This is my essay for my ethics class that I DID NOT READ THE DIRECTIONS FOR and thus didn’t want to waste all my hard work so it’s going here >:(
- Pets need certain conditions to not suffer.
2. If these conditions are not met, pets suffer.
3. If owners do not have the ability or capacity to spare finances or time to meet these conditions, their pet suffers.
4. According to Utilitarianism, an unethical action is an action that results in unhappiness or suffering
5. Therefore, it is unethical for a person to own a pet if they cannot spare the money or time to meet these conditions, and/or they do not know how to or choose not to meet these conditions.
There are many details people overlook when purchasing or adopting animals to own as pets. While awareness of dog’s needs has increased significantly over the years, with a specific focus on harmful breeding attributes, other pets like cats and fish are left to choke in the dust. Even with this new focus, dogs still suffer similar neglect to cats and fish. Energy needs of mammalian pets always seem to be last on people’s minds: Dogs rarely get enough exercise to promote healthy weight and positive mental health, and cats’ misrepresentation as low-maintenance pets leads to understimulation and, in turn, depressive or anxious mental states. All species of pets are either overfed or fed toxic table scraps. Environmental conditions for any kind of pet is also overlooked. Fish get the worst of this, but dogs and cats also fall victim. Fish are often kept in cramped conditions unsuited for their species, with an actual volume to need ratio mimicking a human living in a top-freezer refrigerator. Too many large or medium sized dog breeds live in small apartments. Cats rarely get the right kind of vertical room they need to keep fit and healthy, a cat tree or wall shelves, for example. Pets are solely dependent on us for their health and wellbeing. We have an ethical responsibility to not only devote time, but financial resources to ensure they get the best care possible.
Dogs are man’s best friend, but the way we treat them is often less than friendly. Aside from obvious ethical concerns about breeding for harmful traits, the way we care for them is subpar at best. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) found that a whopping 59% of dogs are overweight or obese in the United States (Ward, Survey). Giving in to “puppy eyes” is now more than a joke, it is an actual threat to your dog’s health. On average, dogs between 3-12 pounds need ½-3/4 cups a day of kibble if not exercising, 1 ¼ for 13-20 lbs, 1 2/3 for 21-35 lbs, 2 1/3 for 36-50 lbs, 3 cups for 51-75 lbs, and 4 cups for 76-100 lbs (Coates). It’s a lot less than people believe. This dissonance between perceived and actual need gave us APOP’s concerning statistic. APOP highlights the worst health risks directly linked to pets being overweight and obese: Osteoarthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer (Ward, Health). Seeing as many pet owners would rather put their pet down at the slightest inconvenience, promoting unhealthy eating habits in pets by overfeeding them anyways is downright cruel. The quality of food also matters. Any canine, or feline, pet is an obligate carnivore. Feeding them grain and dried protein-based kibble is not going to cut it. Raw diets also carry significant risks if the food is not fresh. However, the health benefits are well worth the risk, and the risks are easily preventable with research and proper food safety. Meat protein is more bioavailable and sometimes as cheap as kibble (Raw). Purchasing “weird” or “gross” ingredients, such as chicken feet, provides everything your dog needs for optimal nutrition (Feeding). It’s also great way to get involved in local butcheries and buy waste products that would otherwise go to, well, waste (Feeding). There are also pre-made raw foods that you can now buy at local pet stores, in addition to subscription services online. Availability for raw diets has never been better. Dogs on raw diets can actually live, on average, 1 to 3 years longer than dogs who don’t (How much longer). This boils down to processing. Raw diets have less artificial ingredients, grains, and other unnecessary plant-based compounds that obligate carnivores can’t handle. Plant-based protein is already somewhat inadequate for humans, being omnivores, so imagine being an obligate carnivore forced to consume it. The quality and benefits just don’t compare. Plus, it’s less wasteful. Raw diets are more ethical in more ways than one. What raw diet isn’t food for your dogs is table scraps. Yes, yes, we all know that good boys and girls get table scraps once in a while, right? As a treat! No. Table scraps are not only a way for your dog to put on unnecessary weight, they also expose them to unnecessary danger. Human foods have much more sodium and sugars than dogs can safely handle. Certain foods can even be toxic, such peanut butter, avocado, grapes, breads, citrus, and pretty much any and all kinds of spices (People). Bread of any kind shouldn’t be given to animals, as the yeast will cause excess gas in their systems, which can cause blockages, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Dogs can also be lactose intolerant, meaning no cheese tax for your pup (Hollinger). Next time they give you those puppy eyes, think about what could happen if they accidentally consume something toxic. In tandem, exercise duration for dogs is consistently suboptimal.
Diet and exercise go together to create healthy dogs, and the exercise component just isn’t there. What’s worse is that many popular dog breed require long durations of intense exercise. These high-energy breeds include Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Labradors, German Shepherds, Poodles, Rottweilers, and Beagles (Haid) (Dog). According to Houndsy, a high-energy breed needs at minimum 60 minutes of vigorous exercise every day (How to). Those daily 5 to 10 minute walks just won’t cut it. Failing to meet these needs causes behavioral issues and lead to destructive habits, especially in puppies. Unfortunately these breeds are bought or adopted purely for aesthetics, throwing care out the window for a cute face or interesting eyes. What’s worse is when these high energy breeds are forced to live in small apartments with no access to the outdoors except for short walks. Large breeds especially need space, not just for quality of life, but for safety concerns. You don’t want to trip over your dog in a three-story, 1500 square foot townhome, or have your dog injure itself on stairs. A big breed might be nice, but one must consider your environment and possible risks to dog and owner.
Cats have a notorious reputation for being elusive, independent, difficult, and stubborn. This is odd, considering they are also seen as a very low-maintenance pet. Both of these assumptions are grossly incorrect, and lead to massive neglect. First, and most important, cats are social creatures. Domestic stray cats will form colonies in the “wild”, so it makes sense that they need at least one other companion to avoid separation anxiety, depression, and other behavioral problems. Cats can even develop best friends (Kristina)!A quick note, however, that sometimes certain cats need to be alone due to preexisting behavioral problems, but typically, kittens and cats need companionship to stay mentally sound. In fact, kittens separated from their mothers or littermates too early will develop behavioral problems as a result (When). Thus, it’s important to assess your cat’s behavior at home to determine whether a companion is needed, and to collaborate with the shelter or breeder to determine whether introducing it to other animals, including dogs, is possible. Developing a bond with your cat is equally important. Actions like daily brushing, playing, and petting your cat can give it adequate stimulation if done for a prolonged period of time. Although, make sure your cat enjoys petting and brushing before doing so. Sometimes shelter cats will be touch adverse due to trauma or said behavioral issues. Desensitization is important for this reason. Kittens must be introduced to many new experiences in early development in order to avoid anxiety and depression, especially when it comes to nail trimming and bathing. While most cat breeds don’t need bathing, sometimes it’s required when they get excessively dirty or become contaminated with things they shouldn’t ingest. Essentially, you must willing and able to train your cat to tolerate or even enjoy engaging in activities that are crucial for its own health and wellbeing. As mentioned with dogs, cats also have an energy need issue.
Everybody is aware that cats are hunters by nature. However, most owners barely seem to act on this idea, opting to allow cats to just sleep all day and entertain themselves. The truth is that cats require stimulation and exercise as much as dogs do. Cats don’t need walks, but they do need play to stay active, fit, healthy, and keep common ailments like arthritis and obesity at bay. Adult cats generally need 30 minutes of active play a day to stay stimulated (Stregowski), but unlike most dog breeds, all cats need mental stimulation. Domestic cats are still ambush predators; they need stimulation like interactive toys, balls, elevated surfaces, and plenty of boxes to stay alert and active. Vertical spaces are a unique requirement for cats. It aligns with their natural tendencies to scan for both predators and prey (Hart). It’s also fun for them, as they are built for jumping, exploring, and playing on precarious ledges. Another unique need for cats are scratching posts, else you sacrifice your furniture to your cats instincts. Teaching them not to scratch is not an option. They must have an alternative. In conjunction to exercise, the diet of cats must also be carefully considered. The “fat cat” is not as humerus as it is unhealthy. Much like dogs, cats have a high prevalence of obesity. APOP states that 61% of cats are overweight or obese (Ward, Survey). This statistic is horrifically more drastic than dogs. Such a phenomena likely stems from misleading advertisements of wet food brands. Typically, in the advertisement, it portrays feeding a whole can of wet food to a single cat when each can has a different serving size. For example, Meow Mix Tenders in Sauce with real tuna and whole shrimp has 72 kcal per container (Super1Foods). Using theVetDesk’s kcal calculator, a 10 lb cat needs 227 kcals per day (theVetDesk). This means that the cat should get a little more than 3 containers a day. Purina Grain Free Fancy Feast has 82 kcal per can (PetCo). This means the cat should get a bit less than 3 cans a day. Wet food tends to be calorie dense, so owners must take precaution when feeding their cats. There is also the issue of treats. Churu is a very common cat treat, and owners often overdo it when they have already met their cat’s caloric intake for the day. Generally, treats should only take up about 10% of a cat’s daily diet, meaning a single cat can only have 2 Vet Formula Churus (at 12 kcal each) a day after their wet food amount has been reduced to compensate (Hyman). For dry kibble, which is not optimal for reasons stated previously, cats typically need 2/3 cup a day if they are between 9-12 lbs (How much food). The average cat should never be over 12 lbs unless they are bigger breeds such as Maine Coons or Norwegian Forest Cats. The best diet for your cat is either a mix of both dry food and wet food, or a fully raw diet (for reasons stated above, as cats are also obligate carnivores). Also, don’t give your cats milk. They can’t digest it. It’s not good for them. We now run into a couple contentious subjects at this point in the argument: Declawing and “outdoor” cats.
Declawing: Simply put, it is ripping out the last bone in a cat’s “hand”. It would be as if you removed the last bone in your own finger. This qualifies it as an amputation. It’s cruel, unusual, and leads 100% to long-term pain and hypersensitivity for cats (Troncy). Despite it simply being torture, it is only fully illegal in the state of New York and Rhode Island (Understanding). If you get a cat, you must be prepared for it to scratch, claw, and bite. Removing features you don’t like for your convenience is as unethical, if not moreso, as breeding dogs that can’t breathe, tail docking, or ear docking. As an owner, you have an ethical responsibility to be educated and willing on keeping your pet, no matter the inconveniences. If you can’t handle it, give your pet to someone who can.
Now, we end up at the last hot take on cat ownership. Outdoor cats. Just don’t. There are so many things wrong with letting a domestic animal outside in the wild. Cats especially are done more harm than good if let outside without barricades. Catios, leashes, and screened patios are all ok, but never let your cat run amok. The most obvious reason is that they kill native species and upset the ecosystem. Darker, and sadly common, reasons include injury, disease, and death. Multiple injuries can happen to an outdoor cat. The most common are injuries caused by other cats. Cats are fiercely territorial, and will attack other cats more often than not (Williams). Cat scratches and bites can lead to infection or abscesses (pockets of pus that must be drained via surgery or else they turn necrotic). Stress from interacting with other unknown and hostile cats can weigh on your cats psyche, and frequent vet visits to treat injuries will cause unnecessary trauma that can lead to depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. Worst case scenario is amputation of affected body parts such as: Eyes, ears, tails, paws, limbs, and sections of skin on the torso. Other similar injuries can happen from wild animals such as coyotes, hawks, owls, dogs, and sadly, other humans, leading to similar cases of infection, amputation, or, most likely, a slow and painful death (Williams). Cuts and scratches from foliage, fences, unfinished metal, rocks, glass, etc. can also cause infection and abscesses. Glass can stay in a cat’s paw and cause more tissue damage over time. These types of injuries are especially dangerous because cats have an instinct to hide that they’re hurt or shy away from people when injured. This leads to higher risk of infection or amputation than other animals. Worse injuries can lead owners to put their cat to sleep, such as broken limbs. My own household has a rule that if a cat gets a broken leg or otherwise expensive injury, we must put it down to avoid the vet bills. While I see this as unethical, I myself cannot afford to treat a broken limb on a cat. I see it as unethical since it could have easily been avoided by not letting your cat outside, and yet when your own actions lead your pet to injury, you decide to dispose of it as an inconvenience rather than nurse it back to health. It may inconvenience you short term, but it’s the rest of their already short life. Expenses can rack up for other incidents, such as parasitic infections, vaccines, and disease treatments. Worms are a common infection for any outdoor animal since contamination is basically unpreventable. Speaking of contamination, there are tons of toxic plants that your cat can digest both indoor and outdoors, though they are at higher risk of outdoor poisoning. Back on track, other parasites include fleas, ticks, and mites (mange and scabies are common mite infections). These parasites can take a ride on your furry friend right into your home and spread (Williams). They also cause your cat immense distress and discomfort. Ticks are especially dangerous, as they can cause Lyme disease in humans (chronic unless treated within 2 weeks), fungal and bacterial skin infections for both human and cat, and permanent red meat allergies in humans. Mange and scabies (mites) causes skin lesions, hair loss, severe pain, and intense itching (Kleszynski). Severe mange and scabies can cause secondary infections, which may lead to hearing loss or blindness. Cats also have a variety of feline-specific contagious diseases and viruses, such as FIV and FIP, Feline upper respiratory tract infections, and Feline Leukemia (Common). Finally, other hazards such as cars, other people, wild animals, and getting lost can cause death. Even collars can hook on trees and other obstacles, hanging your cat and leading to a painful, panic-filled death. The worst part about injuries, diseases, and deaths caused by outdoor threats is that they are completely preventable by not letting your cat outdoors. Domestic animals should always stay where they can be monitored, treated early, eat safe food, and live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Fish are the final pet this essay will cover, and by far the most neglected. By all accounts, they should be a niche, high-difficulty pet that only those completely researched, and financially stable, should attempt keeping. Unfortunately, because of their inability to convey pain, suffering, or easily translatable discomfort, they are a popular “beginners” pet that is used to introduce children to the concept of death. Let’s take a look at the most common carnival prize and glittering novelty: Goldfish. Goldfish are a species of carp and are freshwater fish. They grow to fit the size of their container, and will not tolerate small spaces. The minimum amount of space for a single juvenile, not adult, goldfish is 20 gallons (Witherell). The smallest advertised fish tank is 27 oz to a half-gallon (Amazon). Most people, including myself, have used flower vases as fish bowls. Forcing them into such a small space is equivalent to making a human live their life in an 8 cubic foot box, the size of most deep freezers or top-freezer refrigerators (based on the calculation that the average bedroom size is 10 by 10 by 8, and the ratio of 20 needed gallons to only 27 ounces is .01, or 1% of actual needed volume). Impossible, right? In addition, the often narrow necks of fish bowls and vases decrease the oxygen permeation into the water, causing the fish to suffocate slowly. While fish “breathe” water, what they actually do is absorb the oxygen in said water through their gills. Oxygen from the air then interacts with the water surface, replenishing the fish’s oxygen supply. Reducing the surface area reduces the oxygen (Mo). So, in addition to living in a deep freezer, you’d only be given a crack to breath through. This leads to bodily stress, which shuts down the fish’s organs one by one until the brain can’t function anymore. It already sounds like torture, but it gets worse. Most children that keep goldfish, including me at one point, either overfeed or underfeed their fish. Underfeeding leads to starvation. Overfeeding leads to water contamination, such as ammonia toxicity, and lowers the pH of the water, both of which impacts the fish’s ability to absorb oxygen and overwhelms their systems (Stanton). In larger tanks, overfeeding can lead to algae blooms which also suffocate the fish by cutting off oxygen (Stanton). Adding salt to the wound, moving the fish in and out of water for “water changes” stresses it out and can cause suffocation. I add quotation marks because most water used for fish tanks is tap water, which is abhorrent. Tap water contains metals, salts, and fluorides that all poison the fish (Sheehan). It takes about a month for tank water to reach the point where adding fish is possible due to the amount of treatment tap water needs before becoming habitable (How to prepare). A basic freshwater tank system for a single goldfish will cost between 400-600 dollars before factoring in maintenance (Michail). I won’t even go into the costs and needs of a saltwater tank or we’d be here all day. Moral of the story, never give your children pet fish, or use them as mere prizes, unless you yourself are properly managing the tank system and making sure the fish will get proper care. So much for a “beginner” pet.
There are tens of types of pets a person can care for. While it is not limited to dogs, cats, and fish, using these as examples on the variables involved in pet care are sure to illuminate the ethical responsibility us humans have for these animals. Dogs need ample amounts of vigorous exercise to stay at a healthy weight, much more than most have time to provide. Neglecting these needs leads to obesity. Obesity leads to arthritis, heart conditions, and general lack of quality of life. This suffering is unethical. Their diets must be nutritionally sound. Raw diets are the most beneficial, and nowadays are easier to provide than ever before. Standing strong against puppy eyes pressure is the best way to keep them out of the vet’s office. Treats need to be 100% dog-digestible. Cats, as social creatures and not solitary predators, must have companionship and strong bonds to avoid excess stress, depression, and anxiety when you’re out and about. Making sure you have a cat that is alright with being alone and not displaying signs of distress such as yowling, pawing, and disinterest in playing when you’re away is the most ethical approach to cat ownership. Providing opportunities to explore, play, and release energy keeps them fit and healthy. Wet food and kibble must be provided in tandem if not allowing raw diets, making sure to not overfeed. Most importantly, being prepared and willing to accept your cat, claws and all, and provide them with the best indoor-only life possible, is the only way to make sure they don’t get hurt. Having policies that limit financial spending on pet health and yet recklessly and thoughtlessly allowing your feline friend to roam in a world not made for them is wholly unethical, as it is you who are solely responsible for their resulting pain-filled, short lives. Fish must be heavily researched, funds must be put aside, and you must be willing to have a hand in their care if you decide to allow a child or yourself to look after these niche and difficult organisms. Just because fish can’t scream doesn’t mean they can’t feel pain. Overall, research, preparedness, and funding is required to ethically own and care for an animal. It is a privilege to have fragile animals solely rely on you for their health and wellbeing. Take good care of them: It is an ethical and moral necessity.
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