Is it Ethical to Keep Pets?

Pets can be a great addition to a household and give a lot of pleasure. However, the chosen pet is required to fit in with us and what we expect of them. But, unfortunately, this is not always in their natural habitat or in line with their natural behaviour.

Let’s look at some things that need to be considered and done as a pet owner.

Food

Surely all food designed for your pet will provide the proper nutrition? Sadly, this is not always the case. Just take a look at the food available to humans, and you’ll find these in pet food as well. Some animals need specialist food which can be expensive.

Shelter/Environment

I have combined these two as they are closely related and cross-over.

The smaller the animal, the smaller the space required, right? Not necessarily. Animals like hamsters are burrowing animals and need space in their cages to do this. Certain animals also need more specialised enclosures and environments, which can be expensive to obtain and maintain.

There are other things to take into consideration. For example, is there enough in the environment/enclosure to stimulate the animal, to give them enough exercise and made of material that will not harm them? Are they being left alone too long?

Boredom creates stress, and, if it’s left unresolved, it can lead to behavioural and health problems. For example, how often have you heard a dog barking throughout the day? They are pack animals. They need some form of companionship and stimulation.

Healthcare

This is probably the most expensive aspect of having a pet. There are routine costs with some pets, such as vaccinations, flea and worm treatment, and those incurred if the animal is injured or becomes ill.

Breeding can also be a healthcare issue. If you intend to breed from the animal, are you regulating this? Are you maintaining the needs of a pregnant or nursing animal? Are you in a position to step in and look after any young who may be rejected or require extra care? If you do not intend to breed, neutering is the only option.

Time, Energy and Resources

Animals are not cheap to keep as pets or livestock. They require more than just a monetary investment to keep them healthy and happy. They need time and energy and resources. Dogs require regular walks and stimulation. Cats are bright, and play is integral to a cat honing its skills. Rabbits, in their natural environment, are colony animals, so they should not be solo pets or be left alone for long periods of time. Is the animal the right one for you, your abilities and your resources?

All these have in common is that they’re related to the animal’s welfare. So the answer to the question of how ethical it is to keep pets, I think, is this: it is not keeping pets that’s unethical; it is not considering or neglecting the welfare of the pet that is.

Please see below for the website I used while researching this.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/using/pets.shtml

The opinions expressed are mine and in no way reflect the opinions of Kelp Social.