Pets and Companion Animals Defined

While in theory one could keep a blue whale as a pet, in practice a small number of species of mammals, especially dogs and cats, and other animals such as birds have dominated the pet scene for a very long time. Fish have joined them more recently. Many of these are domesticated while others, often considered novelty pets, are not. With the exception of iguanas and non-venomous snakes, few reptiles and amphibians make good pets.

The glofish, a genetically modified zebrafish with a bright red fluorescent color is the first genetically modified (GM) animal to be engineered as a pet.

Pets can have many health benefits. Pets have been proven tho help remove stress.

A pet can be acquired from a pet store, an animal shelter, a breeder, and sometimes from people who have too many due to births.