The best animal companions for depression

[Barbas]

Animals make me happy, they always have. Seeing as I have been in what is sometimes called 'a state of depression' since approximately January, I have been thinking of going to a nearby animal shelter to adopt a furry friend. The hope is that they will provide some anchor of sanity to the world and provide roughly the opposite effect to the people I see every day. [https://myworldmark.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/kiwi.png]

I like dogs for how intelligent and loving they are, but I realize that a dog is a serious commitment and it'd be unwise to start big like that. That in mind, I thought a small animal like a rabbit, gerbil or chinchilla might be more appropriate. [http://api.ning.com/files/DtcI2O2Ry7CNdVmfHgnCQjgijQpnNbEW31sCsKYq9HKsqc8rgM1oGE73VTS2uIoO-yWLmflXWlaHsQ3wJe-ENQhg8k8mH96t/1082119401.jpeg] What do you recommend, Escapists?

I dislike cats to a degree that stops comfortably short of kicking them, but wouldn't dismiss the option of adopting one entirely, potentially from a difficult or abusive life. [http://i.imgur.com/JUfruqu.jpg] Any animal willing to respect my home and family will hopefully always find itself welcome and cared for. [https://i.imgur.com/OQ73zr9.jpg?1]

 

[Saelune]

Id imagine dogs to be one of the best choices though. Especially a large one you can hug. Maybe adopt a slightly older dog (as opposed to a puppy) one that is receptive to people, but maybe not exploding with energy. Though a puppy or dog that requires a lot of effort may also be good for the distraction it offers, since as someone with major depression, distracting myself from negative thoughts is very important.

Cats, unlike dogs, are more independent. A lot of people who dislike cats seem to not meet many of the cuddlier ones. My mom's last two cats are night and day. One is super anti-social, while the other is an attention whore. The attention-whore one would be a better fit, since hed just come up to you and let you pet and cuddle him, but not as high maintenance as a dog tends to be.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

Are we going with real animals or anything animals?
'cause real ones, I have to go with a puppy. A waggy tail, slobbery, so happy it pisses itself puppy dog. Preferable a bulldog or husky, but really all puppies are cute.

Spoiler: See?

If we can do anything, than...Klendathu Arachnid Warrior Bugs, because you won't be depressed for too much longer.

 

[Dizchu]

A nice cuddly cat is a very good companion for someone with depression because they don't require much maintenance but can still provide positive feedback to petting and feeding. They're also pretty chill and if you're depressed it's likely you'll want to spend a lot of time relaxing too instead of worrying about going for walks.

But on the other hand, a good way to deal with depression is to keep yourself occupied. And a good dog can provide more active interactions which can both keep you occupied and provide you some exercise and fresh air. Also their energy may be able to transfer itself onto you, but it may prove draining and annoying too.

So it really depends on what you think you need and how busy you tend to be. If you don't have a garden however I may hesitate to suggest getting a cat, because they need space to wander around on their own and if you live in an urban area this could prove very dangerous because of cars.

 

[DefunctTheory]

I'd say dogs are, indeed, the best animals in general, and for companionship. Pretty much the most social domestic animal we've ever had and will have.

However, they are a pretty big and money time investment. So I can understand not wanting to get one. If you don't want to jump into that, and don't want to get a cat (And I don't blame you for that, fuck cats), then what you have to look at is small mammals! So, what do we have...

Rabbits

Pros
-Cute and fluffy
-Good cuddlers
-Low Noise
-Not overally smelly
-Dem ears

Cons
-Proper cages take up a lot of space
-Very, very messy, both in and out of cage
-Bites. A lot
-Domesticated rabbits are not as edible as you'd think

Rats

Pros
-Cute
-Multiple types of rat and rat sizes
-Most can be fairly social, and don't mind being handled
-Actually pretty damn clean
-Unless you get the multi-pound rats, cages are fairly small
-Cheap

Cons
-If they get out and about, good luck
-Chew stuff up
-Will eat you if you die and aren't found quick enough
-Also not very edible

Ferrets

Pros
-Cute
-Very, very social
-They love playing
-Can actually take them out and about pretty easily, as long as you have a leash and a pocket to carry them when they get tired/want to hide

Cons
-Stink to high heaven, even if you get their stink glands removed
-Shit everywhere
-Huge, expensive cages
-Bites
-Tears everything up
-Steals all the things
-Pretty much impossible to contain them forever
-Seriously, they stink
-Only about half an ounce of clean meat on the damn things

Hedgehogs

Pros
-Absolutely adorable
-Seriously, look at'em
-Look one more time
-Clean
-Small, cheap cages
-If well socialized, like being held/petted
-Ok, look one more time

Cons
-Pain in the ass to deal with in some states (Pennsylvania)
-Somewhat narrow diet regime (But not expensive)
-Lowest score on the edible pet scale


Good luck choosing!

 

[DefunctTheory]

It's Stockholm syndrome. I find the way humans treat dogs pretty messed up. Breeding them according to traits we find cute, sterilizing, training and instilling fear, entrapping or leashing them at all times... I can't think of any other animal that's so frequently leashed. Of course the dog will learn to love its captor when it's being yanked and led around all the time. In prehistory, we domesticated out of necessity. Now we do it almost strictly for amusement. Humans are so selfish.

I... um...

 

[mduncan50]

I'd say dogs are, indeed, the best animals in general, and for companionship. Pretty much the most social domestic animal we've ever had and will have.

It's Stockholm syndrome. I find the way humans treat dogs pretty messed up. Breeding them according to traits we find cute, sterilizing, training and instilling fear, entrapping or leashing them at all times... I can't think of any other animal that's so frequently leashed. Of course the dog will learn to love its captor when it's being yanked and led around all the time. In prehistory, we domesticated out of necessity. Now we do it almost strictly for amusement. Humans are so selfish.

You can't think of animal more often leashed? Well that because we usually keep the other ones in cages.

And when you come on here to a thread where a guy is looking for help with his mental well-being to spout off your PETA bullshit opinions, I can't help but agree: Humans are selfish.


OT: Have you spoken with a mental health professional? While a pet can very often serve as a great companion animal for those suffering from various illnesses, they can also be a burden if you find yourself becoming worse and find you are unable or unwilling to properly take care of it. Since it is a fairly recent turn of events I would suggest something more along the lines of a bunny, gerbil, etc that takes less commitment.

 

[Sleepy Sol]

I have to agree that the best choice for a pet when you're depressed is a dog, so long as you're willing to deal with a bit of extra commitment compared to lot of other furry companions, especially for certain breeds. I've got two Jack Russell Terriers and they can be fucking hellions at times.

But they're worth it, goddamn it.

 

[Saelune]

I'd say dogs are, indeed, the best animals in general, and for companionship. Pretty much the most social domestic animal we've ever had and will have.

It's Stockholm syndrome. I find the way humans treat dogs pretty messed up. Breeding them according to traits we find cute, sterilizing, training and instilling fear, entrapping or leashing them at all times... I can't think of any other animal that's so frequently leashed. Of course the dog will learn to love its captor when it's being yanked and led around all the time. In prehistory, we domesticated out of necessity. Now we do it almost strictly for amusement. Humans are so selfish.

You need to hang out with people that actually love their pets...Don't bother with my aunt. I feel bad for all her dogs. But not everyone is her.

Dogs are leashed cause they need to go out more than most animals, and are prone to chasing things. Most other pets don't need to go for walks.

 

[Fox12]

Fucking turtles.

Spoiler

If you must have a non-turtle related animal, though, then you may enjoy a hamster. They're pretty easy and cheap to maintain, and are low maintenance. They shit everywhere, though.

Also, dogs aren't that hard to take care of. I would say they're actually pretty low maintenance. Obviously the large ones need lots of exersize, but if you don't want to deal with that then you can always get a small or lazy dog. Washing them can be a somewhat messy affair.

Spoiler

 

[DefunctTheory]

Fucking turtles.

Spoiler

If you must have a non-turtle related animal, though, then you may enjoy a hamster. They're pretty easy and cheap to maintain, and are low maintenance. They shit everywhere, though.

Cheap? Most tortoises I've seen sell for 90-150 dollars, enclosures and equipment are twice as much, and depending on where you live they can be a pain in the ass to keep alive. And water turtles (Which I've owned) are a) expensive to keep (Most require stupidly expensive filters) and b) are complete assholes.

That all being said, I love turtles to death. But they are not a low impact pet.

 

[mduncan50]

Fucking turtles.

Spoiler

If you must have a non-turtle related animal, though, then you may enjoy a hamster. They're pretty easy and cheap to maintain, and are low maintenance. They shit everywhere, though.

Also, dogs aren't that hard to take care of. I would say they're actually pretty low maintenance. Obviously the large ones need lots of exersize, but if you don't want to deal with that then you can always get a small or lazy dog. Washing them can be a somewhat messy affair.

Spoiler

Ah yes, the Guatemalan fucking turtles. A very popular breed for some reason...

 

[Fox12]

Fucking turtles.

Spoiler

If you must have a non-turtle related animal, though, then you may enjoy a hamster. They're pretty easy and cheap to maintain, and are low maintenance. They shit everywhere, though.

Cheap? Most tortoises I've seen sell for 90-150 dollars, enclosures and equipment are twice as much, and depending on where you live they can be a pain in the ass to keep alive. And water turtles (Which I've owned) are a) expensive to keep (Most require stupidly expensive filters) and b) are complete assholes.

That all being said, I love turtles to death. But they are not a low impact pet.

I was talking about the hamsters : P

I used to keep wild turtles when I was a wee lad, though, and they never gave me too much trouble. That said, they can get quite expensive to maintain if your aren't ready for them.

 

[chadachada123]

Unfortunately, the only animal I can think of is dogs, specifically medium-to-large dogs. Small dogs are perhaps the only thing worse than cats as far as typical pets go.

Though, I do find it morally questionable to own a dog if you don't have a yard for it to roam (and shit freely) in. The idea of having a large pet inside of a city or apartment complex seems extremely negligent, to me.

But that's off-topic. Sorry, OP, I wish I had more to offer, but I can't think of any animals that actually form a true brotherly bond like a big fluffy dog does, probably because of the many thousands of years of evolution towards that end.

 

[K12]

I remember hearing something somewhere about Ferrets being recommended as companions to isolated and depressed individuals. A dog is probably the best normal choice (research different breeds though because they vary a lot in temperament and needs)

My main advice is don't get a cat. They're all selfish pricks.

 

[Scarim Coral]

From my facts reading, it seen to be dogs (I read somewhere that there is "petting" room to pet dogs for stressed student before an exam) but in one care a cat did helped a depressed girl.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

On Topic: Dog wise, would not recommend Golden Retrievers. I love mine, but the thing is just a chalk full of health problems. Very sweet animals, but expensive, time consuming and they just end up getting cancer and breaking your heart.

Personally? I recommend a Bullfrog. Because you can feed them live mice. Nothing does feeling like dust in the wind than to stare into the complete gaping maw of the food chain. A poor rodent that desperately wants to live being consumed whole by an apathetic and indifferent fat monster.

I'd say dogs are, indeed, the best animals in general, and for companionship. Pretty much the most social domestic animal we've ever had and will have.

It's Stockholm syndrome. I find the way humans treat dogs pretty messed up. Breeding them according to traits we find cute, sterilizing, training and instilling fear, entrapping or leashing them at all times... I can't think of any other animal that's so frequently leashed. Of course the dog will learn to love its captor when it's being yanked and led around all the time. In prehistory, we domesticated out of necessity. Now we do it almost strictly for amusement. Humans are so selfish.

Because they're morons and they will run into traffic or instinctively just run until they get lost or worse may attack another dog or human out of fear and the state will force them to be put down.

You leash a dog because you care about it. Not the other way around, yo.

 

[Saelune]

I'd say dogs are, indeed, the best animals in general, and for companionship. Pretty much the most social domestic animal we've ever had and will have.

It's Stockholm syndrome. I find the way humans treat dogs pretty messed up. Breeding them according to traits we find cute, sterilizing, training and instilling fear, entrapping or leashing them at all times... I can't think of any other animal that's so frequently leashed. Of course the dog will learn to love its captor when it's being yanked and led around all the time. In prehistory, we domesticated out of necessity. Now we do it almost strictly for amusement. Humans are so selfish.

Because they're morons and they will run into traffic or instinctively just run until they get lost or worse may attack another dog or human out of fear and the state will force them to be put down.

You leash a dog because you care about it. Not the other way around, yo.

I get that. It doesn't change what I talked about. If someone asked me why I don't want a dog, one of the many things I'd say that I don't like the idea of domesticating them. They become too dependent and needy. I find it annoying and kinda pathetic.

Missed the domesticating boat by a few thousand years since an undomesticated dog is a wolf.

Could always adopt an older dog that would have otherwise just gotten put down at some point anyways. Unless you are outright cruel to them, its likely a better life than the alternative.