Types of popular pets in the world
Nowadays, many people seem to have different animals as companions. Those beloved pets, such as dogs and cats, become almost their family members and share their lives with their adoptive owners. Therefore, it might be worth observing closely the popularity rates of some companion animals around the world. The following related statistics were extracted from the Statista study and were as of 2020.
Firstly, the most popular animal is the puppy. There are about 471 million puppies today. These puppies are carnivorous mammals. The origins of dogs are known as the domestication of wolves, and they are loved for being loyal, intelligent, and sociable with people. Therefore, these dogs must be the most popular with people.
The second most popular animal is the cat. More than 373 million of these animals now live in homes. Although this animal was domesticated in England to control rodent pests, it has become attractive to people due to its appearance. These cats live an average of 12 years, sleep for a staggering amount of time in a day, and are greatly sociable.
Hamsters are the third most popular animal in the world. They are one of the excellent companion animals for humans and are a subfamily of 19 rodents. Hamsters vary in length and weight, depending on the species, and can live for two years on average. These hamsters were first discovered in Syria and have been of interest to people.
The fourth most popular pet is freshwater fish. Certain people take a break to watch an aquarium of freshwater fish. This type of fish can be kept easily because it is inexpensive and does not require a lot of space. This animal can live up to 30 years, making it a favorite of those who want to live longer with the animal (Anon, n.d.)
Pet popularity in the world
Pets are part of the family for people all over the world. More than half of the world’s population has pets at home. According to a global study, Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil have the highest rates of pet ownership. Conversely, Asians have the lowest percentage of pets (www.gfk.com, n.d.).
Difficulties in raising pets
Many pets can brighten up the home. Their warm appearance melts people’s hearts. However, there are great challenges in raising pets, and those who wish to have pets must be prepared to meet these problems. But at any cost, people can love their pets with the right techniques. The following are several difficulties in raising these pets:
Pets having separation anxiety
Just like humans, animals are afraid of being alone in a separate space. These behaviors can be uncomfortable to people’s eyes, which can make it difficult for people to raise animals.
Unexpected medical emergencies
If people have pets in their homes, these animals may need emergency medical assistance. Pets need a lot of attention because they are prone to parasitic infections and other serious diseases. As a result, families with pets should provide preventive treatment in advance and prevent medical emergencies through animal insurance.
Surface scratches and chewing
Some pets have a habit of biting or tearing household items. These pets need proper training to break these habits. Pet owners spend time training and must constantly purchase the items they need to use during training (Walkin’ Pets Blog, 2021).
The reasons why do people keep pets
Many people are aware that they can love pets. Thus, animals offer many benefits to humans, making it possible to improve various aspects of their owners’ lives. These advantages are numerous, including the following;
- Pets help control blood pressure.
One study found that staying with pets can lower people’s blood pressure and boost immunity. Substances beneficial to humans, such as serotonin and dopamine, rise significantly when spending time with pets.
- Pet ownership helps build responsibility.
Keeping pets requires a lot of attention. Taking these precautions and responsibilities for other lives can help people have responsibility for their relationships. As children grow up, they can act responsibly, and adults can exert great power in their workplace.
- Pets help us increase and build our social connections.
When people go out with their pets, they can have a closer relationship and can start conversations more easily. This is because it is possible to exchange interesting stories by forming a consensus about their pets. After all, pets can serve as a social link to humans.
- Pets help us learn about life.
People need to know that nothing is permanent in their lives and that living things will die someday. Owning a pet helps people understand the cycle of life. Dealing with life and death is not easy, in life and having a pet can prepare one to handle personal emotions. As a result, people with many pets can cope well with emotional trials (Corner, n.d.).
Conclusion
By raising animals, people can contribute more to their development. However, raising animals is never easy and requires a lot of responsibility and capital. So, there are quite a few people who refuse to keep animals. However, for those who think these disadvantages outweigh the advantages, pets can be more valuable than anything else. Therefore, if there is someone who can take full responsibility, it will be helpful to realize the value of life and to develop life through pets.
References
Anon, (n.d.). ▷ The 10 most popular pets in the world | 【 2021 】. [online] Available at: https://enorcerna.com/wiki/science/the-10-most-popular-pets-in-the-world/.
www.gfk.com. (n.d.). Man’s best friend: global pet ownership and feeding trends. [online] Available at: https://www.gfk.com/insights/mans-best-friend-global-pet-ownership-and-feeding-trends.
Walkin’ Pets Blog. (2021). Be Prepared to Deal With 5 Challenges That Come in Every Pet Owner’s Way. [online] Available at: https://www.handicappedpets.com/blog/pet-owner-challenges/ [Accessed 29 Dec. 2021].
Corner, T.M. (n.d.). 11 Reasons why you should have a pet at home. [online] The Messy Corner. Available at: https://www.themessycorner.in/blogs/travel/11-reasons-why-you-should-keep-pet-at-home.
