15 Animals You Must Not Keep As Pets In The U.S.

The American Veterinary Medical Association says that pets have entered the homes of more than 90 million Americans. In 2022, Americans spent about $136 billion on their pets and pet products. The most enormous number of pet owners are millennials. A pet is dear, but not all animals are cut out to be living room couch companions or backyard buddies.

The allure of exotic pets is strong, but these animals are best admired in their natural habitats or professional sanctuaries. Many parts of the U.S. are, either for reasons of impracticality or because it is illegal, not suited to keeping some wild animals as pets. Animal lovers and responsible citizens alike need to understand why trying and keeping these creatures is pretty pointless. Here are 15 animals you must resist the urge to keep as pets and why.

Tigers

It’s one thing to want a tiger and quite another to have one. It’s more than assuming a risk—it’s dangerous! Territories are vast for tiger range; adult tigers can exceed 10 feet in length and weigh over 600 pounds.

Most households can’t provide specialized care, diet, and space, and as you might expect from an animal of this size, the risk of being injured is high.

Chimpanzees

As chimpanzees age, they become aggressive but are adorable as babies. They live in complex social hierarchies, require constant companionship, and are unsuitable for domestic life. Chimps nearly always cause severe injuries.

Ebola, Monkeypox, HIV, and Cryptosporidiosis are zoonotic diseases that chimpanzees also transmit to humans. The CDC advises that humans stay safe from chimpanzees to prevent the spread of diseases.

Lions

Keeping lions requires an ample space that doesn’t allow foraging and advanced diets that aren’t simple. Mufasa made it look easy, but really, they’re apex predators. They should all be out in the wild, free of harm or difficulty. It isn’t only dangerous; owning a lion is also against the law in many states.

In the United States, having a lion as a pet is impossible because of the Big Cat Safety Act. The contract was signed and entered into effect in December 2022.

Alligators

Having an alligator in your swimming pool might sound fantastic, but think again. Most are over 11 feet long and weigh more than 1,000 pounds.

Alligators’ strong jaws and unpredictable nature make them far from ideal pets.

Bears

Although they may seem like big, cuddly giants, bears are strong and scary. Housing them is expensive, and they can eat up to 90 pounds of food a day.

Although rare, bear attacks are always severe. Because of safety concerns for bears and the public, private ownership of bears is illegal at the federal and state levels.

Elephants

These wonderful-looking big guys seem like dream pets but need much space and special care. Elephants are very social animals and suffer in isolation when kept as pets.

The Animal Welfare Act prohibits keeping elephants as pets to ensure their well-being and conservation in their natural habitats.

Wolves

Wolves are remarkable creatures but must be kept in the wild. Robust pack members are highly social animals that form strong bonds with their pack members. The bite force of a wolf is 400 pounds per inch.

In captivity, their lack of companionship makes them stressful and aggressive animals. Certain states, like Alaska, Kansas, and Missouri, allow you to keep wolves as pets, but that isn’t recommended, as wolves are still wild animals.

Crocodiles

Alligators and crocodiles have similar problems, but crocodiles are sometimes more aggressive. They can run up to 20 mph on land, so they’re not only a danger in the water. Crocodiles have powerful jaws that are also super sharp.

Crocodiles can’t be freely kept in private hands due to public safety and regulations that prohibit their private ownership as pets.  

Sharks

Imagine owning a shark! Daring may seem like the perfect word for it, but shark ownership is quite dangerous, and in most states, it’s illegal. Sharks need huge tanks and specialized equipment to replicate their natural environment.

Sharks swim great distances in the wild and are constantly moving. Captivity can cause them excellent physical and psychological harm.

Hyenas

Popular culture convinces us that hyenas are a collection of hilarious animals, but they aren’t as funny to have as pets. Their jaws are powerful, and if they want to, they can crush bones. They’re famous scavengers, and they’ll eat almost anything.

Another feature of hyenas is their strong odor, making them an unreasonable choice for having them at home.

Foxes

Foxes are undoubtedly cute and cunning, but they are wild animals and need special care. They are known for being high maintenance, and some can get violent if they aren’t socialized correctly. Their natural scent glands don’t help their case, and they have extensive territories to explore.

They are well-known escape artists. You must have special permits to own a fox in many states because they’re potentially dangerous and carry diseases like rabies.

Raccoons

Raccoons may be adorable, but they are a risky and illegal pet in most states. Their teeth and claws are sharp enough to cause severe injuries, especially if frightened or threatened.

Bored or frustrated, raccoons lack impulse control and can ruin household items or furniture. They carry rabies and roundworms, two diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

Kangaroos

Hopping around like a kangaroo sounds like a lot of fun, but when these marsupials kick, they do so with serious force. They require open spaces to thrive.

They can jump over 6 feet in a single bound, making them consummate escape artists in their backyards.

Skunks

Skunks make terrible house guests. Forget about Pepe Le Pew. Skunks carry rabies and other diseases, so skunk ownership is illegal in most states.

Skunks’ pungent smell is not easily removed. They also need specialized care that many pet owners won’t be able to provide, leading to neglect.

Snakes (Venomous)

Considering a venomous snake as a pet? Think twice. Around 5.4 million snake bites occur each year worldwide. On average, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people in the U.S. are bitten yearly by venomous snakes.

One bite from a snake could be lethal, so snakes require exact handling. Therefore, admire them from afar and keep them safe.

Monkeys

Adorable, yes. Entertaining, yes. But they’re terrible pets. Monkeys shouldn’t be considered pets because of the health and safety risks that come with them, as highlighted by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Different monkey species can carry deadly human diseases like the Herpes B virus. Likewise, they have complex needs and the capacity to be destructive when bored or frustrated.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

How to Create a Pet-Friendly Space in Your New Home

How to Create a Pet-Friendly Space in Your New Home

15 United States National Parks to Visit Before They Get Too Crowded

15 United States National Parks to Visit Before They Get Too Crowded

5 Cost-saving Ways To Keep Your Pets Healthy and Happy

5 Cost-saving Ways To Keep Your Pets Healthy and Happy