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Depends on the pet but almost all need some level of consistent interaction. If you are out of the house 10 hours a day, most days, I agree that you are probably too busy. Just taking care of basic needs (food, water, cleanliness, etc.) takes a chunk of time.
My cat is fine without attention for a day or two if I go away. But she does like her cuddle time with me, even if it's just sitting next to me on the couch while I watch TV or do homework.
I don't own a pet. Most days I'm gone about ten hours a day, and get 4 to 6 hours of sleep. I don't think I have enough time to give a pet.
Yet my room mate acts like the only thing her pet needs is food. She'll happy be gone the whole day--and though it's not "my" pet, I'm the one who will give it attention.
Okay, so it's a rant, but I want to know if others agree with me. Do pets need people to pay attention to them? And do responsible pet owners ignore their pets and not spend time with them?
It depends on what kind of pet it is. If you have a parrot, or a dog, then they need a good deal of attention or they will have issues. If you have a cat or a fish or a hamster...not so much.
before the dogs came into our lives, my kitties would greet me at the door in the evening and INSIST upon a 10 minute or so "festival of love" ...... now that there are dogs pushing them out of the way, the festival just occurs later in the evening......
The cat's getting desperate--I left my door open yesterday, and it came in and jumped up on the bed while I was on the computer and nudged me so I'd stop typing and pay it attention. Poor thing is starved for affection.
Depends how a pet has been raised. If its been taught to be high maintenance it will require alot. Some people just leave their pets outside and feed and thats it. Therefore low maintenance. So adopt one that has been trained to be low maintenance. But DONT get a puppy/baby pet because they require a lot!
I don't own a pet. Most days I'm gone about ten hours a day, and get 4 to 6 hours of sleep. I don't think I have enough time to give a pet.
Yet my room mate acts like the only thing her pet needs is food. She'll happy be gone the whole day--and though it's not "my" pet, I'm the one who will give it attention.
Okay, so it's a rant, but I want to know if others agree with me. Do pets need people to pay attention to them? And do responsible pet owners ignore their pets and not spend time with them?
Pets definitely need people to pay attention to them just like we need people in our life. Responsible pet owners who truly love their pets will not ignore them and if that is the case then give them to someone who can take care of them and spend time with them
I have two dogs myself and would of never gotten them if I didn't have the time or patience to take care of them and play with them, walk them outside and buy them treats and cook for them..... I love them like my babies and I would never want them to feel neglected, sad or mistreated and if I wasn't around for them that's how they would feel without love or attention
Location: where the moss is taking over the villages
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TKramar
I don't own a pet. Most days I'm gone about ten hours a day, and get 4 to 6 hours of sleep. I don't think I have enough time to give a pet.
Yet my room mate acts like the only thing her pet needs is food. She'll happy be gone the whole day--and though it's not "my" pet, I'm the one who will give it attention.
Okay, so it's a rant, but I want to know if others agree with me. Do pets need people to pay attention to them? And do responsible pet owners ignore their pets and not spend time with them?
TK, most pets have been bred to be companion animals. Apparently you have better pet owner instincts than your room mate.
I feel sympathy for animals who are simply "trophies" to their owners...
I think any pet that lives outside a container needs to have attention or you will get problematic behavior from that pet. (chewing,ripping, P & P in random places etc)
I had a roomate like your that had a cat they treated like that. I ended up with the cat and it acted more like my pet which ticked them off...But uhh...yeh...thats how it goes.
You better watch out or you may get a cat by these means!
Not that it would be a bad thing but box scooping is never a party.
Sounds like the cat needs more attention. Maybe your roommate should have looked into fish or a turtle or hermit crabs or something.
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