Pets - How should we treat them?

To what extent should we maintain/spoil our pets? If we spoil our pets (gourmet food, grooming, etc.) and try to extend their lives as long as possible through medical treatments (i.e., cancer treatments) and so spend a lot of money in the process rather than euthanizing them, is it Biblical? Nowadays there are a lot of treatments for pets; in the old days there were not as many options so people euthanized them more without feeling guilty. I personally would do as much as I can afford. However, I can understand if people say that type of money should be spent on the church, poor, etc. Though, these type of opinions usually come from people who do not have pets. What are your thoughts?

The Bible gives no instructions concerning it. However, a reading of the laws reveals a general principal, that cruelty is not acceptable. So you have to do according to your conscience. I don't have to live with your decision, you do.

Let me add that being alive just for sake of being alive is not life, and for a pet it may be cruelty to torment the animal with treatment of the incurable.

Our dog is one of our children. My children say that we treat her better than we ever treated them, but they love her just like a sister.

Our last dog got throat cancer. Treatment would had been a long and very painful process, with only a small chance of recovery. We elected to put her to sleep. Is it biblical, I don't know.

It is a very tough question. It seems like cruelty to let a beloved pet go through suffering when it is an incurable illness. It's heartbreaking to say goodbye but I think it is kinder. Whether it is right or wrong I do not know.

I had a cat since he was just 6 weeks old and he died of thyroid complications when he was around 19..(which is old for a cat)
Personally I think sometimes we can easily loose our ability to live our lives as others do in some aspects even though we're Christian.
There as many things the bible doesn't bring up or even mention ect because they may not be relevant to that time and culture..and simpily didnt exist...ie mobile phones to take selfies,computer games and so much more.
In regards to animals like dogs I heard a conversation here saying that as Christian's we're not allowed to keep dogs as pets simpily becsuse they are often used in the bible metaphorically..in a negative way.🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️
I did all I could to help my cat when he was I'll.. got into fights..ect and one day his back legs went..so I rang the very who told me basically it would be best to put him down coz his thyroid problems ment his back legs were full of blood clots and he was in a lot of distress and pain.So that was the best option.
It was very sad.
Owning a pet is a responsibility that should be carried out to the best of ones ability.God made these animals and cats,dogs are relational creatures that rely on us to feed then,stimulate them,look after then ect..

if the animal is suffering then it would be the right thing to do...it would depend on the vets advice and the quality of life the pet had..If the pet still had a decent level of assistance and wasnt suffering then for a little while keep going with the appropriate medication...but at the same time being aware this would be a temporary thing and that inevitably you would have to let go the moment their quality of life changes and they begin to suffer..

A righteous man cares about his animal's health, but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.
pro 12 v 10

I personally think we do not compare them with humans, who alone are made in the image of God, and so though we should care for them we should not spoil them or treat them as humans. We often replace children or a spouse with a pet and I dont think this is biblical. People have been known to legally "marry" a pet, and all that entails. I think there is a line! If someone has no one, there is nothing wrong with an animal being a comfort to them, in a wholesome way of course, but not an idol.

Matt 6 v 26
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

To this I add, that yes it is biblical to put an animal out of its suffering, (it does not equate to murder as killing a human would be). The bible wants us to take good care of them, not allow them to suffer needlessly, but still permits us to eat animals and (pre-christ), to kill them for sacrifices etc. Thier life should matter, but it is not sacred in the way a humans is, due to us being made in Gods image.

Yes humanizing any pet isnt a good thing and to some and those who actually "MARRY" their pets...I think this emoji expresses my view in that one...🤦🏼‍♂️

eph 5 v 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.... lets leave that one right there, but yes, good emoji for it @ encouragement (meant to do it as a direct reply to you sorry )

No worries...I got ya!!
Oh have a look at ur profile.. left a recent responce to you a few days ago..😊

That's interesting about "marrying" pets, but I've heard about this before. Most often, people treat their pets as kids/children. I read articles where people do things specifically for their pets, such as taking the dog to the beach, on a road, trip. By spoiling, I mean feeding them well like human food (steak, tuna steak, etc.), spending money on a therapeutic bed, etc. It gets tricky because pets (dogs and cats, maybe horses) bond so well with humans and understand us, know how we are feeling, so we tend to humanize them. In that sense they are not "just another animal." Especially when dogs would risk their lives for us, it's hard not to treat them well.

By humanize, I mean talking to your pet, feeling bad when they hurt themselves (like a child), etc. But, I would disagree with "pets are people" mentality. That's not Biblical.

Oh was that about not having your photo up?
It only lets me do one reply for some reasons. I tried to become a member but no one got back to me and PayPal Link didn’t work so 🤷‍♀️

Ah I see...
i dunno how you make the payment coz it in dollars..?

Ok I see what you mean. Its kind natural to communicate with one per orally as they obey spoken commands..so that's something most per owners do..and we do naturally built an emotional relationship with a pet to.My cat would always hide when non family members came to my home coz he didnt know them.When family came over he was all over then coz he knew them..so certain pets respond to us at a relational level and of course they are mammals and can feel pain and fear too..so you do form an emotional attachment with them
I guess it's a question of degree..some people have actually died while trying to rescue their pet from dangerous situations..
Some sleep with their dog cuddled up in bed ect alone....even choosing a per over a spouse...

But pets are most DEFINITELY not people...yet I know some people use the relational dynamic to help with loneliness even therapeutic Is they are hurt by someone..coming home and experiencing the excitement from ther cat or dog as the enter the front door can give them a sense of appreciaton...warmth ect..

A lot of people say this but I don't think they actually mean this. I think what they mean is that they prefer their dog over their ex.

Although, there are some people who won't marry you if you are not open to having pets in the future.

yes if course..

Oh I was referring to someone who would be I'm a relationship and dump the partner and feel they are more happier keeping the pet.🤷‍♀️

I think PayPal sort all that if only the link worked for me that is lol