After buying six Jollibee Kiddie Meals in one week trying to complete the Pokémon Evolution Surprise collection, I started thinking: what if these creatures were actually real?
What would it be like to have a Pikachu lounging on your couch or a Snorlax blocking your driveway?
What would it be like if you could really keep Pokémon as pets.
Understanding Pokémon as Living Creatures
Pokémon aren’t just cute creatures. With the right amount of imagination, you could make believe that they are living creatures with complex needs, powerful abilities, and distinct personalities.
There are currently 1,025 documented species across nine generations of games, each with unique characteristics, elemental types, and care requirements.
Pokémon possess abilities that real animals don’t have.
They can manipulate electricity, fire, water, and psychic energy.
They’re significantly more intelligent than typical pets, capable of understanding human language and expressing complex emotions.
Some Pokémon can even speak human language, like Meowth from Team Rocket.
The important thing to understand: Pokémon aren’t domesticated animals.
They’re wild creatures with magical powers that form partnerships with humans called “Trainers.” In the Pokémon world, people don’t just “own” Pokémon—they build mutual relationships based on respect and training.
Why Would You Want a Pokémon as a Pet?
The appeal is obvious.
Imagine having a companion that’s loyal like a dog, intelligent enough to understand you completely, and capable of helping with everyday tasks.
Need light in a brownout? Your Electric-type has you covered.
Flooded street? Your Water-type can help you navigate.
Plus, they’re combat-ready if you ever need protection.
Plus there’s the bond.
In the Pokémon universe, the relationship between Trainer and Pokémon transcends typical pet ownership.
These creatures choose to be with you, fight for you, and grow alongside you.
That’s something you can’t get from regular pets.
What It Would Be Like to Have a Pikachu as a Pet
Species: Electric-type Mouse Pokémon (#025)
Size: 0.4 meters (1’4″) tall, 6 kg (13.2 lbs)
Classification: Mouse Pokémon
Special Ability: Static (can paralyze attackers)
Pikachu is the franchise mascot for a reason.
At 13 pounds and just over a foot tall, it’s perfectly sized for apartment living. The yellow fur is adorable, the red cheek pouches store electricity, and that lightning bolt tail is iconic.
Pikachu is curious, playful, and intelligent.
Although actually based on a squirrel, and not a mouse… which explains why they’re so energetic and mischievous….
Pikachu stores electricity in its cheek pouches while sleeping, so you’d need surge protectors everywhere. When stressed or lacking sleep, their electrical abilities malfunction.
Pikachu primarily eats fruits and roasts Berries with electricity to make them tender. In the wild, they live in forests in groups, greeting each other by touching tails and exchanging electricity. Your Pikachu would need social interaction—either with you or other Pikachu.
My biggest concern: accidental electrocution. And I’ve received a few shocks in my life… not my favorite thing…
When several Pikachu gather, their electricity can build and cause lightning storms.
An angry or startled Pikachu immediately discharges the energy in its cheeks, delivering shocks equivalent to lightning strikes. You’d need rubber-soled shoes and non-conductive furniture.
Every appliance in your house would need grounding, and your homeowner’s insurance would probably refuse coverage.
But you do get free electricity and a very effective home security system that’ll shock invaders to submission or worse…
If you’re not afraid of a little electrical hazard… Pikachu is one of the more practical Pokémon pets.
What It Would Be Like to Have a Squirtle as a Pet
Species: Water-type Tiny Turtle Pokémon (#007)
Size: 0.5 meters (1’8″) tall, 9 kg (19.8 lbs)
Classification: Tiny Turtle Pokémon
Special Ability: Torrent (water moves become stronger when injured)
Squirtle is one of the three original starter Pokémon, and there’s a reason it’s so beloved. This little blue turtle is the perfect beginner’s Pokémon—manageable size, water-based powers, and a protective shell that makes it naturally defensive.
The shell is the key feature here.
At birth, Squirtle’s shell is soft, but it hardens quickly into a tough defensive structure.
The grooved, rounded shape reduces water resistance, allowing Squirtle to swim at high speeds. When threatened or tired, Squirtle withdraws into its shell completely, with only its eyes visible. That shell becomes so resilient that prodding fingers will literally bounce off it.
Squirtle’s personality is generally well-behaved with a rebellious streak.
They’re bipedal normally but can run on all fours when needed. They’re social creatures that prefer small groups but can make friends easily. Wild Squirtle live around small ponds, lakes, and rivers in mountainous regions.
For Squirtle, you’d need a large aquatic setup.
Not a fishbowl… an actual pond or massive aquarium. Squirtle can spray foamy water from its mouth with great accuracy, so your house would be perpetually damp. That foam isn’t just water; it’s pressurized enough to knock people over.
The diet is simpler than Pikachu’s—primarily fish, aquatic plants, and seafood. But Squirtle eats a lot for its size to maintain that shell and power those water attacks. You’d be buying seafood constantly.
Squirtle doesn’t mean to cause problems, but when it gets excited or scared, it automatically sprays water. Your electronics, wooden furniture, and important documents would all be at risk. It would be like living in a bathroom full-time.
Despite the moisture issues, Squirtle would be an incredibly loyal companion. In the anime, Ash’s Squirtle led a gang before becoming one of his most reliable team members. They’re protective, brave, and surprisingly affectionate once they bond with you.
And out of all the Pokemon, I think I’d love to have a Squirtle the most.
Check out my other articles about turtles and you’ll know why.
Sulcata Tortoise (African Spurred Tortoise)
The First 12 Months with an Aldabra Tortoise
Are Red-Eared Sliders Ideal First Pets?
What It Would Be Like to Have a Psyduck as a Pet
Species: Water-type Duck Pokémon (#054)
Size: 0.8 meters (2’7″) tall, 19.6 kg (43.2 lbs)
Classification: Duck Pokémon
Special Ability: Cloud Nine (eliminates weather effects) or Damp (prevents explosions)
Psyduck is… complicated. This yellow duck-like Pokémon with three black hairs on its head is constantly suffering from chronic headaches. Those headaches are so intense that Psyduck spends most of its time standing vacantly, holding its head, trying to calm the pain.
Psyduck’s brain activity increases tenfold, unleashing phenomenally powerful psychic abilities that far exceed its normal capacity.
The problem?
Psyduck has no memory of using these powers and no control over them. It’s like having a pet that occasionally becomes telekinetic without knowing it.
In the anime, Psyduck became famous for being comedically useless 90% of the time, then suddenly becoming devastatingly powerful during severe headache episodes.
Misty’s Psyduck would pop out of its Pokéball at the worst times, look confused, and accomplish nothing… until its headache got bad enough to unleash psychic attacks that could defeat opponents far stronger than it.
Caring for Psyduck would be exhausting. You’d need a quiet environment to minimize headache triggers. Loud noises, bright lights, and stressful situations all make the headaches worse. Your entire house would need to be Psyduck-proofed—soundproofed walls, dimmed lighting, stress-free routines.
The diet is straightforward enough… as a Water-type, Psyduck eats fish, aquatic plants, and small water-dwelling creatures. The challenge is feeding it during headache episodes when it can barely focus.
The unpredictable psychic powers are the real concern. When Psyduck’s headache reaches critical levels, objects around it start floating, telepathic waves emanate from its brain, and confusion attacks happen involuntarily. You’d never know when your furniture might start levitating or when Psyduck might accidentally read your thoughts.
Despite all this, Psyduck has genuine appeal. It’s not aggressive or dangerous—just perpetually confused and in pain.
Many fans, my wife included, consider Psyduck relatable precisely because of its struggles. If you’re patient and can provide a calm, controlled environment, Psyduck might actually be manageable. Just don’t expect competence.
I’d like to have one specifically as a shared Pokemon pet with my wife and as an addition to the farm.
What It Would Be Like to Have a Snorlax as a Pet
Species: Normal-type Sleeping Pokémon (#143)
Size: 2.1 meters (6’11”) tall, 460 kg (1,014 lbs)
Classification: Sleeping Pokémon
Special Ability: Thick Fat (resistant to Fire and Ice) or Immunity (can’t be poisoned)
Let’s address the elephant… or rather, the 1,000-pound sleeping bear-thing… (or cat-thing?) in the room. Snorlax is massive, lazy, and exists in only two states: eating and sleeping.
That’s it.
That’s its entire personality.
Snorlax needs to consume nearly half a ton of food daily just to maintain its existence. After eating, it immediately falls asleep. Its typical day consists of nothing more than eating and sleeping. Children can literally bounce on its belly because it’s so docile and unmovable.
That stomach is indestructible.
We’re lucky that Snorlax can eat anything! That means moldy food, rotten food, even Muk’s poison without getting sick. Its digestive system can handle anything. The “Thick Fat” ability means Fire and Ice attacks do half damage—basically, Snorlax is thermally insulated by its own bulk.
Waking a sleeping Snorlax is notoriously difficult. In the Pokémon games, you need a Poké Flute—a special musical instrument—to wake them up. Regular alarms, shouting, and physical prodding all fail.
Once asleep, Snorlax is almost impossible to rouse. And when you do wake it, it’s usually grumpy and aggressive until it gets food.
The space requirements are absurd. Snorlax is over 6 feet tall and weighs more than 1,000 pounds. You’d need reinforced flooring to prevent structural collapse. A California King bed wouldn’t accommodate it—you’d need a custom sleeping platform.
Forget apartments; you’d need a ground-floor house with industrial-grade foundations. Good thing that my wife and I agree on one thing about house design… no second floors… just a sprawling structural design on ground level.
At 880 pounds of food per day, you’re spending thousands weekly just to keep Snorlax alive. And it’s not picky—Snorlax will destroy crops, raid pantries, and consume everything in sight.
In Pokémon lore, Snorlax appearing in villages and stealing food supplies has long been considered a disaster.
If you had unlimited resources and space, Snorlax would actually be an incredible companion. Children love it, it’s non-aggressive, and its sheer mass makes it the ultimate security system. Nobody’s getting past a sleeping Snorlax blocking your doorway.
Pokémon as Pets: Comprehensive Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Intelligent Companionship – Pokémon understand human language and can follow complex commands | Destructive Abilities – Accidental fires, floods, electrical surges, or psychic damage to your home |
| Practical Utility – Can help with tasks, provide protection, and assist in emergencies | Specialized Diets – Most Pokémon require specific foods that aren’t available in our world |
| Emotional Bond – Form deeper connections than typical pets due to their intelligence | Massive Food Costs – Snorlax needs 880 lbs/day; even smaller Pokémon eat more than regular pets |
| Evolutionary Growth – Your Pokémon can evolve into stronger forms as it matures | Power Management – Training required to prevent accidental harm from elemental abilities |
| Long Lifespan – Many Pokémon live much longer than dogs or cats | Legal Nightmares – No regulations exist for magical creature ownership |
| Built-in Protection – Natural deterrent against intruders and threats | Insurance Issues – No coverage exists for lightning-bolt-wielding pets |
| Unique Abilities – Access to powers that solve real-world problems | Veterinary Care Impossible – No vets trained in Pokémon medicine exist |
| Cultural Connection – Part of one of the world’s most beloved franchises | Size Issues – Many Pokémon grow to impractical sizes (looking at you, Snorlax) |
| Social Opportunities – Connect with other Pokémon Trainers and communities | Environmental Hazards – Water damage, electrical fires, property destruction |
| Teaching Responsibility – Kids learn care, training, and commitment | Battle Expectations – Pokémon may want to battle, creating ethical concerns |
The Bottom Line
I’m not exactly a fan of Pokémon but I bought six Kiddie Meals because of the Pokemon Evolution Surprise toys.
If Pokémon were real, keeping them as pets would be significantly more complicated than the games and anime suggest.
- Pikachu would require electrical infrastructure modifications and constant vigilance about shock hazards.
- Squirtle would turn your home into a waterlogged disaster zone.
- Psyduck would need medical intervention for those chronic headaches and therapy for the psychic power issues.
- And Snorlax? Hello bankruptcy!
The Pokémon world makes it look easy because it’s designed for that.
Poké Balls shrink creatures to portable size.
Pokémon Centers provide free healthcare.
The infrastructure supports Pokémon ownership at every level.
Our world has none of that.
But, I’d still want one.
The companionship, the intelligence, the bond—that’s what makes Pokémon special. It’s not about convenience or practicality. It’s about having a partner that chooses to be with you, that grows with you, that’s loyal beyond measure.
So if you’re buying those Jollibee Kiddie Meals and dreaming about what it would be like to have a real Pikachu, I get it. I’m right there with you. Sometimes the best dreams are the ones that stay dreams—but that doesn’t make them any less meaningful.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find a trading partner. I have two Snorlaxes, Pichus, and Pikachus and I desperately need a Psyduck to make my wife happy.
