I see no reason to ever pick anything other than spider 95% of the time given that the spider jump covers so much ground.
So true, but so much fun!
I agree that the other pets need a little more tuning.
It also doesn't quite feel right that the companions are conjured/summoned, as if by magic. It seems more appropriate to "call" and "dismiss" them, and maybe only allow the option to change the companion once per long rest. I understand that this would complicate matters when they die, so I guess there would need to be a revive ability, and now we went from 1 button to 4.
Also...where are the sneaky Panthers?