The word “pet” conjures images of enthusiastic dogs and cats. These furry friends have become an integral part of many people’s lives. According to the 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey, around 70% of households own at least one pet. But are dogs and cats the only pets in the world? Are pets different from other domestic animals? These questions might have crossed your mind if you’re trying to learn more about pets. Domesticated animals and pets – What’s the difference? Domesticated animals, by definition, are bred to live in captivity by humans for economic purposes, such as producing meat, dairy products, wool, leather, or plowing the land for agricultural purposes. Some examples of domestic animals include cows, camels, chickens, goats, horses, and donkeys. Although domestic animals are pets in a way, both are different. A pet is an animal or bird kept by humans primarily for companionship. Unlike domesticated livestock, these animals have an emotional connection with their owner and other family members and stay with them in the household. Which animals count as pets? Almost any animal can become a pet, but there are certain animals, birds, and even fish that are considered pets by most people. These include, but are not limited to:

In ancient Egyptian culture, cats were highly revered. People discovered that felines were quite attentive when it came to learning orders and tricks. Today, many people prefer to have cats as pets for many reasons, such as they don’t require much space, among others. If you are planning to get one, then you may be keen on knowing some facts about them. Here is all you need to know about your feline friends. Their teeth Cats have 26 deciduous or “baby” teeth when they are kittens and 30 permanent teeth when they are adults. Remember to maintain those teeth with routine dental cleanings. There are also specially formulated treats available in the market that can help maintain your furry friend’s teeth. Their sense of smell Cats can taste what they smell because of the vomeronasal organ on their mouth’s roof. A cat may occasionally hold their lips open in the Flehmen reaction to perceive and process pheromones with this organ. They also utilize their sense of smell to locate the territories of other cats, potential partners, and humans. Their whiskers A cat’s whiskers are thicker than normal hair, have deeper roots, and give essential sensory information. Whiskers are so sensitive that a cat can detect adjacent movement without touching an object.