What makes a good pet? Phoenix Zoo expert weighs in

As pet ownership continues to grow in the United States, the question of what makes a good pet is becoming more relevant than ever. Experts say the best companions are animals that are naturally social, adaptable to home life and capable of forming bonds with humans.

Joaquin Hidalgo from the Phoenix Zoo explained the key qualities of a good pet and explain why some animals should never be kept in homes. Hidalgo brought with him Linguine, a black-foot ferret that lives at the zoo.

“[Linguine’s] legal to own in Arizona but, funny enough, he’s illegal to own in states like California or Hawaii,” Hidalgo said. “He’s ultimately harmless to people, however, to livestock [ferrets] could potentially be menaces to chickens or other native species. So those states have some protections just in case [a ferret] were to get loose.”

Despite state legislative preventions, ferrets do make good pets for people seeking an active and playful furry friend, according to Hidalgo. He added, “They’re a big responsibility, you know. For one, they’re quite pungent, they’re smelly little things. So if you want to have a good smelling house I wouldn’t recommend having a ferret.

However, not all animals are suited for life as pets. Many species struggle when removed from their natural habitats, even if raised in captivity from a young age. Wild animals, in particular, tend to retain their instincts, making them unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. In some cases, keeping these animals can pose serious risks to both owners and the animals themselves, as they often fail to thrive outside the wild.

The question still remains; what makes a good pet?

“I guess it depends on who you ask because a lot of folks love their big snakes, they love to have their dogs and their cats,” Hidalgo said. “To someone a big snake may not be a great pet, but [snakes are] also low maintenance. Verses a dog, who you have to take out for walks, but that’s more commonly seen as a good pet.”

Hidalgo lists three big factors when it comes to what makes a good pet: legality and ethically safe to own, what is the owner willing to be responsible into caring for the animal, and lastly individual person’s taste of animals companionship.

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