Question: why are humans the only creatures who have pets?

Christina Pagel answered on 26 Jun 2013:

Good question!
I suppose for the same reason that most animals don’t use tools… humans started domesticating animals to fulfill a purpose (e.g. provide meat,milk, wool, rat catching etc) and that came long after we’ developed intelligence, tool making and complex social structures. Later came the strong bond many people feel for their pets.

I think for other animals to have pets, they’d need to understand about the different species and have the intelligence to want to use other animals for their own benefit – and they’d need to be able to offer those animals food, water and shelter! At the moment i don’t think any animals have the intelligence (or the need) to do that…

Having said that, some animals work well together (there’s a little bird that helps hippos clean their teeth! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwK4yJ6tTmc )

Also there are stories of animals making really strong friendships with animals from other species… There’s a famous gorilla that loves cats! So maybe that’s the closest another animal has come to having a pet!! Here’s a really sweet video about Koko’s relationship with her cat:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066018_2066006_2066030,00.html