In recent years, pet ownership has become increasingly popular, with many families who do not wish to have children choosing pets as an alternative. This has led to the number of pets even exceeding the total number of newborns in the country each year, contributing to the declining birth rate. Cats, dogs, and hamsters are among the most popular pets, but besides being troublesome to care for, they often pose a risk of being bitten or scratched. So, what pets are easy to care for and don't bite?
Here are ten of the least aggressive pets recommended by the editor: snails, goldfish, horned frogs, tarantulas, leopard geckos, turtles, and call ducks. Which one would you most like to keep? (Note: The Republic of China's Animal Protection Law defines pets as "dogs, cats, and other animals kept or kept for the purpose of playing or companionship." It also stipulates that they may not be slaughtered or sold "for the economic purpose of meat, fur, or feeding other animals.")
1. Snails ( cheap and easy to care for/doesn't bite )
In some animated films, such as *Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf* and *SpongeBob SquarePants*, snails often appear as pets. In real life, many people also choose to keep snails as pets. You can find one at a seafood market, or you can see them everywhere during a walk after the rain.
Normally, simply leaving it some cucumber tails or fruit scraps is enough for it to live happily. Feeding it once a month won't cause much trouble. Although keeping snails may seem to lack interaction, you can actually enjoy the process by gently poking their antennae and watching them retract. Snails are not only easy to care for and inexpensive, but most importantly, they are very docile and non-aggressive pets.
2. Goldfish ( beautiful and auspicious/easy to raise )
When it comes to pets that don't bite, goldfish are undoubtedly an excellent choice if you're not particularly looking for an animal with a high level of interaction. As one of the world's earliest ornamental fish, goldfish have accompanied humankind for nearly a thousand years. With their elegant shapes, vibrant colors, and diverse forms, they are beloved by many, especially as an ornamental fish species unique to China.
Goldfish come in a wide variety of colors, from red and orange to purple, blue, silver, and calico. They can add color to your home without taking up too much space or disturbing your living environment. Moreover, goldfish are very easy to keep; they only require regular feeding and water changes, and don't need much attention.
3. Horned frog ( colorful/auspicious )
More and more people are keeping frogs as pets these days, with horned frogs being particularly popular. They are not only gentle pets but also unlikely to harm people. Horned frogs are beloved for their unique appearance and vibrant colors, and have become one of the most common pet frogs worldwide.
Horned frogs have a fascinating hunting method: they often bury themselves in the ground, waiting for their prey to approach. This ambush hunting style complements their enormous mouths, which make up almost half of their bodies and can be said to have evolved specifically for consuming large quantities of food. It is precisely because of their large mouths that they are often called "lucky frogs."
4. Tarantula ( quiet and clean/easy to keep )
While spiders may seem unimaginable as pets to many, pet spiders, especially tarantulas, have actually become increasingly popular in recent years. Compared to traditional pets like cats and dogs, tarantulas have many unique advantages. First, they are very quiet, usually remaining still most of the time and making no noise. Furthermore, their bodies do not emit any odor, and even their excrement has almost no smell, eliminating concerns about them carrying viruses or mites.
Tarantulas never attack humans unless provoked, and the likelihood of being bitten is extremely low; even if a bite occurs, it is not fatal. More importantly, they have an excellent ability to withstand hunger. Juveniles need to be fed every 5 to 7 days, while adults can be fed insects every 7 to 10 days. Even without food, with sufficient water, they can survive for up to 100 days, making them very easy to keep.
5. Leopard Gecko ( Gentle temperament/Easy to keep )
What animals don't bite and are suitable for children to keep as pets? If you don't mind the feel of fur, then a gecko is definitely a great choice. They are very popular among reptile pets, especially leopard geckos, which are beloved for their beautiful appearance.
Adult leopard geckos are about 20 cm long (including the tail), with a maximum length of 25 cm. They are highly adaptable to their environment, have an adorable appearance, are very easy to keep and breed, and have a docile temperament, rarely attacking people. Their rich and varied coat colors make them a favorite among gecko enthusiasts, making them ideal family pets.
6. Turtles ( docile, inexpensive, and easy to care for )
Turtles are an indispensable part of any collection of docile pets. They are not only quiet, unobtrusive, and non-biting, but also allow for simple interactions and are very easy to care for. They thrive with just a little water and food. Despite being carnivores, turtles are remarkably resilient to hunger; they can even survive if you forget to feed them for several meals. Commercially available turtle food is affordable, costing about 10 yuan per pound, enough to feed a small turtle for a whole year.
Especially the Chinese pond turtle, which is not only docile but also very easy to care for. They bask in the sun almost all day, requiring only occasional water changes and cleaning. For lazy people, this is truly an ideal pet choice. More importantly, turtles have exceptionally long lifespans, allowing them to accompany you through many wonderful years.
7. Call Duck ( Gentle/Cute )
If you're looking for a pet that won't bite, a Call Duck is undoubtedly a great choice. They are small, cute, and commonly kept as pets. Like other household pets, Call Ducks need regular vaccinations, a specialized diet, and good hygiene practices, such as regular baths. However, they are not picky eaters, will eat almost anything, and have a gentle temperament; they are neither noisy nor prone to biting.
Call ducks can live for over ten years, and once they reach adulthood, they lay and incubate eggs, making them an ideal companion pet. However, it's worth noting that they are relatively expensive, especially some premium breeds, which can cost over ten thousand yuan.
8. Axolotl ( cute appearance/durable )
If you think keeping goldfish is too common, why not try an axolotl? The axolotl gets its name from the fact that it has dinosaur lineage, but rather because it has three tentacles on each side of its head, forming six "braid-like" tentacles, which makes the axolotl look both avant-garde and cute.
It's worth noting that axolotls can heal themselves at an astonishing rate after injury, leaving no scars and even growing new limbs within months. While axolotls are relatively resilient pet salamanders, we still need to understand their habits to ensure they thrive in a suitable environment.
9. Grayish-white hermit crab ( easy to raise and live/highly interactive )
Hermit crabs are often kept as pets due to their vibrant colors, ease of care, and endearing personalities. The gray-white hermit crab, also known as the wrinkled hermit crab, is particularly popular, boasting the most diverse color variations among hermit crabs and being one of the smallest in size. Known for their lively and interactive nature, they are among the most beloved pets.
These hermit crabs are not only bold and lively, and love to climb, but they also adapt to being handled by their owners and even enjoy molting. Their intelligence makes keeping them a lot of fun. Overall, grey and white hermit crabs are excellent pets that provide plenty of interaction and enjoyment.
10. Ornamental shrimp ( bright colors/delicate patterns )
Pet fish are undoubtedly one of the safest pets, but if you find keeping fish too monotonous, you can try ornamental shrimp as an alternative. Besides their vibrant colors and beautiful appearance, some varieties also have strong algae-controlling abilities, making them popular among aquatic plant enthusiasts.
Ornamental shrimp, with their vibrant colors, delicate patterns, small size, and unique behaviors, have become a new favorite among aquarium enthusiasts. In China, their popularity is growing daily. We especially recommend the Fire Shrimp, Cherry Shrimp, Black Shell Shrimp, and Yamato Shrimp, all excellent choices for aquarium lovers.
The list of the top ten pets that won't bite is based on pet safety, ease of care, cost-effectiveness, and a comprehensive reference to relevant internet rankings. The data is current as of February 2025. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment or offer corrections at the end.
