What animals do you think we might be seeing as common houselhold pets 100 years from now? I can see different breeds of foxes as a possibility.
Presently we have a wide variety of animals that are kept as pets but aside from dogs, cats, some birds, rabbits, hamsters, rats and mice what might be next?
I hear some people are starting to take in capybaras as pets. These are the large rodents from South America, I believe. Apparently they are fairly easy to care for and not too destructive, so that trend might take off.
Another possibility is the merecat, ferrets have kind of held their own for hundreds of years but never really became popular. If a toy sized bear were somehow bred I can see that also as having mass appeal.
Domesticated foxes appear to be the next big thing in pets.
I think miniature pigs also have a chance. The problem with them is confusion over their niche. People are uncomfortable with the idea of an animal that can be both a pet and a food source.
Besides foxes, I think there’s potential in more members of the weasel family. Having had a lot of fun owning ferrets, I personally would love to have an American (“pine”) marten.
Procyonids are another good possibility. Things like raccoons are smart and playful. I don’t know a lot about coatis, ringtails, or olinguitos but they’ve all got being fairly cute going for them.
Rabbits are competing with cats and dogs as popular household pet and rising in popularity.
look at this photo of elaborate fun rabbit indoor play spaces— https://www.pinterest.com/house1168/bunny-housing/
Upside compared to cat and dogs is if they don’t work out as a pet it is more socially acceptable to eat them.