I propose that in one of the future updates, the pets could be changed from purely a cosmetic item to having very slight in game benefits. I propose that each different species of creature perform a unique task based roughly on the species, i.e: the various breeds of dog companions could, after being shown a map, help guide the player to the correct are of the island to find that last elusive chest.
For consideration I propose the following effects, or some variation of them to be assigned to each pet type:
-Monkeys: interacting with a monkey while on an island can ask the monkey to run and fetch you a piece of fruit. I suggest a cooldown, while the monkey eats its own piece of fruit
-Parrots: if an boat is within set distance (weather dependant), and has direct LoS to your ship, your bird will fly and call out on the side of your ship that the other ship is on, like port, starboard, fore or aft.
-Cats: Cats could be placed on certain locations on the ship, such at the food or cannon barrels, and if anyone not on the crew tries to use the barrel, the cat could hiss and perhaps scratch them for 2-5 damage
-Dogs: As suggested earlier, Dogs would be an ideal partner to come ashore with you and help locate treasure. Once shown the map, the dog will identify the area of one piece of treasure and then lead the player there. Rather than then idling the dog may begin to dig holes that have a tiny chance to dig up the loot, but will show the player the correct area to dig. Perhaps the dog will only help locate one treasure per island or wants food and pets before they will locate another
Foxes: Foxes would be a good candidate to help the player with riddles, perhaps helping to identify POIs if the player ventures within a specific radius while the Fox is assigned as the companion, either barking or starting to paw at the ground while nearby to the current stage of the riddle.
As they are purely cosmetic, as much of this game is, I do not own any pets, but if they had these small benefits to paying the cost of the pet I would certainly own at least one of each, and I'm sure it would encourage many players to expand thier menageries, spending in game and IRL currency to get the various skins and outfits for thier companions more than they already do.
