Childfree - what's your take on pets?

[musixa]

Asking because some childfree people I know have expressed a link between not having children and not wanting pets, and I'm interested in that idea because it isn't one I identify with; also interested to know how many of us fall into the 'cat lady' stereotype!

I knew I wanted a cat from the age of three, when my mum took me along to feed a neighbour's cat while they were on hols - I fell in love with him, even more so when he cleverly gifted us a dead mouse as a 'thank you'. My parents wouldn't have pets, so getting a cat was the first thing I did when I got a house of my own - I was very single-minded about it.

So, where do you all sit on the subject of pets?

@CyanCrystalViolet What a handsome lad! That’s my favourite type of cat - just stunning. 🩷

Handsome fella!

They are a big commitment. You're looking at possibly twenty years (or more - the oldest cat on record lived to be 38!) of caring for an animal wholly dependent on you. If they develop medical issues that's stress and worry and expense (my two are both on special diets and one is on medication that has to be compounded - $$$$). But they're my darling girls and I love them. They're curled up on me as I type this!

I never wanted children, but couldn't live without pets!

That is a very adorable cat!

Reviving the thread to say what a nit clever girl Cat2 is - came in to use the litter last night while I was at the loo (she likes coordinating) and managed to place herself way too close to the end of the box. Result, one poo on the floor, one draped over the end of the box, and one cat sniffing them in a puzzled sort of way. 😄

I’m another who doesn’t want the responsibility of pets. I don’t have a need to nurture anything and don’t need/want to be needed. My job is ample responsibility for me, and I spent many years caring for elderly parents, and I’m not willing to take on more responsibility/commitment.

When I first brought Kasper home, I kept him in one room and put a camera in there so that I could see what he was up to without overwhelming him (he was very scared when he arrived 🥺).

In the morning, I saw him hover over his litter tray and watched his little face, fraught with concentration, as he did a spectacularly large poo off the end and onto the floor. He looked so confused and upset when he realised what he’d done. Fortunately I’d prepared for such an event by putting an old sheet underneath the whole area, so it was easy to clean up. I got an enormous covered box the same day and there’s been no repeat incident. I still think about it sometimes and laugh, I wish I’d been able to record it so I could play it back and embarrass him

Oh poor Kasper! 😆😆😆

I don't think Daisy really does embarrassed, though she should - she's twice managed to upend high-sided, fairly heavy litter boxes! Good thing they're in the bathroom, it wasn't hard to clean up.

I have dogs and love them so much. I feel like with kids, you spend 18 years on the front line, battling away to make them into decent people. Then, once they're at that nice stage, they move out and possibly resent you for all the things you did wrong when raising them.
With dogs, it's a year to 18 months of full on training and damage limitation, but then they're grown up and they stuck around for another decade or so. They can't talk so you don't have to listen to and feign interest in their inane chatter like you do with kids. You can leave them at home alone while you go for a meal or to the theatre or cinema. They don't resent you or answer back. They're a nice, cosy presence if you're an introvert.

So true, @Theraininpsain. Also true with cats, though the training isn't the same level as with dogs, of course. But if all goes well with their health you can have twenty years of loving companionship.

I love that DH & I can do what we want, when we want, no kids, no pets. I am an animal lover and because of this I am aware that my lifestyle is not suited to being an animal owner.

Oh I don't know, I'm still being trained by my cats 20 years on! 😂

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

My bad, I was naïvely thinking of humans training cats! Hope my ofurlords forgive my presumption …

I hope you have plenty of tuna in stock @Catsmere ! 😆

I like animals, grew up with a variety of them, but I don't want them as an adult. I really don't want the hassle or responsibility (or expense).

Luckily yes! 😆

Pets are an absolutely perfectly acceptable replacement for children.

But not vice-versa ... even if I'd never been able to have pets, I'd never have wanted children instead! 😄

I can't argue with that!

😄

Animals are just so much more enjoyable and rewarding than people. They never disappoint you and often surprise you.

Couldn't agree more!

Not keen on children absolutely love animals. I have two cats that I never really wanted but we rescued them and now I couldn't be without them I am a total slave and I'm ok with that, have had horses and now volunteer at a sanctuary when I'm not working and when we both retire and our cats have sadly left us we'll get two dogs. I am of the Noah's Ark philosophy always two of everything!

I know it's not a popular opinion but I prefer animals over people. Good job not everyone is like me or the population would have died out!

Can't believe I am not on this thread.

Children never happened for me (relationships have been rare as rocking horse manure). I used to have guinea pigs, but just in wasn't giving them enough attention.

Cats, now. I took one in and that was like living with an elderly aunt (who occasionally massacred mice). After she passed, I got a pair of black cats. I would say that my relationship with them is more like furry flat mates. They come home, drop their keys wherever, moan at me for food (if they were human, they would be raiding the fridge and eating that curry I was saving for myself).

Substitute for children? Nope. I'm living the uni life.

My pair.... The third pic shows how tremendously leggy my younger one is.