Complicated questions

I would have interpreted the question as 'Why are there animals (in the world) , which was the one I answered.

The “why” question is often just a way of children saying “tell me about ......”
She sounds a very bright little girl!

Be prepared for even more complicated questions Kaytee . At 3 my son asked the assistant behind the meat counter
“ How do they get the meat off the animal without hurt it ? “

Needless to say she was speechless and left it to me to answer.

Perhaps she's pondering the deep meaning of life - I often used to wonder and ask DH why are we - meaning, why are we here? Why are we what we are, and why is life? A great mystery.... DH didn't know either.

Every animal has a place in this world and contributes to it. Without bees, plants would not get pollinated and we would not have many of the things we eat. Dogs and cats make lovely pets and make many people very happy, chickens provide eggs and all the animals and insect all have their own part to play in making our our farms, fields and countryside look as lovely as it does.

I leave you to think about explaining how animals are kept as meat. I am an omnivore so no hidden meanings.

Another thing - if she's asking other people it could be that she's discovered it's sure to get the adult's attention .

Maybe she's heard adults talking and saying something like "they behave like animals".
I which case, it's difficult to explain to a young child of her age.

She seems to know all the different types of animals, and can name many of them. Has been asking a similar question of her nursery. Jane will try that one thank you ?

Yes Ellan that’s what I thought too.

Perhaps meant as " what are animals ?"

We're all animals. Just different sorts of animals like there are different sorts of plants from trees to flowers. Is that any good?

Farm animals is food
Pet animals is ?
Small animals is for feeding big animals

Cute