A pet, often known as a companion animal, is an animal that is kept primarily for a person’s enjoyment or company rather than as a working animal, livestock, or laboratory animal. It can offer pleasure and joy to a household.
Pets are domesticated animal that lives with an individual or family. The most popular, well-known pets are dogs and cats. Alternatively, there are less popular pets such as birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, reptiles, insects.
Popular pets are frequently thought to be intelligent, well-mannered, and likeable, yet some animals may be adopted out of kindness (such as a stray animal) and welcomed by the owner despite these qualities.
Having a Pet Has Many Benefits
Having a pet has numerous positive effects on your health. It is widely believed among the public, that pets probably bring mental and physical health benefits to their owners. Owners of pets have more opportunities to mingle, go outside, and exercise. Regular pet play or walks help lower cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. By providing us with companionship, pets can help us manage loneliness and depression. In the majority of American homes, there is at least one pet.
Choosing the Right Pet
Make sure the pet is the right fit for you and your family before adopting. Do some study on the demands and needs of the animal. Before acquiring a pet, ask yourself these question:
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- Can I take care of this animal?
- How long will this animal live?
- What type of habitat does this pet need to be healthy?
- What does the pet eat?
- How large will it become?
- How much exercise does the pet need?
- How much will veterinary care cost?
- Do I have enough time to properly care for and clean up after the pet?
- Are pets allowed in my house, apartment, or condominium?
- Are there young children, older people, or people with weak immune systems who will care for or be around the pet?
Animal-transmitted diseases can affect certain humans more than others.
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Pets can pose the following health risks:
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- Allergies and asthma caused by dander, hair, or feathers
- Pet bites and attacks can result in harm, mauling, and occasionally death.
- Animal hygiene issues, improper care, and unruly behavior can all lead to disease or parasites in the animals (feces and urine)
- Avoid handling stray cats, particularly kittens, if you’re pregnant.
A parasite that causes the disease “toxoplasmosis”, which can result in birth abnormalities, can be carried by cats. Although handling cat litter is not advised while you are pregnant, you do not have to give up your present cat. - Falling injuries. Tripping over pets, especially dogs causes more than 86,000 falls serious enough to prompt a trip to the emergency room each year in the United States. Among elderly and disabled people, these falls have resulted in life-threatening injuries and broken bones.
- Anxiety over who will care for the animal should the owner no longer be able to do so
- The risk of serious sickness from hazardous germs transferred between these animals and young children should prevent households with children under the age of 5 years from keeping pet reptiles (turtles, lizards, snakes), amphibians (frogs, toads), or backyard chickens.
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