https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Rock

A tree: it'll outlive you, you don't need to clean its poop, and depending on species you'll even get something tasty out of it.

A cat is fine too.

Cats! They're self sufficient, need little care but can give you lots of love. Also purring is adorable

Is the absence of a pet a valid answer?

You don’t have any responsibility, no cleaning up, no expense from having to feed and not having to worry about pet sitting.

Beetles. Specifically desert ironclad, more specifically Blue Death Feigning beetles. They can't fly at you or bite you, they are adorably derpy, and they can live for close to a decade in captivity. Also, they eat nearly anything you eat so they are really cheap to keep happy.

Your pet.

Because you love them.

For me, it’s a cat. They’re adorable, soft, can be affectionate while still being independent and not overly needy. I like many kinds of animals but wouldn’t keep any that are very high maintenance or have to be kept in cages/confined spaces for extended periods of time.

A butterfly of the lady kind!

Pomeranians because they are happy and they make me happy.

This is a pretty subjective question, but I'm really enjoying seeing everyone's perspectives on it. I love dogs and have had a bunch over my life so far. I'd answer a certain kind of dog. A dog that has good engagement with you. These are rare but when you have one it's special. Some dogs will often look right at you and have a certain focus and awareness that translates into a more interactive relationship than some other dogs. And yeah, there are ways to promote this through training, but some dogs are just more organically predisposed to being your very good buddy. Those have honestly been the very best pets for me.

A parrot. They can be highly affectionate but most importantly, you can sort of match their expected lifespan to yours so that you can avoid the loss of your best buddy.

https://myrightbird.com/articles/which-pet-birds-live-the-longest

I’ve been solely cat for 5 years now! Mine sits with me almost everywhere in the house.

My dog takes me to walks, which is healthy and pleasant.
Tho I think I still prefer my little humans, they're way more trainable and fun to have around.

Ferret. Goofy, playful, affectionate, and adorable. (Okay, also a bit smelly)

I think the most basic answers, dog and cat, are right. They're popular for a reason. Wonderful animals, that can be really playful or loving, and that aren't too impossible to take care of.

But there's gonna be work involved either way. I wouldn't recommend a pet for anyone that doesn't want to spend a lot of time caring for it.

I have a tortoise and he's great. I wouldn't necessarily recommend them for everyone, but if you like reptiles they have a lot going for them. Calm, quiet, low maintenance, vegetarian (no crickets, mice etc.) and have a lot of personality. If you take care of them they can be a friend for life.

I like to take mine into the yard in an enclosure and chill in a hammock nearby. He even likes to cuddle into the crook of my neck on the couch. Not exactly the most active pet, but his calming energy helps my anxiety. When he's splooted, basking under a heat lamp I am almost envious.