What Is a Pet?

A pet is a domesticated animal, usually a dog or cat, kept primarily for companionship and enjoyment. People also use the word pet to describe something cherished or indulged in, such as a child's favorite toy. It is an acceptable form of pet to refer to a person as well, as in "The teacher's pet was the tall boy."A common type of pet is the dog. Depending on the breed, dogs can provide emotional and physical support to their owners. They can...