Most popular pets in the world in 2022

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1. Dogs

The number one position is occupied by the animal that we all know to be man’s best friend: the dog. Scientific name Canis lupus familiaris , dogs number about 470 million specimens worldwide.

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1. Dogs

It is a carnivorous mammal, belonging to the canine family, whose domestication dates back to about 15,000 years ago when humans began to domesticate wolves interested in the remains of food that people left in their wake.

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1. Dogs

Originally used for hunting and defense, with the passage of thousands of years and the use of artificial selection, dogs were divided into up to 343 currently recognized breeds, of all sizes, shapes and colors.

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1. Dogs

Among the smallest breeds we have Chihuahuas, weighing about 25 cm and weighing about 25 cm, and among the largest we have the Boxer, 63 cm tall and 33 kilos.

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1. Dogs

Generally, dogs are friendly, sociable, affectionate and highly intelligent animals. They are the perfect pet not only because of their loyalty, but also because they are very active, which forces us to take them out for a walk and play with them.

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1. Dogs

Thanks to this, dog owners do a little physical exercise, either just taking them for a walk, throwing a Frisbee or running.

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2. Cats

What to say about cats that we do not know? They are, along with dogs, the classic idea of ​​a pet. The Felis silvestris catus, of which are believed to be about 400 million copies worldwide, is an animal with all races, sizes and colors.

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2. Cats

L you are of all kinds, including hypoallergenic as the sphinx cat, cat Russian Blue and Siberian forest. The domestic cat is a carnivorous mammal, belonging to the feline family.

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2. Cats

On average, they live about 12 years, although there have been cases of kittens that have reached 20 years. They spend between 12 and 16 hours a day sleeping and, although they are usually sociable and playful, 

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2. Cats

they are not as faithful as dogs and, if we catch them wrong, they can scratch us for no reason. However, they are normally quite calm animals, ideal for those who want tranquility.

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3. Domestic fish

Here we already enter the major leagues. Freshwater fish are among the three most common animals in the world, in some cases the fourth most common choice as a pet.

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3. Domestic fish

These animals, in addition to providing company, are used in a similar way to how birds are kept, using them to decorate the house. Fish and aquariums are considered very relaxing elements and that is why many people incorporate them into their homes.

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3. Domestic fish

Among the most popular species of fish is the goldfish (Carassius auratus), which was first domesticated in China about 1,000 years ago.

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3. Domestic fish

This animal can live a long time as long as the water is changed frequently, it is well fed and it is not made to be accompanied by other fish that can attack it. They can live 30 years and there is even the case of a fish that reached 43.

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4. Hamsters

Hamsters fall in fourth place by the hair, since they are still considered one of the most common pets, competing with birds and fish alike. What we know as hamsters are actually a subfamily of rodents (Cricetinae), containing 19 species grouped into 7 genera.

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4. Hamsters

They can measure between 8 and 18 cm in length, weigh between 30 and 180 grams and live between a year and a half and 3 years. They are originally from the Middle East, being found for the first time in Syria.

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5. Birds

Birds are very common animals, especially canaries and parrots. It is believed that the first birds were domesticated about 4,000 ago for the purpose of using them for hunting.

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5. Birds

Over time, thousands of birds of all types and colors that we can imagine have been domesticated. The main reason why birds are acquired is for their beauty and their song, locking them in cages.

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5. Birds

It is important to understand that depending on the species, the cage may be too small, causing stress and even causing strange behaviors, as is the case of carolinas that when locked up can begin to pluck feathers, causing blood.

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5. Birds

Without going into the debate of why having caged animals to sing is bad for us, it is important to understand that they are birds, they need to fly and that the decision to buy one must be thought through very well.

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5. Birds

If the bird is well cared for, allowed to fly in a large enough space and is fed well, it can live for dozens of years depending on its species.

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6. Mice and rats

Mice and rats are the most widespread mammals in the world, after humans. Domesticated mice originate from China, a country where these rodents were kept in palaces during the Qing dynasty.

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6. Mice and rats

Mice are part of the genus Mus, while rats are of the genus Rattus. Both genera contain a multitude of species. In the case of the genus Mus, the most common species of mouse is the domestic mouse (Mus musculus), 

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6. Mice and rats

which usually measures between 15 and 19 cm with the tail included, weighing between 12 and 40 grams and generally feeds on seeds, small plants and insects.

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6. Mice and rats

In the case of rats, the most common domestic species is the domesticated brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus ), this variety being different from that of its wild relatives.

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6. Mice and rats

Contrary to what many may believe, they are animals that do not pose any risk to the human species if they are well fed and dewormed. They measure between 26 and 32 cm and weigh about 300 grams. 

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6. Mice and rats

Their main utility throughout the last century has been to be used as subjects for animal experimentation.

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7. Guinea pigs

The guinea pig ( Cavia porcellus ) is a very comfortable pet to keep. It is a herbivorous rodent, the result of the crossing of several species of the genus Cavia over thousands of years, 

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7. Guinea pigs

which generally lives between 4 and 8 years and can measure between 20 and 40 cm, weighing 1 kg. There are believed to be about 5 million guinea pigs as companion animals around the world.

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8. Snakes

Snakes, more exotic than iguanas, have become very popular animals, especially among those with a lot of money. There are all types and colors, poisonous, non-poisonous, large, small, brightly colored…

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8. Snakes

But as a general rule those sold in specialized stores are not dangerous for human beings, although it should be noted that they are not fully domesticated animals, only those specimens that have been bred in captivity.

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8. Snakes

If we are going to acquire a snake we must be careful, since they are still reptiles and as such they do not respond to stimuli as we mammals do.

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8. Snakes

Therefore, before buying a snake, we must document ourselves about the species, especially since they can live up to 40 years, require very specific care and, although they are harmless species for an adult, they can be dangerous for other pets and babies.

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9. Iguanas

The common iguana (Iguana iguana) is one of the reptiles that has been gaining more popularity in recent decades. It is a lizard native to tropical areas of Central America, South America and the Caribbean, which, being so exotic, have attracted the attention of many people.

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9. Iguanas

They are so popular as pets, not only because they are quite original pets, but also because they do not give too many problems. Despite what their face of bad smoke may give us to understand, in reality iguanas are calm animals, quite lazy, 

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9. Iguanas

and what they like the most is being in their terrarium at a suitable temperature and with a solar lamp. If they are well cared for, they can reach 20 years of age.

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9. Iguanas

Although their nature is rather passive, enjoying the sun lying on a log, they are not animals to touch their noses. Normally we catch them quite calm, but we must bear in mind that adults can reach 1.8 meters, with tails that they use to hit painful lashes.

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9. Iguanas

In addition, adult specimens have a powerful bite that, although they will not tear our skin, it will undoubtedly hurt us.

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10. Ferrets

The ferret, whose scientific name is Mustela putorius furo , is a subspecies of polecat (Mustela putorius) that is believed to have been domesticated about 2,500 years ago to hunt rabbits. This animal usually weighs between 0.7 and 2.5 kg, measuring about 38 cm.

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10. Ferrets

Ferrets began to become popular pets during the reign of Victoria of the United Kingdom (1840-1901) who gave them away to those who visited her. This curious real anecdote made, over time, ferrets became highly demanded animals, 

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10. Ferrets

and today they are highly acquired in places like the United States, being the third most popular pet. The reason they are so popular is that they are regarded as a kind of cat-dog.

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10. Ferrets

They sleep as much as cats, or even more, getting to spend 20 hours a day of sleep, but at the same time they are as playful and sociable as dogs. In addition, their small size makes them easy to control, although sometimes they are a bit fidgety.

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