Are you looking for a new pet but concerned about the potential for bad smells in your home? While some pets can be notorious for creating unpleasant odors, there are many options that are relatively odor-free. From small mammals to reptiles, there are a variety of pets that don’t stink that can make great companions without leaving your home smelling less than fresh.
Having a pet provides companionship, entertainment, and joy for most people, and while pet owners love their pets, one thing they don’t like is the potential odor that some pets can have. The truth is, some animals are stinkier than others, and it is this odor that can make you turn your nose up at the thought of having a pet. Thankfully, we have compiled a list of pets that don’t stink.
7 Pets that don’t stink
Most people are aware that dogs can stink, especially after coming in from the rain, although there are some things you can do to help reduce their odor. Cats themselves are typically low-odor pets, but their litter boxes can create quite a stink. Because of this, we have kept dogs and cats off the list and, instead, included the top 7 pets that don’t stink. If you’re looking for pets that don’t smell, consider these options for a more pleasant and odor-free living environment.
1. Fancy Rats
Scientific Name: Rattus norvegicus f. domestica
Rats often get a bad rap for being dirty animals that spread diseases, and while it is true that wild rats can be problematic, purchasing fancy rats from a reputable breeder will reduce the chance of issues with these rodents.
Additionally, fancy rats are sociable creatures who can show a high level of affection and loyalty to other rats and even humans. Furthermore, as long as they are properly cared for and their living area is kept clean, they will have little to no odor.
2. Parakeets
Scientific Name: Melopsittacus undulatus
Parakeets are not odorless, but they do have very little smell to them. In parakeets are clean birds that love to preen and bathe daily.
A lot of parakeet owners have even stated that the odor their birds give off is a sweet and pleasant aroma, while others say that their birds have no odor at all. The key to ensuring your parakeets do not smell is to keep their cage cleaned and the bird healthy.
3. Geckos
Scientific Name: Gekkonidae
Geckos are a fairly low-maintenance pet that produces very little odor, and for good reasons. In the wild, geckos use their lack of scent to help them catch their next meal. Geckos are also fairly docile creatures that are not known to be aggressive or bitey.
All of this makes them a good choice for anyone looking for an easy-going and smell-free pet. If you’re in search of small pets that don’t smell, geckos fit the bill, providing a low-maintenance and odor-free option. With that said, however, if you allow your gecko to live in unsanitary conditions, you will quickly begin to smell an unpleasant odor.
4. Snakes
Scientific Name: Serpentes
While snakes are not everyone’s idea of a pet, they can make a wonderful addition to your home. Not only are they fairly easy to care for, but they are practically odorless. This is thanks to their scaly skin, which prevents them from absorbing odors.
With that said, however, there are some species of snakes that can release an unpleasant aroma when they feel threatened. Rat snakes, for example, are one species that produces a foul-smelling odor when threatened. Just make sure to avoid any species with this defense mechanism.
5. Chinchillas
Scientific Name: Chinchilla
Chinchillas are not your normal everyday pet, and some people don’t even know what these adorable little creatures are. Chinchillas are rodents who have soft fur and a gentle, friendly demeanor. They can weigh between 1 and 2 pounds with a 9 to 14 inch long body and 3 to 6 inch tail.
Chinchillas are practically odorless and clean creatures that enjoy a good dust bath. However, if there living area isn’t properly cleaned or they develop a health problem, you may start to smell an unpleasant odor.
6. Turtles
Scientific Name: Testudines
Turtles do not naturally have a strong odor, and they are actually not supposed to smell. That doesn’t mean, however, that people who keep turtles never experience any odor from their pen.
The truth is, most of the odor associated with turtles comes from the water source. If you have a turtle and they have a bad smell, then the issue is with an unsanitary enclosure. Keeping their pen clean is the first step to ensuring your pet doesn’t develop a foul odor. Turtles make for low-maintenance pets that don’t smell when their environment is well-maintained.
Wild turtles are a bit different, however, and can have an unpleasant odor. When in the wild, turtles will often smell bad thanks to the organic matter and food particles can get stuck to the turtle and cause them to smell. If it wasn’t for these issues, wild turtles wouldn’t smell either.
7. Frogs
Scientific Name: Anura
Frogs are another option if you’re looking for a pet that doesn’t smell. While these amphibians are not odorless, they have little to no smell, unpleasant they are living in a dirty environment or are ill.
While frogs are not a difficult animal to care for, they are also not one that you can cuddle or handle. Additionally, most frogs are nocturnal, which means you may not even see your frog out running around in its terrarium during the day. At night, however, you can observe their amazing stalking and hunting abilities.
