Are people without pets weird?

JedJackson · 2026-01-17T22:08:35-0600

A lot of people live in apartments and choose not to keep pets. That's not weird. It's thoughtful. And some people are allergic to animal dander. I think disliking all animals is weird, but not people who don't keep pets for whatever reason.

EmmaDonovan · 2026-01-17T22:43:32-0600

BigBlueHen53 said:
But the thing is, you don't know what other people's motives are, so you are in no position to judge. Maybe that person has allergies. Or phobias. Or had a bad experience as a child. Maybe they have other obligations that prevent them from having pets right now. Maybe they want to travel the world. Maybe they're taking care of a sick relative. My point is, who are we to judge? It's nobody's business but the person themselves.

I thought about this after you posted. If you're going to be traveling the world, it makes sense not to have a pet or a plant. Maybe if you're in the military they won't let you have pets, either?

I know some dioceses don't allow priests to have pets because they move around so much. That seems a little cruel as priests often struggle with loneliness. I would think they could have a parakeet or a hamster or something they could take with them when transferred.

I don't think there are many people who are allergic to mammals and birds and reptiles and fish and arachnids. I have some severe allergies, i.e. cats put me in the ER, but I'm (thankfully) not allergic to dogs, birds, horses, or fish.

Generally speaking I think it's a bit odd to not have any pet at all. If not pets, then at least plants. As I said in the other thread I think it's strange for a human being to create an environment for themselves that is devoid of life (assuming they don't live with other people). I can't imagine coming home at the end of the day to a house that's dead and lifeless inside.

BigBlueHen53 · 2026-01-17T22:55:03-0600

EmmaDonovan said:
can't imagine coming home at the end of the day to a house that's dead and lifeless inside.

Yes, but that's you. Just because you can't imagine it for yourself, doesn't mean it's bad, weird or wrong for someone else. "To each his (or her) own."

After my DH's bone marrow transplant, a friend tried to give me a plant. I recoiled in absolute horror and burst into tears. I couldn't accept it. I had spent the last three months in a life-or-death struggle taking care of him as well as our two teenagers in a city far from home where I didn't know a soul, doing basically nursing tasks that I'd never known anything about before. The last thing I wanted was some living thing that depended on me for its survival. I was totally burnt out. Weird? Maybe. Mostly just traumatized. But she had no right to judge me, and thank goodness she didn't. We just don't know another person's journey, that's all I'm saying.

HorseGirlAbby · 2026-01-17T23:07:24-0600

My family didn’t have pets till I was nearly a teenager, because we rented and couldn’t afford the pet deposit. There are lots of reasons people don’t have pets, and it’s not weird.

BigBlueHen53 · 2026-01-17T23:12:24-0600

HorseGirlAbby said:
My family didn’t have pets till I was nearly a teenager, because we rented and couldn’t afford the pet deposit. There are lots of reasons people don’t have pets, and it’s not weird.

notabitail · 2026-01-17T23:16:49-0600

BigBlueHen53 said:
Yes, but that's you. Just because you can't imagine it for yourself, doesn't mean it's bad, weird or wrong for someone else. "To each his (or her) own."

After my DH's bone marrow transplant, a friend tried to give me a plant. I recoiled in absolute horror and burst into tears. I couldn't accept it. I had spent the last three months in a life-or-death struggle taking care of him as well as our two teenagers in a city far from home where I didn't know a soul, doing basically nursing tasks that I'd never known anything about before. The last thing I wanted was some living thing that depended on me for its survival. I was totally burnt out. Weird? Maybe. Mostly just traumatized. But she had no right to judge me, and thank goodness she didn't. We just don't know another person's journey, that's all I'm saying.

That's my problem with living things. If I didn't have siblings I'd be struggling to keep my chickens 100% healthy.

notabitail · 2026-01-17T23:31:25-0600

BigBlueHen53 said:
But the thing is, you don't know what other people's motives are, so you are in no position to judge. Maybe that person has allergies. Or phobias. Or had a bad experience as a child. Maybe they have other obligations that prevent them from having pets right now. Maybe they want to travel the world. Maybe they're taking care of a sick relative. My point is, who are we to judge? It's nobody's business but the person themselves.

Phobias, or more like "ick factor", is why I wouldn't get a dog. The slobber is simply disgusting to me. Especially when they lick you. Not to mention any kind of dog is still a bit of a "will it bite me" thing that sets off in my head.

Meanwhile I proceed to pet cats at the risk of allergies for a few hours. The cats that I've met that liked me were more "independent" cats, and that's the kind of behavior I look for in an animal. I like my chickens because they don't expect petting and hugging 24/7. I know there's cats like that, but I doubt I'd end up with one.

McChooky · 2026-01-17T23:32:20-0600

While it is a little weird to see someone without any pets the people themselves aren't weird. They stand out as unusual that's all

Finchbreeder · 2026-01-17T23:42:08-0600

Most people without pets are not weird (well we are all weird) not more weird that anyone else anyway.
My son has no pets - he lives alone and works real weird hours.
My daughter wants the world to know she is extra weird, she has a hive of native bees for pets. :celebrate

She may be right about being extra weird.

Are people without pets weird?