The 15 Best Pets That Won’t Stink Up Your House

Some animals are pretty stinky. Ferrets, skunks, and even some dogs have a natural smell that you can’t get rid of no matter what you do. For those who live with others, or are sensitive to smells, picking pets that won’t stink up your house is a must.

Unfortunately, this isn’t very easy. Some animals may be odorless, but only until their cage or litter box gets a little dirty. Others have a pungent odor you’ll never get rid of, no matter what you do. It’s important to understand what’s required to ensure that your pet isn’t going to smell, and if it’s even possible.

Thankfully, there are a few traditional and not-so-traditional animals out there that are minimal in their odors. This article covers 15 of them. Keep reading until the end to figure out all 15 as well as what you need to consider when getting an animal that you don’t want to smell, and possible alternatives to keeping a pet in your home.

1. Leopard Geckos

These geckos are pretty sturdy and can handle a few mistakes.

2. Spiders

Some people are easily freaked out by these little insects. But they definitely don’t stink.

3. Parakeets

Parakeets love to bathe themselves. If given clean water, they usually don’t have a smell

4. Hermit Crabs

These social creatures are fun to watch and are odorless unless sick.

5. Snakes

Snakes don’t really have a smell, except for garter snakes, making them a great choice.

6. Rats

As long as their cage is properly cleaned, they don’t release an odor.

7. Mice

As long as their cage is cleaned regularly, they don’t produce any smells.

8. Rabbits

Rabbits can be high-maintenance, but they don’t stink as long as you clean up their waste regularly. Still, the ammonia is very strong and if you are super sensitive to smells, this may not be the best option.

9. Chinchilla

Chinchillas are adorable pets that only need a regular dust bath to stay clean.

10. Collared Aracari

They’re a bird that acts a little like dogs but without all of the smells.

11. Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs might be unusual pets, but they’re awfully cuddly and don’t smell with regular cleaning.

12. Cats

This may seem like it shouldn’t be on the list. After all, most people have been to someone’s house that smells like a cat. But with regular cleaning cats don’t have a strong odor at all.

13. Sea Monkeys

They don’t take up much space and you don’t have to worry about smells.

14. Snails

There are aquatic and terrestrial snails, both of which really don’t have any smell at all.

15. Ants

If you want to be a little nicer to the ants, you can even put them in a larger cage. Just give them some food and water and you won’t have any smells.

What Else to Try When Looking for a Pet That Doesn’t Smell

If none of these animals sound quite like what you’re looking for, or if you’re really worried about odors, then there are some other things you can consider.

You Need to Clean a Lot

Unfortunately, there’s no way to get an animal that doesn’t smell at all. Even if the animal itself is odorless, their waste and enclosure will build up smells.

More About Your Schedule

Because you’ll have to clean so often, it’s more important to think about how much time you have to dedicate to cleaning up after your pet than getting an animal that doesn’t smell. Some animals like skunks and ferrets will have an odor no matter what you do.

Look at Other Options

If you don’t have that much time, and really who does, it might be best to think about an alternative to a pet, like a plant or a Tamagotchi.

Enjoy Animals Outside

If you want to see animals, but don’t want to deal with the maintenance or the smell, consider getting bird feeders so you can attract local wildlife.