Most of us go about our day without considering our encounters with domesticated animals: our pet dog, the horse we rode on the beach, the cow we just had for lunch. Yet animal domestication has played a significant role in our lives. “The history of domestication is interesting because it changed human history.
The domestication of animals was important enough to have happened in many places and for different species rather than just once,” said Kim Worley, Associate Professor in the department of molecular and human genetics at the Baylor College of Medicine. Questions of why, how, and especially when animals became domesticated have intrigued scientists for years.

There are many benefits to owning pets. Whether you hope to teach your children responsibility, are looking for companionship, for anxiety relief, or seeking out a new hobby, owning a pet is remarkably rewarding. While there are many different types of animals you can choose when searching for your perfect pet, the 10 best animals to keep as pets listed below are some of the most popular and are a great place to start your search.