Here are 21 low-maintenance pets to consider getting, and no, a dog isn’t one
Pets are a great way to add some extra joy to your life. They can provide companionship, love, and support that can make a huge difference in your emotional and mental wellbeing.
Even science can attest to just how vital this human-animal bond can be. So it’s not surprising that 90.5 million families (70% of US households) own a pet.
But as wonderful as pets can be, they also come with a lot of responsibility. Feeding them, walking them, taking them to the vet, and making sure they’re happy and healthy can be a lot of work – especially if you have a busy lifestyle.
This is where low-maintenance pets come in to make things just a little bit easier. These are animals that don’t require as much time, energy, or money to take care of, without skimping on the love and attention they deserve.
Not all animals need you to cuddle, play with or take them to the vet regularly to stay healthy and happy. Some pets are perfectly content being left alone to just lounge around and do their own thing
So if you’re looking for pets that won’t take up too much of your time, energy, and money, here are 21 low-maintenance pets to consider.
1. Turtles – Cool, calm and collected
Turtles are known for their ability to remain cool, calm, and collected under pressure, and caring for one is no different. Some species, like the African sideneck and the eastern box, don’t become much bigger than a foot in length, which means they can live out their lives contentedly and in good health in a well-equipped terrarium.
As important as it is to keep their habitat clean and provide them with fresh water, turtles do not need to be fed every day.
2. Tortoise – Quiet and stays on its own
Tortoises, much like turtles, are quiet animals that generally remain out of the way and don’t cause any disruptions. However, you must be careful with what you feed your tortoise, as some species require a lot of vegetables, while others prefer meat.
Keep in mind that tortoises require more space than turtles, so get a bigger pen.
3. Hamsters – Great for kids, cost effective and doesn’t need much attention
For kids, this is a no-brainer. In addition to being attractive, hamsters are also cost-effective and are even willing to give you a cuddle if you so desire. (However, they are also capable of operating on their own).
Maintaining food and water supply is essential, but don’t forget to stock up on a variety of toys for these social creatures.
4. Betta Fish – Vibrant and requires little room
They are not only vibrant and lovely to look at, but they are also great for little areas because they do not need to be kept in large tanks.
Male betta fish should be separated from their female counterparts because of their tendency to become territorial.
5. Guppies – Can easily fit in with your other sea animals
Guppies are wonderful pets. In terms of sharing, they’re not too picky and can get along with your other sea animals.
Most of the time, they eat regular fish food, although they have been known to prefer frozen bloodworms as a special treat.
6. Parakeets – Doesn’t require much attention and can be interactive when you need it to
Parakeets are an excellent choice if you want a pet that makes a statement without draining your energy. In spite of their lack of fluency, they enjoy human contact and can be taught to perform simple tasks such as stepping on and off your hand.
It’s important to note that parakeets need to be fed every day.
7. Green Anole – Doesn’t need much room and can thrive as long as the conditions are right
These little guys are easy to care for, but there are a few things to keep in mind. As long as the conditions are right, they can thrive in 10-gallon tanks or terrariums.
Green anoles, like other reptiles, require special lighting, heating, and humidity conditions in their habitats, so be sure you’re well-informed before bringing one of these lizards into your home.
8. Sea Monkeys – Little interaction required; you only need to feed them every 5 – 7 days
They’re the perfect choice for those who want to stare, but don’t want to constantly interact. Aside from making sure their tank is in great condition and feeding them every five to seven days, you don’t have to worry about sea monkeys.
9. Gold Fish – Just feed 2-3 times daily and clean their habitat when necessary
You’ll be hard-pressed to choose between goldfish and betta fish, as they are both beautiful and come in a wide range of colors.
It is necessary to have a large tank or aquarium because they can grow up to 24 inches. Also, make sure to clean your goldfish’s habitat on a regular basis.
10. Butterfly – Cost effective, eat common plants and is aesthetically pleasing
Get some home caterpillars for your fifth grader who is finally learning about the process of metamorphosis. Fortunately, if you’re not into creepy crawlies, they’ll turn into beautiful butterflies in a week.
It only takes six to eight months for a caterpillar to turn into a fully-formed butterfly if you’re willing to keep it as a pet. You don’t need a lot of sticks to move them around, and they can eat common plants.
In addition, they’re aesthetically pleasing.
11. Tarantula
A pet tarantula is a great way to show that you’re not afraid of arachnids. All they ask is that you store them away from direct sunlight, because, you know, that’s how these bad boys roll.
Tarantulas can grow up to ten inches long, so a large terrarium is required. In addition, they consume live insects like crickets, mealworms, super worms, and roaches, which means that trips to the pet store will be, well, lively.
12. Leopard Gecko – Low maintenance and requires little room
Leopard geckos are ideal for making long-term, low-maintenance companions. In general, they have a 20-year lifespan and get along just fine with other geckos.
You can house them in a 15- to 20-gallon tank, and feed them crickets, wax worms, and mealworms.
13. African Dwarf Frog – Doesn’t require a lot of human interaction
If you’re looking for a meditative addition to your home, look no further than one of these guys. Make sure your African dwarf frogs are living in clean, filtered water.
Their tank must have enough space for them to swim around and come up for air as necessary. Since African dwarf frogs don’t require a lot of human interaction, keeping a large number of them in a tank is highly recommended.
14. Rat – Low maintenance and easy to care for
If you live in the big city, you might find this disturbing, but rats could actually serve as great pets. If you’re looking for a little, a friendly, and easy-to-care-for pet that doesn’t dwell on the subway tracks, get yourself one.
With rats, you don’t need to do much, just ensure they get plenty of exercise outside their cage and change their habitat regularly.
15. Mice – They can eat what you eat, no need for special care
Mice share the same unsavory reputation as rats when it comes to pet ownership. With them, you don’t have to worry; these cuddly creatures may be rather peaceful as long as they’re well cared for.
As with dogs, mice need a properly ventilated cage as well as toys. They can consume any food that is safe for humans to eat.
16. Snakes – They don’t require much feeding and are usually quiet
Snakes aren’t for the faint of heart, but they’re surprisingly easy to care for. Buying a snake from a reliable seller is essential if you want to avoid any legal or health complications.
Since they spend most of their time sleeping or lying still, they only need to be fed every few days or weeks.
17. Snails – Very easy to care for and can be fed with regular fruits and vegetables
Even if they don’t improve the ambiance of your house, at least you know they’re there. You can add some variety to your aquarium by investing in fish or sea monkeys, rather than relying on a single assassin snail as a stand-alone pet.
Garden snails aren’t also a bad choice. All you need is some fruit and vegetables to feed them, as well as a tank that receives enough moisture to keep them healthy.
18. Hermit Crab – Docile and low maintenance
As menacing as hermit crabs may appear, they’re actually rather docile and easy to handle once they’ve become accustomed to their surroundings—though they’ll snip if they feel threatened.
Hermit crabs are the epitome of low-maintenance because the sand at the bottom of their aquariums only needs to be changed three times a year. However, it is recommended you scoop once per week.
These crabs eat pellet food, tho they won’t mind feasting on your leftovers if you’re careful not to give them anything containing garlic, onion, or citrus.
19. Bearded Dragons – Well mannared and independent
Bearded dragons are easy to care for if you provide them with the right temperature, light, and humidity. You can get them live insects at a pet store, and they also eat small amounts of fruits, vegetables, and greens.
They are also considered to be well-mannered, so if you can stand the awkward stares, you may be able to take them for a stroll with you.
20. Mantis – Require very little room and doesn’t have any special needs
They’re easy to care for and can be found in most people’s backyards! They don’t get much bigger than six inches, so all you need is a cage that gives them room to move around.
Everything from moths and fruit flies to larvae and tiny mantes is part of their varied diet.
21. Cats – Notoriously independent and requires little human interaction
A lot of you probably have cats, so you already know how independent they can be. British shorthair cats are perfect if you want a furry friend that isn’t too needy.
They get along well with other pets, children, and other cats. Just be sure to teach your children to be gentle with them, as they dislike being jostled around.
From fish to snakes to hamsters, among others, these creatures can make great additions to any home without requiring a lot of time and energy on your part. We know how it goes.
Have you decided on the perfect pet for your household? If not, consider some of the animals we’ve mentioned here. They may require less work than a dog, but they’ll still bring plenty of love and companionship into your life.
