Sometimes traveling Skyrim by yourself can be lonely, but not every character would welcome human companionship – or maybe you don't want to deal with the other aspects of the follower system like managing inventory and equipment. Maybe your character (or you!) is an animal lover. And sometimes you just need a furry friend because not having one at your side feels wrong. In this list, I've compiled a collection of the best animal and creature follower mods for both special edition and legendary (classic) edition I could find, taking into account variety and functionality.
Dogs & Wolves
Garm the Husky Companion / (SSE)A stat-based Dynamic Personality System, where Lucien may gain or lose Approval or Bravery based on his interactions with you and the choices you make, altering his behaviour and dialogue. Several unique voices have also been given fully voiced follower dialogue. These include: Brynjolf, Delvin Mallory, Karliah, Vex, Valerica, Isran, and Knight-Paladin Gelebor. Any unique NPC that supports follower dialogue can be made into a follower through the MCM. Followers will now use dialogue in every aspect of combat. I've recently begun modding my skyrim, and I've decided that I would like to try out having multiple followers. Unfortunately, the three multiple follower mods: AFT, UFO, and EFF, don't seem to operate through the SkyUI MCM menu, making customization really laborious and difficult.
A feature-rich dog/husky follower with many appearance options available, both lore-friendly and unique. Doesn't trigger traps, has max stealth skill, and is overall a very well developed follower.
Meeko RebornWhile my criteria for most of these mods is that they add new animals rather than editing existing ones, this one was too good to pass up. Adds a variety of unique appearance options and features to vanilla dog follower Meeko, including a summon spell, enhanced stealth, and making him essential so you never have to worry about Meeko dying on you again.
Just like the above mod, adds a bunch of useful features to the vanilla dog companion Vigilance: unique appearances, cannot be killed, ability to call him to your side, and more.
Fenrir the Frost WolfAn icy themed wolf follower, Fenrir has a unique appearance and the ability to cast several frost spells. Also comes with his own summoning spell.
Doge – The Husky CompanionA simple black and white husky companion with HD fur and eye textures. Has a few appearance varieties, such as with or without armor, and eye color options. Doesn't set off traps or stealth meter.
Judah – Working DogA German Shepard Dog follower with enhanced attacking abilities and custom dialogue commands.
True MeekoSeveral cute appearance options for vanilla dog Meeko. Also makes him essential and allows him to level with you.
Wolf MasterAdds a small dungeon that, one completed, allows you to recruit several wolf companions. Also includes options for allowing several wolves to follow you.
Doge Reborn – Shiba Inu companionA cute Shiba Inu follower dog. Has optional black fur version.
Rex the German Shepherd Companion / (SSE)Adds a family of German Shepard Dogs to Dragonsreach in Whiterun, with a couple different appearances.
Asky – almost like a real dogA dog with many unique features, including its own blanket and food bowl, loyalty system, and feeding requirements.
Daruk The Fire WolfAn essential, flaming wolf companion. For when you need a dog that's also on fire all the time.
Black and White DogAs the name implies, a dog with a custom textured black and white coat pattern. Also has a brown version of the same texture.
Amaterasu – The Great SpiritA wolf with a very unique design and textures based on a Japanese deity. Comes with its own MCM menu for customization and a summoning shout.
Melpomene -The Spectral Warhound FollowerA unique looking spectral dog follower, with custom dialogue options.
Cats and Sabre Cats
Just like the above mod, adds a bunch of useful features to the vanilla dog companion Vigilance: unique appearances, cannot be killed, ability to call him to your side, and more.
Fenrir the Frost WolfAn icy themed wolf follower, Fenrir has a unique appearance and the ability to cast several frost spells. Also comes with his own summoning spell.
Doge – The Husky CompanionA simple black and white husky companion with HD fur and eye textures. Has a few appearance varieties, such as with or without armor, and eye color options. Doesn't set off traps or stealth meter.
Judah – Working DogA German Shepard Dog follower with enhanced attacking abilities and custom dialogue commands.
True MeekoSeveral cute appearance options for vanilla dog Meeko. Also makes him essential and allows him to level with you.
Wolf MasterAdds a small dungeon that, one completed, allows you to recruit several wolf companions. Also includes options for allowing several wolves to follow you.
Doge Reborn – Shiba Inu companionA cute Shiba Inu follower dog. Has optional black fur version.
Rex the German Shepherd Companion / (SSE)Adds a family of German Shepard Dogs to Dragonsreach in Whiterun, with a couple different appearances.
Asky – almost like a real dogA dog with many unique features, including its own blanket and food bowl, loyalty system, and feeding requirements.
Daruk The Fire WolfAn essential, flaming wolf companion. For when you need a dog that's also on fire all the time.
Black and White DogAs the name implies, a dog with a custom textured black and white coat pattern. Also has a brown version of the same texture.
Amaterasu – The Great SpiritA wolf with a very unique design and textures based on a Japanese deity. Comes with its own MCM menu for customization and a summoning shout.
Melpomene -The Spectral Warhound FollowerA unique looking spectral dog follower, with custom dialogue options.
Cats and Sabre Cats
Sabretooth – the loyal Sabrecat Companion / (SSE)Skyrim Dynamic Follower Dialogue Link
A feature-rich sabre cat follower with his own bonding/perks system, texture options with in-game selection, and custom commands.
Cats of SkyrimAdds all sorts of domestic and wild cats to many areas in the game, including purchasable/adoptable cats.
JangoA rideable sabre cat with enhanced health regen, summoning spell, and item to enable/disable following or waiting in a specific location.
Loki the Panther FollowerA panther follower with custom appearance/meshes and craftable collars.
TanbackBest Skyrim Follower
Adds a sabrecat follower with custom sounds, textures, dialogue options, and is essential.
GuenhwyvarA summonable panther follower with custom dialogue commands. Unfortunately only lasts for 6 hours per day, but can be resummoned daily or force-recruited with a follower mod like EFF to last permanently.
Charlie – A Cat FollowerA cute house cat follower with several color options.