Basic needs as defined by most western governments, e.g. for the purpose of calculating welfare, does not cover expenses for pets. They do not enjoy tax benefit

Basic needs as defined by most western governments, e.g. for the purpose of calculating welfare, does not cover expenses for pets. They do not enjoy tax benefits like dependents do either. Of course people who enjoy something are more likely to define whatever they enjoy as basic need, that doesn't mean we let everyone use the definition that suits them.