The topic of discussion in this article is companion animals. See Social grooming for the use of "pet" as a verb, "petting." See PET and PETS for more applications of the acronyms "PET" and "PETS". 
A hybrid mastiff-type dog with a tabby cat
A rabbit on a swing, a Netherland Dwarf 
A young black feline lazing about at home 
An animal kept solely for a person's companionship or amusement as opposed to use as a working animal, livestock, or laboratory animal is called a pet or companion animal. Popular pets are frequently seen to have relatable personalities, intelligence, and appealing/cute looks;

 yet, certain pets—like abandoned animals—may be adopted out of altruism and accepted by their owners despite lacking these qualities. 

Dogs and cats are two of the most common types of pets. 

Rabbits, ferrets, pigs, and rodents like gerbils, hamsters, chinchillas, rats, mice, and guinea pigs are among the other animals that are frequently kept.

 Birds like parrots, passerines, and fowls are among the reptiles, along with aquatic pets like fish, freshwater and saltwater snails, amphibians like frogs and salamanders, and arthropod pets like tarantulas and hermit crabs. 

The largest companion animals belong to the equine and bovine category, while rodents are smaller companions.

Pets assist their guardians[1] in both mental and physical ways.

 Walking a dog can offer social connection, exercise, and fresh air to both the human and the dog. 

Individuals living alone or older folks who don't get enough social connection with others can get companionship from pets.

 A kind of therapy animals that have received medical approval is brought to see people who are restricted, such as elderly people living in nursing homes or youngsters in hospitals. 

In order to help patients reach particular physical, social, cognitive, or emotional goals, pet therapy makes use of trained animals and handlers.

The main reasons people get dogs are for company, security for their house or belongings, or just because they think the animals are gorgeous or charming.

[2] According to a Canadian research from 1994, the top three reasons people don't own pets are lack of time (28.6%), lack of appropriate housing (28.3%), and inability to care for a pet when traveling (34.6%), with pet hatred (19.6%) coming in last.

[2] Concerns regarding the lack of autonomy and objectification of non-human animals have been voiced by several academics, ethicists, and animal rights organizations in relation to pet ownership.[3]