What is a Pet?

Be a Pet VetFall 2013

Ms. Boyan

What is a pet?

A pet is defined as: “a domestic or tamed animal kept for companionship or pleasure and treated with care and affection.”

This means that these animals are either bred to be pets, or wild animals that are tamed after capture or rescue.

Pets are specifically kept to keep us company, and we reward them by caring for them!

Types of Pets

There are lots of types of pets! Here are some common ones: Dogs Cats Birds Reptiles Rodents Fish Insects and Arthropods Horses Exotic pets Farm animals

Dogs

Dogs have been bred to be great pets in all sorts of situations.

There are lots of breeds (or types) of dogs, and each one has its own personality and strengths.

Choosing a dog for a pet means an animal that requires a lot of care, but can be trained, have very unique personalities, and can be extremely loyal. There are also lots of games you can play with dogs!

Cats

Cats also come in lots of shapes and sizes, but the differences between breeds aren’t as dramatic as dogs.

Cats vary less in size than dogs, and also in personality.

However, every breed of cat does look and act differently!

They are more independent than dogs, but still require feeding and cleaning.

It’s much harder to train a cat than a dog, but many are just as friendly and loving!

Birds

Pet birds can be a very fun addition to a family.

Some can be trained to do tricks, or even talk!

Some people let their birds fly, while others clip their wings.

Birds live in cages, or in aviaries to give them more space, especially if you have a lot of them!

Common pet birds are parakeets, parrots, cockatiels, cockatoos, finches, canaries, and lovebirds, but there are lots of other types, too!

Reptiles

Reptiles are pets that are a little more out of the ordinary.

Reptiles have scales and typically live in a terrarium, or a tank, that is kept dry and warm.

They’re harder to play with and train, but some people say they have very friendly personalities!

Typical reptile pets are snakes, turtles, and lizards (like bearded dragons and geckos).

Rodents

Rodents are usually small, fuzzy, and cute animals that live in cages or small enclosures.

They don’t play games like other pets, but they’re fun to watch run around, and some even cuddle!

They do require a lot of cage cleaning.

Common rodent pets are mice, hamsters, gerbils, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

Fish

Fish aren’t always very exciting pets, but they can be very calming.

Some people like to collect different types of fish, and their tank is seen as full of prizes as well as decoration.

There are two kinds of tanks: saltwater and freshwater. They both require different caretaking and can have different types of fish!

Insects and Arthropods

Some people like to get really unusual and keep insects as pets.

This is more common in countries besides the US, like Japan.

Common insect pets are crickets, praying mantis, ants in ant farms, caterpillars, and stick bugs. Some people even keep cockroaches!

Spiders also go in this category. Have you ever met someone with a pet tarantula?

Horses

Horses can be great pets, and people form deep attachments to their horses.

Horses can definitely be trained, and a lot of people say they have personalities as strong as those of dogs!

Horses are one of the easiest pets to “play” with, since riding them is a major hobby for a lot of people.

Horses can be very expensive, and require a lot of space and work. But for those who love them, it’s absolutely worth it.

Exotic Animals

Some people choose very unusual and rare pets, which are called “exotic.”

Some examples of this would be monkeys, wolves, bears, large cats, rare tortoises, or capybaras.

However, there are not “common” exotic pets, because then they wouldn’t be exotic!

It’s very important to keep in mind where these pets come from (such as poaching or smuggling) and whether it is legal and safe to keep them. A lot of times, the answer is no.

Farm Animals

Remember that the main purpose of a pet is companionship, not labor or food. This means that farm animals are not usually considered “pets.”

However, some farm animals are seen as pets, and their owners form emotional attachments to them.

This typically happens with animals that produce for their whole lives, like dairy cows that give milk.

Where do pets come from?

Pets come from one of several places. The most common are:

Shelters

Rescues

Breeders

Shelters

Shelters are places where animals that are lost or given up can go to find a new home.

Shelters don’t usually keep animals for long, because they don’t have much space.

They may seem like sad places, but they give the lost pets a safe place to stay and a chance to find a new loving family.

People can go to shelters to adopt animals inexpensively, usually with some medical help as well!

Volunteering at a shelter is a great way to get involved with animals in your area!

Breeders

Breeders are people or groups who get animals together to have babies, which they then sell.

Some breeders do this for the money, because purebred pets can be very expensive, but don’t take very good care of their animals. Others are very invested in the baby animals.

Some people prefer breeders because they know the whole history of their new pet, including the health and history of the parents.

One objection to breeders is that they are creating more animals when so many already are stuck in shelters without homes.

Rescues

Pet rescues are groups that work to find “forever homes” for lost or abandoned pets.

These are like shelters, but typically house animals for longer and in better conditions while they wait for a home.

Many rescue organizations specialize in a certain type of pet, such as a particular breed or in older animals.

Many rescue organizations help with the care and keeping of the new pet, especially with medical care when first adopted.

Conclusion

Pets are a big responsibility. There are many types, and each comes with its own set of needs and issues. However, if you have love and room for a pet in your life, they can be a wonderful addition to the family. Just make sure you do your research and choose the right pet from the right place for you. If you do, and you can care for it, you and your pet can be best friends for a long time to come.