Billie Eilish pets include her rescue pit bull Shark, her rescue cat Misha, and her late family dog Pepper. She also owned a pet tarantula named Cooli until 2019. Every animal she’s shared publicly is a rescue, reflecting her long-running support for pet adoption over buying from breeders or pet stores.
Key Takeaways
- Billie Eilish has owned at least four confirmed pets: dogs Pepper and Shark, cat Misha, and tarantula Cooli.
- All of her confirmed pets came from rescue or foster situations, not breeders or pet stores.
- Shark is a pit bull she fostered and then adopted in April 2020 during the pandemic.
- Pepper, her childhood family dog, passed away in July 2023 at age 15.
- A dog named “Brutus” has appeared in recent fan videos, but this isn’t confirmed by Eilish or a major outlet yet.
- There’s no evidence Eilish has ever owned a hamster, despite that question trending online.
Introduction
Pet owners search “billie eilish pets” for a few different reasons. Some are fans who want to know what animals live in her house. Others heard she once had a pet spider and want to confirm it’s real. And a growing number are pet parents who admire her rescue-first approach and want to copy it.
This guide covers every pet Billie Eilish has confirmed, in order, with real sourcing behind each one. It also breaks down what her choices โ fostering, adopting shelter pit bulls, keeping an exotic pet responsibly โ can teach any pet owner thinking about adding an animal to their own home.
Eilish has been open about her pets since she was a teenager. Rolling Stone’s 2019 cover story described her rescue cat and rescue dog by name, years before she became one of the most famous musicians in the world. That consistency is part of why her pet story holds up better than most celebrity pet claims floating around online.
What Is “Billie Eilish Pets”?
“Billie Eilish pets” refers to the animals the singer has owned or fostered throughout her life and public career. It covers her current dog and cat, plus animals she’s owned in the past.
The topic usually comes up in three contexts: fan curiosity about her home life, pet adoption advocacy (since she promotes rescue pets), and specific viral claims โ like the tarantula โ that people want fact-checked.
Unlike a lot of celebrity pet gossip, most of what’s known about Eilish’s pets is well documented. She’s posted about them on Instagram, talked about them in interviews, and even included her dog’s bark in one of her songs.
Quick Facts Box
| Fact | Details |
| Current dog | Shark, a pit bull |
| Current cat | Misha, a rescue cat |
| Past family dog | Pepper (passed away July 2023) |
| Past exotic pet | Cooli, a Green Bottle Blue tarantula (passed away November 2019) |
| Adoption style | All confirmed pets are rescues or fosters |
| Advocacy | Vocal supporter of pet adoption and animal rights |
Where Do Billie Eilish’s Pets Come From?
Every confirmed pet in Eilish’s life has come from a rescue, shelter, or foster situation rather than a breeder. That pattern shows up consistently across years of interviews and social posts.
Shark, for example, came from Angel City Pit Bulls, a Los Angeles-based rescue group. Eilish was fostering him during the early COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and ended up keeping him, a situation pet people often call a “foster fail.” Misha and Pepper are both described as rescue animals in the family’s own accounts. This isn’t unusual in the pet world โ fostering an animal and then deciding to keep it permanently is one of the most common paths to pet ownership among people who start out just trying to help.
Key Characteristics and Care Needs Behind Her Pet Choices
Eilish’s pets span three very different care categories: a high-energy rescue dog, an independent house cat, and a low-maintenance exotic pet. Each one comes with its own needs.
Pit bulls like Shark are muscular, energetic dogs that do best with regular exercise, positive reinforcement training, and an owner who understands breed-specific misconceptions. Cats like Misha need a safe indoor environment, routine vet checkups, and enrichment like scratching posts and play. Tarantulas like Cooli need almost the opposite: minimal handling, a stable enclosure, and very infrequent feeding.
Choosing pets with such different needs isn’t unusual for an animal-loving household. It just means the care routine has to be planned separately for each species.
Quick Comparison Snapshot
| Pet | Best For | Key Difference |
| Shark (pit bull, current) | Active households wanting a loyal dog | High energy, needs daily exercise and training |
| Misha (cat, current) | Owners wanting lower-maintenance companionship | Independent, needs less hands-on activity than a dog |
| Pepper (dog, past) | Families wanting a lifelong household dog | Was the O’Connell family dog for 15 years |
| Cooli (tarantula, past) | Owners interested in exotic, low-touch pets | Needs almost no handling, very different care routine |
Billie Eilish Pets Names
The pets Billie Eilish has publicly confirmed are named Shark, Misha, Pepper, and Cooli. Each name has a small story behind it.
Shark was named for his personality and look as a puppy, and Eilish has used playful nicknames for him like Chark and Sharnk in interviews and posts. Misha’s name has a fun backstory too โ Eilish’s mom, Maggie Baird, has said the cat was named after actor Misha Collins, tying back to the family’s fondness for the show Supernatural. Pepper was the family’s dog since 2008, named well before Eilish’s music career began. Cooli, the tarantula, kept her name simple and memorable, fitting for a pet Eilish described as “blue” and “very cute” in an early interview.
Billie Eilish Dog Pepper
Pepper was Billie Eilish’s childhood family dog, adopted by the O’Connell family in 2008. She was a pit bull mix and, by all accounts, the household’s original pet long before Shark arrived.
Pepper appeared in family photos, a Rolling Stone photoshoot, and Eilish’s music documentary. She passed away from age-related causes in July 2023 at 15 years old. Eilish shared the news on Instagram, describing Pepper as her lifelong best friend. For fans who grew up watching Eilish’s career, Pepper was a familiar, constant presence for over a decade.
Billie Eilish Dog Breed
Both of Billie Eilish’s confirmed dogs are pit bull type dogs, though “pit bull” itself isn’t a single recognized breed โ it’s a term commonly used for the American Pit Bull Terrier and closely related mixes. Shark has been described specifically as a blue-nose pit bull.
This matters for pet owners because pit bull type dogs are sometimes subject to breed-specific legislation depending on where you live. If you’re considering adopting a pit bull like Shark, it’s worth checking local housing rules and city ordinances before bringing one home. Beyond that, pit bulls are generally known for being loyal and affectionate, though <cite index=”4-1″>temperament and training needs vary by individual dog, so it’s best to meet any dog in person and talk with the shelter or rescue about its specific personality.</cite>
Billie Eilish Pet Cat
Misha is Billie Eilish’s rescue cat, confirmed in interviews and social media dating back to at least 2019. She’s part of the O’Connell family household alongside the dogs.
What makes Misha’s story stand out is the name origin. Eilish’s mother has explained that the cat was named after actor Misha Collins, a nod to the family being fans of the show Supernatural, where Collins plays a fan-favorite character. It’s a small, human detail that shows the pet-naming process in that household is playful rather than overly deliberate โ something a lot of pet owners can relate to.
Billie Eilish Pet Spider
Yes, Billie Eilish owned a pet tarantula. His name was Cooli, a Green Bottle Blue tarantula, and he passed away in November 2019 after living out his natural lifespan.
Eilish talked about Cooli in a 2019 Grammy Museum interview, describing him fondly and noting that tarantulas “have personalities” and aren’t something to be scared of. This is a genuinely interesting detail for pet owners because tarantulas are a real, if niche, category of exotic pet โ they require very specific enclosure setups and are not meant to be handled often. One separate note worth clearing up: the tarantula that appeared to crawl out of Eilish’s mouth in her music video “You Should See Me in a Crown” was almost certainly a stunt spider for filming, not Cooli himself, since she never referred to that video spider as her actual pet.
Billie Eilish Dog Brutus
Here’s where it’s important to be upfront: a dog named “Brutus” has shown up in fan videos and social clips associated with Eilish, but this isn’t something confirmed by Eilish herself, her team, or a major entertainment outlet as of this writing.
Fan-made TikTok content has referred to Brutus as a large dog seen around Eilish, sometimes alongside Shark. Until there’s a verified statement or official post confirming Brutus as one of her pets, it’s best treated as an unconfirmed claim rather than a fact. If reliable confirmation surfaces, this section is the kind of thing a good pet site should update rather than guess about in the meantime.
Billie Eilish Pets 2025
As of the most recent confirmed reporting, Billie Eilish’s household pets are her dog Shark and her cat Misha. Her earlier pets, Pepper and Cooli, are no longer living.
This kind of year-specific search often comes from fans checking whether a celebrity’s pet lineup has changed. Since Pepper passed in 2023, Shark and Misha are currently the two publicly confirmed animals in Eilish’s life. If she adopts a new pet and announces it publicly, that’s the kind of update that would show up first on her own social channels before it’s reported anywhere else โ which is also the safest place to verify any new pet claim, including the Brutus one above.
Daily Care Routine for Pets Like Hers
If Eilish’s pet choices inspire you to adopt a similar mix โ a dog, a cat, maybe an exotic pet โ here’s a realistic daily routine to plan around.
For a dog like Shark:
- Two walks a day, with extra playtime or training for high-energy breeds
- Fresh water and a consistent feeding schedule
- Basic obedience or reinforcement training, especially for younger rescues
For a cat like Misha:
- Daily feeding at consistent times
- Clean litter box, checked at least once a day
- Some form of daily play or enrichment, like a wand toy or climbing space
For an exotic pet like a tarantula:
- Check the enclosure’s temperature and humidity regularly
- Feed on a much less frequent schedule than a dog or cat
- Avoid unnecessary handling, since it can stress the animal
Cost Breakdown
Costs for pets like these vary a lot depending on your location, the animal’s age, and its health needs, so treat these as general ranges rather than exact numbers.
Adopting a dog from a rescue like Angel City Pit Bulls typically involves an adoption fee that can range from around $50 to a few hundred dollars, often covering initial vaccines and spay or neuter surgery. After adoption, ongoing costs include food, routine vet visits, flea and heartworm prevention, and any training classes. Cat adoption fees tend to run lower, and ongoing costs include food, litter, and annual checkups. Exotic pets like tarantulas usually have a much lower ongoing cost, since they eat infrequently and don’t need daily supplies, but enclosure setup can be a real upfront investment. This can vary depending on where you live and which shelter or breeder you’re working with, so it’s best to confirm current pricing locally before adopting.
Common Mistakes Pet Owners Make
A few mistakes come up again and again with pet owners inspired by rescue stories like Eilish’s.
One common mistake is adopting a high-energy breed like a pit bull without a real exercise plan in place. Another is bringing home an exotic pet, like a tarantula, without researching its specific enclosure and humidity needs first. A third mistake is skipping a vet visit right after adoption, which is the best way to catch health issues early. Finally, some owners underestimate how a new pet โ especially a rescue with an unknown history โ needs a slow, patient introduction period rather than immediate full access to the home.
Pros and Cons of Following a Rescue-First Approach
| Pros | Cons |
| Gives a homeless animal a stable home | Behavior and health history may be unknown |
| Often lower upfront cost than buying from a breeder | Some rescues have limited medical records |
| Supports shelters and rescue organizations | May need extra patience during adjustment period |
| Reduces demand for pet mills | Certain breeds may face housing restrictions |
Similar Options and Alternatives
If Billie Eilish’s pet choices have you considering a rescue animal of your own, here are other paths worth knowing about beyond adopting a pit bull or a house cat.
| Option | Best For |
| Local breed-specific rescue groups | Owners set on a specific dog breed but wanting to adopt, not buy |
| Municipal animal shelters | First-time adopters wanting dogs or cats of many ages and breeds |
| Foster-to-adopt programs | People unsure if they’re ready for permanent ownership |
| Reptile and exotic pet rescues | Experienced owners interested in low-handling pets like tarantulas or reptiles |
| Senior pet adoption programs | Owners wanting a calmer, often already-trained companion |
When to Consult a Vet or Professional
Any new pet, rescue or not, should see a licensed veterinarian shortly after coming home. This is true whether you’re adopting a dog, a cat, or something more specialized like a tarantula.
A vet visit early on can catch parasites, dental issues, or underlying health conditions before they become bigger problems. For behavior concerns โ like a rescue dog showing signs of anxiety or aggression โ a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist is the right resource, not general internet advice. And for exotic pets, it’s worth finding a vet who specifically treats reptiles or invertebrates, since not every vet clinic handles those species. If you ever notice sudden changes in appetite, energy, or behavior in any pet, that’s a sign to call your vet rather than wait it out.
Fun Facts
- Shark’s barks were kept in the final mix of Eilish’s song “I Didn’t Change My Number.”
- Eilish fostered two pit bull puppies during the pandemic before deciding to adopt Shark permanently.
- Misha was named after actor Misha Collins, a nod to the family’s love of the show Supernatural.
- Cooli the tarantula was a Green Bottle Blue, a species known for its bright blue legs and orange abdomen.
- Pepper appeared in Eilish’s music documentary and a Rolling Stone photoshoot.
- Eilish has publicly encouraged fans to adopt shelter pets rather than buy from breeders or pet stores.
- Shark and Finneas O’Connell’s dog Peaches have appeared together in Eilish family content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Billie Eilish have a hamster? There’s no verified evidence that Billie Eilish has ever owned a hamster. Her confirmed pets are dogs (Pepper, Shark), a cat (Misha), and a tarantula (Cooli). This question likely trends because of general curiosity about celebrity pets or confusion with unrelated pet content online. If she ever confirms a hamster publicly, that would be the only reliable source to trust โ not fan speculation.
Does Billie have a pet spider? Yes, she did. Her tarantula, Cooli, was a Green Bottle Blue tarantula who passed away in November 2019 after reaching the end of his natural lifespan. She’s spoken about him warmly in at least one interview, noting tarantulas have real personalities. She hasn’t publicly mentioned owning a spider since Cooli passed.
What are Billie Eilish’s dog names? Her two confirmed dogs are Pepper and Shark. Pepper was the O’Connell family’s dog since 2008 and passed away in 2023. Shark is a pit bull she fostered and adopted in April 2020 and is her currently confirmed dog. A third dog, “Brutus,” has appeared in fan content but isn’t officially confirmed yet.
What is Billie Eilish’s cat’s name? Her cat is named Misha. She’s a rescue cat who has been part of the household since at least 2019, based on Rolling Stone’s reporting that year. The name comes from actor Misha Collins, tied to the family’s fondness for the show Supernatural, according to comments from Eilish’s mother, Maggie Baird.
How many pets does Billie Eilish have right now? Based on the most recent confirmed information, Eilish currently has one dog (Shark) and one cat (Misha). Her earlier pets, Pepper and Cooli, are no longer living. Any additional pets would need public confirmation from Eilish before being added to this list.
Final Thoughts
Billie Eilish’s pet story is refreshingly consistent for a celebrity: a family dog she grew up with, a rescue cat with a funny name story, a rescue pit bull she fell for while fostering, and even a tarantula she genuinely seemed to love. What ties it together is that every single one of them came from a shelter or foster situation, not a store or breeder.
If her pets inspire you to adopt, the biggest takeaway isn’t the specific animals โ it’s the pattern. Research the species, plan for the real day-to-day care, and talk to a vet early. Whether you’re drawn to a pit bull like Shark, a laid-back cat like Misha, or something more unusual like a tarantula, that same approach applies no matter which pet you bring home.

Daniel Brooks is a pet research writer at PetJournalHub. He specializes in pet behavior, product research, and responsible pet ownership. He focuses on delivering accurate, reader-friendly guides that help pet owners provide the best care for their animals.


