It Snuggles, Flatters and Almost Meows Like a Cat: This Is What Living With Two Otters Looks Like

Keeping otters as pets? Yes, in Japan it’s a thing and it’s legal. And what is living with them like? Well, look at the videos of Kotaro & Hana below. They can behave almost like cats, albeit keeping otters is much more complicated, according to their owner’s account.

Having an otter as a pet is illegal in most countries. However, in Japan, otters can be traded, although it is limited to domestic breeds only. Currently, severe restrictions are in place for buying and selling otters in Japan, with severe fines in place if it’s done with unknown birth origins and without permits. Kotaro and Hana were both born in Japan and have permits.

ハナ帽? pic.twitter.com/GVNUO6NZxO

— カワウソ コタロー&ハナ Otter Kotaro&Hana (@Cotsumet) September 2, 2022

But is keeping an otter as pet a good idea? Well, not necessarily. According to WebMD, they aren’t easily housetrained and they’re very active, social animals, so keeping an otter as a solitary pet can make them very unhappy. The lack of entertainment or putting stress on your pet otter can also lead to destructive, aggressive behavior.

Owning an otter is a big commitment. If you have adopted one, you’ll need to have the proper habitat for it. They need plenty of space and care. They need a much larger enclosure than a typical dog – enough for getting exercise and foraging. Also, they’ll need a pool and also a dry area, as they may develop health conditions if they are constantly wet.

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So sticking with dogs and cats seems like a better idea, after all.