Low maintenance pets offer the undeniable pleasure of having a furry friend without the hassle of needing to take them for walks, grooming and feeding them. Most popular pets like cats and dogs consume a lot of time, money and space, while other, more exotic pets require just as much devotion.
Dreaming of a more exotic companion like a reptile, a fish, or a small furry mammal? Strung up with a busy schedule or living in a compact space? Then this guide is perfect for you.
This guide is for beginners and families that are busy and are looking for uncomplicated pets to take care of. Together, we will take the time to figure out the most popular animals and categorize them as low maintenance as well as their housing, diet, costs, and care routines. Pet ownership is so fulfilling and rewarding, we will make sure the shift in companionship is of a manageable nature.
What Does “Low Maintenance” Really Mean?
Low maintenance, like animal ownership options, can be a little loose such as how one person can distinguish it as a Pet that Whom doesn’t require Daily Walks and another can view it as “I am financially broken so Give me any Animal.” One is better served by trying to concept a model that captures the essence of the construct on a few components.
- Time: Here one looks at everyday level of the animal interaction like feeding and exercise routines, cleaning and enclosure maintenance. Having a Pet that is “Hand’s Off” should hopefully require less than 30 minutes of direct animal interaction care.
- Financial Outlay: Some Pets’ “buy in” costs is usually very low, and so is the daily feed, bedding or litter, and in some instances Medical costs.
- Size of the Enclosure: One of the ideal Pets’ to own in an Apartment is a few Species’ that do well in a reasonably sized tank or enclosure and do not need a whole house or yard to roam about.
- Social interaction: Some Animals need a Associate to be happy while some can be fine by self.These Animals require twice the Animal Care, which is not ideal. One of the ideal pets’ with low maintenance is the one that doesn’t have a problem being left alone.
In a Pet Purchase Decision, it’s very important to recognize and understand the pets’ needs juxtaposed with an individual’s threshold which is best defined as low maintenance.
Important Things To Keep In Mind While Choosing A First Time Pet
Selecting a pet can be a hard decision that can be both confusing and heartwarming, but you need to keep some factors in mind. A good first pet should be able to meet most of the criteria outlined below.
- Resilience: Is the pet healthy and able to survive in the given conditions and environment?
- Personality: Is the pet easy to hold and handle?
- Feeding Requirements: Is the pet’s food easy to obtain and prepare?
- Cage Maintenance: Is the pet easy to cage and does it require complex equipment?
- Life Expectancy: Not considering the pet’s age, do you intend to spend time with it for the next two to twenty years?
Best First Pets For Responsibility And Care
There is no perfect pet that suits everybody. In the following, you can find some of the best kept fish in the world and the best kept fish per category, so you can find one that fits you most.
Fish, due to their unique and visually appealing display, are some of the best kept and most pet fish in the world. They are silent and captured in their own world and are of great beauty.
Bettas. They are not hard fish to take care of, you just need a heated filtered tank of minimum 5 gallons. You are guaranteed to appreciate their unique, colorful, and very long flowing fins. They even have adorable little personalities that add to their delightful, little lives.
Schooling fish
- Aquarium Size: 10 Gallons
- Temperature: 45 to 75
Schooling fish, white cloud mountain minnows are tiny, lively fish that are extremely hardy. Tropical fish often are not able to breathe in cold waters but these fish are able to. Their adaptability makes these fish easy to take care. They swim in schools, which means, if you want to keep them in a 10 gallon tank, you need to have a minimum of five fish.
Least Effort Amphibians and Reptiles
Brachyscome are is a type of crested gecko that are better getter geckos.
If you are looking for a unique pet, consider these amphibians and reptiles which are very easy to take care of. They are also hypoallergenic and do not need to be checked on regularly.
- Leopard Gecko: Perfect for for beginner reptile owners, these gentle, compact reptiles exclusively eat live insects and require an easy to care for heated tank. Owner Comment: Don’t forget to wash your hands after coming in contact with a collection of reptiles as they do tend to carry our acne causing bacteria, cystic acne, if not looked after properly.
- Crested Gecko: Known as “Cresties”, these are geckos that also are very easy to take care of. They eat a blended concoction that is easy to prepare and made for them. They are entertaining to watch due to their capability of leaping and climbing.
- Axolotl:This peculiar amphibian is completely aquatic and renowned for its seemingly “smiling” face. They need a cool, filtered aquarium and are breathtaking tank inhabitants. The tank setup is complicated, but its requirements are simple and easy to learn.
- African Dwarf Frogs: These little frogs are completely aquatic and hold a very low maintenance level as well. They swim peacefully in a small aquarium, but because they are social creatures, a small group is preferable. They are amusing to observe as they do laps in their tank.
Low Maintenance Mammals
If you would like a furry companion, there are small mammals that do not require much maintenance, but tend to interact more daily than reptiles and fish.
- Syrian Hamster: This small pet is incredibly easy to take care of, and for good reason. These silent beings require a large cage to roam free in, complete with a thick layer of bedding for burrowing, and a good supply of toys. They do tend to be more suitable for people who enjoy a bit of nighttime activity, as they are nocturnal.
- Guinea Pigs. For kids, guinea pigs are great pets because of their gentle disposition. Unlike other pets in this category, though, guinea pigs are not as low maintenance. They are very active and must be kept in pairs which means they need a large cage. They also need a daily supply fresh of veggies and hay. They are social animals and their social and dietary demands makes them a bigger commitment.
Not Too Many Maintenance Birds
Birds are considered to be high maintenance pets. Other than this generalization, a certain species of birds can be an easier option for a dedicated novice.
- Budgerigars. Budgies are small, social and intelligent parrots. Unlike other birds, budgies are easier to take care of than larger parrots. They do require some work though, as they need to be kept in a room which is bird proof and can freely move for an hour at least. They also require some socialization. If proper attention and care is given, they can be great friends.
Not Too Much Maintenance Invertebrates
Invertebrates are a great option for someone who really wants something unique and is ultra low maintenance. They do not make any noise, and are extremely clean.
- Isopods and Millipedes. These decomposers are kept in a simple terrarium which consists of soil and leaf litter. They only require some food scraps and their area to be moist. Many people are also starting to keep them because they are very interesting to watch.
- Tarantulas: A lot of the species of Tarantula, especially the Curly Hair and the Mexican Red-Knee, are extremely low maintenance, especially the ground-dwelling ones. They are kept in small, secure enclosures and need to be fed once a week or even less.
- Snails (e.g. Giant African Land Snail): These large creatures are extremely easy to take care of because they are slow. They need a humid tank, and a diet of fresh vegetables, and a source of calcium for their shells. Legal Note: Some species are illegal to own (such as in the US) because of their potential to be invasive to certain areas.
Habitat, Feeding, and Cleaning Basics
| Pet Type | Enclosure Basics | Feeding Frequency | Cleaning Routine |
| Fish | Heated/filtered tank (5-10 gal) | Daily (small pinch) | 25% water change weekly |
| Reptiles | Heated tank (10-20 gal), hides | 2-3 times per week | Spot clean daily, full clean monthly |
| Amphibians | Cooled, filtered tank (10-20 gal) | 2-3 times per week | 25% water change weekly |
| Mammals | Large cage with deep bedding | Daily | Spot clean daily, full clean weekly |
| Invertebrates | Terrarium with substrate | Weekly (or less) | Every 4-6 months |
Costs, Lifespan, and Allergy Considerations
| Pet | Initial Cost (Approx.) | Lifespan | Allergy-Friendly? |
| Betta Fish | $50 – $100 | 3-5 years | Yes |
| Leopard Gecko | $150 – $250 | 15-20 years | Yes |
| Syrian Hamster | $100 – $200 | 2-3 years | No |
| Tarantula | $75 – $150 | 5-20+ years (females live longer) | Yes |
Ethical Concerns and Warning Signs of a Pet Shop
Acquire the pet by sourcing from a reputable breeder or rescue and avoid places that exploit animals. Issues that pet shops often have include:
- Animals that show signs of lethargy and have dirty, full of waste cages.
- Personnel who do not have a basic knowledge about the animals.
- Animals that should not be housed, such as different species or same sex animals (Syrian hamsters).
- Not buying from what Animal View describes as “miserable” places aids in improving animal welfare across the board.
Finding Your Perfect Easy Pet
Joanne says even low maintenance pets are a good starting point as a companion animal. With a little self reflection, one can even analyze their time, budget, and space to get an animal that adds the most value and takes away the least. From, a low maintenance calm & beautiful betta fish – to, the exquisite leopard gecko to unique pet isopod colonies.
The choice is there. And one should not forget that the term “low maintenance” should be taken with a pinch of salt. Every single animal, with no exception, low or high, should be taken care of, respected, and most importantly, their welfare should be taken in regard through their entire life.
FAQs
1.What is the easiest pet to take care of?
Easiest pet I would say is invertebrates like isopods or a terrestrial tarantula. They are easy to feed, don’t take a lot of space, and their enclosures don’t need to be cleaned more than twice a year. Betta fishes are also a good option.
2. What are some easy pets I can keep in a 5-gallon tank?
Having a 5-gallon tank means you can have a betta fish. You can also keep a handful of dwarf frogs or some invertebrates such as snails. With a filter and a heater, the tank can hold a single betta fish. Most other animals take up more room than what a 5-gallon tank can provide.
3. Is there such thing as a hypoallergenic pet that is furry?
Hypoallergenic means having little or no dangers of allergic reactions, but no mammal is 100 % hypoallergenic and can trigger allergies through their dander, saliva or urine, and furless animals in a tank, such as some reptiles or amphibians, fish and some invertebrates are great hypoallergenic pets.
4. What pet can a child start with that is easy to hold?
Guinea pigs are furry pets that are very easy to handle and can sit on the lap of children. Gentle handling of a socialized pet gecko, either leopard or crested, can also be used. However, children must be supervised at all times. When it comes to geckos, it is worth noting that they are easier to keep than a pig.
