Pets Americans Owners Buy Food Alike Family Human

Many Americans have "pets" (animals that live in their homes and are treated as friends). Often they treat their pets as family members or even as children, giving them all the love, attention, and things that other people might give to their human family members. Americans "pamper" (make someone feel as comfortable as possible) their pets in many ways, and spend a lot of money doing so.

Americans often pamper their pets by taking them to "salons" (businesses that improve one's appearance) that wash, dry, and cut their pets' "fur" (the hair that grows on an animal), "clip" (cut) their toenails, and even put "bows" (long, thin, colored pieces of fabric tied in a pretty way) in their fur. Some pet owners also buy clothing for their pets, such as special jackets or sweaters to keep their dogs warm. "Wealthy" (with lots of money) owners sometimes buy "collars" (pieces of leather put around a pet's neck) that have diamonds or other expensive jewels in them.

Some pet owners buy "fancy" (very nice and expensive) toys for their pets to play with. Other owners pay for "doggie school classes" where their dogs are taught "to do tricks" such as to sit, roll over, and "shake" (hold one "paw" (foot) in the air for a human to hold and move up and down, as if shaking hands).

Many Americans also buy expensive, "gourmet" (very good tasting) food for their pets, even though it might cost as much as (or more than!) regular food for humans. Some of these pets eat their food out of very expensive "food and water bowls" (dishes that are placed on the ground to feed animals) and then go to sleep on soft beds of their own.