You want a pet for company but don't want to spend most of your time taking care of the pet. While getting a conventional pet like a dog or cat is a good choice, they aren't typical low-care pets and will often require human intervention to thrive.
Worry not, there are plenty of animals that can become a valued member of your household while demanding very little in return. These 20 animals make for some of the best pets that are easy to take care of.
1. Betta Fish
The Betta fish is often considered a beginner's pet due to its extensively low-care needs. For instance, these fish can live in a tank as small as a gallon and easily live for 3 to 5 years.
While you'll still need to set up some infrastructure and take care of their daily needs, their tiny size makes them extremely easy to handle, even for those with little experience. Additionally, these social creatures can live in groups with other peaceful fishes, meaning you don't need a separate tank for these fish only.
2. Hermit Crabs
You should be familiar with this exotic crab variety, which is known to use discarded shells from snails or create temporary shells from human waste. These low-maintenance pets often crave companions, so keeping at least two crabs in a tank is best.
As an omnivore, the hermit crab lives on a varied diet, usually consisting of fruits, brine shrimp, nuts, vegetables, and commercial hermit crab food. Additionally, you should also provide a regular supply of calcium to keep the pet healthy and thriving.
Due to their inability to grow shells, hermit crabs must search for new shells as they grow bigger. So, don't forget to provide shells of different sizes for your pet's future use.
3. Leopard Gecko
The leopard gecko is a low-care lizard variety, ideal for children above the age of eight. While some reptile owners argue that crested geckos make better pets, their unpredictable behavior can often make them hazardous.
On the other hand, leopard geckos are calmer and rarely jump like their crested counterparts. They are also more interactive and can even be potty-trained. These lizards live on a diet of live insects that they hunt, including mealworms and crickets; they will also require calcium and vitamin supplements to cover their nutritional need.
4. African Dwarf Frog
As a fully aquatic animal, the African dwarf frog needs a large enough tank to survive and grow, preferably with a capacity of gallons or more. Also, their water needs to be changed every 2-4 weeks, however, only around 25% at one time.
The African dwarf frog is a carnivore; it should be given a diet consisting of frozen brine shrimp, blackworms, and freshwater fish food pellets. With these tiny amphibians, overfeeding can be an issue; only feed them once a day. Let them eat for 2 minutes and immediately remove and remaining food.
5. Hamster
Hamsters are not just a low-maintenance pet, they are also extremely cheap when compared to pets like cats and dogs. These rodents make suitable pets for children as they are easy to handle and care for, while also taking up minimal space.
While hamsters don't usually need additional toys or setups, getting a hamster wheel is beneficial for their health. As naturally active creatures, hamsters need to constantly burn their energy; the inability to keep up with physical activities can significantly increase the risk of obesity and subsequent health conditions.
Additionally, hamsters also don't need your constant attention as they are usually content in their cages with toys to play. However, socializing is an important aspect of their care; get them accustomed to members of your family and other pets in your household when they're still young.
6. Goldfish
While thinking about this exotic fish, you might imagine a fish bowl on the side of your bed with a Goldfish. However, this pop culture trend isn't just detrimental to the fish, it can also lead to many environmental issues.
An average goldfish can grow to a size of around 6 inches, often outgrowing the bowl where they are usually kept. These fish, raised in captivity, are often flushed down the toilet or dumped at a local water body, once their bowls get too big. Whether they are flushed or directly dumped, these fish often end up in local waters where they act as an invasive species.
In North America, goldfish are considered one of the worst invasive species. They often prey on native marine animals; and, as they don't have any natural predators, goldfish will keep on multiplying in a water body while the population of other fishes plummet.
7. Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs are often confused with hamsters due to their similar appearances; but, these two rodents differ in key features. For instance, the guinea pig is considerably larger than a hamster and will need a much bigger cage to live.
While these cute creatures are usually low-maintenance, keeping their cages clean can sometimes be a challenge as they poop about 100 times a day. Similarly, these animals are also known to remain active for around 20 hours a day; give them plenty of activities to do and places to explore.
8. Parakeets
Also referred to as budgies, parakeets are social birds that thrive on interaction. They are suitable for owners who can dedicate time to bonding Their cheerful chirps and mimicking abilities add liveliness to a home, and they are relatively easy to tame too.
Compared to larger parrots, parakeets are low-maintenance, although they need an adequately sized cage with toys for mental stimulation and perches for exercise. While they are easier to care for than some pets, parakeets still need daily attention and regular socialization to prevent boredom.
9. Turtle
Turtles are indeed a long-term commitment, often lasting for generations. While turtles in the sea usually only live around 20-30 years, pet turtles that are raised with proper care can live for centuries, sometimes even exceeding a tortoise's lifespan.
Due to their slow movements, turtles are often the favorites of young children and seniors all around the world. They also have a slower metabolism, meaning these sea animals don't need to be fed repeatedly.
Although turtles are listed as omnivores, they don't actually need meat to survive. Normally, you can give them a diet of 20% fruits and 80% vegetables, while occasionally feeding insects and fish as treats.
10. Chinchilla
Resembling a rat in appearance, the Chinchilla is a rodent species native to South America. These tiny species are considered endangered due to excessive hunting by humans, suffering a reduction of over 90% population in the last 20 years.
Due to its endangered status, wild chinchillas are legally banned from owning as pets. However, you can purchase a domestic variety for your house. Remember that these animals need easy access to food and water. Similarly, dental care is also a crucial part of their care as their teeth never stop growing.
11. Cats
As an independent animal and skilled hunter, there are very things that cats require for humans. As the descendant of wild cats, the domestic cat is equipped with evolutionary traits that can make them survive in the hardest of terrains.
However, cats chose to domesticate themselves for an easier life, around 10,000 years ago. Apart from their constant demand for food and treats, cats are one of the best animals to keep as a pets. They are protective of their family members and are usually considered excellent problem solvers.
With cats, you will need to occasionally groom them and make necessary vet appointments. Besides that, felines are usually independent and don't need much human assistance.
12. Dogs
Pet owners might be wondering how the dog succeeded in making this list; after all, they shed all around the house, need to be taken on walks, and get separation anxiety when left alone. For the context relevant here, we are only talking about the smaller/toy breeds and breeds with low energy.
For instance, while you may need to prepare an extensive plan to train and care for a large breed like the Rottweiler, dogs like Dachshunds and Corgis only require a tiny fraction of care and support.
Similarly, low-energy breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs don't need much physical and mental stimulation compared to some other breeds. Still, dogs are considered more high-maintenance animals like fish or hamsters as even the low-care dog breeds need some level of human assistance in their daily lives.
13. Snail
As snails are delicate creatures, they need to be handled gently. Handling is normally not an issue with adults or older children; however, young kids might not be as careful and even cause the snail to fall on the ground or handle them roughly.
Besides proper handling, snails will also require a personal space. Normally, a small terrarium made of glass or plastic should be enough to house a snail.
Another benefit of owning a snail is that it can survive on vegetables that humans usually eat; so, you don't have to spend your hard-earned money buying snail food. They eat lettuce, carrots, broccoli, and cucumber along with several other fruits and vegetables.
14. Snakes
Snakes are certainly not for beginners; potential pet owners should do extensive research and training before becoming a snake owner. While most pet snakes consist of non-venomous breeds, they can still inflict a painful bite, especially when threatened.
On the other hand, there are several advantages to owning a snake. For instance, they don't need to be walked daily or exercised like most other pets. Similarly, they are also extremely hypoallergenic as they don't shed or produce dander, making them allergy-friendly pets.
15. Sea Monkey
A hybrid variety of brine shrimps, sea monkeys are cheap to purchase and easy to hatch. These shrimps don't need to be fed immediately after hatching; you should rather wait for five days before giving food to your tiny pets.
Normally, you can give commercial brine shrimp food to your sea monkeys. Alternatively, they can also be fed algae, chlorella, or even egg yolks. With these creatures, overfeeding can be a serious issue, often causing death. Make sure to feed them once every five days to keep their food intake controlled.
16. Stick Insects
Stick insects make fascinating pets, particularly for those interested in low-maintenance, unique creatures. Their gentle nature and ability to blend seamlessly into their environment make them ideal for observation. Also, they are quiet, odorless, and require minimal space, making them ideal for children or small homes.
On the other hand, stick insects are fragile and need careful handling, so they may not be ideal for young kids. Caring for stick insects involves providing an appropriate enclosure with good ventilation and a height at least three times their body length for climbing. And, they need a diet of fresh leaves such as bramble, privet, or ivy. Popular varieties for beginners include the Indian stick insect and the giant prickly stick insect.
17. Ant Farms
The list of easiest animals to take care of isn't complete with the visually appealing ant farm. You can either purchase a commercial ant farm for your local pet shop or build a custom farm according to your needs.
Start by taking two plastic or glass containers of different sizes, the smaller one should perfectly fit in the larger container and have space remaining. Poke holes on the cover of the large container and fill the space between the two boxes with dirt.
Then, use sugar or other food to lure ants inside the container. Within a few days, you'll notice that the ants are already at work, tunnelling through the dirt.
18. Hedgehog
Although primarily a wild animal, the hedgehog can be tamed or adopted from a breeder. While they will eventually become friendly and warm with their families, these exotic creatures might take a few days before opening up to their handlers.
Just like porcupines, hedgehogs have sharp quills that can make handling difficult. Also, these animals are excellent escape artists, so make sure you have a strong metal cage to house your companion.
Hedgehogs, as omnivores, survive on a diet of insects, vegetables, and fruits. But, these animals are often prone to obesity, so only feed them the required amount as suggested by your vet.
19. Cockatiels
A small parrot variety, the cockatiel can instantly attract any bird lover with its colorful body and signature head crest. Compared to most parrots, cockatiels are considered low-maintenance due to their smaller size and personality.
These birds are known to get lonely when left alone for extended hours. To prevent loneliness, you should spend a significant amount of time giving them attention. If you are unable to do that, buy a pair of these birds to keep them interactive and busy with each other.
20. Axolotls
Regarded as an endangered species, axolotls are not legal all over the US; states like California, Virginia, and New Jersey have completely banned ownership of these amphibians.
Axolotls thrive on relatively colder water, with temperatures ranging from around 57 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, the tank should have a capacity of about 15-20 gallons.
Moreover, using a quality water filter is also a vital part of the axolotls' care routine. If you are using a filtered tank, about 20% of the water should be changed weekly. However, if you are not using a tank with a filter, the water should be changed daily.
Amanda Tong
