Pet Animal vs Domestic Animal
It would be interesting to discuss the differences between pets and domestic animals, as they have been man’s closer friends for a long time. In brief, pets are capable of getting the best attention of humans, but not the other domestic animals. This article summarizes some other differences between these two types of animals who have won the hearts of people.
Pet Animals
A pet is a household animal cared for either companionship or pleasure. Usually, there is an owner for the pet, and he/she treats the pet with care and affection. People do not keep pets for economic purposes, but they fall in love with their pet. The objective of keeping a pet or pets is mainly the companionship and recreation that owners find in their attractive and playful animals. Studies have shown that keeping pet animals has a relieving effect on stress, and it is an approved medical therapy. The most popular pets are dogs and cats, but other popular pets include rodents, spiders, birds, sometimes snakes. In addition to the love that pets show on their owners, they ensure the protection of their owners most of the time. For a wild animal to become a domestic one, it should demonstrate a great obedience towards humans, and from there it requires more than obedience to be a pet. That is the reason for pet’s strong relationship with the owner. However, pets are animals and could cause health issues in some cases viz. allergies, dander, and even life threatening diseases like rabies. Therefore, proper care and management is very important in maintaining pet animals.
Domestic Animals
The definition of domestic animal includes three types known as companion, livestock, and working animals. People have been domesticating animals under their control to gain economic benefits through agricultural purposes. Humans control their behaviours, feeding, and other biological requirements. People even manipulate the genetic backgrounds of domestic animals through selective breeding. Farm animals have been important to fulfil milk and protein requirements, and the dogs have been useful for protection, and large animals (viz. horses, elephants, donkeys… etc) have been vital for fulfilling working purposes. However, the relationship is crucial in handling the domestic animals because they are well capable of injuring the humans sometimes to death. However, domestic animals have played a major role in the human in cultures.
What is the difference between Pet and Domestic Animals?
Pets are one type of domestic animals, and they differ from others because of the specialities that they possess. On the other hand, domestic animals have been a major aspect of the human culture with a great assistance to the humans. The following table summarizes the differences between pet and domestic animals.
| Pet Animals | Domestic Animals |
| Kept for companionship and recreation
e.g. dogs, cats, rodents, some reptiles… etc |
Kept for economic benefits as well as for recreation
e.g. sheep, cattle, buffalo, horse, elephant… etc |
| Very limited or no economic benefits | Always economically beneficial |
| Always household animals | Not always household |
| Very strong relationship with the owner | Relationship with the owner is not as strong as in pets |
| Disease transmission into humans is common as there is often direct contact | Disease transmission into humans is not common |