Maya Pets and Animals...

The Xoloitzcuintli hairless dog.

There is not a great deal of evidence for the widespread domestication of animals in Mesoamerica. However, there is evidence of some animals being fed on Maize which points to their domestication...
Dogs
The Maya have an unusual relationship with dogs. The Xoloitzcuinti hairless dog was said to guide its owner through the underworld after death by holding onto its tail. This good deed doesn't seem to have stopped the living ancient Maya from eating these helpful canine souls!
That's not their only interaction with the ancient Maya. Dogs found buried near a temple in Seibal (nearly 100 km from their original highland home) suggest that they had a ceremonial role for some Maya.
Cats (well, jaguars and pumas)
The jaguar was a powerful symbol of Xibalba (the underworld). Yet its ritual importance didn't save it from being caught, along with puma to be paraded around or its body parts to be used in rituals.
Many animals of Mesoamerica (as with all civiliations) were managed by humans to be used for many purposes including as food, for display, as part of rituals or clothing and trade. These animals include, turkeys, deer, dogs, jaguar, bees and rabbits to name but a few.

To find our more about ancient Maya animals, have a look at our KS2 Maya workshop
Mayan