Would you want a robotic pet cat or dog?

In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)
#1

My premise is that some time in the future, we have perfected the science of robotics, and we can now make a robotic cat or dog that is virtually indistinguishable from a flesh cat or dog, except it is programmable and it never dies.

Some parameters:

  • The pet animal is programmable - you can program all unwanted behaviours out of your pet (such as scratching furniture or barking), or leave these behaviours in at whatever level you find acceptable.
  • There would be an on/off switch or stand-by mode - you can just turn your pet off when you go on vacation if you don’t want to take it with you.
  • The power pack would be a lifetime supply.

Would that interest you - to have a cat or dog that wouldn’t do the things you don’t like, but would still seem to be a pet cat or dog?

(I’ve focused on cats and dogs as the most common pets, but if you’d prefer a pet robotic bunny or parrot or whatever, please feel free to join in the discussion.)

#2

How does it smell?

#3

I would want that talking bear from AI.

#4

WITH HIS NOSE!
Sorry.
Yes, oh god yes. No more poop or cleaning it up. No more licking my face with his smelly breath. NO JUMPING ON ME. Just a good dog that I can run with, or walk with, that loves me and I love it, don’t have to worry about vacations.
I’d actually prefer a robotic parrot, i think.

#5

RoboPuppy preparing to lick cheek…
…Cheek licking in progress
Cheek licking complete…
…
RoboPuppy beginning two hour yipping session…

#6

I should say, I love robots, and always have had an affinity for them. I hate movies/stories where the robots go wild and rebel against their creators…they’re only what we program in them. I never understood the fear people had (which was one reason I didn’t like A.I.).

I always wanted my very own Johnny 5 and now I’d love to have a WALL-E.

#7

Having them do crazy shit is half the reason I even have pets. A perfectly behaved one would creep me out. Hell, the only reason I even like the cat is because he’s a good adversary.
I’d rather have the option to get a pet robot that wasn’t trying to be a dog or cat.

#8

I think we could probably program a robot dog. However, given the randomness of cats, I believe we will have a complete AI for humans first.

#9

A robot goldfish AI would be easy to program;

•Can I mate with it?
•Can I eat it?
•Can it eat me?

#10

Owner of 6 dogs and 4 cats here - no. I have machines. I have pets. Machines aren’t pets. There’s no mutual affection, there’s no dependence. What’s the point?

StG

#11

“Home again home again jiggedy jigg, Gooood evening Hampshire!”

#12

There’s no way in heck I’d want a robotic dog. My dog and I have a special bond - no robot could replicate that. There’s a lot of heart and soul involved - I know I’m not saying this right, but no. No robot could ever replace my dog.

ETA - StGermain - EXACTLY.

#13

Mind you, a mobile robot like the old Doctor’s K-9 would be cool and useful. But not a pet. Of course, if I was 900 years old, like the Doctor, I probably wouldn’t want a dog that would live less than 1% of my potential lifespan. How heartbreaking it would be to get attached and lose pet after pet (it’s hard enough for me!), human companion after human companion.

StG

#14

I’ve actually got an old Hootbot, although he’s long since ceased functioning.

A working robot dog or cat would be nifty; people in small apartments could have at least some of the pleasures of an animal companion without engaging in the cruelty of keeping a real animal pent up in a small place.

I say yeah, and I also say hell yeah!

#15

I’ll take 8!

This would be the perfect solution to curb backyard breeders. And no veterinary care to pay for? Sounds ideal to me.

#16

But they wouldn’t be perfectly behaved necessarily - you could program all the cat and dog behaviours into them, and randomize them.

#17

Nope. Where the fun and challenge in that?

#18

Nope.

I think pets are product of your own (or your family’s) personality.

With out that investment to cement the pet/owner bond; what’s the point?

#19

The point of a cat or dog is that they are a “furry little bundle of love and joy”.

No robot can be that.

#20

Cat? Yes. I am not a cat person. I don’t even need a robot fake cat, just a stuffed one in a sunny window would be enough for me. They are beautiful creatures.

Dog? No. You cannot program perfect unconditional love.

However, it either case, I would NOT want to turn it off. I want the cat hunting mice and the dog barking at everyone who comes onto the porch all the time. I assume they don’t eat or drink?