# How can one be single and NOT have pets? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2014, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178 "2014-06-19T22:29:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/41 "2014-06-20T15:02:59Z")
Pets are too much responsibility. Also I do a lot of baking and the random tumbleweeds of pet hair floating around the house are nasty. … That said, I’ve been teetering on the edge of getting a cat for a while now so it may happen despite my misgivings. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/42 "2014-06-20T15:06:25Z")
I love animals, but when I was single, I didn’t keep any. I didn’t feel right about going to work early, coming home late, and leaving a dog or cat alone in my apartment all day. ESPECIALLY if I was going to be going out to social events in the evening. Really, WHEN would I have been able to spend any time with my hypothetical pets? At least now that I’m married, I’m home every night, and can give my dog some exercise, play and petting time. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/43 "2014-06-20T15:25:02Z")
If I weren’t allergic to them, I’d have a cat. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/44 "2014-06-20T15:59:10Z")
**How can one be single and NOT have pets?** Pretty easily actually. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/45 "2014-06-20T20:01:47Z")
> [@Trom](#): > > 30 year old single guy here with no pets. I grew up with both indoor and outdoor animals and love animals. However, I don’t really want one right now. I enjoy the freedom of being able to come home whenever I want. Somebody at happy hour has tickets to some event? Sure, I’ll go! I don’t have to worry about my dog who needs to go for a walk. There is also never fur or animal mystery fluid on any of my possessions. As far as loneliness, that’s what friends are for. I’m probably out with other people doing something 3-5 nights/week. This, every word. (Well, I’m older than 30 by a pretty wide wedge…) A leash works two ways. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/46 "2014-06-20T20:03:45Z")
When I was single and working in field sales, I didn’t have a pet because it seemed cruel to leave a cat alone in my apartment for four or five days at a time. Also I hate dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/47 "2014-06-20T20:10:40Z")
I find it hard to fathom how anyone can be alive and not have pets, most especially and particularly dogs; they are a part of our tribe in a genuinely unique (as in one-of-a-kind) way and I am always a little surprised by people who do not include them itheir lives and families. My dogs ARE my family, being single and childless as I am, and when I had a partner for ten years, my family was made up of us and our dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/48 "2014-06-20T20:15:21Z")
Alright, just what in the hell is going on in this thread? I started this thread because I THOUGHT I knew my audience. Where the hell are my fellow pet lovers at? Why aren’t there hoards of people agreeing with me? Gah! You people are doing single wrong. 🙂 /kidding. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/49 "2014-06-20T20:20:38Z")
One positive aspect of being single is that you don’t have as much responsibility, and a pet is responsibility. If I want to not go home one evening or leave for 5 days I can without worrying about pets. Not that I usually do, but I _can_! As far as being lonely, it’s not like I’m sitting at home staring at the wall. I have plenty to keep me busy, really money is the main factor limiting my hobbies and interests, followed by time. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/50 "2014-06-20T20:21:00Z")
Because you asked to hear from the disagreeers\<- terrible new word ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/51 "2014-06-20T20:21:19Z")
I grew up with and love animals, and I’m single and don’t have pets. A definite part of why I don’t have pets is precisely because I’m single. I’ve had friends and family suggest that I should have pets because it would help keep me from feeling lonely. The fact is, I quite enjoy my alone time, and though I will get lonely occasionally, it’s far more the exception rather than the rule. Yes, as I’ve watched others’ pets from time to time, an animal has a nice way of pretty much not interfering when I want to enjoy solitude, but also being comfort when I want company, and that’s a nice thought, but that’s not the whole consideration. For instance, as being single, if I’m not there, they’re alone. How fair is it of me to have animals around to keep me company for the times when I want it, but then be out and about a significant amount of time. That seems unfair to them. It’s definitely unfair to a dog. Hell, if I’m home during the day, I can hear my neighbor’s dog whining constantly through the wall while they’re gone. Cats are, of course, more tollerant of solitude, depending on their personality, and can probably be okay without me while I’m at work, especially if there’s two of them, and that’s one of the suggestions that’s been made to me, and I admit it’s tempting. But that all seems like a bad reason to have a pet. I want to have a pet, not because I’m afraid to be by myself, but because I want to have that relationship with an animal and I’m willing and able to commit to the responsibility of taking care of the pet, which isn’t just feeding and cleaning up after it, but spending time and energy cultivating that relationship and entertaining eachother. And, in my view, that’s something that works well in a relationship and in a family, and less so when I’m single. And that’s not to say that single people shouldn’t have pets, there’s nothing wrong with that, but I do think they should take that into consideration. If you work a lot, have other activities that you do outside the house or even in the house that keep you distracted, and more or less just want a head to pat when you’re lonely, you may want to reconsider. If, however, you want to take the time to actually take your dog out for a walk and play fetch, or sit watching tv petting a cat in your lap then having him chase a laser pointer, then great. If you’re not sure, you probably should err on the side of caution. ---
**Author:** ![Whatever4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/52 "2014-06-20T20:23:29Z")
I’m single. I have a dog. If your dog is deaf, does that mean you are still talking to yourself? ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/53 "2014-06-20T20:33:53Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > I don’t know, pretty much every girlfriend I ever had liked me to prepare her dinner, rub her back, bring her treats… > > Now the other way would be problematic 😃 … wear a spiked collar, taken on walks on a leash, on all fours … fully consensual, of course! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/54 "2014-06-20T20:44:21Z")
> [@amaguri](#): > > Pets are too much responsibility. Also I do a lot of baking and the random tumbleweeds of pet hair floating around the house are nasty. > > … That said, I’ve been teetering on the edge of getting a cat for a while now so it may happen despite my misgivings. Are you me? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/55 "2014-06-20T23:00:57Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > My apartment complex is swarming with 20-something unmarried females who have these giant dogs to serve as their surrogate child. > > It’s pathetic. > > Not to mention the day when one of these girls can’t control her giant attack dog and it tries to tear my throat off. > > Pathetic. > > If one can’t find harmony in his or her own company then a pet is a transparent band-aid on a sad human being. Let me guess-- those pathetic females are not interest in sleeping with you? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/56 "2014-06-21T11:23:12Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > How can one be single and NOT have pets? By living in a no-pets apartment building, for one. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/57 "2014-06-21T13:12:48Z")
When I was single and usually living alone, for ten years between college and moving in with my (now) wife, I was traveling constantly for work. I couldn’t imagine having a pet at that stage in my life. My single colleagues who had pets were constantly dropping dogs off at their friends’ or families’ places for two, three or four days. Or having to arrange for someone to come in feed the cat and clean the litter box. I couldn’t imagine imposing on people like that. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/58 "2014-06-21T14:24:00Z")
When I was single, I always had living situations with roommates that didn’t allow me to have pets. Plus, owning a pet can be a lot of responsibility. I was depressed and worked a lot, and barely able to take care of myself. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/59 "2014-06-21T18:02:20Z")
I lived alone for 10 years between leaving home and getting married. I never had a pet all those years, and never really wanted one. Frankly, I don’t particularly want the ones we have now. It wasn’t an issue while we were working, but now that we’re retired, there are times I’d like to say “Let’s grab the camper and go…” but we can’t. We’ve got to book pet sitters for the cats and the aquarium and a kennel for the dog. That instantly adds several hundred dollars to our vacation, and as retirees, that’s a big deal. Don’t get me wrong - I like cats and dogs and I’ve enjoyed ours, but life was so much simpler when I didn’t have to worry about their care if I wanted to go away. ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178/60 "2014-06-21T21:08:02Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > Let me guess-- those pathetic females are not interest in sleeping with you? Rather the other way around. But it’s nice to be under someone’s digi-skin. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-be-single-and-not-have-pets/691178.md?page=4)