Shahrukh Sial is a gaming content writer at Sparked Host. He covers game guides, tips, and updates to help players improve their skills and enjoy a better gaming experience.

Most pets in Terraria are purely cosmetic and do not provide any gameplay advantages, but some can aid combat or provide utility. Pets in Terraria are creatures that follow the player around and provide a fun visual element to gameplay, bringing personality, humor, and sometimes utility to the game. Whether you summon a glowing fairy to light up caves or a portable chest to store items, pets make exploration and combat more enjoyable. Some pets are primarily intended to aid combat, while others are secondary characters or summoned secondary characters that provide light or other utility.

Across all versions, there are 59 pets available, with new pets added in updates like Terraria 1.4.5. Most pets are purely cosmetic, but light pets and utility pets stand out for their practical benefits. Pets are invincible and have no set duration, meaning they will stick with the player through thick and thin. Players can summon pets by placing their item on the hotbar and using them or by equipping them in the player's equipment section.

When a pet is summoned, the player receives an associated buff with the same name as the pet, which appears in the player's inventory or equipment tab. Once summoned, pets follow the player around indefinitely until the player dies, summons a different pet, leaves the world, or cancels the associated buff. Dismissing pets can be done by clicking the buff icon. The inventory system, especially for a new player's inventory, now supports more complex behavior with two dedicated slots, one slot for ordinary pets and one for light pets, allowing at most one pet of each type active at a time. The player's inventory and equipment section are used to manage pets, and the dedicated slots enable more complex behavior and easy switching between different pets.

In 2026, the best Terraria pets are those that combine charm with usefulness. From rare drops like the Fairy Princess to new additions such as the Axe Fairy, pets continue to evolve, offering players both fun visuals and gameplay advantages.

How to Obtain Pets in Terraria

Obtaining pets in Terraria is a rewarding part of the adventure, offering players a chance to collect companions that range from purely cosmetic to highly practical. Each pet has its own unique method of acquisition, and understanding these methods can help players build their ultimate collection.

Light pets, for example, are a special category that provide more consistent lighting than ordinary pets. Only these light pets can be summoned using specific items, such as the Wisp in a Bottle or the Fairy Princess’s summoning item. Light pets behave similarly to ordinary pets, floating alongside players and illuminating dark areas, but only one light pet can be active at a time. If you want to switch to a different light pet, simply use a replacement light pet item to summon the new one.

Each pet, whether a light pet or an ordinary pet, has its own dedicated inventory slot in the equipment tab. This allows players to manage their companions easily, ensuring that at most one pet of each type is active. The dedicated slot system makes it simple to swap between pets or equip a new pet as soon as it’s obtained.

Some pets are exclusive to certain platforms. For instance, mobile exclusive pets and console exclusive pets can only be obtained by playing on their respective versions of Terraria. These light pets exclusive to specific platforms often come with their own unique designs and abilities, making them highly sought after by collectors.

A few pets, like the Baby Slime or the Parrot, are obtained by defeating specific enemies or collecting rare items. Other light pets, such as the Jack ‘O Lantern or Toy Golem, require players to complete certain tasks or find special items. Ordinary pets can also be found by exploring, shaking trees, or opening mysterious packages that sometimes drop pet items.

To summon a pet, simply use the pet’s item from your inventory. The pet will appear and remain indefinitely until you dismiss it by clicking the corresponding buff icon or using a specific item. This system allows for easy management and quick changes, so you can always have the best pet for your current adventure.

Some pets emit small amounts of light, making them especially useful for exploring dark areas. Exclusive pets, like the Fairy Princess, and introduced pets, such as the Gold Bunny, often require players to complete unique challenges or find rare drops. Certain pets, like the Mini Minotaur, are only available through specific achievements or rare finds.

Whether you’re a new player finding your first pet in your inventory or a seasoned adventurer shaking trees for mysterious packages, collecting pets in Terraria is both fun and strategic. With each pet occupying its own dedicated slot and offering different benefits, there’s always a reason to seek out new companions to enhance your journey.

1#. Wisp (Light Pet with Dedicated Light Pet Slot)

The Wisp is one of the most reliable light pets in Terraria. It provides 120% brightness, which is brighter than most other light pets, and can be controlled to move around the player. The Wisp floats alongside players, providing illumination without requiring mana or any other cost. This makes it extremely useful in caves, dungeons, and other dark areas where visibility is limited.

Players value the Wisp because it eliminates the need for constant torch placement, freeing up hands for combat or mining. Its consistent lighting and controllable movement make it one of the best pets for exploration, especially in Hardmode when caves become more dangerous.

Key Features:

  • Provides 120% brightness.

  • Controlled movement.

  • Great for cave exploration.

  • Reliable light pet.

  • Floats alongside players and provides illumination with no mana or other cost.

  • Stored in its own dedicated inventory slot.

2. Fairy Princess (Light Pet)

The Fairy Princess is a dazzling pet dropped by the Empress of Light in Master Mode. It floats gracefully around the player, providing consistent illumination while adding a magical aesthetic. Its rarity makes it a prized possession among collectors and adventurers alike.

Players enjoy the Fairy Princess not only for its light but also for its whimsical design. It is considered one of the best pets because it combines practical utility with visual appeal, making exploration in dark areas both easier and more enchanting.

Key Features:

  • Dropped in Master Mode.

  • Provides consistent light.

  • Magical fairy design.

  • Rare and exclusive pet.

3. Suspicious Looking Tentacle (Light Pet)

The Suspicious Looking Tentacle is a unique light pet and a summoned secondary character that provides light by illuminating ores, chests, and enemies. This makes it highly valuable for mining and exploration, as it highlights resources and dangers that might otherwise be missed.

Players appreciate its efficiency in resource gathering. By shedding light on hidden treasures and enemies, the Tentacle improves gameplay flow and reduces the need for other tools. It is considered one of the best pets for players focused on exploration and mining.

Key Features:

  • Illuminates ores and chests.

  • Provides consistent light.

  • Great for mining and exploration.

  • Unique tentacle design.

  • Occupies a dedicated slot in the player's inventory.

4. Chester (Utility Pet)

Chester is a utility pet that acts as a portable Piggy Bank. It is primarily intended to provide utility rather than being purely cosmetic. Chester demonstrates more complex behavior compared to ordinary pets, as it acts as portable storage and allows players to access their items without placing an item down, making it one of the most practical pets in Terraria.

Players love Chester because it reduces the need for frequent base trips. It is especially useful during long exploration runs or boss fights, where quick access to stored items can make a big difference.

Key Features:

  • Portable storage access.

  • Reduces base trips.

  • Utility-focused pet.

  • Great for long exploration runs.

5. Baby Slime

The Baby Slime is a cheerful pet that bounces joyfully alongside the player. It is often considered an ideal first pet because of its accessibility and playful design.

While it does not provide significant utility, its minor assistance in battles allows it to aid combat, making it a favorite among beginners. The Baby Slime adds personality to gameplay and is one of the most beloved cosmetic pets.

Key Features:

  • Joyful bouncing animation.

  • Minor battle assistance that can aid combat.

  • Great for beginners.

  • Fun and accessible pet.

6. Shark Pup

The Shark Pup is summoned using Shark Bait found in water chests. It follows the player in a bubble, adding a unique aquatic theme to gameplay.

Players enjoy its rarity and cute design. While it is purely cosmetic, its distinct look makes it one of the best pets for ocean exploration and themed builds.

Key Features:

  • Summoned with Shark Bait.

  • Unique aquatic design.

  • Found in water chests.

  • Fun cosmetic pet.

7. Baby Truffle (Light Pet)

Baby Truffle is a whimsical pet with a mushroom-inspired design. It emits significant light while hovering, making it useful for illumination in caves and dark biomes.

Players enjoy its consistent lighting and unique aesthetic. It is considered one of the best light pets for combining style with utility, especially for those who enjoy themed builds.

Key Features:

  • Emits significant light.

  • Mushroom-inspired design.

  • Hovering animation.

  • Great for cave exploration.

8. Cursed Sapling (Light Pet)

The Cursed Sapling is a spooky pet that acts as a light source. It provides illumination while adding a thematic flavor, making it perfect for Halloween-themed builds.

Players enjoy its eerie glow and unique design. It is considered one of the best pets for atmosphere, combining utility with visual appeal.

Key Features:

  • Provides light.

  • Spooky aesthetic.

  • Thematic design.

  • Great for atmosphere.

9. Mini Prime

Mini Prime is a Master Mode exclusive pet dropped by Skeletron Prime. It is a miniature version of the boss, adding humor and style to gameplay.

Players enjoy its detailed design and exclusivity. It is considered one of the best pets for collectors who want rare and visually striking companions.

Key Features:

  • Master Mode exclusive.

  • Miniature boss design.

  • Rare drop.

  • Great for collectors.

10. Tiny Fishron

Tiny Fishron is a pet dropped by Duke Fishron in Master Mode. It is a miniature version of the boss, floating alongside the player.

Players enjoy its rarity and design. It is considered one of the best exclusive pets for advanced players who enjoy collecting rare items.

Key Features:

  • Dropped by Duke Fishron.

  • Miniature boss design.

  • Master Mode exclusive.

  • Rare and collectible.

11. Flickerwick (Light Pet)

Flickerwick is a bright, floating light pet introduced in recent updates. It is preferred for its consistent illumination, making it one of the most reliable light pets.

Players enjoy its brightness and floating design. It is considered one of the best pets for exploration, especially in dark biomes where consistent lighting is essential.

Key Features:

  • Provides bright illumination.

  • Floating design.

  • Reliable light pet.

  • Great for exploration.

12. Dirtiest Block

The Dirtiest Block is recognized as the rarest pet in Terraria. It resembles a normal dirt block and can be found by mining, making it both humorous and unique.

Players enjoy its rarity and comedic design. It is considered one of the best pets for collectors who want something truly unusual.

Key Features:

  • Resembles a dirt block.

  • Rare mining finds.

  • Humorous design.

  • Collector’s item.

13. Axe Fairy (New Pet)

The Axe Fairy is a new pet introduced in 2026. It can harvest wood from trees, providing a degree of automation in resource gathering.

Players enjoy its whimsical design and utility. It is considered one of the best new pets for resource management, combining charm with practical benefits.

Key Features:

  • Harvests wood automatically.

  • Whimsical fairy design.

  • New pet introduced in 2026.

  • Great for resource gathering.