An important thing to consider is that while a single rat may be cheap, these intelligent and social animals absolutely need to have a same-sex buddy to avoid loneliness and depression. Physical Characteristics: Cone-shaped faces, short legs, bodies covered in spikey hair called spines (looks like porcupine quills), can roll into a ball. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than 200 articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. Lives 5 to 8 years. 5. Monkeys are exciting, but a significant downside is they need a lot of mental stimulation and exercise. Primarily nocturnal, they will not mind if you are away during the day. However, they need much attention and care, including the right temperature, humidity, and lighting. According to Lianne McLeod, DVM, with The Spruce Pets,their bodies only grow from one inch to six inches, and in captivity, they only have a life expectancy of up to one year. They should be kept in a clear terrarium, and you can house multiple snails together, with one to two inches of soil, says Anne Woods with Pets on Mom. If youre not committed to having a pet for the long haul, their lifespanfrom caterpillar to fully formed butterflyis only six to eight months. In addition to mice, Dumerils Boas like to eat small rabbits and fowl. Not usually a typical choice for a household pet, the scorpion only grows three to eight inches long and lives anywhere from two to six years, making it a perfect choice for those with little space who don't desire a furry companion. Pet ownership is wonderful, but many people don't have the space or budget for a larger, more expensive furry friend. But please note, it is illegal to own a hedgehog as a pet in some jurisdictions in the U.S. such as New York City. Your children can get the joy of a pet they can play with, but it doesn't take much money or work on the parents' part. Just pour a packet containing salt, conditioner, and brine shrimp eggs into a tank of water, and wait a few days for the little crustaceans to hatch. A hermit crab on its own goes for around $10, but you should budget between $50 and $175 for a tank and decorations. For instance, a painted turtle can live up to 30 years. Younger children may enjoy them, but the small creatures can be injured easily if play gets rough, so they're not the best choice for families with preschoolers or younger children. With an ant farm, the ants do most of the work. Budgerigar: $1035. If stick bugs and praying mantises are not satisfying your child's pet needs, you can always go bigger (and creepier) with a scorpion. According to the pros at Pet Helpful, African dwarf frogs are aquatic amphibians which means they live underwater, so making sure theyre living in clean, filtered water is paramount. Green Iguana: $1525. Not only are they super adorable, but hamsters are also cost effective and even down for cuddles, should you feel compelled. These animals are a pet that requires little maintenance and space. Greyhounds can cost thousands of dollars to buy outright but many are now a popular rescue choice and can be adopted for free. Their short, smooth, glossy coat needs minimal maintenance and their smaller size means they don't require hours of walking a day, the American Kennel Club says. Male, The teeth of male pigs grow throughout their lives, much like hamster teeth, and require regular shaping by their veterinarian to keep them in top shape. Their diet is also quite diverse, and they eat everything from moths and fruit flies to instars and smaller mantes (eek). 1. Goldfish: $1 to $40. The fur is reddish-brown and is broken by five brownish brown stripes running down the length of the body. A classic easy first pet, a goldfish is an animal that adds life and beauty to the room without requiring much attention, time or Leopard Geckos: $20 to $70. The animals themselves are inexpensive, and it's fun to buy young ones and watch as they grow. Lianne McLeod, DVM, is a small animal and exotic pet expert with over a decade of experience writing about veterinary care. A second liter, usually small, is often produced in the long summer region. The traditionally small goldfish fishbowl doesn't provide enough oxygen and has been banned in several countries. Exotic pets can be beautiful, unique, and some can be trained to do tricks, talk, or retrieve items for you. Dik Dik. Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, should live alone and usually live for three to five years. A pet chipmunk may not play catch like Fido, but he can surprise you with simple tricks or use you as a perch. Rabbits are a suitable option for apartment living since they can be litter-box trained, groom themselves, and are relatively quiet. Getting a pet is a simple way to add a different dynamic to your home. Mmm. Owners can easily rest with complete nutritional assurance on every meal their piggy enjoys. They're easy to care for perhaps the most low-maintenance "pet" on this list and need only a terrarium for living quarters, and a heating pad, totaling about $75. Hedgehogs are not social. When it comes to fueling your pork adventures, its important to provide a healthy diet. However, keeping ants is a cool, interesting way for young children to feel like they "own pets," without parents having to feel like they need to spend a lot of time "taking care" of said pets. It is the size of a medium to large breed of dog. According to Vet Street, these cats are pretty easygoing. Lizard species that are good for beginners include leopard geckos, crested geckos, house geckos, bearded dragons, and anoles. The corn snake is fairly docile, only grows two to five feet in length and primarily eats small rodents. Once they've outgrown one shell you'll need to buy their next, larger shell a small cost. Cheapism may earn a commission if you buy through a link on our site. Perhaps the cutest low-maintenance pet you can own is the chinchilla. It 2. There are several types of pet frogs: aquatic frogs (African clawed frogs), semi-aquatic frogs (oriental fire-bellied toads), tree frogs (American green tree frogs), and large but sedentary frogs (Pacman frogs). Guppies also make for great pet fish. Hedgehogs. Anoles can live more than five years and grow up to 8 inches long. The small, spotted creatures may be shy at first, but after some love and care they'll sweeten up to your touch, just like other pets. The ideal tank size for most frogs is a 10-gallon or 20-gallon tank. 3. Dik Dik. In addition to mice, Dumerils Boas like to eat small rabbits and fowl. While the idea of rats draws forth troubling images of sewers and dirty corners, pet rats are anything but dirty animals. Adults grow to up to 12 inches. The domesticated Budgerigar is the most popular of all pet bird species, according to BirdLife International. Great for beginner pet parents. Hamsters Image Credit: Lichtpuenktchen, Pixabay Hamsters are one of the small pets that many people would think of immediately when asked to name a low-maintenance pet. The African dwarf frog may be the pet for you! Snake species that do not require large enclosures include corn snakes, king snakes, milk snakes,and ball pythons. Goldfish tend to be messy, so make sure you're cleaning their living spaces frequently. Physical Characteristics: Hairy bodies with long, hairy legs; two visible fangs; most are brown, although some varieties are cobalt blue, black with white stripes, or multicolored. Chipmunks are not low-maintenance pets, but they are great companions. "For starters, they require little to no work, as they only need to be fed once or twice a week," she says. Youll want to keep their habitat on the warmer side, along with a shallow saltwater dish where they can soak in. Amazon Tree Boa The Amazon tree boa is a stunning snake with a need to climb! African Dwarf Frogs Raising butterflies is fairly easy and requires little space and time, though most kits guarantee only that some of the few caterpillars they send will reach maturity, so you'll need to consider the cost of more than one. From Spay. Rats will likely sleep most of the day if you leave the house. Greyhounds can cost thousands of dollars to buy outright but many are now a popular rescue choice and can be adopted for free. They only grow to about six inches, so all you need is a cage big enough to give them some roaming room. They only require 30% to 40% humidity, but as diurnal reptiles, they need at least 12 hours of sunlight and a heated basking area set at They don't need much cage spacea 15- to 20-gallon tank should doso they're a good option if you don't have room for an elaborate vivarium setup. Evenly tempered, these guys get along with other cats, dogs and children. You only need to feed your turtle four to five times a week, and most turtles generally eat insects, fish, and dark, leafy greens. While they are skittish, they can be tamed if handled regularly and hand-fed. , And you'll need to remember that pet hermit crabs need water to drink, bathe, and replenish their shell water. These tiny kangaroos from below create a unique pet. Its no accident that their good names have become almost synonymous with eating something. In fact, the American Kennel Club says the breed is "perfectly happy to lounge around the house all day". Just make sure you teach your kids not to jostle them around as they dont fancy too much human interaction. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. However, that's usually because people pick the wrong kinds of fish. All you need in terms of a home is a terrarium with at least five gallons of space that is out of direct sunlight, lined with "two to three inches of washed aquarium gravel or fine reptile bark bedding." No-pet apartment leases usually allow hamsters, and they are an ideal apartment pet since they do not require a lot of space. 5. They are not too fussy when it comes to sharing space and can get along with your other little sea creatures. Although their average lifespan is 12 to 18 years, some senior pigs have reached their early 20s! If youre one of those cool, ballsy people without arachnophobia, treat yourself to a pet tarantula. Misleading name aside, hermit crabs actually enjoy company and will thank you if you provide them with a playmate. Owning a pet can be one of life's greatest joys and comforts but the cost of a furry companion can add up. Hermit Crabs: $535. The one thing you really need to remember about scorpions is the temperature of their environment. They don't need much cage spacea 15- to 20-gallon tank should doso they're a good option if you don't have room for an elaborate vivarium setup. They only require 30% to 40% humidity, but as diurnal reptiles, they need at least 12 hours of sunlight and a heated basking area set at Remember, while pets are kid-friendly, your kids should be properly supervised when handling them. To cut your start-up costs, adopt a rescue hamster and pick up a second-hand cage on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Does My Pet Secretly Resent Me for Being Home All the Time? Examples of animals that you can have as pets include Bearded Dragons, Budgies, Asian Palm Civet, Chacoan Maras, and Garden Eels. They are skilled at playing the whistle and can often be taught to play the whistle. Your email address will not be published. She lives free in the flat and reaches her cage for drinking, relieving herself, or sleeping. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. Betta fish usually sell for $5 to $25, with the less-colorful females cheaper; rare patterns can command as much as $50. Reptiles like smaller lizards and snakes are not as social as mammals, but they can be good for small spaces. 20 Baby Boomer Names That Are at Risk of Going Extinct, Nakhorn Yuangkratoke / EyeEm/ Getty Images, Alan Tunnicliffe Photography/Getty Images. WebHermit crabs are one of those small pets that are not very common, but nevertheless quite well mannered, insanely cheap, and make for great pets. These animals also require a moist hideout to aid their shedding, a water bowl, and a second hideout for when they're feeling self-conscious. They are also quiet and require little space and attention. So, while fruits, vegetables, and healthy treats are great for rewarding your pork cub for good work, a salad is provided because unruly eaters can only eat their favorite bites as a result of their main meal. However, domesticated and bottle-fed wallabies are gentle and humble animals that can be accompanied by great affection. JP, owner of beloved Instagram pug Aji, says that pugs are one of the easiest dog breeds to own. If the lifespan of a turtle intimidates you, go with a hermit crab instead! You will need to bunny-proof your home by making sure there are no exposed cords and only allowing the rabbit to roam in carpet or rug-free rooms. Primates often fulfill their enrichment requirements by destroying property or wreaking havoc in your house. Physical Characteristics: Short tails, stubby legs, and small ears; color variations include black, grey, brown, white, yellow, red, or a mixture of several colors. 12 Best Exotic Pets for Apartment Living. Best price ! Other than that, you just need to clean your snails' terrarium at least once a week, spraying the walls with water and paper towels to clear mucus trails. It may seem strange to keep insects or spiders as pets, but these are unique animals that are interesting to look at. That works, too, as their care, cost, and temperament are similar. by Shahinur | Sep 12, 2021 | Pets | 0 comments. Hermit crabs sometimes move between shells at night, so buy several shells and let them choose their daily outfit. Goldfish are active all day and make the perfect viewing shelf pet that is absolutely low maintenance for any pet owner. Their small size and relatively easy care make them perfect for smallerhomes. Their tank needs to have enough room for them to be able to swim around and come up for air when needed. WebGuinea Pig. They dont require too much spacea 15-to 20-gallon tank will do the trickand they feed on crickets, wax worms and meal worms. These clean and cuddly rodents also require at least an hour of daily exercise out of their cage, in a rat-proofed room (think removing plants that may be toxic), so this also has to be taken into account when making the approximately 2.5-year commitment, which is the usual lifespan of these animals. They are most active at night but will wake for interaction during the day. They are also quiet, fastidious self groomers, and they are relatively easy to care for. They need an aquarium with a half foot thick layer of sand and some stones on top for them to climb and play with. Butterflies are a pretty sight to see outside, but they're also a good insect for inside your home. A 15- to 20-gallon tank can easily hold two to three leopard geckos, and they have a normal diet of crickets, wax worms, and mealworms. He recommends buying a five-gallon aquarium kit, which is a perfect size for betta fish. Adults grow to up to 12 inches. They only require 30% to 40% humidity, but as diurnal reptiles, they need at least 12 hours of sunlight and a heated basking area set at Exotic pets are often compact, quiet, and don't require outdoor space, making them ideal pets for apartment living since they don't bother nearby neighbors or damage your home. With proper care, iguanas are great companions. As a bonus, they can live harmoniously with docile fishlike a bettaif you want more than one kind of pet. Guinea pigs, rabbits, and ferrets love to cuddle with humans. Also, be careful not to move the ant farm once ants have built their tunnels, as it might cause a collapse, which could kill or injure the ants. The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is the largest deciduous forest in eastern North America. Therapists say it can damage your connection. Anoles can live more than five years and grow up to 8 inches long. Thus, making a hedgehog seems to be not a subject to the separation anxiety, but this pet is fitting for those who travel. What makes guinea pigs the perfect low-maintenance pet is that they are plenty active without needing much from their owner. Great for beginner pet parents. The vet expenditures are minimal, and she eats basically hay and stale bread with sometimes a carrot or an apple. Their opportunistic nature means that many pet cubs will choose what they want to produce when they throw away the rest of the food. There are plenty of types of turtles out there to consider for a petapproximately 270 to be exact, according to PetMD. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Kids can take them out of their cages to gently play with them every once in a while, but as long as they have the basic necessities, they're happy. Geckos enjoy eating live crickets and worms, and weekly food expenses run from $5 to $10, depending on the size of your gecko. A rat doesn't seem like the most cuddly choice, but if handled from a young age they can make very affable companions. 100 Irish Baby Names That We're Totally Going to Steal, 12 Pet Memorial Gifts to Give After the Loss of a BFF (Best Furry Friend), Parents: Activating Your Yes-Brain Will Be Your Tantrum Reducer Superpower. Consider a smaller turtle that grows up to nine or twelve inches at most, like a painted turtle, if you're looking for the kind you can put in a regular-sized terrarium. Importantly, hermit crabs require a few different sized shells during their lifetime and enough sand to bury into when they molt, according to the Hermit Crab Association. Physical Characteristics: Large, black eyes and bushy tails; luxuriously soft; silver, yellow-gray, bluish-gray, white, beige and black fur. Obtaining ants is as easy as buying an ant colony or a fertilized queen ant, or collecting one from nature. "And once your tank is ready, you only need to feed them once a dayor get an automatic fish feederand replace 15 percent of the water each week.". Talk about hands-off. Kids will love feeding them, but because goldfish have such short memories, they tend to overeat if youre not careful. Not for the faint of heart, but snakes can make for very easy pets to have around the house. Assassin snails, for example are not the best standalone pets, but they can add some diversity to your aquarium if you invest in fish or sea monkeys. They are quiet creatures but also like to hide and get into mischief. Supplies for having a pet rat can add up to $100 and more, depending on how thrifty and industrious you want to be. And their life span is roughly two years, which is also an ideal length. Cats are notoriously independent. Budgerigar. ), so theyll need a spacious terrarium. Lives up to three years. The corn snake is fairly docile, only grows two to five feet in length and primarily eats small rodents. Marketed somewhat nonsensically as the worlds only instant pets, Sea-Monkeys is the brand name for a type of brine shrimp that issold in novelty kits, usually to children. Pet stores will typically sell canaries for about $100 to $150; breeders often sell for less. Once thats all sorted out, however, snakes are generally easy-peasy lemon squeezy. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own, I got a dwarf rabbit upon the insistent and repeated requests of my children to have an animal," he says. Their intelligence and bizarre personality make them an interesting and loving addition to their family. A white spotted hermit crab crawls along the sand. A Hedgehog is seen at the San Francisco Zoo. These fuzzballs often whistle, purr, and squeal to express emotions, which makes them one of the best choices for people who like to know their pets are happy. Much like turtles, tortoises are mostly noise-free and stay out of the way. They make no noise and are relatively easy to care for. They are extremely vocal and can move through the air due to the thin skin stretch between their front and back legs. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own 1 Betta fish. How to Pet Proof Your Home in 10 Easy Steps. When moved to a larger enclosure, ants require a nest area made of gypsum or concrete with tunnels in it, covered by a glass slate to keep the nest dark. Dr. Nelva Bryant, DVM, is a highly accomplished veterinarian with three decades of professional experience in animal welfare, public health, and zoonotic diseases. If youre a fan of spiders, a pet tarantula can be a fascinating addition to your home. Feeding the bottle to your baby will create a close bond between the owner and the animal. Choosing a rat as a pet might seem like a gamble. They are naturally calm, friendly, friendly, and intelligent as well as timid! Iguanas are some of the most prominent victims of inadequate care for their presence as cheap animals in chain pet stores. So, overall, they're inexpensive, low-maintenance and getting one is certainly not a big commitment.". Plus, their diet consists of small pellet or powdered food. Pig Dirty This idea cant stay far from the truth. Some breeds like the brown house snake or the California king snake even go two weeks without eating and some become friendlier the more they get used to being handled. Leopard geckos make a great pet for reptile enthusiasts. Consider adding one of these small creatures to your home as your family's new (and easiest) pet. Hermit crabsare alow-commitment pet. Since most chipmunks dont accumulate significant fat during the fall, they rely on these cached foods in the winter. Hens can provide a household with 250 fresh eggs every year and can live up to 10 years. Goldfish are active all day and make the perfect viewing shelf pet that is absolutely low maintenance for any pet owner. Breeds like the African sideneck or the eastern box dont grow beyond a foot long, so they can stay happy and healthy in a well-appointed terrarium. In terms of diet, turtles are easy, as they "don't need to be fed every day." Mice do not require a lot of space or a large cage.