7 Most Popular Animals American People Keep as Pets

The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) was domesticated in Peru 3,000 years ago. Guinea pigs, like rabbits, were bred as food and became pets in the 19th century.

Guinea Pig

Fish are fantastic low-maintenance pets. They require little maintenance beyond feeding and tank cleaning. With their long, multicolored fins, betta fish

Betta Fish

Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are cute and entertaining reptiles. First, their leopard-like markings and pink tongues make them adorable.

Leopard Gecko

One of the most significant lizard pets is a bearded dragon. Bearded dragons are placid and interested about their surroundings.

Bearded Dragon

After dogs, cats (Felis catus) are the second most popular pet in the United States. According to the American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey, 46.5 million U.S. households have a cat.

Cat

Most pet dogs are loving (they follow us around), so you'll need to spend time with them to keep them healthy. Dogs may bark, snarl, and bite when threatened.

Dog

Although they were first brought into domestication for food thousands of years ago, rabbits make wonderful pets today. Domestic rabbits come in 50 strains, all descended from the European rabbit

Rabbit