According to the 2019 National Pet Owners survey, approximately 67 percent of people in the United States own a pet. People keep them because they comforting companions, for socializing or as a status symbol. Other people own pets because they are beautiful, nice and interesting.From dogs, cats and guinea pigs to rabbits, fancy rats and hamsters, the world is full of affectionate creatures looking owners to love or simply a place to call home. Here is a quick breakdown of 15 most affectionate and friendly pets you should keep at home.

1. Cats

Cats demonstrate their warm feelings and friendliness toward people in loud, boisterous ways. Some of the common ways for cats show affection include snuggling, licking, purring, rubbing up against you, head bunting, grooming, playing games, sitting on your lap or following you around. For instance, if cats stare at you, open their eyes and then blink, they are telling you that they love and trust you. It is a sign of affection, equivalent of being kissed.While cats have unique and special personalities, not all of them are affectionate. Some of the most affectionate cat breeds that actually love to cuddle include Scottish Fold, Siamese, Ragdoll, Tonkinese, Sphynx, Birman, Burmese, and Kurilian Bobtail.

2. Dogs

Whilst it is easy for people to say that they love their dogs, dogs show their affection through body language and actions. Dogs will show their affection or friendly side by resting a nose or paw on you, curling up in your lap or leaning against you. They also show their affection by sleeping besides you, wagging their tails in a friendly way or nudging you with their nose when they are close to you.Although nearly all dogs are considered to be affectionate, some breeds take the cake when it comes to providing loving their owners. These breeds include Bichon Frise, Collie, Pomeranian, Golden Retriever, English toy spaniel, Papillon and American Eskimo Dog.

3. Rabbits

Rabbits, among all pets that you can keep at home, have strikingly distinctive personalities. They can be as openly affectionate as dogs, as fascinating as cats and as playful and silly as kittens. Ask any person who keep a rabbit at home as a pet, they will tell you that they adore human company.A wide range of rabbit breeds are very loving toward their owners. Rex, Harlequins, Polish, and Mini Lop and Lionheads rabbits are particularly cuddly and the most affectionate of all breeds. Chinchilla, Himalayan, Jersey Wooly and Dutch breeds are easy-going and cheerfully tolerate cuddling.

4. Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs also fall into this list of the most affectionate pets to keep at home. They mostly show affection through popcorning. This move involve running all around the house, jumping in the air, landing on all fours, bouncing up in the air again and turning the other way. They also show affection through licking your finger or standing on the hind legs when you stare at them.Just keep in mind that their level of affection varies depending on your behavior or the relationship you establish with them. So if you want your guinea pig to show affection and love towards you, you have to learn proper techniques of treating, handling and raising them.

5. Hamsters

Hamsters have a powerful sense of smell but poor eyesight. It is through their sense of smell that they bond with their owners. Hamsters can develop trust and love for their owners if they are treated properly. However, it takes time for them to recognize and develop affection towards their owners. You will therefore need to learn how to make your hamster recognize and love you.All species of hamster can demonstrate their warm feelings and friendliness towards their owner. The friendliest species include Syrian Hamsters, Chinese Hamsters, and Dwarf Hamsters. Some owners report that Roborovskis don’t bond well with their owners and that they are one of the harder species to tame.

6. Fancy Rats

Rats, especially, fancy rats, can make adorable loving pets. And compared to other rodents, rats are less likely to bite compared to hamsters and tidier than guinea pigs. In fact, some species are smart and more intelligent compared to dogs and cats.In contrast to their unpleasant reputation, they are playful, sociable and affectionate. Rats show affection through playing games, licking your hands, sitting on your shoulder, snuggling, squealing or following you around. They love human companionship because they are social animals. It is, therefore, important to reciprocate whenever a rat shows affection towards you.

7. Ferrets

Ferrets are some of the most mischievous pets you can keep at home. They are undeniably spunky, adorable, playful, friendly, affectionate and extremely loyal to their owners. They are entertaining little animals that can bring endless enjoyment to your family. That’s not all. If you are stressed, watching them play can lift your mood no matter what.Because ferrets are playful and full of energy, it is recommended you provide them with plenty of ferret toys such as chew toys, tunnels, balls with bells, ball pits and soft balls made from fleece. It is also best to use challenging games and puzzles when playing with your ferrets.

8. Chinchillas

Chinchillas Willow and Gizmo at East Road Pets in Invercargill yesterday. PHOTO: SHARON REECE

Chinchillas are social and affectionate animals that can bond closely with their owners. They like to be held close and cuddled by their owners. They enjoy social interaction and grow to trust and love their owners and other members of the family.Chinchillas show their affection in different ways. This include jumping and climbing all over you, making squeaks and noises towards you, eagerly exiting their cage for playtime, nibbling or attempting to groom you. If your chinchilla gets comfortable, feel relaxed and almost dozes off with you, it is a clear sign of affection.

9. Parrots

Parrots show affection like dogs or cats do. They can be very rewarding to you due to their intelligence and desire to interact with people. Many species of parrots are very affectionate, friendly and even cuddly with people they trust. For instance, cockatoos have the reputation for being the most affectionate out of the different types of parrots in the world.Just like other pets, parrots require a lot of attention from their owners. So after purchasing your parrot, keep in mind that for the healthiest and long lasting relationship, try to be closer and interact with the bird all the time.

10. Turtles

Turtles show affection so differently compared to other pets. For instance, they won’t run to you to get cuddled just like dogs and cats do. Instead, they will sit pretty cool in one place and enjoy your presence. In fact, they like watching humans whenever they feel affectionate.A long, stretched out neck whenever they are around you sometimes indicates a desire to be rubbed or scratched. This is a sure sign of affection when the turtle lean into your touch and closes their eyes. While turtles don’t jump up and down, they get a little excited when you first enter the room.

11. Pot-Bellied Pigs

Pot-bellied pigs also make wonderful pets. In addition to being smart and intelligent, they are known to be sensitive, playful and creative. They learn quickly, remembers everything they learn, and are able to deduce.What makes them popular among pet lovers is their affection. They are affectionate animals that enjoy human contact. They show affection in different ways. For instance, they may sit in your lap for a belly rub. They also show their affection through cuddling, snout kissing, nudging or sometimes lick you to express their fondness towards you.

12. Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders are playful and entertaining pets you can also keep at home. Regular human interaction is required to keep them friendly. They bond quickly with their owners and the owners family members. Interestingly, sugar gliders are also extremely affectionate and social creatures when properly taken care of and handled.Some of the problem of keeping sugar gliders as pets is that they are nocturnal pets so you will need to spend considerable time during the night to stay with them. If you don’t monitor them, they can get into hard to reach places around your home.

13. Lizards

Lizards can be affectionate and lovable companions you can ever have in your home. They can live for many years so long as you provide them with their basic needs, which include UV light, heat, spacious houses. They like showing their affection through climbing up and clinging on your clothes.They make the best pets thanks to their awesomely expressive faces, surprisingly easy to look after and come in all different shapes and sizes. Lizards also have the best personalities compared to most pets that we have not mentioned in this article.

14. Snakes

Snakes also fall in this group of pets that are affectionate. They enjoy human contact or being handled. For instance, ball pythons show their affection by curling their bodies into a ball around their owner’s pas or hands. They do this to enjoy the warmth from their owners’ bodies.King snake and corn snake are also popular pet snakes that like to be handled by their owners. When buying a pet snake, just keep in mind that not all species that enjoy human contact or being handled.

15. Hedgehogs

Domesticates hedgehog are also full of affection when cuddled. When they are nervous or sense danger, they curl up tightly in a ball. However, if you take care of your hedgehog, you will find them extremely loving and affectionate.They are a perfect choice for those who have time to train their pets or looking for a unique pet to interact with. One of the drawbacks of having hedgehogs is that it is difficult to find a veterinarian to treat or vaccinate them.Teaching A Pet How To Be Affectionate With all of these pet choices, you need to keep in mind that some pets such as dogs and cats are naturally affectionate while others need more time before they become affectionate. That said, below are some of the things you can do to make your pet affectionate.

• Make sure the pet is used to your presence or family without handling them
• If the pet has just arrived in your home, sit quietly next to them and give them time to know you.
• Speak in a relaxed soothing tone. A loud tone will make your pet frightened or keep away from you.
• Once the pet is relaxed in your presence, you can now start to touch it gently.
• Know the parts of the body that need to be touched. For instance, lizards like to be touched gently underneath.
• If your pet is anxious or nervous, make sure you help them improve their mood and reduce stress.
• Lift the pet slowly while supporting their weight. If the pet is small, carry it in your hand, bring it slowly closer to your face and then cuddle it.
• Learn about the pet’s body language and respect the physical or emotional signals that they give you.
• Allowing your pet to eat from your hand is also another way of making them affectionate.

Conclusion It is no secret that keeping pets at home and cuddling them is an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding experience. If you take care of their needs and establish a good relationship with them, they can provide you with love, affection, and companionship you need.If you are planning to buy the most affectionate pet, you will need to conduct proper research prior to purchase. You need to determine what type of pet you want and whether you are ready to meet their ever-demanding needs. It is also important to understand local regulations regarding pets to ensure you have the legal backing for the pet that you want to purchase.If you keep any other pet at home that shows you affection, feel free to let us know in the comment section below. We will be glad to inform the world about it.