What is the most overrated pet?

Nothing here is a bad animal. Several were sold as something they are not, and the gap between the pitch and the pet is what this list is really measuring.

1

Cat

Sold as low-maintenance and independent, then rearranges the household around its preferences.

2

Dog

Adored for good reason, and bought by people with no time for two walks a day.

3

Goldfish

Given away at fairs in a bag, and needing a filtered tank and years of care.

4

Hamster

The starter pet that is asleep during every hour a child is awake.

5

Parrot

Brilliant, loud, and capable of outliving the person who bought it.

6

Chameleon

Beautiful on a branch and stressed by almost everything else, handling included.

7

Ferret

Hilarious for an hour a day and pungent for the other twenty-three.

8

Sugar Glider

A nocturnal colony animal sold as a pocket pet to people who work days.

9

Axolotl

A video-game mascot that turned into an impulse buy needing chilled water.

10

Micro Pig

Sold as a teacup and grown into an eighty-kilo housemate.

11

Tarantula

A conversation piece that spends its life in one corner of a tank.