sooo cute, gonna post pics of em everyday!) and got as an impulse buy and will likely regret and return-misstreat-give away/ "I think the black doggy goes well with my black sofa!"
Companionship is the BEST reason to get an animal IMO.