Pets

A pet is a domesticated animal that lives with an individual or family. There are popular, well-known pets like dogs and cats. Alternatively, there are less common pets sometimes called exotics such as snakes, turtles, and iguanas. Whether a pet is common or exotic, it can offer pleasure and joy to a household.

10 Characteristics of Pets

What makes an animal a pet? For example, we know there are snakes that live in the wild and there are snakes kept as pets. There are certain characteristics that differentiate a pet from an animal living in the wild.

  • Dependent on Humans to Live – A pet needs to be given food, water, and shelter by its owner. Being domesticated means the animal depends on its owner for all of its care.
  • Lives in a Home – A pet lives in a home. Some pets such as parakeets and hamsters live in cages. Alternatively, dogs and cats wander freely around a home and may have their own bed to sleep in.
  • Needs a Veterinarian’s Care – Pets need care from a veterinarian. The type of healthcare a pet needs depends on what type of pet it is. An iguana and a beagle need completely different types of vet care!
  • Some Pets Can Be Trained – A dog can learn how to sit, stay, and heel in a course of obedience training. Parrots can be taught to talk, and some cats can be taught by humans to do tricks.
  • Devoted to Its Owner – Pets are often devoted to their owners. They can establish a trust with their owner over time. In fact, some pets want to be with their owners 24/7!
  • Provides Companionship – A pet is meant to be a companion to its owner.
  • Pets are Different from a Therapy Animal – A therapy animal receives specific training in order to provide support and care to its owner. As an example, some therapy dogs are trained to recognize the signs of a seizure in their owner. The dog responds by trying to get the person to a safe place. Alternatively, a pet is there strictly as a companion.
  • Different from a Farm Animal – A cow or a chicken living on a farm serves a specific purpose. A cow provides milk while a chicken lays eggs to be eaten or sold. This makes farm animals a little different than traditional pets.
  • Can Be Common or Uncommon – When you think of a pet you probably picture a dog, a cat, a bird, a fish, or a gerbil. Those are common choices for pets. Some people prefer less common or exotic pets such as snakes, iguanas, spiders, and ferrets. As long as an owner can offer appropriate care, many animals can live happily as pets.
  • Cannot Survive in the Wild – One of the main characteristics separating pets from other animals is a pet can’t survive in the wild. It has been domesticated or raised under a person’s care. So, releasing a pet snake into the wild doesn’t mean it will know how to find food or shelter. In fact, it will likely die.

Some pets are particularly popular in the United States. Look at some of the pros and cons of each one.

Dogs

When it comes to the most popular pet in the United States, dogs are the clear winner!

Pros of Having a Dog As A Pet

  • One of the pros of choosing this pet is there are hundreds of breeds of dogs to choose from so it’s easy to find the right fit your household.
  • Another pro is a dog can be a loyal companion that can guard your property as well.
  • Many people appreciate the unconditional love offered by many pet dogs.

Cons of Having a Dog As A Pet

  • The high costs of vet care and food for a dog can put a strain on the household budget. This depends a lot on what breed of dog you choose.
  • Another con is some dogs shed more than others and can leave a lot of hair behind on the furniture. Be sure to check the shedding level of the dog breed you’re interested in if this is a concern.

Cats

A cat is another popular pet in the United States. These domesticated creatures are sleek, fast and always seem to have the wheels turning in their head!

Pros Of Having A Cat As A Pet

  • Cats are low-maintenance pets in that they don’t need to be walked or taken to the park
  • Cats are quiet animals, so you don’t have to worry about excessive noise in your home
  • The monthly food bill for a cat is usually low because they aren’t known to need a large amount of food

Cons of Having A Cat As A Pet

  • A cat has sharp claws that can damage upholstery, rugs and other furniture
  • Male cats can spray urine in an effort to mark their territory. This can happen inside a home creating a big stink. Cats that are neutered are less likely to spray the environment.
  • A cat that’s kept outside should be monitored because these animals can easily be hit by a car if they wander out into the road

Rodents

This category includes hamsters, gerbil, mice, rats, and guinea pigs.

Pros of Having Rodents As Pets

  • Hamsters, gerbils and other rodent pets are low-maintenance requiring less care than a larger pet.
  • Rodents are playful creatures that can be fun to interact with or simply observe. For instance, guinea pigs have been known to let out a squeal when they hear their owner’s voice!
  • Rodents and their cages are easy to move to other places in a home if you need to relocate it to another room

Cons of Having Rodents As Pets

  • Rodents can sometimes escape their cage or habitat making it necessary to find creative ways to catch them
  • A rodent’s cage can take on an odor if you don’t establish a regular cleaning schedule
  • If you get a male and female gerbil, hamster, etc. without realizing it, you can end up with a cage full of babies!
  • Some rodents like hamsters are nocturnal so they can make a lot of noise at night spinning on their wheel or digging in their bedding

Fish

Fish are popular pets in the United States because they are interesting and beautiful creatures.

Pros of Having Fish As Pets

  • There are plenty of fish that are easy to care for and make a great first pet for a family
  • Setting up and decorating a fish tank can be a fun, creative project for the whole family
  • Whether it’s freshwater fish or a tropical fish, the options are endless!
  • Setting up the right lighting for your aquarium can show off the colorful fins of your fish

Cons Of Having Fish As Pets

  • Some fish get sick very easily and can quickly pass germs to other fish in the tank causing them to die
  • Emptying a large fish tank to clean it can be a hassle but is necessary to keep the fish healthy

Birds

Parakeets are a common choice for families who want to keep pet birds. Parrots, cockatiels, finches, canaries, and doves are other pet birds popular in the United States.

Pros Of Having Birds as Pets

  • Some birds can be taught to talk, sit on your finger and otherwise interact with family members
  • Birds are colorful and fun to watch as they chatter with one another
  • The food costs for a bird are very low

Cons of Having Birds as Pets

  • Birds can throw around a lot of seed requiring regular vacuuming and clean-up of the area
  • Some birds squawk very loudly which can create a noisy household. Parrots can get especially loud if they feel they’re being ignored!
  • Birds need to exercise outside of the cage and it may difficult to get them back into their habitat. It’s a good idea to train them to return to the cage with a special signal like shaking their box of food
  • Birds can become sick if they are kept in a place that is exposed to cold drafts. They need special consideration during the cold weather months

Exotic Pets

Some pets are considered exotic pets because they need special care to stay healthy. Some examples include:

Turtles

The eastern box turtle, western painted turtle and the Red-Eared Slider are all turtles that are kept as pets in households. A turtle is considered an exotic pet because it needs moisture, light and the right kind of food. In short, you can’t just put it into a cage with bedding like it’s a hamster! Plus, turtles have a long lifespan if you take care of them correctly. Keep that in mind if you plan to get a turtle for a pet. Turtles can live for 30, 40 or more years!

Iguanas

An iguana is a popular exotic pet that requires a specific type of care to keep it healthy. For one, it needs warmth and light to thrive. They can live for 20 years if they receive the proper care.

Snakes

Though snakes aren’t high on the list of common pets, they are kept in many households. Corn snakes, milk snakes and ball pythons are some typical choices. The temperature in a snake’s cage needs to be monitored and it must receive the right type and amount of food to stay healthy.

Ferrets

Ferrets are growing in popularity as exotic pets because they are playful and intelligent. They can be mischievous but are known to be loyal to their owners. Ferrets do have a strong bite so it’s best to find a young one to socialize it properly.

Tarantulas

A tarantula is another exotic pet that needs a particular kind of care to survive in a home. Some species of tarantula need moisture so misting the habitat is necessary. They like to hide and are really quiet, gentle animals. With the right care they can live up to 20 years.

All Pets

Abyssinian

The oldest breed of cat in the world!

Affenpinscher

First bred in 17th century Germany!

Afghan Hound

First used as a shepherd and hunter!

Ainu

An innate sense of direction!

Airedale Terrier

Very intelligent, independent and strong-minded!

Akbash

Often used as a guard dog!

Akita

Very clean, intelligent and loyal!

Alaskan Malamute

Often used as sled dogs!

Alpine Dachsbracke

Good companion and hard-working breed!

American Alsatian
American Bulldog

Can jump up to 6ft high!

American Cocker Spaniel

Merry, outgoing, and eager to please!

American Coonhound

Easygoing and people-friendly!

American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo has splendid all white fur and an upturned tail

American Foxhound

Sweet, kind, loyal, and very loving!

American Pit Bull Terrier

These dogs are very energetic and would be up for a game at any given point of time

American Staffordshire Terrier

Bred to be extremely friendly!

American Water Spaniel

Friendly and intelligent!

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Guards it's master's flocks!

Appenzeller Dog

Herding dog by nature!

Australian Cattle Dog

High energy levels and active minds!

Australian Kelpie Dog

Friendly, intelligent and energetic!

Australian Mist

First bred in the 1700s!

Australian Shepherd

Sweet, faithful and affectionate!

Australian Terrier

Spirited, alert and courageous!

Balinese

Playful and energetic breed!

Basenji Dog

Alert, affectionate and energetic!

Basset Fauve de Bretagne

A friendly and intelligent hunting dog that loves nothing more than to spend time with its owner.

Basset Hound

Forget the training when not rewarded!

Bavarian Mountain Hound

Calm, quiet and poised!

Beagle

Have become popular family pets!

Bearded Collie

Weekly brushing is mandatory!

Bearded Dragon

Can grow to up 24 inches long!

Bedlington Terrier

Highly active and intelligent dogs!

Bernedoodle

The Bernedoodle was first bred in 2003 to create a dog with a similar temperament to the Bernese Mountain Dog that would have a longer lifespan.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Very loyal, faithful and affectionate!

Bichon Frise

Gentle mannered, playful and affectionate!

Biewer Terrier

A toy terrier dog and is elegant and tri-colored.

Birman

Also known as the Sacred Cat of Burma!

Black Russian Terrier

Confident, calm and highly intelligent!

Bloodhound

Affectionate, gentle and even-tempered!

Blue Lacy Dog

Originated in Texas in the mid 1800s!

Bluetick Coonhound

Has an uncanny knack for problem-solving!

Bolognese Dog

From the northern Italian city of Bologna!

Bombay

Bred to look like a black panther!

Border Collie

Highly intelligent and alert breed!

Border Terrier

Small, rough-coated breed of terrier!

Boston Terrier

Friendly, lovable and very strong!

Boxer Dog

Bright, energetic and playful!

Boykin Spaniel

Enthusiastic working dog!

Brazilian Terrier

Small body and tri-coloured coat!

British Timber
Budgerigar

Natively found in Australia!

Bull Terrier

Needs to be kept active!

Bulldog

Friendly, loving and docile!

Bullmastiff

Courageous, loyal and calm!

Burmese

Adoring, elegant and affectionate!

Cairn Terrier

Intelligent, lively and strong!

Canaan Dog

Has a strong survival instinct!

Canadian Eskimo Dog
Carolina Dog

Wild dog breed discovered in the 1970s!

Cat

First domesticated by the Ancient Egyptians!

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Highly playful and affectionate!

Cavapoo

The temperament of a Cavapoo allows this breed to make an excellent family dog as well as a great therapy dog.

Cesky Fousek

An affectionate hunting dog!

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Bright and happy disposition!

Chihuahua

Curious and devoted personality!

Chinese Crested Dog

A hairless breed of dog!

Chinook

A calm and friendly breed!

Chow Chow

Loyal and affectionate to it's family!

Clumber Spaniel

Has a thick, soft coat!

Cockatoo

Highly social, smart, and chatty bird.

Collie

Gentle and devoted!

Curly Coated Retriever

A lively and fun-loving breed!

Dachshund

Fun and playful breed of small dog!

Dalmatian

Have an energetic and playful nature!

Deutsche Bracke

Has long drop ears and a long narrow tail!

Doberman Pinscher

A gentle, loyal and loving breed!

Dog

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Dogo Argentino

Loyal and affectionate to their family!

Dogue De Bordeaux

Extremely loyal and devoted to it's master!

Drever

Uncommon outside of Europe!

Dunker

A friendly and relaxed dog!

Egyptian Mau

An ancient breed of domestic cat!

English Cocker Spaniel

Intelligent yet stubborn by nature!

English Shepherd

Highly intelligent and independent!

English Springer Spaniel

Friendly and eager to please!

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Native to parts of the Swiss Alps!

Epagneul Pont Audemer

Hard-working, gentle and affectionate!

Eskimo Dog

Takes pure delight in cold weather!

Estrela Mountain Dog

Very protective and stubborn!

Fennec Fox

Found in the African Sahara Desert!

Ferret

Ferrets can be trained to do tricks like dogs!

Field Spaniel

A sociable and adaptable breed!

Finnish Spitz

Likes to bark a lot!

Fish

Respire through the gills on their heads!

Flat-Coated Retriever

A game retrieving gun-dog!

Fox Terrier

First bred in the mid-19th century!

French Bulldog

French bulldogs are known to be very sensitive, harboring emotions that they love to express

Frog

There are around 7,000 different species!

Gecko

There are thought to be over 2,000 species!

Gerbil

Originally known as the Desert Rat!

German Pinscher

Highly intelligent and fast learners!

German Shepherd Guide

Highly active and fearless dogs!

Giant Schnauzer

Large, powerful and dominant!

Golden Retriever

Trusting, kind and gentle!

Gouldian Finch

The male Gouldian finch bobs its head and fluffs its feathers to court a female.

Great Dane

Large and imposing in appearance!

Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Protective and gentle by nature!

Greenland Dog

Strong and speedy breed of dog!

Greyhound

Extremely fast and athletic!

Guinea Pig

Natively found in the Andes Mountain range!

Hamster

Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!

Harrier

Cheerful, tolerant and sweet-tempered!

Havanese

These are the only dogs that are native to Cuba

Havapoo

The exact appearance of a Havapoo can vary based on whether the genes of its Poodle or Havanese parent are more dominant.

Himalayan

Also known as the Colourpoint Persian!

House Finch

The house finch can become redder depending on what it eats

Ibizan Hound

Intelligent, active and engaging by nature!

Iguana

Uses visual signals to communicate!

Irish Doodle

Irish Doodles can be very active dogs, but they also love just hanging out with their family members in the house.

Irish Setter

Can live for up to 16 years!

Irish WolfHound

Sweet-tempered, patient and thoughtful!

Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound is a miniature dog with a big motor and personality!

Jack Russell

Intelligent, athletic and fearless!

Japanese Chin

Alert, intelligent and independent!

Javanese

Features that closely resemble a Siamese cat!

Keel-Billed Toucan

It's beak can reach nearly 20 cm long!

Keeshond

Friendly, alert dogs that are loyal to their owners

Labradoodle

Friendly and energetic mix-breed!

Labrador Retriever

Well-balanced, friendly and versatile!

Lizard

There are around 5,000 different species!

Loach

Have sharp spines below their eyes

Macaw

The largest species of parrot in the world!

Maine Coon

Folklore says it's half cat, half raccoon!

Maltese

Originally bred in Europe!

Maltipoo

Maltipoos may have one of three different coat types depending on the specific genes they inherit from their parents. These include silky, curly, or wavy.

Mastiff

Courageous, calm and affectionate!

Mongrel

Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Monitor Lizard

Some species are thought to carry a weak venom!

Mourning Dove

It is almost always the male who makes the famous sad sound, which is a wooing call

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Neapolitan Mastiff

Fearless and extremely protective of it's home!

Newfoundland

Introduced by Vikings more than 1,000 years ago!

Norfolk Terrier

Fearless but not aggressive!

Northern Inuit Dog
Norwegian Forest

Has a long, thick double coat of fur!

Old English Sheepdog

Intelligent, sociable and playful!

Parrot

Can live for up to 100 years!

Peekapoo

Peekapoos were first bred in the 1950’s, making them one of the first designer dog breeds.

Pekingese

Thought to be over 2,000 years old!

Persian

Thought to have originated in the Middle East!

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

A small dog with a big, lively personality.

Pointer

An independent, loyal and high energy breed!

Pomapoo

Pomapoos like companionship and do not like being alone. They may do better in a home with other dogs.

Pomeranian

The ancestors of the Pomeranian were sled dogs.

Poodle

Intelligent, alert and active!

Pug

Fun and sociable, yet stubborn!

Purple Finch

The intensity of the plumage can change based on what the bird eats

Rabbit

There are more than 50 different species!

Ragdoll

One of the larger breeds of domestic cat!

Rat

Omnivores that eat anything!

Red Finch

Red finches can form flocks of over 100 birds.

Red Knee Tarantula

Inhabits the Pacific Mountains of Mexico!

Rottweiler

Strong, loyal and self-assured!

Russian Blue

First brought to the UK in the 1800s!

Saarloos Wolfdog
Saint Berdoodle
Saint Bernard

Gentle, loyal and friendly!

Samoyed
Schnoodle
Sheepadoodle

Sheepadoodles were first bred as an experiment for use as a military dog in the Army in the 1960s, however they didn’t really gain popularity until 2007.

Shiba Inu

Shiba Inus are one of six native dog breeds from Japan.

Shih Tzu

Can live for up to 15 years!

Shrimp

There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Siamese

Originated from temple cats in Thailand!

Siamese Fighting Fish

Can live in low-oxygen environments!

Siberian

An exceptionally agile jumper!

Siberian Husky

Is adequately warm in sub-zero temperatures!

Snake

There are around 3,000 known species worldwide

Snowshoe

Thought to have originated in the 1960s!

Somali

Active, intelligent and playful!

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Known for their loyalty to their family!

Swedish Vallhund
Tamaskan
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Often just called 'Teddies' by owners

Tibetan Mastiff

Originally bred in the Himalayan mountains!

Tiffany

Eye colour intensifies with age!

Toucan

There are more than 40 different species!

Turkish Angora

A breed that originated in central Turkey!

Utonagan
Welsh Corgi

There are two distinct breeds!

West Highland Terrier

Most commonly white in colour!

Whippet

Quiet, gentle and restful dogs!

Yorkshire Terrier

Highly energetic and eager for adventure!

Big List of Pets

Pets FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What animals can be kept as pets?

Many animals can be kept as pets! The most common pet choices are dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and fish. There are less common pet types as well that include amphibians, snakes, and other exotic creatures.

What are the most popular types of pets?

Dogs, cats, rodents, birds, and fish are the five most popular pets to own.

What is a good first pet?

A good first pet is one that is easy to care for. Some examples include dogs, cats, goldfish, hamsters, gerbils, and parakeets.

Starting out with a low-maintenance pet gives an owner the opportunity to learn more about the requirements of their care. Once an owner gains more confidence, he or she can try to keep a pet that needs a more advanced level of care.

What are the easiest pets to own?

Fish, birds, and rodents are the easiest pets to own.

How long do different types of pets live?

Some pets live a very long time. For instance, some dogs live from 10 to 15 years depending on the breed. Cats can also live to be 15 years old or more.

Alternatively, some pets are known to live a relatively short time. For instance, betta fish may only live for three years. Hamsters live for just one to two years while guinea pigs can live from four to six years.

It’s best to research how long a particular type of pet is predicted to live before committing to its care. For instance, some parrots can live to be 50 years old! People who own animals that live a long time such as parrots and turtles must make arrangements for someone to care for the pet if necessary.