10 Animals You Should Never Keep as Pets
Trisha Chakraborty | TimesPets Bureau | Jul 31, 2025, 11:00 IST
( Image credit : Unsplash )
Highlight of the story: It’s easy to fall for the charm of exotic animals,,especially when they look adorable online. But not all creatures are meant to be pets. From monkeys to raccoons, many animals have complex needs that the average home can’t fulfill. This article explores ten such animals that might seem fun to own but bring more trouble than joy. Whether it’s aggression, health risks, or ethical concerns, each of these animals is better left in the wild or with expert care. If you’ve ever thought about owning one of these creatures, this list might make you think twice.
There’s an incontrovertibly tempting idea ofretaining a fantasticor unusual beast. A monkey perched on your shoulder, a fox coiled up on yoursettee, or indeed a barracuda stalking majestically through your vicinity might sound thrilling until reality succeeds. The variety is, not every beast is suited for domestic life, no matter how cute or cool they mayfeel on the internet.While the pet assiduity keeps expanding, and social media glamorizes fantastic beast power, there are serious consequences both for people and thecreatures themselves. Then are 10 creatures you should no waykeep asfaves , no matter how fascinating they appear.
At firstregard, monkeys look likesportful, intelligent companions. But raising a monkey is nothing likeretaining a canine or cat. They bear constant stimulation, social commerce, and watch that utmost people ca n’tgive.Monkeys are also wild creatures at heart. As they grow, numerous come aggressive, destructive, and changeable. They may suckor scratch their possessions, especially during maturity. Plus, they can live for decades meaning a lifelong commitment of constant supervision, special diets, and behavioral issues.
2. Sloths
They may look like the chillest animals on earth, but sloths are not made for life as pets. They need warm, humid environments and a special diet that's hard to replicate at home. Handling them too much can stress them out, and most sloths in captivity struggle to stay healthy. As peaceful as they seem, sloths are best left in the wild where they truly belong.
3. Hedgehogs
They’re bitsy, cute, and Instagram- notorious but hedgehogs are n't idealfavesfor the average ménage. They'renightly, meaning they’ll be active while you sleep, and they tend to be shy, solitary creatures that do n’t cravemortal affection.In somecountries or countries, they’re indeed illegal toenjoy. They also carry implicit healthpitfalls like salmonella. However, a hedgehog will probably fail, If you’re looking for a cuddly pet that enjoys commerce.
Parrots are brilliant, socialcatcalls that can mimicmortal speech but those same traits make them incredibly demanding. Numerous species live for 50 times or further, making them a lifelong commitment. They need constant internal stimulation,diurnal commerce, and lots of space to fly and exercise. Without it, they can come depressed or aggressive,frequently plucking their own feathers out of frustration. Parrots are best left to largely educated raspberry possessors or sanctuaries.
They may look like a blend between a canine and a cat, but foxes are nothing like either. Tamed foxes are rare, andutmost pet foxes retain wild instincts meaning they're skittish, hard to train, and frequently destructive.Foxes also have a strong odor due to their scent glands and are notorious escape artists. They bear secure enclosures, specialized diets, and lots of stimulation, none of which are easy to give at home.
These small, gliding marsupials are frequently vended as fund faves , but the reality is far from ideal. Sugar gliders are largely social and come stressed-out if kept alone but raising a brace( orfurther) only increases the complexity. They'renightly, messy, and need large perpendicular spaces to glide and explore. Their diet is also relatively specific and not easy to manage. Numerous sugar gliders inprison suffer from malnutrition or behavioral issues due to poor care.
While some people successfully keep small, non-venomous snakes , large constrictors like pythons and boas are a different story. They can grow to lengths of 10 bases or further and are able to harm or indeed kill their possessors if not handle .They also bear technical heating,moisture control, and secure enclosures. Feeding them can also be an uncomfortable process for many. Once completely grown, they can outlast the interest or capacity of utmost possessors.
Though they might act as guineag or mandizers, campaign tyke sare wild rodents with complex social requirements. In the wild, they live in large colonies with intricate coverts and strong social bonds. Inprison, they frequently come lonely, anxious, or aggressive.They also dig constantly.However, they’ll likely damage bottoms, walls, If kept in a home. In some places, they’re indeed banned due to the conditions they may carry.
Baby raccoons are in controvertibly lovable . But once they reach maturity, their wild nature becomes more important and harder to manage. They’re intelligent, curious, and extremely destructive.Raccoons have strong hands able to open closets, doors, and indeed fridges. They also carry a high threat of rabies and other conditions. In utmost cases, they end up being surrendered or euthanized once they come too delicate to handle.
These wide- eyed primates might feel like the ultimate fantastic pet, but retaining one is both unethical and dangerous. Slow lorises have apoisonous bite, which can beget extreme antipathetic responses in humans. To make them suitable for the pet trade, numerous are captured from the wild, and their teeth are severely removed to help mouthfuls. This frequently leads to infection and death. The slow loris trade is both cruel and illegal innumerous countries.
There’s a reason tykes , rabbits, and many other species dominate the world of pet power, they've been domesticated over generations to live alongside humans. The creatures listed above, while fascinating in their own right, belong in the wild or with expert care takers in technical surroundings not in homes. Fantastic creatures come with complex requirements, ethical enterprises, and pitfalls that utmost people are unrehearsed to handle. However, make sure to probe completely, speak with experts, If you’re considering a unique pet. Occasionally, the stylish way to love wildlife is to respect it .
Discover expert advice and the latest tips on pet care, training, health, and more. Stay updated with all things pets at Times Pets!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why can’t some animals be kept as pets?
They have complex needs and wild instincts that don’t suit home life.Is it dangerous to keep wild animals as pets?
Yes, they can be unpredictable and pose serious risks to people.What makes an animal a bad pet?
Poor adaptability, health risks, aggression, or complex care needs.
1. Monkeys
Monkey Mischief Moment
( Image credit : Unsplash )
At firstregard, monkeys look likesportful, intelligent companions. But raising a monkey is nothing likeretaining a canine or cat. They bear constant stimulation, social commerce, and watch that utmost people ca n’tgive.Monkeys are also wild creatures at heart. As they grow, numerous come aggressive, destructive, and changeable. They may suckor scratch their possessions, especially during maturity. Plus, they can live for decades meaning a lifelong commitment of constant supervision, special diets, and behavioral issues.
2. Sloths
They may look like the chillest animals on earth, but sloths are not made for life as pets. They need warm, humid environments and a special diet that's hard to replicate at home. Handling them too much can stress them out, and most sloths in captivity struggle to stay healthy. As peaceful as they seem, sloths are best left in the wild where they truly belong.
3. Hedgehogs
They’re bitsy, cute, and Instagram- notorious but hedgehogs are n't idealfavesfor the average ménage. They'renightly, meaning they’ll be active while you sleep, and they tend to be shy, solitary creatures that do n’t cravemortal affection.In somecountries or countries, they’re indeed illegal toenjoy. They also carry implicit healthpitfalls like salmonella. However, a hedgehog will probably fail, If you’re looking for a cuddly pet that enjoys commerce.
4. Parrots
Parrots
( Image credit : Unsplash )
Parrots are brilliant, socialcatcalls that can mimicmortal speech but those same traits make them incredibly demanding. Numerous species live for 50 times or further, making them a lifelong commitment. They need constant internal stimulation,diurnal commerce, and lots of space to fly and exercise. Without it, they can come depressed or aggressive,frequently plucking their own feathers out of frustration. Parrots are best left to largely educated raspberry possessors or sanctuaries.
5. Foxes
6. Sugar Gliders
7. Snakes
8. Prairie Dogs
Though they might act as guineag or mandizers, campaign tyke sare wild rodents with complex social requirements. In the wild, they live in large colonies with intricate coverts and strong social bonds. Inprison, they frequently come lonely, anxious, or aggressive.They also dig constantly.However, they’ll likely damage bottoms, walls, If kept in a home. In some places, they’re indeed banned due to the conditions they may carry.
9. Raccoons
10. Slow Lorise
These wide- eyed primates might feel like the ultimate fantastic pet, but retaining one is both unethical and dangerous. Slow lorises have apoisonous bite, which can beget extreme antipathetic responses in humans. To make them suitable for the pet trade, numerous are captured from the wild, and their teeth are severely removed to help mouthfuls. This frequently leads to infection and death. The slow loris trade is both cruel and illegal innumerous countries.
The Bottom Line
Discover expert advice and the latest tips on pet care, training, health, and more. Stay updated with all things pets at Times Pets!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why can’t some animals be kept as pets?
They have complex needs and wild instincts that don’t suit home life.Is it dangerous to keep wild animals as pets?
Yes, they can be unpredictable and pose serious risks to people.What makes an animal a bad pet?
Poor adaptability, health risks, aggression, or complex care needs.