Why Do We Keep Pets?

Katie Vojvodic 

David Roddy 

IHSS A 

9/24/20 

Why Do We Have Pets?


    In millions of households across the United States, a few family members stick out among the furless, bipedal creatures we call humans. Whether it be a furry floof (like a poodle dog or tabby cat), an avian entity (like a parakeet or cockatoo), or a scaly creepy-crawler (like a gecko or bearded dragon), over 65% of Americans own pets. The question is, why? How did keeping domesticated animals in our homes become the norm? Thanks to my extensive research, we might finally have the answer to that pressing question.

    According to an article by animalfreedom.org, one of the main reasons that people keep pets is for companionship. Some even go as far as to use the companionship they get from pets in place of a relationship with a partner or family member. It is true that dogs have been proven to be able to detect human emotion and provide comfort, so I am not surprised. 

    Another reason many people get pets is that they are excellent conversation starters. If the first thing you see when you walk into someone's house is a rainbow-feathered Australian king parrot, you are bound to make a remark. Dogs, who require lots of exercise and socialization, can actually make it easier for people to socialize too. For example, sometimes trained dogs are used in psychotherapy sessions; the dog might make the patient feel safer, or just give them something soothing to touch, like a German Shepard's voluminous fur.

    No matter how pet-keeping came to be, we sure do love our little buddies. Whether you see your pet as a companion, a piece of entertainment, a conversation starter, or a hobby, one thing that I'm sure many pet-owners can relate to is the bond we feel towards our animals (despite the fact that they are a different species). That, in and of itself, is pretty remarkable. 



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