Pets: features and a list of the best
Loneliness, the need to take care of someone, familiarity with wildlife and other motives push people to acquire pets. But no matter what the specific goal is - you need to treat such an intention as carefully as possible.
What animals are usually considered pets?
First of all, you need to figure out which specific animals are called pets, and what is typical for them.
Very often these include common cat. It is customary to divide it into 3 categories. by the structure of the hairline:
- long-haired;
- short-haired;
- without wool.
But before continuing the list, it is necessary to point out the difference between proper domestic and domesticated animals. In any case, their origin is from the wild ancestors of one or another species, however, cultivated varieties are kept largely on pasture. However, Russian legislation proceeds from completely different criteria. It provides that pets can only be those who:
- live in captivity;
- enjoy limited (in relation to a person) freedom;
- or do not fall into these categories, but are traditionally kept in captivity.
Returning to the actual cats, it is worth noting that their hairless subtype is ideal for those suffering from allergic reactions.
But where there are cats, one cannot fail to mention dogs. Shepherd breeds are distinguished by increased intelligence and endurance at the same time.The use of these dogs in cattle breeding is less and less common, but at home they are quite valuable. The so-called aboriginal breeds are those who formed "naturally" and developed under the influence of natural selection alone.
These are strong and strong animals, almost not susceptible to ailments. However, keeping them in a city apartment is simply illogical, especially since this is a mockery of pets. They urgently need maximum space and free range. The same can be said for hounds; for the conditions of a large city, decorative varieties are much better suited.
And also the category of pets includes:
- decorative rabbits with different lengths of wool;
- rodents (specially selected mice, rats, hamsters, chipmunks);
- guinea pigs;
- squirrel and weasels;
- reptiles and amphibians (medium-sized non-venomous snakes, lizards, turtles);
- certain species of Hymenoptera;
- birds (canaries, pigeons, owls, parrots, ravens);
- exotic animals (foxes, monkeys, anteaters, wild cats and others).
Pros and cons of content
Even a cursory acquaintance with the general list shows how great the variety of creatures you can have in the house. Undoubtedly, their effect on a person at an early age is positive. Even in antiquity, it was noted that the presence of a pet helps to develop greater humanity and friendliness, increases discipline and socialization of babies. And not only kids, but also teenagers.
Regardless of age, animals bring people affection, warmth and an incredible amount of positive emotions.
Almost all breeders note that the animal values its owners more than itself. It will constantly pay attention to them. For modern children, this is all the more valuable as it will allow them to escape from social networks, video games and other similar entertainments. Increased mobility will also improve health and help strengthen the immune system. Finally, it will be possible to leave children alone for a long time, without fear that they will get bored once again.
About such an undoubted benefit as the development of responsibility and discipline has already been discussed. Such personality traits are useful in learning, and at work, and in relationships with other people, and even when caring for your own home. When children interact with animals from an early age, they will be less afraid of other living things, even those that are wild or unpleasant looking.
However, there are two sides to any coin, and even a usually useful pet establishment can be harmful or, to put it more delicately, cause negative consequences.
Allergy is a serious hazard. Worst of all, it can occur not only on the animal or bird itself, but also on the food that is used for them. However, you should not go too far with refusal: according to statistics, moderate and thoughtful contact with animals, on the contrary, reduces the risk of allergies. If it has manifested itself before (no matter for what reason), consultation with a doctor is imperative.
Another disadvantage is due to the fact that you have to spend a lot:
- forces;
- free time;
- nervous energy;
- Money.
The slightest problems in a pet immediately cause anxiety and anxiety - which one can already do harm. The next important aspect is infectious diseases. The likelihood of infection with various viruses, microbes or parasites is quite high. We will have to pay a lot of attention to special prevention and, if necessary, treatment. Further, almost all pets are the source of the odor. People usually get used to it, but this fragrance is unlikely to be pleasant for “new” people and just guests.
As for the positive aspects of communication between children and animals, they are overshadowed by the likelihood of injury or even serious aggression. It will be necessary to educate the animals themselves, instill in children safe handling skills and carefully monitor their contacts.In addition, any animals die sooner or later, and due to attachment, babies (and even other adults) can experience a severe shock. Partly the way out is the choice of a species that lives for a long time - but this does not give a full guarantee, of course. Summing up, we can say that the establishment of a pet is a very important step, in which many subtleties and nuances should be taken into account.
Most Popular Companion Pets
Among the most popular pets, undoubtedly, dogs and cats are in the lead - moreover, it is difficult to determine which of them belongs to the “palm”.
Important: both cats and dogs are often taken from the street or shelter. Sometimes because it is cheaper than buying an animal in the market or in a pet store, and sometimes people simply felt sorry for the animal and decided to save it, and this motive is undoubtedly preferable. Tailed four-legged animals are highly prized as companions, and pedigree animals are often used at exhibitions.
The most unpretentious and hypoallergenic mammals are hairless cats and cats. In any case, even their woolly subspecies:
- do not require particularly sophisticated care;
- do not take up much space;
- practically do not interfere with the owners (if only they are healthy and well fed).
Dogs, even the smallest ones, are much more troublesome. It is not enough to feed and water them - you will also need to walk for at least 1.5-2 hours a day. The dog will definitely have to be trained, teaching the skills of good behavior. Most often in Russia they keep:
- rottweilers;
- poodles;
- German and East European Shepherd Dogs;
- Pekingese;
- bulldogs;
- retrievers;
- dachshunds;
- terriers;
- spitz;
- boxers;
- chihuahua.
Important: you should not strive to get rare breeds of tetrapods. They usually cause much more problems than ordinary animals, and they are not always predictable.
Quite often people get turned on as well. aquarium fish. These are cute and a priori calm creatures, moreover, they do not scatter wool everywhere.
Yes, and finding a description of how to breed and maintain them is not difficult. The most popular among domestic aquarists are:
- guppy;
- barbs;
- goldfish;
- discus;
- astronotuses;
- neons.
You can also find snails, crab, shrimp, axolotl in your home aquarium. Turtles, frogs, newts, iguanas have long become common animals for Russian breeders.
Dzungarian and Syrian hamsters, chinchilla, guinea pig, squirrel are in great demand.
Of the more exotic rodents, many people like degus, and the ferret and rabbit have been in vogue in the last few years.... As for the birds, parrots are most often brought up, the goldfinch, canary, pigeon and finch are slightly less in demand.
The most unpretentious pets
You can focus on the popularity of certain types, fashion, on what friends have brought, on a pleasant appearance or habit. But the great employment of many modern people, it would seem, does not leave them a chance to have at least some kind of pet. However, not everything is so bad - after all, there are not too whimsical individuals who will also bring a lot of joy.
A well-deserved place among them is occupied by miniature pigs, better known as mini-pigs. It is worth noting that these animals not only look cute, but are not inferior in intellectual level to dogs. The only downside is the high risk of buying an ordinary pig disguised as a mini-pig.
But when buying a starling, there will definitely not be such an unpleasant surprise. The small bird looks very beautiful.
For your information: she can even speak.
Of unpretentious animals worth mentioning eared (or Egyptian) hedgehog. This species is distinguished by its rare photogenicity. Unlike many other exotic species, a hedgehog is allowed to be kept quite legally and without official permission. It should also be borne in mind that taming a hedgehog causes quite a few problems. But one has only to go through this difficult stage, you can see how many advantages this cute animal has and enjoy communicating with him.
A hissing cockroach from Madagascar may also be an unexpected choice..
Important: this animal is suitable only for brave people who are not disgusted. It makes sense to present it as a gift only at the direct request of the gifted people themselves. We must be prepared for the hissing cockroaches to make their way anywhere, even on smooth glass. In addition, loud noises at night can disturb and frighten household members.
Alternatively, it is often mentioned prairie dog. This is not a canine, but a rodent. With real dogs, he has in common the ability to quickly become attached to people. The main thing is that the pet was brought up at a young age, then the craving for the owner will be vaccinated almost tightly. Another advantage of the animal is that it is a puppy that does not "grow up"; however, the downside is his hyperactivity.
Another candidate for companions for people on a busy schedule is rabbit. The dimensions of such pets can vary greatly, as well as their weight. The feed costs are low and there is no need to cook. To place an eared animal, it is enough to put a cage. But you still have to tidy up and clean this cage every evening, or put up with dirt, gnawed wires and legs of tables and chairs.
Canaries can be no worse than eared animals.
Important: not only their colors and plumage differ, but also the timbre of their voices. Therefore, you need to carefully find out exactly how the singing of a particular bird sounds. And if it is difficult for novice breeders to choose a suitable breed, you need to give preference to the Harz Roller.
Sufficient conditions for breeding canaries are buying a cage with a tray, drinking cell and perch, as well as not too frequent feeding.
Food is given either every day, or they fall asleep every 2-3 days. Of course, in the second case, the portions are increased. For unpretentiousness, snakes can argue with birds. By and large, they only need a terrarium. Sometimes it is replaced with a simple aquarium supplemented with an incandescent light bulb. The heat source keeps the reptiles active. The reptiles are fed every 5-7 days. But, of course, you need to take into account the characteristics of a particular animal.
If the thought of buying and keeping a snake is frankly scary, or you just don't want to shock others, you should think about hamster. The size of a decorative rodent is several centimeters.
The merits of a hamster are deservedly considered:
- attractive appearance;
- a variety of wool colors;
- convenience of the diet;
- lack of aggressiveness;
- decent intellectual level;
- the possibility of easy training;
- evening lifestyle.
With a lot of busyness, a good choice may be land turtle.
Important: waterfowl species require much more effort to maintain. The downside is that pets are in hibernation up to 6 months. But equipping a place of residence is no more difficult than for a snake. For feeding, both "factory" mixtures and fresh vegetables are used.
Necessary accessories and furniture
Arranging places for keeping pets takes some effort. Cats and dogs definitely need to prepare a scratching post. Otherwise, walls and furniture will quickly lose their appearance. For a dog, you can equip a booth, and for a cat - a house. Almost any warm-blooded animal needs a bedding and a mattress, and birds need perches.
Everyone knows how cats love to climb great heights. Special devices will help to satisfy this need without prejudice to curtains and other home furnishings. It is worth thinking about large playgrounds as well. And when the animals play enough, they will need beds.
If you need to arrange a place for a hamster, you will definitely need a cage.
Important: its area should be at least 1.5 sq. m. The recommended gap between the rods is 0.5 cm. Be sure to put a wheel, a house and a drinker in the cage.
The turtle can be kept in a regular aquarium. But the terrarium will have to be well heated, as well as take care of thorough ventilation and equipping with ultraviolet lamps.
We take into account the temperament of the owner
If you ignore the personality traits of a person, conflicts based on differences in characters and emotional stereotypes are inevitable. There are three main motivations:
- desire for communication;
- the need to protect and harmonize personal space;
- desire to emphasize your own style, aesthetic taste and fashion.
Approval, understanding and joy from contact with a pet are justified when buying a dog, parrot, cat, hamster and some other animals.
For those who are just going to learn something new, but there is enough communication with people, it is advisable to choose turtles or decorative frogs. Other exotic species are also suitable.
Dogs are chosen if they need a faithful companion and a reliable guard who will constantly accompany a person. At the same time, it is necessary to understand that animals do not have "character" in the human sense of the word, but rather a set of genetically programmed standards of behavior. To some extent, they can be corrected through training or conscious pressure, but this degree is small.
Cats are chosen by people who differ:
- healthy egoism and a fair amount of individualism;
- generosity;
- the desire to patronize the weaker;
- reliability.
Moreover, dogs are better suited for those who:
- sociable;
- is inclined to make new acquaintances;
- flexibly adapts to changing situations;
- does not get lost in a complex and ambiguous environment;
- maintains normal relationships with friends and other people (without humiliating himself or them equally).
The relationship between the size of the dog and the character of the owner, noted by psychologists, is curious. Lack of satisfaction with personal and work achievements often subconsciously translates into the purchase of a large animal. Fully confident, self-sufficient and even tough people feel better together with small four-legged ones.
If a person is prone to melancholic reflections, to a romantic mood, then a parrot is best suited for him.
At the same time, such character traits as some naivety and even increased vulnerability are also noted.
The parrot will not get along with irritable and too immersed in their work.
Wounded, but at the same time trying to hide his vulnerability behind external rudeness, bravado and cynicism, a person will certainly be satisfied with the purchase of a hedgehog. At the same time, such people almost never betray others and tend to adhere to the accepted way of thinking once and for all.
Important: you should not give a hedgehog to those who put their own comfort and convenience in the first place, and expect others to only anticipate their desires.
It is easy to guess that fish are loved by those who prefer contemplation and abstract reflections (or just very complex ideas and extraordinary projects). But sometimes they are appreciated by those who show the opposite inclinations. Even the most active, vigorous and purposeful people sometimes need to relieve stress and emotionally and intellectually relax. But people who are too emotionally sensitive or prone to quick, ill-considered actions are unlikely to be delighted with the aquarium. But of course, the selection must take into account not only compatibility in nature.
How to choose a pet?
A very important criterion, which is often forgotten, is how much space in the house is, in general, free, and how much of it can be given to the pet. It is necessary to take into account not only the size of the animal itself, but also how active it is.And the same fish or lizards, for example, need equipped voluminous dwellings. This is not a hamster for which a cage with accessories is enough.
But suppose you decide to choose a dog. And even if a list of breeds suitable for certain living conditions has been determined. However, it remains to think about the traits of the animal's behavior. Some dogs are overly aggressive, some are too curious, others are capricious or need some special food.
It is extremely important: there is no point in choosing a breed that will be very difficult to keep on a leash. Behavior depends not only on the breed, but also on the quality of training, on the experience of relationships with people that the dog has.
If you have frequent absences from home (for example, on business trips or other trips), a cat is better suited than a dog. It's just easier to take with you. Yes, and a cat left in the care of another person bears separation easier. Getting acquainted with a specific breed of cats, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the appearance, but also to how calmly the animal behaves. Experienced people try to take into account the reviews of other owners, as well as the comments of zoopsychologists (who understand the real motives of pets deeper and more accurately than an ordinary person). It is also recommended to keep in mind the length of the cat's hair, which is not only a strong allergen, but also a source of constant litter.
Important: when buying a cat, a dog, and other animals, you need to check their health and veterinary documents, required vaccinations. Nutritional needs also need to be considered. They are different for each breed and individual.
When choosing birds, do not focus on rare species. They are not just expensive - it is illegal to distribute such animals.
Hamsters and other rodents will suit those who want to carry a pet with them on long journeys. Of course, you need to pay attention to the tastes and priorities of all family members. Do not discount the opinion of young children.
List of nicknames
But now the animal is selected, and the cage, terrarium or other corner is equipped. However, there is still a very important point - the names of the pets. Since the nickname will have to be pronounced at least 3-5 times a day, you need to discard all words that are too long, pretentious or difficult to remember. Moreover, if the word is difficult for a person to remember, then it is almost impossible for an animal to do it.
Important: it is worth considering the euphony of each name and whether it looks like obscene words. After all, the nickname will almost certainly have to be pronounced on the street, in the store, on the bus. You can not choose also human names and those that look like some kind of team. Even with these limitations, there are plenty of options.
Geographical objects and chemical elements, heroes of myths and legends, fairy tales and works of art, comics and cartoons, foreign names ...
If it's really hard to make a decision, here is a ready-made list:
- Nora;
- Langer;
- Tube;
- Arnie;
- Mars;
- Barsik;
- Ball;
- Smoke;
- Marshmallow;
- Fog;
- Slide;
- Persia;
- Flanders;
- Gnomon;
- Pokemon and so on - as long as imagination is enough.
Interesting Facts
There are interesting points related to pets. For example, the most common mouse is capable of making a sound that resembles laughter. But the cat has 517 muscles and 290 bones. Rabbits, on the other hand, often play catch-up and hide from each other. Returning to the cats, I must say that only 10% of them boldly go to battle against the rat.
There are also a lot of extraordinary facts:
- dogs are completely devoid of appendix, but they can distinguish between individual tones of yellow, green and blue, as well as run at a speed of 30 km / h;
- cats do not have a single sweat gland and are able to race at a speed of 19 km / h;
- a hamster of any breed blinks only one eye at a time;
- the height of the dog can reach 1.11 m;
- the normal temperature of a cat is 38 degrees;
- parrots "speak" not with their vocal cords (they simply do not exist), but with their beak and tongue;
- the guinea pig was domesticated by the ancient Indians at least 7000 years ago;
- the rabbit is able to look behind itself without twisting its head;
- dogs should not be given any food that includes chocolate;
- the pig, including the mini-pig, is unable to look up;
- the rat needs a pair just for communication, otherwise it will wither and be sad;
- the shape of a dog's nose is as unique as a person's fingerprints;
- cows have a more powerful sense of smell than canines.
You can see the TOP 10 most popular pets in the world below.