Sharing your experiences out on the Internet can be a good thing but it also can be misleading to those who don’t know any better.
I read a post this morning where the blogger shared her personal life but wish she would have done some education in the process.
There is another blogger who has a pretty large following but who I quit reading when he started being irresponsible in spouting his beliefs on the subject of proper pet diets.
The problem with the Internet is that many people don’t sort through the material they are reading and take much of it as gospel.
The pet industry as a whole has changed to adapt to the desires and needs of the pet parents aka pet guardians aka pet owners aka companion animal custodians.
Some of the pet trends are disturbing to me–the ones that really make me crazy are the ones that actually harm the animals.
Now this post overlaps with but also goes beyond what I wrote in Ten Stupid Mistakes Pet Owners Make.
So, without much further ado I want to rant about the pet trends I find most disturbing.
Pet Accessories & Pets AS Accessories
I recently read, One Nation Under Dog which gives a good comprehensive view of the pet industry and trends as they stand today.
Two of those trends include pets as accessories AND pet accessories.
Some pets like being dressed up because they get a lot of attention. But many don’t like it at all.
However what disturbs me about this humanization trend is that animals become, not a unique breed or species, but they morph into live dress up dolls for their humans.
The problem goes beyond that though–in many situations people are using dogs as accessories (Wow does that “insert small dog breed here” look great in your designer bag aka pet carrier!
Puh-lease!
Now I know some animals get cold and need sweaters or coats but a dress for every day of the week?
And how many of those animals being carried also suffer from weight problems or other issues?
Who’s the Boss?
Now because I am into training and behavior–what really disturbs me is the trend where people are the ones being trained by the animals.
Any animal trainer worth his or her salt knows that you have to train the humans–but most pet households allow the animals to take charge.
What does this mean?
Well, it means it is good for the dog training and behavior business!
But seriously, it translates into behavior problems, health problems, and unruly critters whose owners make excuses for the mess they have created.
Some how it always becomes the animal’s fault and the critter ends up excluded from family life, travel, and left outside when it is possible…and others end up relinquished to shelters.
Pet Health
Pet health and grooming habits really suffer when pet wellness practices are not up to speed.
If you cannot trim the nails, inspect the ears, brush or comb your pet–there is a problem. These are practices that should be daily or weekly habits that the animal enjoys.
Last week I actually met people who were taking their pups out into canine traffic areas when the pups did not have ANY vaccinations.
Now there is a debate over inoculations BUT exposing an animal to the risk of disease is irresponsible because deaths from distemper and parvo-virus are tragic.
Each spring animals head to the groomer to be shaved because the owners won’t (or can’t) groom them. Under those matted coats are some pretty disgusting things–such as parasites, infections, and skin problems.
The ultimate problem in this category is that people do not get their animals into the vet or groomer or “insert other pet professional here” until it is a serious problem.
Pet Obesity
Using food to create a bond with animals has gone to a whole new level with an endless supply of treats, snacks, or meals simply because “the pet looks hungry” or “he deserves it.”
When over 40% of the pet households contain animals that are overweight or obese it signals a larger problem–which includes more disease, shorter life spans, and other complications.
Legal Beagles
Now there are a whole lot of new legal issues facing pet households when it comes to providing for pets after an owner dies, through a divorce, and when they damage property or bite someone.
But there are also laws on the books to regulate animals and where they can go but for some reason there are a whole lot of people who think that the laws don’t apply to them.
Just this last week, during my travels, I met people who had dogs off leash on a beach where it was not legal.
The local beach patrol fenced off an area for the nesting area of an endangered species because both animals and humans won’t stay out otherwise.
Did I mention that the dogs crapped all over the place and that the owners never cleaned up after them? It wasn’t a dog beach either.
In my area, the dog excrement poses threats to local wildlife (disease and parasites) and on the beach it becomes a health hazard not just to people but to wildlife in the ocean.
Why do we now have to rely on animal services to enforce laws when common courtesy or common sense should reign supreme?
Now it is your turn–what pet trends do you find disturbing?
About Ark Lady
Treating pets like the flavor of the week. When it doesn’t suit you anymore, get rid of it and get a new one, without even a second thought. That’s very disturbing to me, we live in a “disposable society” but our pets should not reflect this.
It really irks me when people see their pets as an “accessory” and not as the wonderful animal they are!
I recently met a Chihuahua breeder who pierced her dogs’ ears with diamond studs! She dressed the dog who was with her just like her, and carried her around like a handbag or accessory…
I’m in the pet care business and I definitely go out of my way to accommodate pet owners, but there’s a line between sharing your life with an animal and making them into a “mini-me”!
Another “pet peeve” (pun intended) is when I’m dog walking, and someone asks me, “does the dog bite?” and I respond, “yes, all dogs bite.”… and I get a dirty look. or when I tell people that my JRT isn’t especially social, and they continue to put their hand out, saying something like, “all dogs like me” and then are surprised when Katie gets anxious and nips them! ugghhh…..
(thanks for letting me vent about this topic, too!)
@Lori: Good point. I don’t encounter that too much but see people relinquish animals without doing the work. I even had a neighbor who adopted a lovely kitten and then got rid of it because–it behaved like a kitten!
@Tammy: LOL I like the response to the question about the dog bites. I’ve never understood why they ask when they are going to stick their hands in front of their muzzle anyway! The accessory issue gets to me–most really connected animal people don’t seem to dress up their critters.
Thank you both for taking the time to comment and I look forward to seeing you here again. Checked out your websites…
Thanks for commenting on my blog. It’s much easier to keep it going when it feels like there’s someone out there.
For what it’s worth, I follow you on Twitter as LoriLR and that’s how I know when you post something new.
🙂 No problem. It helps when people comment but keep in mind that only 1% (if that) will ever get around to doing so. I think I added your feed–that is the way I keep up on all the blogs I read. Thanks for commenting and following me!