A pet, also known as a companion animal, is an animal that is kept primarily for the company or entertainment of its owner rather than as a working animal, livestock, or laboratory animal. Popular pets are often thought to have attractive appearances, intelligence, and relatable personalities, but some pets (such as stray animals) may be taken in on an altruistic basis and accepted by the owner regardless of these characteristics.
Dogs and cats are two of the most popular pets. Rabbits, ferrets, pigs; rodents like gerbils, hamsters, chinchillas, rats, mice, and guinea pigs; birds like parrots, passerines, and fowls; reptiles like turtles, lizards, snakes, and iguanas; aquatic pets like fish, freshwater snails, and saltwater snails; amphibians like frogs and salamander