#pet ownership

[orcinus-veterinarius]

I can think of a really easy solution to this problem.

[ailelie]

I have a deep appreciation for every person who posts lists and articles with the theme "Why you shouldn't get X as a pet" where X is everything from exotics to cats and dogs.

Often these articles, especially the ones for cats and dogs, garner terrible comments from people defending their pets as if the article is an insult or threat. The articles aren't for them though.

They're for me. And people like me.

I would be a terrible pet owner. I dislike extra mess (e.g., food tossed about, shed hair, droppings), hassle (e.g., multiple hours required daily interaction, protecting cords and cables from chewing, daily walks) and additional chores (e.g., litter boxes, vomit clean up, aquarium cleaning).

Occasionally, though, I get this little urge saying Wouldn't it be nice to have something else sentient in your apartment....?

And I'll start browsing adoption websites or small breeder sites or upcoming conventions or shelters or however the pet in question is acquired. I'll read through care instructions, make a budget, and think I could do that...

But then, some tiny part of me, too quiet to be heard over the growing momentum of pet pet pet directs my fingers to hunt for the 'why you shouldn't' articles, because there will be one. There's always inevitably one published on a pet store website, hidden in a forum, shared on reddit, hosted by a veterinarian--someone has compiled all the reasons why the pet is a bad idea.

So I find it. And I read it. And then I toss my budget away. And I close all my related tabs. And I let go of the thought entirely. Crisis averted.

Because, occasional impulse aside, I don't want a pet. I just need a reality check from time to time.

[thepetcares]

Car’s engine is running

Source: instagram.com

[a-dinosaur-a-day]

To be honest, the most complicated thing about less/non conventional pets is that it's way harder to have access to good food/veterinary care/acessories. About environment and interaction though, I'm under the impression that most people seriously underestimate the care cats and dogs need; and that makes the care of less conventional pets seeing overwhelming when, actually, it is more like taking animal well being seriously. That's very in short, of course. For instance, aquariums may be very hard to set up and keep up, parrots have high social needs, and so on, but for some lifestyles they are a very good fit, even better than conventional pets. For the other side, many people stay with more conventional pets like cats/dogs when they can't offer a good care, but just because.

Agreed 100%. Too many people just do not treat animals correctly in all directions.

For some people, dogs would be a bad pet (like me), but parrots are perfect. For others, it's the reverse. The list goes on.

Instead of acting like any choice is inherently bad, or starting a moral panic on the internet, we need to apply NUANCE. nuuuuuaaaaance.

[orchid-merryweather]

Cat ownership is sitting and watching your cat breath for an entire minute because the wild animal laying in the middle of your bed stopped snoring

[myfandomrealitea]

Re: pet evacuation

I don't know how you'd do it with other creatures since I've never had any, but I've always trained my dogs to come find me immediately when they hear the fire alarm. Not too hard with food motivated creatures; give them a tasty treat whenever they hear a fire alarm and they'll learn to search you out real damn fast when they hear it. You start out more often so they learn what to do and what everything means, but now I just reinforce it every once in a while.

Sending this ask bc so many people are so daunted by how to approach this type of training that they just never do it; maybe it'll help take away some of the "holy shit how the fuck do I even do that" panic

Pretty much any animal can be trained via food. Animals are extremely motived by food due to the instinctual drive to eat to survive and eat what they can, when they can.

Training an animal just takes time, effort and consistency. In the future I'll probably compile a list of resources for people who are interested in training their animals with emergency protocols and desensitization.

Training your dog to come to you or go to the front door in emergencies is a good place to start

[dykeredhood]

Part of responsible pet ownership is finding a pet sitter if you’ll be away for a chunk of time & training your animal to behave when left alone at home for short periods

I have no sympathy for people bringing a pet to the grocery store or the bank because they can’t leave their animal at home

[thebibliosphere]

Tw for vomit under the cut.

So Holly Mop was pretty spectacularly sick the other night. Just threw up all over the bed. It happens with her delicate wee tummy sometimes. The problem is, I think it might have ruined our bedding this time.

I cannot for the life of me get the smell out of either the duvet cover, the duvet itself, and multiple towels. They've been washed, soaked in baking soda, soaked in vinegar (not at the same time), soaked in detergent, left to air dry, rinse and repeat over and over, and still, the smell lingers. I even tried the pet stain removal spray we keep for pee/poop accidents that I'm allergic to, and not even that got the smell of bile out.

Is there some holy grail I am missing? Am I going to have to try and spray vodka on them and hope my throat doesn't close? 😬

[flirts-with-dragons]

I have two rabbits and what they don't tell you about rabbits is:

They are the most chaotically evil dumb little shits ever. They think 0% of the time. They get angry at you for not allowing them to die in their own filth. They will declare war on your floors and cables. But they're so goddamn cute and silly you have to forgive them for it.

They're basically if a human toddler was smaller and extremely fast and slippery, with really sharp claws and teeth.

But again, they are adorable and very loveable and so so so funny. Definitely a creature I would recommend coexisting with

[purple-slimy]

Having a pet is such a pre-determined tragedy. Like I will most likely outlive you, you are a little thing that live in my house, I love you, I will remember you for the rest of my life, I know how this story ends, you will leave me sooner rather than later.

Loving you is a losing game

[roseate-felidae]

Hi pet tumblr,

I have autism and my parents dislike cats and I'm only allowed one in two years time when I get my own space (and allowed more freedom).

This is messing with my autism as cats and rabbits are special interests.

I've got severe clinical depression and its not helping at all (just compounding it). I can't speed up time or guarantee anything.

I would prefer to be more realistic a bit more, so as not to view everything through rose tinted glasses both for good ownership (ie. Dose of reality Vs internet) and not to pine for something out of my control.

I know a lot of cat pros. Can't ask family for cons as they hate them unrealistically (ie. Say they are evil, always spiteful, can't love you etc.).

Could you give me some cat negatives please?

Or tell me some things that rabbits might be better at instead (I do keep rabbits, but can't compare as not owned cat).

I would like to be more comfortable, than live in cloud cuckoo land and be miserable for it. Also just appreciate what I already have more.

Thanks.

Ps. Yes I've had therapy, it failed and I'm on medication for depression already. Autism support groups didn't help.

Also I know rabbits are easy to look after aswell.

Also on Reddit, but I want a good ray of opinions

[orcinus-veterinarius]

Be kind to your vet.

[jhameia]

I've decided my favourite cat breeds are the ones with pretty extreme features that look like lil' alien friends: Sphynx, Devon Rex, Oriental Shorthair, Munchkin.

I do not understand the hype behind the British Shorthair, I'm sorry, they're just.... so uninteresting to look at? Can someone explain to me their appeal, because they, the Americal Curls, Scottish Fold, and flat-faced Persians are very popular locally and I cannot fathom why (especially the flat-faced Persians, which always look like they are on the verge of asphyxiation)... and folks even breed these!! TOGETHER!!!

I can also kinda understand the appeal of the Bengal, but it's the same way I understand the appeal of the Husky.... folks like how they LOOK and have no idea what they really signed up for.

[thepetcares]

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[catsinacottage]

Literally saw a dead cat in the middle of the street on my walk to work this morning. Please keep your babies inside!!!

[myfandomrealitea]

Its actually appalling how few pet owners have safety, evacuation and rescue training and plans in place for their pets.