Ya’ll know I don’t have network television. We watch everything online. Which means we see a few commercials over and over and over again. I keep seeing this one every time I turn on Up All Night or Ru Paul’s Drag Race, and I just have to say, in the words of Seth and Amy, REALLY?!?
Really??? I’m a working woman. I have a full-time career, a home to keep running, a marriage whose health and happiness requires intentional upkeep, family and friends to make time for, a full workout schedule to maintain, not to mention all the volunteer work and relationships with my high school kids that I care about keeping up with. God help me when I have kids. But, really, now I’m being told by the host of Biggest Loser over and over again that I need to make time to make sure my pets get enough exercise? Um, REALLY?!? I know this commercial is about cats and I have dogs, but I see this commercial and all I hear is ‘here’s one more thing you need to be making time for and feeling guilty about if you’re not.’
“I can imagine as a cat owner, things start to get into a routine.” Really?!? You’re honestly telling me that monotony in a pet’s life is a serious problem that I should worry about?
Really, I love my dogs, I take care of my dogs. I’d go so far as to say they’re pretty spoiled, especially since both were severely neglected rescues before we got them. I volunteer my time at that rescue, and am all about pets being treated very well. This commercial seriously encourages scheduling daily quality time for pets, as if pet obesity were as big problem deserving of public concern as, oh, I don’t know, getting your pet fixed so we don’t have so many unwanted pets being euthanized in shelters. As if people aren’t already so concerned with their pets that pets are a $41 billion a year industry. REALLY?!? Cats get enough exercise. They’re cats. My indoor dogs get (mostly) daily walks and regularly tear around my house after the toys A and I throw for them. I spend time with them and play because it brings me joy; if someone owns a pet and doesn’t feel that way, why are they pet owners? As if a 30 second commercial is going to stop the neglect if someone doesn’t love their pet enough to play with them? Save the public service commercials for things that really matter, like spending wisely to end child slavery, combating kids being used as war pawns, or telling bullied kids that it gets better.
Bigger in Real Life 
I can see where you’re coming from . . . The problem is a lack of efficiency; if they truly seek to garner the attention of pet owners with their commercials, then they need to do so in a way that suggests change — realistic change. If someone has allowed their animal to reach a state of obesity, chances are they aren’t so keen on health in the first place. For goodness sake, if a human being cannot see the value and worth in upholding their own temple, why would they ever slice off a portion of their day to further their animal’s physical well-being. I am ALL for pet advocacy. Nothing sickens me more than animals abuse — seriously! As you said, though, that time, advertising, and money could be better spent elsewhere.
EXACTLY!
From a cat owner’s perspective: they never play with the expensive toys you buy at the store. They go insane over dirty socks, paper bags, and flashlights. And, quite frankly, they play when they feel like it. Not when you feel like it. The commercial is just inane and stupid.
Sophie Cat, girl, you’re on your own…
Wait, Adelle, you mean you’re not going to carve out a measly ten minutes to MAKE SURE your cat plays when you already provide for your perfectly healthy cat’s every need, as well as the needs of two boys and a man, not to mention yourself? Shocked and appalled!
I mean, EXACTLY!!! I can think of several cat owners who would totally agree with you.