Pets are among the most beloved features in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). They are small companions that follow your character around, adding charm, prestige, and a sense of accomplishment to your adventures. Unlike weapons or armor, pets do not provide combat bonuses or skill boosts. Instead, they are purely cosmetic, but their rarity and uniqueness make them highly sought after by collectors, skillers, and PvMers alike. Whether it's a tiny version of a fierce boss or a quirky creature obtained from a skill, pets offer a fun reward for persistence and dedication in the game.

 

In OSRS, pets are categorized into boss pets, skilling pets, and special pets obtained through quests or events. Each pet has its own method of acquisition, and the process of obtaining them can range from straightforward to extremely grind-heavy. This guide explores all types of pets in OSRS and explains how players can obtain them.

 

What Pets Are and How They Work

A pet in OSRS is essentially a cosmetic companion. Once obtained, pets will follow you around the game world, appearing next to your character on the screen. Many players like to show off their pets as a mark of prestige, especially boss pets or rare skilling pets, which have very low drop rates.

 

Pets can be insured through Probita, an NPC located in Ardougne, to prevent losing them upon death. Insurance costs 500,000 coins per pet, a small price compared to the value of some rare pets. But this also requires you to have enough OSRS gold. If you die while having an uninsured pet, the pet will follow you to your respawn point, but you could risk losing it during dangerous encounters, making insurance a smart choice for high-level content.

 

Boss Pets in OSRS

Boss pets are some of the most sought-after companions because they are miniature versions of the game's bosses. They are typically obtained as extremely rare drops from killing their corresponding bosses. The drop rates vary, generally ranging between 1 in 2,000 and 1 in 5,000 kills, although some bosses have unique mechanics that affect drop chance.

 

The God Wars Dungeon bosses-Armadyl, Bandos, Saradomin, and Zamorak-each have their own pets. Kree'arra, General Graardor, Commander Zilyana, and K'ril Tsutsaroth have miniature versions that can be obtained once the boss is defeated. These pets are rare but highly prized for their distinct appearance and connection to one of the game's most iconic dungeons.

 

Other popular boss pets include the Hellpuppy from Cerberus, the Abyssal Orphan from the Abyssal Sire, and the Pet Kraken. Wilderness bosses also have pets, such as the Callisto Cub, Venenatis Spiderling, Vet'ion Jr., and Scorpia's Offspring. Each of these pets mirrors their dangerous counterparts, offering players a way to show off their prowess in challenging PvM encounters.

 

There are also pets from solo bosses and raids. The Pet Dark Core drops from the Corporeal Beast, while the Kalphite Princess comes from the Kalphite Queen. The Giant Mole has the Baby Mole, and the King Black Dragon has the Prince Black Dragon. High-level raid pets include Olmlet from the Chambers of Xeric and Lil' Zik from the Theatre of Blood. The Tumeken's Guardian is available in the Tombs of Amascut raid, while the Little Nightmare is from the Nightmare and Phosani's Nightmare content. Players who face endgame content like Zulrah and Vorkath can obtain the Pet Snakeling and Vorki, respectively.

 

Even smaller bosses and mini-bosses have pets, such as the Youngllef from the Gauntlet and Corrupted Gauntlet, which can metamorphose into different forms, adding variety to pet collection.

 

Skilling Pets in OSRS

Skilling pets are acquired by training specific skills, and their chances of appearing are tied to experience gained in that skill. They are generally less prestigious than boss pets but still highly coveted, especially among skilling enthusiasts.

 

In Agility, players can obtain the Giant Squirrel, which drops randomly as you train on courses or complete Hallowed Sepulchre activity. Woodcutting offers the Beaver as a companion while chopping trees. Mining players may encounter the Rock Golem, which occasionally appears while mining ores.

 

Fishing allows players to unlock the Heron, a serene companion that reflects your dedication to catching fish. Hunter gives access to the Baby Chinchompa, a small pet with multiple color variants. In Farming, the Tangleroot can be acquired while harvesting patches or through activities related to Hespori, the giant boss that spawns in certain areas. Runecrafting has the Rift Guardian, which appears while crafting runes at altars or during the Guardians of the Rift event.

 

Other skills have skilling pets as well. For example, Thieving offers the Rocky pet when pickpocketing or completing other thieving activities. Some skills, like Cooking or Firemaking, do not have dedicated skilling pets in OSRS, though players can sometimes obtain related event pets or cosmetic companions through in-game activities.

 

Special and Quest-Related Pets

In addition to boss and skilling pets, OSRS has a number of pets obtainable through quests, events, or minigames. These pets are often unique and cannot be obtained in any other way.

 

For example, the Pet Cat and its variations are unlocked through Gertrude's Cat quest. These cats can evolve into kittens or even hellcats through certain questlines or special items. The Hellcat and Overgrown Hellcat are obtained from specific quests or quest events like Evil Dave's portion of Recipe for Disaster.

 

Other unique pets include the Bloodhound, a rare reward from Master Clue Scrolls, and the Chompy Chick, obtainable through Chompy Bird Hunting once certain achievements are completed. Minigames also offer pets, such as the Lil' Creator from Last Man Standing, and the Pet Penance Queen, a rare reward from Barbarian Assault. Special seasonal or event pets, like certain phoenixes from limited-time events, also add to the diversity of available companions.

 

Tips for Obtaining Pets

Pet hunting in OSRS requires patience, persistence, and sometimes luck. Boss pets, in particular, demand repeated encounters and long kill streaks, while skilling pets require many hours of XP gains. Here are some tips to maximize your chances:

 

Be Patient: Most pets are extremely rare, so consistent effort over time is necessary.

 

Combine with Other Activities: While hunting skilling pets, try to combine training with money-making methods. For instance, fishing for the Heron while catching high-value fish adds profit while farming pets.

 

Insurance: Insure pets with Probita to avoid losing them if you die. This is especially important for rare boss pets obtained after long grind sessions. You need to buy OSRS gold to get insurance for your pets.

 

Monitor Drop Rates: Skilling pets scale with experience gained, so faster methods yield more rolls at the chance for pets. Boss pets have fixed rates but knowing the kill count and mechanics can improve efficiency.

 

Track Progress: Use the Collection Log to see which pets you've unlocked and which remain, allowing you to focus efforts on the ones you don't have.

 

The Appeal of Collecting Pets

While pets in OSRS are purely cosmetic, they hold immense appeal to players. Collecting pets demonstrates dedication, patience, and achievement. Boss pets, in particular, serve as a status symbol, reflecting mastery of some of the game's hardest content. Skilling pets show off a player's commitment to long-term training, while quest-related pets highlight completionist tendencies.

 

The sense of pride and joy that comes from unlocking a rare pet is often as satisfying as acquiring high-level gear or rare drops. For many players, completing a pet collection is a long-term goal that spans years of gameplay.

 

Final Thoughts

Old School RuneScape offers a vast and diverse array of pets, each with its own method of acquisition. From boss pets like Vorki and Lil' Zik to skilling companions like Rocky and the Giant Squirrel, to quest-related pets like the Hellcat, the game rewards patience, dedication, and perseverance. Pets are a cosmetic touch that reflects both a player's achievements and their commitment to the game.

 

Whether you are grinding bosses, training skills, or completing quests, chasing pets in OSRS provides additional goals and a rewarding sense of progression. For collectors and completionists, obtaining all pets is one of the most challenging and satisfying pursuits in the game. With careful planning, patience, and a little luck, any player can build an impressive menagerie of companions to follow them on every adventure.