Best House Pets: Finding the Perfect Companion and Friend
Whether you are looking for a house pet based on space or just not sure what type of pet you would like to get, this list of the best house pets is going to provide you a variety of house friendly pets to choose from.
In this list, we have showcased a variety of pets, including tried and true pet favorites and some more exotic pets. So hopefully, you will be able to find your next furry, scaly, or slimy best friend!
Also, if you have personal experience with one of the house pets on our list, please provide us with your pet perspective – you may help someone find his or her perfect friend!
Top 25 House Pets:
1. Persian Cat
Level of Care: Moderate
Pet Size: Between 7-12 pounds and 10-15 inches tall.
About House Pet: Docile, yet playful, the Persian Cat gets along quite well with children and other pets. Persians also enjoy human attention, making them an ideal house pet for owners who like to spoil their pets. The long hair of the Persian, however, does require regular grooming.
2. Ferret
Level of Care: Moderate-High
Pet Size: Between 1.5-4.4 pounds and 15 inches long (not counting tail).
About House Pet: Looking at a ferret, you will quickly realize that along with being cute, they are also very intelligent. Not only attractive and intelligent, but ferrets can also be very sociable, friendly, and affectionate if trained correctly. Ferrets will require some ferret-proofing to your house, but they can be litter trained, are easy to feed, and are able to get the needed exercise running around your home.
3. Siamese Fighting Fish
Level of Care: Low
Pet Size: 6.5 centimeters
About House Pet: One of the easiest house pets on this list, Siamese Fighting Fish, make an excellent house companion. With a variety of different colors and patterns, these pet fish can be stunning to look at. Unfortunately, though, these fish do not get along well with each other, and males cannot be kept in the same tank without a divider. Along with the Siamese Fighting Fish, there are also a number of other cool freshwater fish that would also make excellent house pets as well.
4. Hedgehog
Level of Care: Low-Moderate
Pet Size: Between 0.5-2.6 pounds and 5-12 inches long.
About House Pet: When you think of a hedgehog, you may not immediately think house pet, but if you are looking for something different than a guinea pig, gerbil, etc. a hedgehog is going to make a great option. Hedgehogs are not going to be large and will not need an expansive cage to live in. They do have prickly needles but can be held with a little bit of training.
5. Hermit Crab
Level of Care: Low
Pet Size: Range from a few centimeters to the size of a coconut.
About House Pet: Hermit crabs can make the perfect housemate as they are small and easy to take care of. They do require a heated cage and do best with several other hermit crab roommates, but outside of regular feeding and an occasional cage cleaning, Hermit crabs are pretty low maintenance.
6. Sugar Glider
Level of Care: Moderate-High
Pet Size: Around 4 ounces in weight and 6 inches in length.
About House Pet: It may surprise you to learn that sugar gliders are in the same family as the kangaroo and the koala bear. Sugar gliders are not part of the rodent family and are considered to be as smart as some dog breeds, which means that if appropriately trained, they will come when called and can even do tricks. Sugar gliders are also known to bond with their owners and even other pets that you may have.
7. Gerbil
Level of Care: Low
Pet Size: Around 2 ounces in weight and between 4-8 inches in length.
About House Pet: If you are looking for a smaller pet that is also very friendly, a Gerbil may be the right choice for you. After gaining their trust, you will be able to pick up and handle your gerbil. Gerbils do not require ample cage space either. As long as you have an exercise ball in the cage so that they can let out all of their energy, they will be good to go.
8. Rabbit
Level of Care: Moderate
Pet Size: Between 2-6 pounds and 13-20 inches.
About House Pet: Rabbits are going to require a little more maintenance than some of the house pets on this list, but they are very social and enjoy human interaction. So if you are looking for a pet to interact with consistently that is of a smaller size, a Rabbit may be the perfect choice for you.
9. Parakeet
Level of Care: Moderate-High
Pet Size: Ranges from 9-17 inches long.
About House Pet: If you are thinking of parakeets as a stay-in-the-cage bird, you would be wrong. After bird-proofing your home, of course, you will be able to let out your parakeet, and they will be able to get all the exercise that they need inside your home. They are also very sociable and, after a while, may prefer to sit on your shoulder. Parakeets are also very smart and can mimic a variety of words as well.
10. Chinchilla
Level of Care: Moderate
Pet Size: Between 1-3 pounds and 8-15 inches.
About House Pet: The Chinchilla is an interesting pet that requires a minimal amount of maintenance. They have a soft plush fur and do not put off an unpleasant smell as some rodents do. Chinchillas are also very curious. Chinchillas do need a little bit larger of a cage to live in, but they are easy to entertain, feed, and take care of, if done the correct way.
11. Teacup Pig
Level of Care: High
Pet Size: Between 100-200 pounds (full-grown) and 18-28 inches in height.
About House Pet: Just looking at a Teacup Pig, it is hard to imagine how anyone wouldn’t want one; they are so cute! Teacup Pigs are smart too, they can be litter box trained, and some even enjoy watching TV. Teacup pigs are also able to get along with other animals as well, so their best friend may be your cat or dog.
12. Ragdoll Cat
Level of Care: Moderate
Pet Size: Between 10-20 pounds and 38-58 centimeters in height.
About House Pet: More interested in their human owners than many other cat breeds, Ragdoll Cats are ideal house pets. Ragdolls are also low maintenance and well-behaved, and with their striking blue eyes, they are genuinely handsome house pets.
13. Pomeranian
Level of Care: High
Pet Size: Between 4-8 pounds and 8 inches in height.
About House Pet: Intelligent, affectionate, and lively, the Pomeranian is a lovable house pet. Its small size and thick coat make it well-suited for indoor living, and although small in size, the Pomeranian also makes an excellent watchdog. For even more cuteness, try styling your Pomeranian in some adorable dog clothes. And for even more great dog breed options, make sure you check out our list of the best dog breeds.
14. Syrian Hamster
Level of Care: Low
Pet Size: Between 120-125 grams and 5-7 inches in length.
About House Pet: A first-rate house pet for both children and adults, the Syrian Hamster is one of the most common hamster breeds. While most active during the night, they can be playful and energetic during daytime hours as well. The Syrian Hamster can be territorial; however, so a home away from other hamsters is ideal.
15. Bearded Dragon Lizard
Level of Care: Low
Pet Size: Between 0.6-1.1 pounds and 24 inches in length.
About House Pet: The Bearded Dragon Lizard does very well in captivity, and with its easy-going disposition, it makes an ideal house pet. The “Beardie,” as it is sometimes affectionately referred to, is also an omnivore, making feeding time more manageable. Its small size also means it can be comfortably housed in a medium-sized terrarium.
16. Painted Turtle
Level of Care: Low
Pet Size: 500 grams and 6-8 inches in length.
About House Pet: A beautiful and colorful animal, the Painted Turtle, is an aquatic turtle. As such, the Painted Turtle requires a larger tank with both wet and dry areas. With proper accommodations and care, however, the Painted Turtle can provide many years of enjoyment.
17. Guinea Pig
Level of Care: Low
Pet Size: Between 1.5-2.6 pounds and 8-10 inches in length.
About House Pet: Social and active, guinea pigs are usually good family pets. Although they require larger cages than most hamsters, guinea pigs are often quite tame. Guinea pigs also have a lifespan of 5-7 years, making them a relatively hardy house pet.
18. Canary
Level of Care: Moderate
Pet Size: Between 0.3-0.9 ounces and 4-5 inches.
About House Pet: Because they do not require much care, canaries are an ideal bird choice for new pet owners. Also, canaries are not very social birds; a single canary would be just fine by itself. For better quality singing, choose a male canary.
19. Pug
Level of Care: High
Pet Size: 2o pounds and 10-12 inches.
About House Pet: Loyal, animated, and well-behaved, the Pug is a great house pet. While Pugs are sometimes prone to health problems, they are not high maintenance in regards to exercise and grooming. Pugs also tend to adapt well to children, guests, and would pair well with a cat or some of the other house pets on this list.
20. Ball Python
Level of Care: Low
Pet Size: Between 3-10 pounds and 3-6 feet long.
About House Pet: Much smaller than other pythons, the Ball Python is docile, making it an ideal beginner snake. Ball Pythons also typically only need to be fed once a week, making them very low-maintenance.
Best House Pets Conclusion
Whether you are looking for something furry or slithery, this list of the best house pets should have you covered. Our goal with this list of the best pets was to provide some different animals that would not only be good housemates but also be on the easier side to take care of.
The animals listed above have different personalities, tendencies, and needs, so hopefully, one of these house pets is going to fall into precisely what you are looking for in a new roommate.
Still looking for more animal-related lists, make sure to visit our lists of the best dog toys and best dog food brands. If you do get a pup from this list, you will want to make sure it is taken care of with these two lists.
If you have had experience with one or more of these house pets, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
We have a 9 month old bearded dragon. We got him when he was two months old. He is 23 inches long and the most loving pet we have ever had. Almost more affectionate than our Maine coon/rag doll mix kitty. They are excellent pets. My only advice is do a lot of research before you get any pet. It is a lifetime commitment.
When my children were young we rescued a rat from a horrible home. He was an amazing pet. Loyal, loving, clean, smart. He played with our rescue dogs n would follow us like a puppy wanting to be picked up n loved. It saddens me that they have a bad image. It couldn’t be further from the truth. He never bit, loved baths, would ride n sleep with our kids n dogs. Potty trained. He had a huge cage but mostly we left the door open. He would come when called. He was the start of us owning many rats. Amazing pets. Highly recommend. Low maintenance with huge rewards.
what type? i’m trying to get one myself, i’m thinking about getting a german giant morph.
What about the African Grey Parrot the most heavily studied species of pet birds and has demonstrated a very high level of intelligence.
i have a parrot as well his breed is eclectus which really like fruit and it’s one of the most heavily recommended foods to give to an eclectus
Omg I love snakes 💓
i have a hamster shes about an year old. and she is a large siran fancy bear hamster
Please change your level of care on. Himalayan cat to “High”. The care of a Himalayan or Persian( in Europe Himmies are called “pointed Persians”. Coat care is expensive and daily. I would suggest someone who wants a little Easier cat, or a first cat owner consider an Exotic Shorthair!
Thanks for such great information as i am a technical person but love pets. I was going through organic search today and found that page which will be in my bookmark in next moments.
Please let me know if you have a premium subscription to take care of pets so i will get the complete package of information.
I have a golden doodle F1B. He is about 3 1/2 years old and is loyal and gentle. You should put golden doodles on your website because they are good family dogs. They can have gut issues but other than that our dong has been a good dog for us!
Dress up your dogs in dogas.store.
where does the dog fit in?
Conure with a Green Cheek Conure Parrots may be amusing and gregarious. They are, nevertheless, a little more shy than the other varieties of birds.
Thanks for adding chinchilla in the list
My kids kept a lot of small, cage pets through the years. Hamsters and guinea pigs were kind of boring. Our red-slider turtle lived a long time and could be taken outside. Our gerbil was more interesting to watch than to hold. The ball python has been our most low-maintenance pet and is very gentle; they can be picky eaters though. However, rats have been the all-time favorite of all my kids because they are so friendly. Typically, you will get healthier pet rats buying from a breeder whose lines go back several generations.
i think these are good pets but i wont get them till next year i recemmend them tho bye ^-^
I Have 13 pets I have 11 chickens, a dog, and a cat. my cat’s name is Luna she is 2 years old, I have a dog his name is walker he’s a pitbull/lab mix, and we have 11 chickens their names are: daisy, chicken-wing, attitude, popcorn, brownie, chip, lucky, sunny, Scarlett, and sunflower. they are my family’s chickens. they are sweet they are 11 months, and they are the greatest pets ever. I recommend you guys get chickens they will protect you at all costs. but if you get chickens you will need a rooster they will protect your hens for you from getting attacked by hawks. and I also recommend you to get a pitbull/lab mix dog they will attack creatures that try to hurt your family, they will bark at anything they think is threatening to your family, etc. that’s why I recommend you to get chickens if you want, and a cat and a dog to protect you or your family and you.
The young boys ended up stimulated to read through them and now they have unquestionably been having fun with these things.