Animal companions and pet ownership is a common practice worldwide, with some more commonly kept than others. But what animal is the best companion?
Dogs are the most common pet there is. They’re either high maintenance or easy to care for, depending on the breed. The most popular dog breed is the French Bulldog, and according to the American Kennel Club, the French Bulldog has been the top dog breed for three years in a row since they are easy to care for and are quite adaptable. Labrador Retrievers come in at a close second.
The downside for dogs is that most are almost always full of energy, with even generally calm breeds having lots of energy to spend. So pet owners often have to go on lots of walks and training also takes a while. Dogs are also quite the attention seekers that like getting dirty and smelly, so bathing will have to be very frequent.
The second most common type of pet is cats. Cats are cleaner and calmer than dogs most of the time. There is no real difference between cats other than fur length and colors. The cats that are visibly different are Sphynx cats, as most of them are hairless, and the Maine Coon, as they are quite large and fluffy. The breed of cats that’s right for a person depends on what the adopter wants.
Cats can get quite energetic at any time at night since they are nocturnal. Outdoor cats in particular have the tendency to cry loudly at night. Cats are also very independent; they may not want your attention when you want to give them attention. They can also be attention seekers like dogs, just less stinky and less heavy.
Next up are birds. Birds aren’t as common as dogs or cats but are still a fairly common pet choice. Birds can be taught tricks, can learn to come back to you when flying and are quite smart. Most find this animal entertaining due to their ability to copy and mimic sounds, particularly human voices. Birds are also affectionate like dogs, if dogs were smaller and were able to fly.
But birds are quite needy. They can be loud, energetic and high maintenance for care. Birds are also quite chaotic as they love nesting where they can with what they can. Teaching them also takes a long time with their natural chaos. A permit is also needed to keep certain birds like parrots, owls and peacocks.
Ultimately a lot of animals can be good companions, it’s just personal and family preference. It is also good to keep in mind that keeping exotic animals will require a permit, especially if you are starting a house farm or zoo.
