With the advent of starter pets, there is currently no disadvantage whatsoever to having a pet. In multiplayer, this means that absolutely everyone will have a pet, and that'd get a little tedious. So I propose either A ) All pets require the feedings B ) You get an all around stat-boost to flying solo, maybe after you reach a certain tier.
Since they said it would be Option the Starter Pets, and the main Pets that are Monsters that you Capture and Tame for use in combat, that ones yes, makes total sense in-game!
The starter pets are Non-combatants so other than they passive they may provide they will be outclassed by combat pets fairly easily having an advantage for not having a pet sounds needless in my opinion, pet might get in the way and might get you killed if it provokes monsters stronger than yourself so running solo might be an advantage all it's own. Feeding does make sense, but seeing how your own hunger is optional I'm going to assume pet hunger is also optional
