Dog
Dogs: loyal, friendly, loving pets. 471 million worldwide. Origin: wolf domestication 15,000 yrs ago. 343 breeds. Great with kids, bring joy, require regular feeding.
Cat
Cats: Affectionate, playful pets. Need proper care, space, interaction, water, meat-based food, grooming. Excellent senses, hunters, agile, communicate through sounds and body language.
Hamsters: Small, popular pets. Species include golden, dwarf, and Roborovski. Crepuscular, seed and fruit eaters. Cheek pouches, short tail. Syrian hamsters domesticated in 1939.
Aquariums with freshwater fish offer health benefits, reduce stress, and are easier to care for. Popular pet choice: goldfish, lives up to 30 years.
Sociable mice need same-sex companions. Feed fresh fruits, vegetables, rat pellets, and provide clean water. Avoid grains, seeds, and harmful foods. Provide toys and a hammock for enrichment.
Friendly and sociable guinea pigs need companions. Feed grass, veggies, pellets, vitamin C, and provide fresh water. They require space for exercise and chew toys.
Birds can carry germs that may make people sick. Wash hands after contact. Provide safe enclosure, supervise interactions, and avoid housing near food areas.
Pet snakes include king snakes, rat snakes, garter snakes, corn snakes, pythons, and boa constrictors. Ball pythons are commonly kept. Seek expert advice. Snakes are usually docile.
Iguanas are large lizards, with the common green iguana being the most well-known. They eat plants and occasionally small animals.
Domesticated ferrets descended from European polecats, weigh 0.7-2.0 kg, live 7-10 years. Used for hunting and kept as pets. Diet is meat-based.