Pets

A pet (or companion animal) is an animal kept primarily for a person's company, as opposed to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals, andsport animals, which are kept and bred primarily for performance. The most popular pets are noted for their attractive appearances and their loyal or playful personalities.

Pets commonly provide their owners (or guardians^[1][2][3][4]) with benefits, such as providing companionship to elderly adults who do not have adequate social interaction with other people.^[5][6] While some people believe in the physical and emotional benefits of owning a pet, scientists are currently working to verify these ideas with medical studies.^[5] There is now a medically approved class of "therapy animals", mostly dogs, that are brought to visit confined humans. Pet therapy utilizes trained animals and handlers to achieve specific physical, social, cognitive, and emotional goals with patients.^[7] Walking a dog can provide both the human and pet with exercise, fresh air, and social interaction.

The most popular pets are likely dogs and cats, but people also keep house rabbits; rodents such as gerbils, hamsters, chinchillas, fancy rats, andguinea pigs; avian pets, such as canaries, parakeets, and parrots; reptile pets, such as turtles, lizards and snakes; aquatic pets, such as tropical fishand frogs; and arthropod pets, such as tarantulas and hermit crabs.

The keeping of animals as pets can raise concerns in regard to animal welfare. Dr Jenia Meng, Nonhuman Rights Project, In Defense of Animals, andPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have raised concerns over animal rights and autonomy of animals.