Which companion animals are domesticated?

[SemiCharmedQuark]

Dogs, cats, ferrets...any others?

[RebelOne]

1. Rabbits, rats, mice, pot-bellied pigs, snakes

[flvegan]

2. That depends

On the definition of "companion animal" I think. To me, companion animals are animals that were (I shudder to use the word) created to be just that, human companions, both working and cohabitating on a higher level, so to speak, than livestock. To others, companion animal is any animal we can buy as a pet and keep around, to wit, we'd have to include fish. Or, maybe it would be any animal that LIKES to be around humans, that we can have as a pet (hamsters, mice and rats spend their entire lives trying to figure out how to get the hell AWAY from us).

I'd say that IMO, per my definition, dogs and cats are the only truly domesticated animals out there, though you can certainly train others to live as such.

[RebelOne]

3. Rabbits make excellent pets.

I have had two. And was even able to train them to use a litter box.

[flvegan]

4. We have a rescue bunny here, too, and I agree

they make good pets. We had two, one recently passed. However, they'd really like nothing more than to make a mad dash for the door. Really, I know this. I speak bunny and bunny-latin.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

5. But ferrets have been domesticated for at least 1000 years

I ask because recently on TV there has been a campaign against the exotics. I believe it's being put through by Martin Sheen (maybe?)

[Lorien]

7. More than 1000 years, I believe

in some areas (like Northern Europe) the ferret has been domesticated longer than the cat!

Horses should also be considered "companion' animals-even though they are generally considered "working" animals. Most horses form a close bond with their people and other pets. Some wild animals are 'semi-domesticated"; African servals often live in small villages and some will consent to being housecats, and some species of monkeys in India have a similar relationship with people.The exotic pet trade is a real problem in this country, especially where big cats and rare parrots are concerned.

Learn more at www.bigcatrescue.org

[Warpy]

6. I'm not sure you can call cats domesticated

Most cat people have adapted to the needs of the cat, not the other way around.

However, they're the only animal that actually seems to like being around us, as evidenced by the stories of stray feral kitties adopting primates in zoos.

And yes, I'm presently owned by two rescued kitties from the humane association.