question: Why are some animals more likely to be pets than others?
comment: They've been bred for it over centuries, and often have symbiotic relationships with humans. Also, imho, predators make better pets than prey animals. They don't have prey response, and live longer.
passages: A wide variety of animals are kept as pets, from invertebrates such as tarantulas and octopuses, insects including praying mantises, reptiles such as snakes and chameleons, and birds including canaries, parakeets and parrots all finding a place. Mammals are the most popular pets in the Western world, with the most kept species being dogs, cats, and rabbits. For example, in America in 2012 there were some 78 million dogs, 86 million cats, and 3.5 million rabbits. There is a tension between the role of animals as companions to humans, and their existence as individuals with rights of their own.
   However, mammals are the most popular pets in the Western world, with the most kept species being dogs, cats, and rabbits. For example, in America in 2012 there were some 78 million dogs, 86 million cats, and 3.5 million rabbits. There is a tension between the role of animals as companions to humans, and their existence as individuals with rights of their own.
  
  Section::::Practical uses.:For sport.
  
  A wide variety of both terrestrial and aquatic animals are hunted for sport.
   Humans are to some extent predatory, using weapons and tools to fish, hunt and trap animals. They also use other predatory species such as dogs, cormorants, and falcons to catch prey for food or for sport. 
  
  Two mid-sized predators, dogs and cats, are the animals most often kept as pets in western societies.
   A wide variety of animals are kept as pets, from invertebrates such as tarantulas and octopuses, insects including praying mantises, reptiles such as snakes and chameleons, and birds including canaries, parakeets and parrots all finding a place. 
  
  Anthropomorphism is the innate psychological tendency to attribute human traits, emotions, and intentions to animals, and it is an important aspect of the way that people relate to animals such as pets.
   Section::::Practical uses.:As pets.
  
  Mammals are the most popular pets in the Western world, with the most kept species being dogs, cats, and rabbits. For example, in America in 2012 there were some 78 million dogs, 86 million cats, and 3.5 million rabbits.
  
  There is a tension between the role of animals as companions to humans, and their existence as individuals with rights of their own.
  
  Section::::Practical uses.:For sport.
   In addition to providing health benefits for their owners, pets also impact the social lives of their owners and their connection to their community. There is some evidence that pets can facilitate social interaction. Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Leslie Irvine has focused her attention on pets of the homeless population. Her studies of pet ownership among the homeless found that many modify their life activities for fear of losing their pets. Pet ownership prompts them to act responsibly, with many making a deliberate choice not to drink or use drugs, and to avoid contact with substance abusers or those involved in any criminal activity for fear of being separated from their pet. Additionally, many refuse to house in shelters if their pet is not allowed to stay with them.
   According to a survey promoted by Italian family associations in 2009, it is estimated that there are approximately 45 million pets in Italy. This includes 7 million dogs, 7.5 million cats, 16 million fish, 12 million birds, and 10 million snakes.
  
  Section::::Effects on pets' health.
  
  Keeping animals as pets may be detrimental to their health if certain requirements are not met. An important issue is inappropriate feeding, which may produce clinical effects. The consumption of chocolate or grapes by dogs, for example, may prove fatal.
   Two of the most popular pets are dogs and cats. The technical term for a cat lover is an ailurophile, and for a dog lover, a cynophile. Other animals commonly kept include rabbits; ferrets; pigs; rodents, such as gerbils, hamsters, chinchillas, rats, and guinea pigs; avian pets, such as parrots, passerines, and fowl; reptile pets, such as turtles, alligators, crocodiles, lizards, and snakes; aquatic pets, such as fish, freshwater and saltwater snails, and frogs; and arthropod pets, such as tarantulas and hermit crabs. Small pets may be grouped together as pocket pets, while the equine and bovine group include the largest companion animals.
   For a small to medium-size dog, the total cost over a dog's lifetime is about $7,240 to $12,700. For an indoor cat, the total cost over a cat's lifetime is about $8,620 to $11,275. People most commonly get pets for companionship, to protect a home or property, or because of the beauty or attractiveness of the animals. 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.
  
  Section::::Choice of a pet.:United States.
  
  According to the 2007-2008 Pet Owners survey:
   A wide variety of animals are kept as pets, from invertebrates such as tarantulas and octopuses, insects including praying mantises, reptiles such as snakes and chameleons, and birds including canaries, parakeets, and parrots all finding a place. However, the most kept pet species are mammals, namely dogs, cats, and rabbits. There is a tension between the role of animals as companions to humans, and their existence as individuals with rights of their own.
  
  A wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic animals are hunted for sport.
   Some scholars, ethicists and animal rights organizations have raised concerns over keeping pets because of the lack of autonomy and objectification of nonhuman animals.
  
  Section::::Pet popularity.
  
  There are approximately 86.4 million pet cats and approximately 78.2 million pet dogs in the United States, and a United States 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 2011. In 2013, pets outnumbered children four to one in the United States.
  
  Section::::Choice of a pet.
   Pet
  
  A pet or companion animal is an animal kept primarily for a person's company, entertainment, or as an act of compassion such as taking in and protecting a hungry stray cat, rather than as a working animal, livestock, or laboratory animal. Popular pets are often noted for their attractive appearances, intelligence, and relatable personalities, or may just be accepted as they are because they need a home.
   Animal dysthanasia is particularly relevant in the context of small animal practice. For centuries, domestic animals in Western societies used to be mainly farm animals. With the industrialization process, humans become increasingly concentrated in urban areas, having preferential contact with companion animals, namely cats and dogs. While farm animals are widely seen as property, companion animals are perceived as family members with whom humans keep close bonds and develop strong emotional relationships.
   BULLET::::- Praying mantises
  
  BULLET::::- Scorpions
  
  BULLET::::- Stick insects
  
  BULLET::::- Sea-Monkeys
  
  BULLET::::- Triops
  
  BULLET::::- Tarantulas and other spiders
  
  Section::::History.
  
  Archaeology suggests that dogs as pets may date back to at least 12,000 years ago.
  
  Section::::History.:Pet ownership by non-humans.
  
  There have been numerous cases of apes and other animals having pets. Koko the gorilla had several pet cats during her lifetime. Tonda (orangutan) had a pet cat. Capuchins have been known to have pet marmosets. Tarra, an elephant had a dog named Bella.
  
  Section::::History.:Ancient history.
   Anthropomorphism is the innate psychological tendency to attribute human traits, emotions, and intentions to animals, most commonly to mammals, and it is an important part of the way that people relate to mammals. Attitudes and behaviour to animals ranges from cruel to sentimental.
  
  Section::::Attitudes towards animals.:In popular culture and the arts.
   BULLET::::- adequate housing may be difficult and/or expensive to procure or build. This is usually only a problem for large and/or highly active animals that need a large amount of space.
  
  BULLET::::- it may be difficult to provide the correct environment (such as temperature or amount of sunlight)
  
  BULLET::::- feeding the correct diet may be difficult or impossible
  
  BULLET::::- providing the right social environment for highly social species may be impractical or impossible in a home setting.
   In general, small cat species are more commonly kept as exotic pets than larger ones. Big cats are substantially more expensive to maintain, pose a greater danger when being handled in direct contact, and may not always remain handleable when fully grown. This typically limits their keeping to professional animal trainers and zoo settings.
  
  Section::::Species kept as exotic pets.:Servals and caracals.
   Section::::Choice of a pet.:United Kingdom.
  
  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. The survey also found that 47.2% of households with a cat had at least one person educated to degree level, compared with 38.4% of homes with dogs.
  
  Section::::Choice of a pet.:Italy.
   Section::::Types.
  
  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 sold and kept as pets. There are also inanimate objects that have been kept as "pets", either as a form of a game or humorously (e.g. the Pet Rock or Chia Pet).Some wild animals are kept as pets, such as tigers, even though this is illegal. There is a market for illegal pets.
  
  Section::::Types.:Domesticated.
   Many species are kept as pets, the most popular being mammals, especially dogs and cats. These are often anthropomorphised.
  
  Animals such as horses and deer are among the earliest subjects of art, being found in the Upper Paleolithic cave paintings such as at Lascaux. Major artists such as Albrecht Dürer, George Stubbs and Edwin Landseer are known for their portraits of animals. Animals further play a wide variety of roles in literature, film, mythology, and religion.
  
  Section::::Context.
   Historically, animals were domesticated for functional use; for example, dogs for herding and tracking, and cats for killing mice or rats. Today, in Western societies, their function is primarily bonding. For example, current studies show that 60–80% of dogs sleep with their owners at night in the bedroom, either in or on the bed. Moreover, in the past the majority of cats were kept outside (barn cats) whereas today most cats are kept indoors (housecats) and considered part of the family. Currently, in the US, for example, 1.2 billion animals are kept as pets, primarily for bonding purposes. In addition, as of 1995 there were over 30 research institutions looking into the potential benefits of the human–animal bond.
   Many species of animal are kept as pets, the most popular being mammals, especially dogs and cats. Plants are grown for pleasure in gardens and greenhouses, yielding flowers, shade, and decorative foliage; some, such as cactuses, able to tolerate dry conditions, are grown as houseplants.
  
  Animals such as horses and deer are among the earliest subjects of art, being found in the Upper Paleolithic cave paintings such as at Lascaux.
   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 by being consistently kept in captivity and selectively bred over a long enough period of time that it exhibits marked differences in behavior and appearance from its wild relatives.
  
  Section::::Types.:Domesticated.:Mammals.
  
  BULLET::::- Alpacas
  
  BULLET::::- Camels
  
  BULLET::::- Cats
  
  BULLET::::- Cows
  
  BULLET::::- Dogs
  
  BULLET::::- Donkeys
  
  BULLET::::- Ferrets
  
  BULLET::::- Goats
  
  BULLET::::- Hedgehogs
  
  BULLET::::- Horses
  
  BULLET::::- Llamas
  
  BULLET::::- Pigs
  
  BULLET::::- Rabbits
  
  BULLET::::- Red foxes
  
  BULLET::::- Rodents, including rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and chinchillas
  
  BULLET::::- Sheep
   Section::::Choice of a pet.:Canada.
  
  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.
  
  Section::::Choice of a pet.:China.
  
  In China, spending on domestic animals has grown from and estimated $3.12 billion in 2010 to $25 billion in 2018. The Chinese people own 51 million dogs and 41 million cats, with pet owners often preferring to source pet food internationally.
   Wild animals are 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.
  