A pet is an animal that is kept for companionship and enjoyment,
as opposed to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or
sport animals, which are kept for economic reasons or to perform
specific jobs.
The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful characteristics
or for their attractive appearance or song. Pets can provide their
owners with many health benefits. The keeping of pets has been
shown to help remove stress. Walking a dog can also provide its
owner (as well as the dog) with exercise, fresh air, and the opportunity
for social interaction.
While in theory one could keep any animal as
a pet, in practice a small number of species of mammals, especially
dogs and cats, and other small animals, such as birds, have
dominated the list of species kept as pets for a very long time.
Fish have joined them more recently. Many of these animals are
domesticated, while others, such as reptiles, are often considered
exotic pets.
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