Caring For A Pet

Some people decide to have a pet without giving the matter much thought. However having a pet requires much responsibility and care not to cause tzar ba'lechaim (harming G-d’s creatures).

Wild or domesticated

While most animals can survive in the wild, there are some animals that may benefit from being looked after in a domestic environment. For example, birds really belong out in the wild and nature is the best place for them. But those that  have already been brought up in captivity are less likely to survive if they are returned back to the wild (unless perhaps if they were deliberately placed back in their own natural habitat.)  Rabbits find their food easily in the wild and so do not necessarily benefit from being domesticated unless they have sufficient amount of space to move in the house or out in a garden. However, dogs and cats that rummage through the garbage for food may benefit from being taken in as pets, as long as those looking after them  are responsible and considerate.  

The responsibility of caring for a pet

Before bringing any animals into our homes, it is advisable to do research in order to understand the nature of that particular animal. Animals are not toys such as dolls or play cars and cannot be expected to be cared for by children. Animals are also not an album that we can look at or pick up at whim. They are not simply ornaments which beautify our homes. Rather, they are real, live creations of Hashem.

Bringing an animal into one’s home is a big responsibility. It is important to consider all the pros and cons before owning a pet.

• Could I handle the duties and tasks involved in caring for a pet?
• Am I still prepared to take the ultimate responsibility of caring for the animal’s needs and provide it with tender loving care even if the pet is for my child?
• Can the animal be endangered by any of the children, other pets or neighbor's pets?

General characteristics of domestic animals

Animals have thoughts and emotions. They think, feel and are very loving. They can be happy, sad or depressed, depending on the care we give them. They share the same five senses as humans. They hear, see, smell, feel, taste and even have a sixth sense which enables them to predict natural events.  

Some animals actually suffer because they are human souls trapped in an animal’s body. Consequently, it is very important to be extremely sensitive to their needs, feelings and treat them kindly.  They need a lot of love, affection, attention, praise, acknowledgement and communication. When we give them love and communicate with them, they experience a better quality of life and a greater sense of worth. In this respect, having an animal is the same as having another child in the house as they are similarly dependent on us and our mercy.

Animals need social interaction and to be alleviated from boredom. For instance, some animals may enjoy listening to a variety of tapes or music on a low volume throughout the day. Some animals such as dogs, birds and most cats are social creatures and like to be in people’s company or part of the crowd. Even animals in cages can be moved to join with other animals or be placed in the same room as the family as much as possible. Uncaged animals should be granted as much freedom as possible to roam around. Although turtles are very quiet creatures and do not appreciate noise, they do need attention.

Note when a pet is bought for a particular child (or bought by an older child with his or her own money) it is important to remember that the whole family should interact with and look after the pet.  This extra attention is particularly crucial during times when the child is not at home.

Physically and emotionally, animals need to be treated like children. But intellectually, animals are as mature as adults. Studies have shown that animals are more intelligent than we realize. They understand a lot of what we say and think, though they often cannot communicate their knowledge. Due to their heightened understanding, we must be careful what we say in front of animals  in order to avoid causing them pain.

Real life stories about animals in the home

The following true stories illustrate the impact of treating animals in the home.

The Ari haKodesh was once a guest at someone's house. As he was preparing to leave, the host asked the Ari for a brocha. "Rebbe, I'll tell you the truth, I have two beautiful children but for many years now my wife and I have not succeeded in having any more children. Could the Rav please give us a brocha?" The Ari haKodesh answered: "You once had a ladder outside your house on which your chickens enjoyed hopping up and down. However, when you took the ladder away, the chickens were saddened. If you return the ladder to its former place, you will have more children". The host did as the Ari suggested and was blessed with more children.

A couple bought a bird but then returned him to the store because he was depressed. Returning an animal to the pet shop because he is depressed may only make him more depressed. The animal was probably already feeling abandoned, neglected or unloved. Rejecting him by returning him to the store may have  intensified his condition. Instead, if the owners had  given him good food, vitamins, attention and had made him feel loved and worth something, he may have overcome his depression. Like people, it is natural for animals to  feel sad, depressed, unloved, hurt and rejected when they are moved around, neglected, or abandoned.

A lady walked into a pet shop and told the shopkeeper that she was sold a depressed fish. Apparently, she did not interact with the fish at all and never brought it with her into different rooms as she moved around the house. If the lady would have interacted with the fish his depression may have been alleviated. This demonstrates that even fish need a companion, attention, love and kind words. Unlike human beings, animals cannot occupy themselves by reading or  listening to music.

A friend of mine had a little gold fish which used to dance every Shabbos night while the family  sang shalom aleichem. When I minded the fish for a few weeks, I would place the tip of my finger into the fish bowl and he would swim up to kiss it. Every time I returned home after being away, he would seek my attention by swimming towards me and following my movements around the room. Only after I greeted him directly would he resume his natural course swimming around the fish bowl. This interaction concerns a fish, not a human being! Yet, it powerfully demonstrates that every being Hashem created in this universe can have emotions, feelings, love and  character.

While visiting a friend, I heard a neighbor's dog whining and went to investigate. I noticed that the dog was chained up barely able to move. Soon afterwards, I heard the neighbor come outside. I deliberately stationed myself near the door and loudly told my friend the dog was crying because he was chained up. The neighbor immediately unchained the dog.  (See below tip # 6 for further recommendations in this regard).

Practical tips for caring for animals properly

1. Since animals feel sad and lonely when their owners or family members leave the house, it is important to say goodbye to them and let them know when someone will be home.
2. Like any other family member, we should also greet our pets and acknowledge their existence when we return home.
3. Make sure to provide animals with enough food, water, music or some other entertainment on leaving the house.
4. Most animals need a companion so it is important to ensure they have company. For instance, birds and fish should be bought in pairs.
5. Animals need to feel refreshed and clean just like people. Therefore they can benefit from a bath or light shower once a week or every other week, depending on the kind of animal. Note that only adults should bathe pets and that the water should be temperate.
6. Before chaining up a pet such as a dog, it is crucial to consider the dog’s needs and limitations. For instance, does the dog have sufficient space to move? Does it have access to sufficient water? Can it access to both shade and sun? Does the dog have access to shelter in case of inclement weather? Does the dog have a bone and/or other toys to occupy himself?
7. Caged animals should be placed in a large cage to provide them with plenty of room to move, play and jump from perch to perch.
8. Most animals like chewing or tearing things apart. It is highly recommended to have chewing material and toys for your pets. For example, dogs like bones and perhaps balls. Birds like chewing on paper and tissue paper (without any print). Birds often enjoy climbing on a mini ladder (which can be made out of lego or the like). Pets that like mirrors would benefit from them greatly. A shekel or dollar store might be a good place to track down suitable toys for pets.
9. Animals need a variety of healthy food and healthy treats. It is important to do research on which foods your particular pet should eat and avoid. Vitamins are essential for your pets to keep them healthy. They need fresh water every day or every other day. Pets should not be fed junk foods or allowed access to other types of foods that are damaging to their particular type.

Examples of cruelty to animals

• Pulling at their tail or fur
• Mishandling them
• Outside We eat in the presence of animals not realizing that they are usually starving.
• Putting or leaving them in cages or confinement for no reason.
• Not giving them sufficient food and water.
• Putting or keeping them on a short leash in or out of the house.
• Not interacting with them or leaving them alone for long periods of time.
• Screaming or teasing them
• Getting angry and hurting them
• Screaming and abuse in the house causes tremendous fear in any pet animal.
• Disturbing them while sleeping
• Ignoring them

After reading this article one will hopefully have more of an understanding of animals and their  nature.  May this article  help us realize what our pets do for us, how happy they make us and how much they are there for us when we need them. But ultimately, it is important to remember to care for an animal properly not simply because of what they do for us, but because they are living creatures and the handiwork of  HaKodesh Baruch Hu, Creator Of The Universe.