Television is filled with plenty of pets and animal sidekicks. Sometimes they are played by trained animals, sometimes by puppets, and sometimes both. Like in real life, these furry-legged friends can have a lot of charisma, charm, and personality. This all helps them make an impression on viewers.
In series with a fantasy or science-fiction hook, the pet might be more than they appear, usually complete with supernatural abilities. Some can even talk. Despite this, even shows with mundane settings sometimes make the characters' pets super-intelligent, heroic, or borderline magic. Likewise, all sorts of animals can be pets on television, even ones you don't expect to see in someone's home.
10 Sabrina The Teenage Witch: Salem Just Wants To Rule The World
Salem Saberhagen of Sabrina The Teenage Witch is certainly charismatic, but the "pet" part is complicated. In the show's continuity, Salem was once a warlock who tried to take over the world. The Witches Council turned him into a cat as punishment. Sabrina's aunt Hilda was one of his followers and was punished with having to take care of him.
While technically Hilda's responsibility, Salem acts more like Sabrina's pet, even staying with her after her aunts moved to the Other Realm. Salem's always prepared with a snarky comment, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about Sabrina. When Sabrina planned on moving in with her father's family, Salem instigated a Plutonian civil war to get back his "Sabreeny."
9 Doctor Who: K9 Is A Robotic Dog Unit, Complete With Laser Nose
In the Doctor Who franchise, K9, aka K-9, first appears as a robotic dog unit. Over the years, there have been at least four different "marks" of the character. K9 makes for an extremely useful companion, with his vast intelligence and ability to shoot lasers. Despite this, the Doctor demands K9 be otherwise treated as a dog.
Proving his charisma, K9 was intended to be a minor character, but his popularity keeps bringing him back. K9 has especially had prominent roles in spinoffs, notably The Sarah Jane Adventures. In addition, K9 has been the star of a few spinoffs, like K-9, the K-9 and Company one-shot, and even a children's book series.
8 Fraiser: Eddie The Dog Is As Smart As Any Crane
On Fraiser, Eddie is Marin Crane's faithful Jack Russell terrier. In true Crane fashion, Eddie is intelligent and even snarky in his own way. Eddie usually only listens to Martin, the patriarch of the Crane family. Despite this, Eddie has shown respect for Daphne and Lillith, though he's implied to be afraid of the latter.
Fraiser generally dislikes Eddie, but the two sometimes have heartfelt moments together. Eddie is especially fond of staring contests with Fraiser, who once learned the hard way not to challenge the dog. Eddie eventually fathers puppies who share his staring tendencies.
7 I Dream Of Jeannie: Djinn Djinn Is Jeannie's Genie Dog
In I Dream Of Jeannie, Djinn Djinn is Jeannie's pet dog from before she got trapped in her bottle. Like his master, Djinn Djinn is a genie dog with magic powers, like turning invisible.
When Djinn Djinn was just a puppy, he was bullied by palace guards, causing him to develop an intense hatred for uniforms. Unfortunately, Jeannie's master Tony works for NASA, and Djinn Djinn is quick to attack the astronauts. Djinn Djinn even once attacked Mrs. Bellows for wearing a uniform-inspired outfit. Despite this, Djinn Djinn is otherwise fond of Tony. In his last appearance, Djinn Djinn also fathers a litter of puppies.
6 Friends: Marcel Was Ross' Monkey, Who Later Faked His Death & Got Into Film
The cast of Friends had a few notable pets over the years, like the chick, the duck, and Marcel the monkey. Marcel first appears with Ross as his "date" to his sister Monica's New Year's Eve Party.
It's eventually acknowledged that Ross is keeping Marcel illegally. Finally, Marcel is sent to a zoo after reaching sexual maturity, with the selection process being treated like Ross choosing a college to send his child to. Marcel later breaks into the film industry, with the zoo claiming he died as a cover-up.
5 Passions: Precious Was An Orangutan & Live-In Nurse
On Passions, Precious is an orangutan whose status as a "pet" is complicated: she's actually a live-in nurse for Edna Wallace. Once explained, the family could not afford a human caregiver, allowing Precious the job.
Being an orangutan doesn't spare Precious the love drama soap operas are known for. Precious develops feelings for Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, the love interest of Edna's daughter, Beth. The two were often granted fantasy sequences together. Eventually, Precious leaves to take care of an aunt, Divinity, giving up on her love for Luis.
4 Phineas & Ferb: Perry The Platypus Is A Secret Agent, Complete With Theme Song
Petty is a teal platypus who is Phineas and Ferb's pet. While the boys are under the impression that he doesn't do much, Perry is really a secret agent. As Agent P, Perry is tasked with foiling Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Despite his double life, Perry loves the boys and is horrified at the prospect of losing them.
Perry is proven to be more than charismatic, complete with his own James Bond-style theme song. While Perry cannot talk, as his song famously claims, women swoon at hearing the sound he makes.
3 The Simpsons: Santa's Lil Helper Was A Christmas Miracle & Snowball II Is A Hero
Santa's Lil Helper is the Simpsons' pet dog. He joined the family in the series premiere, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire." In the Christmas special, Homer is unable to earn enough money for presents after losing his holiday bonus. In a last-ditch attempt, Homer and Bart try to win money in a greyhound race, betting on Santa's Little Helper, who finishes last. Santa's Little Helper's owner disowns the dog, causing Homer and Bart to take him in. The rest of the family loves the new dog, giving the story a happy ending.
Of course, the family cat, Snowball II, is no slouch either, having saved Homer's life at least twice. The first time, the cat dragged Homer out of a burning treehouse. In the same episode, Snowball II helped Homer when he stopped breathing.
2 American Dad: Klaus Is An Olympic Skier Turned Goldfish
On American Dad, Klaus was once a German Olympic skier. However, after the CIA put his brain inside a goldfish, Klaus effectively became the Smith family's pet. Despite this, the Smiths aren't too fond of him.
In early episodes, Klaus had an elaborate fantasy life to help him cope with being stuck as a fish, like narrating his life like a DVD commentary. Later episodes dropped this in favor of having his outrageous claims, like having "boys" in Florida, being inexplicably true. Klaus even made a lavish music video dedicated to his love of 7-Eleven, complete with backup singers. According to "Of Ice and Men," it's hinted that Klaus will regain a human body in some distant future.
1 Lassie: Lassie Is Always Saving The Day
When it comes to the dogs of fiction, Lassie certainly gets around. Lassie originated in a short story that later became the novel, Lassie Come-Home. Lassie would later star in film and radio before her television series.
In the 1954 series, Lassie's human owners changed every few seasons, but she was famously paired with young boys early on. Variations of the expression "Timmy's down the well," came from Lassie constantly saving her human companions. However, despite popular belief, Lassie never actually saved Timmy from a well. The 1954 series proved to be a long-runner, lasting around 19 seasons.