Is a fish a pet?

[Mr. Ected]

And while we're at it, what exactly makes a pet a pet?

Dogs and cats, it's easy: you can look them in the eyes and they look back, they have personalities, you develop a relationship.

But what about fish, lizards, snakes, gerbils, rabbits, etc.?

Do these animals actually belong in Petsmart?

[TZ]

1. I had a pet garter snake once.

quite friendly as it was hand raised. You'd be surprised how nice some of these non-traditonal pets can be...

[charlie and algernon]

2. Lizards have personalities

I've had two Bearded Dragons at different times and they couldn't be more different from eachother. One was very friendly and allowed himself to be carried around, petted, etc. The other was more standoff-ish and preferred to be left alone unless you were bringing him food.

[DarkTirade]

11. Even frogs can have distinct personalities.

They may not be smart enough to do it on purpose, but they still do. :)

[suninvited]

3. I have had or known someone who had all of those things

and I think they all have personalities, with fish and snakes having the least.

Rabbits really have a lot of personality and so do gerbils and lizards.

[MineralMan]

4. Fish have individual personalities, although

it takes some time to recognize the differences. Go spend some time at a koi pond and feed the fish from your hand. You'll soon see the differences between individual fish, and they'll recognize you.

[mix]

5. i think so

my niece (5) and nephew (2) have one, their first animal...a pet is an animal one has an emotional attachment to (and vice-versa)...fishes are a little more distant, but it clearly reacts to their presence and they love and care for it

[HopeHoops]

6. Absolutely - mine's name is Sweetie - a White Cloud (also called Mountain Minnow).

She is very responsive, and not just to food. There's a lot more going on in there than we tend to give them credit for.

[Richardo]

7. Fish are furniture. Maybe art.

I'm a chauvinist, I admit, but to me a real pet must at least be in the class Mammalia.

[mix]

8. yeah !

[Richardo]

9. Now *that's* what I'm talkin' about!

:thumbsup:

[pokerfan]

16. So by that definition

a bird can't be a real pet?

[Richardo]

17. I told you I was chauvinistic about it, so: Yes.

I don't consider birds real pets. Or reptiles. Or fish.

(And my brother owns birds so he and I disagree)

[NJmaverick]

10. Yes fish are pets, but dogs and cats are more than that

they are companions.

[bigwillq]

12. Yes

All those animals listed above are pets.

[surrealAmerican]

13. Only if you keep it in your home ...

... and have no intention of eating it.

[Kali]

14. I think so.

I have had all of those. Some have more ability to interact with you than others but they were all pets in my mind.

[Bertha Venation]

15. I think fish are pets, and here's why (completely subjective):

I care for them. I feed them, watch out for diseases, change their water, keep the water warm enough, etc.

I name them. Yes, all the times that I have had fish, I have named the fish.

I grieve when they die. Yes, with tears and real sorrow. Real grieving.

These are the reasons I think they're pets.

Pets don't have to bond with you; they don't have to be warm & fuzzy & affectionate.