Is Your Kid Begging for a Pet? These Under-$40 Animal Toys Prepare Them for the Responsibility

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Because the real thing doesn’t come with an off switch.

Parents / Reese Herrington

When my 9-year-old daughter recently started begging for her own cat, I knew I wasn’t quite ready for the sleepless nights of zoomies or the mess that comes with them. Instead of giving a firm "no," I looked for realistic animal toys to help teach her the responsibility of cleaning and caring for pets—without the shedding or vet bills.

I found 10 solid options to show to my daughter, like an adorable golden retriever that responds to commands and a precious furReal kitten that needs to be fed from a bottle. For kids who want a pet beyond dogs and cats, I also found a color-changing chameleon and Barbie horse that requires brushing and training for a show. The best part about these toys? No litter box, barking, or cleanup is required (yet). Oh, and they’re all under $40, making them great gifts for the holidays.

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The Koonie Talking Plush Golden Retriever is an adorable, interactive toy that delights children with its playful sounds and cuddly design. The interactive animal toy barks, sings, walks, and wags its tail, making it as realistic as possible for kiddos who want a puppy.

One grandmother raves, “My granddaughter loves it!” My daughter doesn’t know it yet, but I plan on buying this one because it looks like our sweet pup, Chowder.

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As a mom, I always look for toys that entertain and spark my daughter's curiosity. Nova, the chameleon, has vibrant colors and lifelike movements that will provide endless hours of imaginative play. One proud aunt exclaims, "I bought this for my niece who loves lizards. She loved it! The fact that it lit up and made sounds was an added bonus."

Nova comes with two AAA batteries, so you won’t have to immediately rush out for replacements (always a win).

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The Barbie Toy Horse plays over 20 sounds as it moves, dances, and blinks. Pull the tassels to watch the horse dance for the show, brush its mane, and care for it with the included accessories. Kids can even pet the horse’s head and watch it close its eyes. “My granddaughter and her friends just wanted to play with this horse,” gushed one grandmother. “They all took turns brushing the mane and tail and putting the barrettes in the hair, and feeding the horse the hay. Now each girl wants one!”

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This sweet dog brings all the joy and fun of having a playful pup—minus the clean-up. With its lifelike barking and trotting, this toy dog keeps kids engaged as they lead it around the house with the remote-controlled leash.

A mom shared, "My son loves this dog. It's just like the photo,” adding her son “has had it for a year now and still plays with it.” This pup is the next best thing for little ones who dream of a pet.

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As a mom who already shares the house with a very opinionated cat, adding another feline wasn’t exactly on my wish list. This precious electronic cat on Amazon is the best compromise. My daughter couldn’t be happier with her “new pet” and loves “the way it does all kinds of tricks.”

This little kitty purrs, walks, and even tumbles, giving my daughter all the fun of having another cat without the extra fur or midnight meows. It’s become her constant companion, following her around the house just like the real thing (maybe even more obediently). Plus, I have to admit, it’s pretty cute seeing her excitedly show off all the tricks her "cat” can do.

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In addition to begging for another cat, my daughter recently mentioned she would take a hamster if she couldn’t have a real cat. Once again, it was another pet I wasn’t ready to take on yet. So, I did some research and found this talking hamster toy on Amazon. It repeats everything you say in the cutest little voice, making the whole family laugh. Part of my daughter’s responsibility? She’s learning how important it is to turn toys off to save the battery.

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The Westminster Inc, Cloud Kitten toy is an absolute hit for kids who want a pet cat. It meows, purrs, and even wiggles, making it super realistic for kids and ideal for pretend play. One aunt shared, “This toy cat is the cutest thing! My nephew absolutely adores it. It’s soft, durable, and very functional—I’ll be buying another just to have as a backup.”

As a mom, I love that it’s soft enough to snuggle with but also durable for playtime adventures around the house. Plus, it’s on sale for $14.

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Meet Patches the Beagle. Patches is one of the most realistic animal toys on our list because it acts and sounds like a real puppy and comes with its own pet carrier. This Little Live Pets Puppy requires feeding with the included bottle, so kids can understand the amount of work that goes into caring for a pet. “This puppy is adorable, I bought 2, and my kids bring them everywhere with them,” shared one parent.

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The furReal Newborn Kitty interactive toy is a great cuddle companion and teaches children how to care for a newborn pet. Purring, moving, and responding to touch are only a few things that the kitten can do, so caring for it feels natural to kids. One parent said, "I got both the dog and cat of this toy, and my kids love them!"

I love how this toy gives children a taste of pet ownership while staying mess-free. Plus, with its small, portable size, this kitty quickly goes everywhere, from car rides to bedtime cuddles, adding a touch of fun and comfort wherever they go.

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My daughter loves all farm animals, pigs included. When I came across Piggly, I found it an adorable choice for kids dreaming of having their own farm pet without all the work. This sweet piglet oinks, walks, and wags its tail, making playtime feel like farm life.

One parent shared, "My daughter had been asking for this pig for a while. I got it for her birthday, and she can’t put it down. It’s soft and perfect for toddlers.” I'm adding this toy to my Amazon cart because it's on my daughter's holiday wish list (and because it's on sale for only $20).

Check out more of our editor-approved gifts and toys on Amazon.