Final answer:
The expected behaviors of pet owners are known as responsible pet ownership. This includes regular exercise, feeding, clean water, and vet check-ups, and it is influenced by cultural practices regarding the role of pets in society. Animal behavior in pets is shaped by both genetics and their interactions with humans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expected behaviors of a pet owner, such as giving regular exercise, feeding, providing clean water, and taking the pet for regular veterinarian check-ups, are traditionally referred to as responsible pet ownership. These practices stem from cultural norms around pet-keeping, which varies from culture to culture. In some cultures, animals like dogs may not be considered property but part of a mutual relationship. In contrast, others view pets as possessions that serve companionship roles and are dependent on humans for their wellbeing.
In Western societies, the concept of keeping animals has evolved, particularly since the 18th and 19th centuries, with pets predominantly being kept for companionship. This modern approach to pet keeping includes the domestication of animals such as dogs, who have been subject to selective breeding to produce specific traits that benefit human companionship.
Animal behavior is influenced by both nature and nurture. Animals that have been domesticated and are kept as pets in human societies may display behaviors that serve human purposes, like dogs sitting on command or cats hunting pests. These behaviors underscore the complex relationship between humans and animals, which is both culturally defined and individualized based on the pet-owner bond.