Some people consider owning a pet to be a luxury.
But the benefits of owning a pet can outweigh the costs. For many others, pets offer companionship, love, and protection, and that makes them worth it. Nationwide, there's an average of 2.1 cats and 1.6 dogs per household, so a lot of people agree. And owning a pet doesn't have to be expensive. But birds, fish, crabs, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals can all be great pets.