If you’ve ever sprinted away from a third-party squad while your backpack is overflowing with loot, you know how much a little extra backup can turn a losing match around in Free Fire. Pets are one of the most underrated tools in the game, offering unique passive and active buffs that fit everything from aggressive rush plays to slow, defensive camping strategies. If you’re wondering how many pets are there in Free Fire, we’ve broken down every currently available companion, their perks, and how to pick the right one for your preferred way to play. We’ve also included common mistakes players make when picking pets, so you don’t waste your hard-earned diamonds on a companion that won’t help you rank up.
How many pets are there in Free Fire, and what do they do?
As of the latest global version update, there are 22 total playable pets in Free Fire. 18 of these are permanently available to unlock through the in-game shop or recurring challenges, while 4 are limited-time event exclusives that rotate back into the game every 3 to 6 months for new players to earn. Each pet has a unique skill that upgrades as you level the companion up to level 10, and most also have optional skins that give minor bonus rewards like extra match XP or pet food drops.
You don’t need to collect every pet to get an edge in matches, but knowing what the top options do will help you pick the best fit for your loadout. The three most widely used pets in ranked play right now are:
Event-exclusive pets often have more niche skills, like the ability to reveal nearby enemy positions for 5 seconds after you take damage, or extra loot drops from supply crates. They’re fun to use if you can unlock them, but you won’t be at a disadvantage if you only use permanent pets.
How to unlock every Free Fire pet without spending real money
No matter how many pets are there in Free Fire, you don’t have to spend real cash to unlock the best ones. Most permanent pets cost between 499 and 699 diamonds, which you can earn for free by completing weekly ranked missions, logging in daily, and finishing seasonal event challenges. If you play 3 to 4 matches a day, you can earn enough diamonds for a top-tier pet in 2 to 3 weeks, no purchases required.
New players get a free random pet (usually Detective Panda or the common Kitty pet) when they reach account level 5, so you won’t have to grind for your first companion right away. Event-exclusive pets are only unlockable with special event tokens that you earn by completing limited-time missions, so if you see a limited pet you want, prioritize those missions before the event ends.
Never waste diamonds on random pet loot boxes. The drop rate for actual pets in these boxes is less than 5%, so you’re far more likely to get a duplicate skin you don’t want than the companion you’re chasing. It’s always cheaper and more reliable to save up for the specific pet you want directly from the shop.
Common mistakes to avoid when using Free Fire pets
The biggest mistake most new players make is picking a pet just because it looks cute, without checking if its skill fits their playstyle. I’ve made this mistake myself back when I first started playing – I spent 800 diamonds on a fluffy rabbit pet that had a skill for faster revive speeds, but I almost never play support so the skill was completely useless for me. I regretted that purchase for weeks until I saved up enough diamonds for Mr. Waggor.
You don’t need to level up every pet you own. Leveling a pet to max level costs thousands of pet food, which is a rare resource you only get from daily missions and event rewards. Focus on leveling 1 or 2 pets that fit your main playstyle first, and only level other pets if you have extra food left over after maxing your main picks.
Another common mistake is forgetting to switch pets for different game modes. For example, Falco’s gliding buff is amazing for battle royale matches, but it does nothing in Clash Squad where you spawn directly on the map. If you play multiple modes, take 10 seconds to adjust your pet in your loadout before you queue up. Pet skins don’t change core skill effectiveness, so don’t feel pressured to buy expensive limited skins if you’re happy with your pet’s base performance. The minor XP buffs they give are negligible for most players.
Which Free Fire pet is best for your playstyle?
With so many options to pick from, it can be hard to decide which pet to invest in first. The good news is you don’t have to guess what works for you before you spend your resources. You can test out any pet for free in training mode before you buy it, so take 10 minutes to try a pet’s skill with your favorite character loadout to see if it feels natural to use.
If you’re an aggressive rusher who likes hot drops and pushing squads as soon as you land, Detective Panda or Spirit Fox (which restores 10 extra HP every time you use a med kit) are your best bets. Their healing perks let you stay in fights longer without having to back off to heal. If you’re a support player who runs with a full squad, pick Falco or Robo, which adds 60 extra HP to all gloo walls your team places to give you more durable cover in team fights.
If you’re a solo player who prefers to play passive and rank up slowly by avoiding early fights, Mr. Waggor or Ottero (which gives you 60 extra EP every time you use a health injector) are the best picks. Their perks help you survive unexpected third-party attacks and stay in the zone longer without having to search for extra supplies. If you’re completely new to the game, start with Detective Panda first – its skill is easy to use and works for almost every playstyle, so you can switch to a more specialized pet once you figure out what you enjoy playing most.
At the end of the day, pets are a small but impactful part of your Free Fire loadout that can give you the tiny edge you need to win close fights and rank up faster. Now that you know how many pets are there in Free Fire, you can pick the right companion for your playstyle, avoid wasting resources on pets you won’t use, and get the most out of every match. Don’t sleep on these small companions – even a single extra gloo wall or extra 4 HP can be the difference between a Booyah and an early exit from the match.