introduction to animal science pets and companion animals

Introduction to Animal Introduction to Animal ScienceScience

Pets and Companion AnimalsPets and Companion Animals

Companion AnimalsCompanion Animals

Our relationships with companion animals contribute to our physical, mental, emotional and social health.

Support IndustriesSupport Industries

pet food $10 billionpet food $10 billion– $700 billion to other countries$700 billion to other countries

veterinary expenditures $14.6 billionveterinary expenditures $14.6 billion pet care productspet care products pet trainingpet training shows and trialsshows and trials service and therapy dogsservice and therapy dogs humane societieshumane societies

Role of Companion AnimalsRole of Companion Animals

pets vs livestockpets vs livestock– pleasure vs utilitypleasure vs utility

not all “companion” species qualify not all “companion” species qualify as petsas pets– barn catsbarn cats

not all livestock species qualify as not all livestock species qualify as utilityutility

pets: 6 categoriespets: 6 categories

OrnamentsOrnaments

decorativedecorative seldom handledseldom handled sometimes namedsometimes named brightly colored birds/fishbrightly colored birds/fish not generally considered not generally considered

companion animalscompanion animals

Status SymbolsStatus Symbols

origins are tribalorigins are tribal rare and unusualrare and unusual

– expensiveexpensive– prestigeprestige

admired and cared foradmired and cared for– may not last longmay not last long

poisonous snakes, big cats, vicious dogs, poisonous snakes, big cats, vicious dogs, wolveswolves

PlaythingsPlaythings sport and recreation for adultssport and recreation for adults living toys for small childrenliving toys for small children during its prime, it may be the during its prime, it may be the

object of considerable attention, object of considerable attention, but may be discardedbut may be discarded

temporary, short-lived temporary, short-lived

enthusiasmenthusiasm may even be destroyedmay even be destroyed

displayed in organized showsdisplayed in organized shows collecting and breeding collecting and breeding often belongs to clubs and societiesoften belongs to clubs and societies

– meet to display and show pride in collectionsmeet to display and show pride in collections complex ownerscomplex owners

– knowledgeknowledge– animals well cared foranimals well cared for– sometimes just a prizesometimes just a prize

HobbiesHobbies

perform vital servicesperform vital services complex relationshipscomplex relationships 9% population with handicap9% population with handicap

Workers and HelpersWorkers and Helpers

Often held in very high regard long after they areno longer able to provide their service.

CompanionsCompanions

perceived as a subject not an perceived as a subject not an objectobject

physical qualities irrelevantphysical qualities irrelevant relationship is importantrelationship is important

– family memberfamily member– childchild– friendfriend– servantservant– partnershippartnership

Form durable bondsForm durable bonds powerful non-verbal powerful non-verbal

communicationcommunication– postures, gestures, postures, gestures, – facial signals, soundsfacial signals, sounds

anthropomorphismanthropomorphism

Why are dogs and cats such Why are dogs and cats such suitable companion animals?suitable companion animals?

60 million cats60 million cats 53 million dogs53 million dogs 17 million birds17 million birds 55 million fish55 million fish .8 million ferrets.8 million ferrets 5 million rabbits5 million rabbits 2 million hamsters2 million hamsters Total = 206 million petsTotal = 206 million pets

Common SpeciesCommon Species