This article is about animals kept for companionship. For "PET" used as an acronym, see PET. For "PETS" used as an acronym, see PETS. For Medical PET Scans, see PET Scans.
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A cat and dog, the two most popular pets

A pet is a household animal kept for companionship and a person's enjoyment, as opposed to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals and sport animals which are kept for economic reasons. The most popular pets are noted for their attractive appearances and their loyal or playful personalities. Their pedegree may also be a factor.

In some cases pets may also provide their owners with benefits, such as providing companionship to elderly adults who do not have adequate social interaction with other people.[1] [2] 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.[3] 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.[4] Walking a dog can provide both the owner and the dog with exercise, fresh air, and social interaction.

The most popular pets are dogs and cats, but there are also rodent pets, such as gerbils, hamsters, chinchillas, fancy rats, and guinea pigs; avian pets, such as canaries, parakeets, and parrots; reptile pets, such as turtles, lizards and snakes; and aquatic pets, such as tropical fish and frogs.

Contents

Local restrictions [link]

Many cities and towns have local ordinances limiting the number of pets a person may have, although a certain number of animals may be kept for business purposes. They may also restrict or forbid certain pets, such as exotics. Certain breeds of dog, such as the pit bull and the Rottweiler, are banned in some places. Canid hybrids, created by breeding dogs with other members of the canine family, may be banned in some places. Semi-exotic cats, such as the Savannah, are also banned in some locations.

In many locations, animals that are considered pets by their owners but are legally classified as livestock, including horses, pigs, camelids, and fowl may be banned from being kept within the city limits or restricted to property of a certain larger size.

The cities of Berkeley, California, and Boulder, Colorado, have passed laws stating that people who have pets do not "own" them; rather, they are the pet's "guardian."[citation needed]

Condominium associations and rental properties often limit or forbid pets ownership by their tenants.

Pet popularity [link]

There are approximately 78.2 million pet dogs in the United States, and approximately 86.4 million pet cats in the United States. [5] The two most popular pets in most Western countries have been cats and dogs. In the United States, a 2007-2008 survey showed that dog-owning households outnumbered those owning cats, but that the total number of pet cats was higher than that of dogs. The same was true for 2009-2010.[6]

Most Popular Pets in the U.S (millions)[7][8]
Pet Global population U.S. population U.S. inhabited households U.S. average per inhabited household
Cat 202 93.6 38.2 2.45
Dog 171 77.5 45.6 1.70
Fish N/A 171.7 13.3 12.86
Small mammals N/A 15.9 5.3 3.00
Birds N/A 15.0 6.0 2.50
Reptiles & Amphibians N/A 13.6 4.7 2.89
Equine N/A 13.3 3.9 3.41
A Maltese puppy

Choice of a pet [link]

For a small to medium-size dog, the total cost over a dog's lifetime is about $7,240 to $12,700.[9] For an indoor cat, the total cost over a cat's lifetime is about $8,620 to $11,275.[10] People most commonly get pets for companionship, to protect a home or property, or because of the beauty or attractiveness of the animals.[11] The most common reasons for not owning a pet are lack of time, lack of suitable housing, and lack of ability to care for the pet when traveling.[11]

United States [link]

Margaret Gorman with her pet Greyhound in April 1925

According to the 2007-2008 Pet Owners survey:[12]

Animal Number of U.S. households
that own a pet (millions)		 Total number of pets owned
in the U.S. (millions)
Bird 6.0 15.0
Cat 38.2 93.6
Dog 45.6 77.5
Equine 3.9 13.3
Freshwater fish 13.3 171.7
Saltwater fish 0.7 11.2
Reptile 4.7 13.6
Small pets 5.3 15.9

Canada [link]

The latest survey done by Colin Siren of Ipsos Reid estimates that there are 7.9 million cats and 5.9 million dogs in Canada. The survey also shows that 35% of Canadian households have a dog, while 38% have a cat, which is consistent with other surveys conducted around the world.[13]

United Kingdom [link]

A 2007 survey by the University of Bristol found that 26% of UK households owned cats and 31% owned dogs, estimating total domestic populations of approximately 10.3 million cats and 10.5 million dogs in 2006.[14] 47.2% of households with a cat had at least one person educated to degree level, compared with 38.4% of homes with dogs.[15]

Overpopulation [link]

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 The examples and perspective in this section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (February 2010)
Main article: Overpopulation in companion animals

Animal protection advocates call attention to pet overpopulation in the United States. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that animal shelters care for 6-8 million dogs and cats every year in the United States, of whom approximately 3-4 million are euthanized.[16] This situation is created by nonneutered (non-spayed/castrated) animals reproducing and people intentionally breeding animals. A particularly problematic combination of economic hardship combined with a love of animals contributes to this problem in parts of the rural United States.[17] There are also major overpopulation problems with other pet species, such as birds and rabbits. Local humane societies, Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs), and other animal protection organizations urge people to neuter their pets and to adopt animals from animal shelters instead of purchasing them from breeders or pet stores.

Effects on pets' health [link]

Keeping animals as pets may become detrimental to their health if certain requirements are not kept. An important issue is inappropriate feeding, which may produce clinical effects (like the consumption of chocolate [18] by dogs). Among the foods that can be toxic to pets, are: avocados, alcohol, candy, caffeine, grapes and raisins, nuts, and onions.[19] Passive smoking is dangerous for pets. Researchers have found that exposure to tobacco smoke has been associated with certain cancers in dogs and cats and allergies in dogs.[20]

Effects of pets on their caregiver's health [link]

Health benefits [link]

Pets have the ability to stimulate their caregivers, in particular the elderly, giving people someone to take care of, someone to exercise with, and someone to help them heal from a physically or psychologically troubled past.[21] Having a pet may help people achieve health goals, such as lowered blood pressure, or mental goals, such as decreased stress.[22][23][24][25][26][27] There is evidence that having a pet can help a person lead a longer, healthier life. In a study of 92 people hospitalized for coronary ailments, within a year 11 of the 29 patients without pets had died, compared to only 3 of the 52 patients who had pets.[21] Pet ownership was shown to significantly reduce triglycerides, and thus heart disease risk, in the elderly.[28] A study by the National Institute of Health found that people who owned dogs were less likely to die as a result of a heart attack than those who didn’t own one.[29] While other studies have shown that for the elderly, good health may be a requirement of pet ownership, and not a result of pet ownership.[30] Dogs which are trained to be guide dogs can help people with disabilities. Dogs that are trained in the field of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) can also benefit people with disabilities.

Pets in long-term care institutions [link]

Even pet owners residing in a long-term care facility, such as a hospice or nursing home, experience health benefits from pets. Pets help people cope with the emotional issues related to their illness. They also offer physical contact with another living creature, something that is often missing in an elder's life.[31] Pets for nursing homes are chosen based on the size of the pet, the amount of care that the breed needs, and the population and size of the care institution.[21] Appropriate pets go through a screening process and, if it is a dog, additional training programs to become a therapy dog.[32] There are three types of Therapy Dogs: "Facility Therapy Dogs", "Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs" and "Therapeutic Visitation Dogs". The most common Therapy Dogs are "Therapeutic Visitation Dogs". These dogs are household pets whose owners take time to visit hospitals, nursing homes, detention facilities, and rehabilitation facilities.[33] Different pets require varying amounts of attention and care; for example, cats have lower maintenance requirements than dogs.[34]

Health risks [link]

Health risks that are associated with pets include:

  • Aggravation of allergies and asthma caused by dander and fur or feathers
  • 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.[35] Among elderly and disabled people, these falls have resulted in life-threatening injuries and broken bones.
  • Injuries, maulings and sometimes deaths caused by pet bites and attacks
  • Disease and/or parasites due to animal hygiene problems or lack of appropriate treatment (faeces and urine)
  • Stress caused by behaviour of animals
  • Fear or distress from animal presence or behaviour
  • Spread of diseases like the fatal rabies when not properly taken care of.

Common types [link]

While many people have kept many different species of animals in captivity over the course of human history, only a relative few have been kept long enough to be considered domesticated. Other types of animals, notably monkeys, have never been domesticated but are still commonly sold and kept as pets. There are also inanimate objects that have been kept as "pets", either as a form of game, or humorously (e.g. the pet rock).

Domesticated [link]

Domesticated pets are the most common types of pet. A domesticated animal is any animal that has been tamed and made fit for a human environment.[36] They have consistently been kept in captivity over a long enough period of time that they exhibit marked differences in behavior and appearance from their wild relatives.

Mammals [link]

A pet rabbit

Birds [link]

Fish [link]

Wild [link]

Wild animals are often kept as pets. The term wild in this context specifically applies to any species of animal which has not undergone a fundamental change in behavior to facilitate a close co-existence with humans. Some species listed here may have been bred in captivity for a considerable length of time, but are still not recognized as domesticated. Many of these pets, like insects and fish, are kept as a hobby, rather than for companionship.

Exotic mammals [link]

Birds [link]

Reptiles [link]

Amphibians [link]

Fish [link]

Some of the common freshwater aquarium fishes. For more species of freshwater fishes, please see the list of freshwater aquarium fish species.

Some of the common marine aquarium fishes. For more species of saltwater fishes, please see the list of marine aquarium fish species.

Jellyfish [link]

Aurelia aurita (moon jellyfish) are becoming popular pets.

Arthropods [link]

The Caribbean hermit crab is one example of a pet arthropod.

Molluscs [link]

See also: Aquarium and Mollusc

Non-living [link]

See also [link]

References [link]

  1. ^ "The Health Benefits of Pets". US Government National Institute of Health. https://consensus.nih.gov/1987/1987HealthBenefitsPetsta003html.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-25. 
  2. ^ Reiman, Steve. "Therapy Dogs in the Long-Term Health Care Environment". https://www.therapydogs.org/documents/Therapy%20Dogs%20in%20the%20Long.pdf. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  3. ^ "The Health Benefits of Pets". US Government National Institute of Health. https://consensus.nih.gov/1987/1987HealthBenefitsPetsta003html.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-25. 
  4. ^ Farlex. "The Free Dictionary By Farlex". https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Pet+Therapy. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  5. ^ The Humane Society of the United States. "U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics". https://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  6. ^ "Household Pet Ownership: 2001". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/07s1227.xls. Retrieved 2007-09-17. [dead link]
  7. ^ Susan Hayes. "What are the most popular pets around the world?". PetQuestions.com. https://www.petquestions.com/12502/what-are-the-most-popular-pets-around-the-world/. Retrieved 2011-03-04. 
  8. ^ "Industry Statistics & Trends". American Pet Product Association. https://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp. Retrieved 2011-03-04. 
  9. ^ Lieber, Alex. "Lifetime Costs of Dog Ownership". https://www.petplace.com/dogs/lifetime-costs-of-dog-ownership/page1.aspx. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  10. ^ Lieber, Alex. "Lifetime Costs of Cat Ownership". https://www.petplace.com/cats/lifetime-costs-of-cat-ownership/page1.aspx. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  11. ^ a b Leslie, Be; Meek, Ah; Kawash, Gf; Mckeown, Db (April 1994). "An epidemiological investigation of pet ownership in Ontario" (Free full text). The Canadian veterinary journal. La revue veterinaire canadienne 35 (4): 218–22. ISSN 0008-5286. PMC 1686751. PMID 8076276. //www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1686751. 
  12. ^ "Industry Statistics & Trends". American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc. https://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp. Retrieved 2009-12-14. 
  13. ^ "Latest Pet Population Figures Released" (PDF). Canadian Animal Health Institute. https://www.aaaht.com/members/documents/PressRelease-PetSurvey-November15.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-26. 
  14. ^ "UK domestic cat and dog population larger than thought". University of Bristol. 6 February 2010. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2010/6826.html. 
  15. ^ "More cat owners 'have degrees' than dog-lovers". BBC News Online. 6 February 2010. https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8501042.stm. 
  16. ^ The Humane Society of The United States. "Common Questions about Animal Shelters". https://www.humanesociety.org/animal_community/resources/qa/common_questions_on_shelters.html#How_many_animals_enter_animal_shelters_e. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  17. ^ Eckholm, Erik (2007-06-30). "For Poor Families, an Added Burden of Too Many Pets". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/30/us/30dogs.html?ex=1340942400&en=914cf2d080113914&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink. Retrieved 2007-06-30. 
  18. ^ Mason Woods, Elizabeth. "Toxic and Dangerous Foods for Pets". https://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health/dangerous-foods-for-your-pet.aspx. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  19. ^ American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets". https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/people-foods.aspx. Retrieved 22 May 2012. 
  20. ^ Americans for Nonsmokers Rights. "Tobacco, Secondhand Smoke, and Pets". https://www.no-smoke.org/learnmore.php?id=623. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  21. ^ a b c Whiteley, Ellen H. (1986). "The Healing Power of Pets". 258. Saturday Evening Post. pp. 2–102. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=12592944&site=ehost-live. Retrieved 2006-11-05.  Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. Polk Library, UW Oshkosh
  22. ^ Asp, Karen (2005). "Volunteer Pets". Prevention 57 (4): 176–78. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=16471647&site=ehost-live. Retrieved 2006-11-05.  Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. Polk Library, UW Oshkosh
  23. ^ Allen, K; Shykoff, Be; Izzo, Jl, Jr (1 October 2001). "Pet ownership, but not ace inhibitor therapy, blunts home blood pressure responses to mental stress" (Free full text). Hypertension 38 (4): 815–20. ISSN 0194-911X. PMID 11641292. https://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=11641292. 
  24. ^ Kingwell, Ba; Lomdahl, A; Anderson, Wp (October 2001). "Presence of a pet dog and human cardiovascular responses to mild mental stress". Clinical autonomic research 11 (5): 313–7. DOI:10.1007/BF02332977. ISSN 0959-9851. PMID 11758798. 
  25. ^ Wilson, Cc (October 1987). "Physiological responses of college students to a pet". The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 175 (10): 606–12. DOI:10.1097/00005053-198710000-00005. ISSN 0022-3018. PMID 3655768. 
  26. ^ Koivusilta, Leena K.; Ojanlatva, A; Baune, Bernhard (2006). Baune, Bernhard. ed. "To Have or Not To Have a Pet for Better Health?". PLoS ONE 1 (1): e109. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0000109. PMC 1762431. PMID 17205113. //www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1762431. 
  27. ^ Vormbrock, Jk; Grossberg, Jm (October 1988). "Cardiovascular effects of human-pet dog interactions". Journal of behavioral medicine 11 (5): 509–17. DOI:10.1007/BF00844843. ISSN 0160-7715. PMID 3236382. 
  28. ^ Dembicki, D and Anderson, J. 1996. Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics. Volume 15 Issue 3, pages 15-31.
  29. ^ Jodee. "Want to Reduce Risk of Heart Disease? Get a Pet". https://www.heartmart.com/blog/heart-health/1599/want-to-reduce-risk-of-heart-disease-get-a-pet. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  30. ^ Parslow, Ruth; Jorm, Anthony; Christensen, Helen; Rodgers, Bryan; Jacomb, Patricia (Jan/Feb 2005). "Pet Ownership and Health in Older Adults". Gerontology. 40 (www.karger.com/ger: Karger) 51 (1): 40–47. DOI:10.1159/00081433. https://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=ShowAbstract&ArtikelNr=81433&Ausgabe=230503&ProduktNr=224091. 
  31. ^ Reinman, Steve. "Therapy Dogs in the Long-Term Health Care Environment". https://www.therapydogs.org/documents/Therapy%20Dogs%20in%20the%20Long.pdf. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  32. ^ Huculak, Chad (4 October 2006). "Super Furry Animals". Edmonton: W7. . LexisNexis. Polk Library, UW Oshkosh. 5 Nov. 2006.
  33. ^ Reiman, Steve. "Therapy Dogs in the Long-Term Health Care Environment". https://www.therapydogs.org/documents/Therapy%20Dogs%20in%20the%20Long.pdf. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 
  34. ^ Bruck, Laura (1996). "Today's Ancillaries, Part 2: Art, music and pet therapy". Nursing Homes: Long Term Care Management 45 (7): 36. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=9608232012&site=ehost-live. Retrieved 2006-11-05.  Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. Polk Library, UW Oshkosh.
  35. ^ "In the Home, a Four-Legged Tripwire". The New York Times. 27 March 2009. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/health/28pets.html?ref=health. 
  36. ^ Farlex. "The Free Dictionary by Farlex". https://www.thefreedictionary.com/domestic+animal. Retrieved 27 April 2012. 

External links [link]

Wikibooks has a book on the topic of
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pets
Look up pet in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

https://wn.com/Pet

Pet (film)

Pet is a 2016 United States/Spain psychological thriller film written by Jeremy Slater, directed by Carles Torrens, and starring Dominic Monaghan, Charlie Pace, Ksenia Solo, Jennette McCurdy, and Nathan Parsons. The project is slated to debut at the South by Southwest Film festival during March 2016.

Production

It was announced in August 2015 that filming had begun with actors Dominic Monaghan, Charlie Pace, Ksenia Solo, Jennette McCurdy, and Nathan Parsons.

Plot

Seth (Dominic Monaghan) works at an animal shelter, and for years has been secretly in love with a waitress named Holly (Ksenia Solo). When he repeatedly fails in his attempts to woo her, he decides to lock her in a cage at the shelter where he works. He soon discovers that Holly is not who she appears to be and it is no longer clear who is the real victim.

Cast

  • Ksenia Solo as Holly
  • Dominic Monaghan as Seth
  • Jennette McCurdy as Claire
  • Nathan Parsons as
  • Denise Garcia as Britt
  • Janet Song as Mrs. Gundy
  • Alasdair Martin as Business Man
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    This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Pet_(film)

    Thirteenth Step

    Thirteenth Step is the second studio album by American rock band A Perfect Circle, released on September 16, 2003. The album sold well, charting at the number 2 position on the Billboard 200 in its premiere week, selling over 231,000 copies and staying on the charts for 78 weeks. The album went on to be certified as gold on November 4, 2003 and as platinum on March 24, 2006 by the RIAA. Three singles were released from the album, "Weak and Powerless", which topped both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks, followed by "The Outsider" and "Blue", which also charted on the respective charts.

    Background

    Writing and recording

    The band's writing process was very different from the band's first album, Mer de Noms. With the first album, a majority of the album had been already written and recorded over a long period of time by guitarist Billy Howerdel, before a band had even been assembled. He had recorded it with a female vocalist in mind, but upon Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan hearing it and offering to sing for the material, the content was then quickly finalized upon adding Keenan's vocals and re-recording the drums with band member Josh Freese. With beginning the second album, the band found themselves starting fresh, without any material to start with, with the exception of the track "Vanishing", which originally was intended to be on the band's first album, but Howerdel could not find the song file in the studio, having accidentally named it "test". Upon finally recovering the track in 2001, it was only slightly altered for its final release, to better match the eventual sound of Thirteenth Step.

    Read more
    This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Thirteenth_Step

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