Should animals be called 'pets'?

A British academic has led a claim that animals should not be referred to as "pets" because it is insulting to them.

Instead of calling furry friends their pets, people should also refer to themselves as "human carers" instead of owners, according to a publication released by the Oxford Centre of Animal Ethics.

Edited by director of the institution, the Rev Professor Andrew Linzey, the use of words such as "critter", "beast" and "wildlife" is also derogatory and can affect animals' wellbeing.

He also claims that phrases like "eat like a pig" and "drunk as a skunk" should be banned.