what are the merits and demerits of petkeeping
Answers
Advantages:
•Whether the pets are small or large, they will always create their huge presence in your home with their personality. They will be a part of your life and you will always look forward to go home to them.
•You will have a sense of responsibility towards them and you will feel good about caring for them because you get loads of love in return.
•They create a very positive environment around the house.
•You will make more friends because everyone loves pets and they will want to visit you to visit your pets.
•You will have somone to talk to when you are feeling low.
•You will never ever feel low because they sense and they do something to cheer you up. It applies to every pet, even fishes. Believe me, I have experienced this.
•You can teach them tricks, potty train them and the results are rewarding. I even have a betta fish which is trained to come towards you when called by his name. •Also he will sometimes jump out of water and follow your finger. I have had small pets earlier and have trained them too.
•You feel like a parent to your pets. Sometimes your kids become naughty and chew things and destroy them, you shout at them, but later you go back and say sorry and ask them to not repeat. This applies for dogs as well as rats/hamsters. My rats chewed my costly headphones ones, but the little ones were visibly guilty when I shouted at them. Afterall it was my fault to have given them access and I was at fault. I had to treat them later. Overall it's a good experience to be a parent.
•They look forward to you coming home and give visible indicators to say 'Thank God you are here, I thought you were dead!’.
Disadvantages:
•You will need a major change in life-style according to what kind of pet you have. For dogs you have to be home to be with them. For fishes which I believe are the easiest ones, although you can keep their feeders and lights on timer, you still have to keep a check on them and of course spend some time with them. They demand your attention. Mere feeding and cleaning won't do.
•You will have to spend a lot on their food, accessories, vet, etc. You should analyze those costs before hand and be financially ready for them.
•You will have to hire a pet sitter/walker when you aren't home. You can't be away for long leaving your pet in someone else's care. You won't have the peace of mind.
•You need a dedicated time slot of your day for them.
•Pets aren't for you if you travel a lot. You cannot travel with them. It's very stressful for them.
•They won't be there forever so losing them will be a severe heartbreak. A very tough time for you. You will feel lost and lonely. I have experienced this many times as I mostly had small pets but they left huge marks in my life. I remember each of them and still miss them a lot.