22 Truly Low Maintenance Pets
It’s great to own a pet, but not everyone has the time, resources, or energy to take care of one. Fortunately, there are a lot of low maintenance pets out there that provide companionship and joy without taking a lot of time. Here are 22 low-maintenance pets that are perfect for busy people or families looking for an easy pet to take care of.
1. Betta Fish
Betta fish, or Siamese fighting fish, are colorful, elegant creatures that only need minimal care. They’re great for first-time fish owners since they survive in small aquariums and different types of water.
2. Leopard Gecko
For reptile lovers of all ages, leopard geckos make excellent pets. They just need live insects and occasional supplements to survive, and they also don’t take up much space, so it’s easier to keep them.
3. Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs enjoy social interactions, so they make good pet companions. It’s relatively easy to take care of them compared to other small mammals, however they need spacious cages to easily roam around. They enjoy fresh hay and vegetable treats.
4. Hermit Crab
The hermit crab is one of the easiest crustaceans to care for. They just need a nice big habitat with lots of hiding places, as well as food and fresh water all the time.
5. Tarantula
Tarantulas may seem dangerous, but they’re actually happy-to-go animals. They are quite low maintenance pets. These arachnids require a secure enclosure with proper ventilation, a substrate for burrowing, and a consistent supply of live insects for food.
6. Goldfish
Goldfish are classic aquarium fish and don’t need a lot of care. For beginners, they’re an excellent choice since they simply require a setup with a filter and regular water changes.
7. Ball Python
Ball pythons are friendly snakes with a tamable nature. They have a manageable size compared to other snakes. To keep them healthy, they need an enclosure with the right temperature and humidity, and a diet of frozen thawed rodents.
8. Ants
Insect enthusiasts love ant farms because they’re low maintenance and fun. As long as they have a proper setup and regular food sources, ants can flourish in their captivity and can live up on their own quite easily.
9. Hedgehog
Hedghogs are adorable, spiky pets that require little care and grooming. Only thing they need is a spacious environment with lots of hiding spots and the opportunity to roam around freely. For food, they eat high quality commercial hedgehog food.
10. Rabbit
Rabbits are wonderful animals for families to own and for children to play with. They need a proper habitat to hop around where they can do whatever they want freely. They love to eat hay, fresh vegetables, and a small amount of pellets.
11. Axolotl
Axolotls are aquatic salamanders distinguished by their unique appearance and regenerative abilities. They require a spacious aquarium with cool, clean water and a diet of live or frozen thawed insects.
12. Cockatiel
For bird lovers, cockatiels make wonderful companions. They are both charming and intelligent. Their favorite activities are ones that stimulate their mind, like playing with toys and perches. They are easy-to-go birds with a dietary requirement of high quality bird seed, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
13. Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Madagascar hissing cockroaches are fascinating insects that are surprisingly low maintenance as pets. Just a simple enclosure will do, with fresh fruits and vegetables to satisfy their dietary needs.
14. Guppy
Fish like guppies are colorful, livebearing, and great for beginners and pros. Even though they look like they need a lot of attention, they don’t need much to care for. A well-maintained aquarium with a balanced diet and regular water changes is enough.
15. Stick Insect
Stick insects are very simple to keep. Their enclosure should be secure with plenty of branches for climbing, and fresh leaves should be available regularly. They eat fresh leaves so they need minimal attention.
16. Zebra Finch
Zebra finches are small and sociable birds making them one of the favorite for bird lovers. Bird toys and spacious cage provide them with enough entertainment. Their diet includes commercial bird seed, fresh greens, and occasional egg food.
17. Hamster
Hamsters are popular pocket pets. Unlike other rodents, they are adorable and easy to keep with relatively little maintenance requirements. Their cage should be suitable for their daily activity including toys, and a wheel for exercise, and a small bedding. They usually eat commercial hamster food and fresh vegetables.
18. Snail
Snails can live easily in many different environments with a very low maintenance cost. This makes them an excellent pet option for busy families. Only thing to care for is a humid enclosure with proper ventilation and a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.
19. Fire Salamander
Fire salamanders are striking amphibians and a fascinating option for reptile lovers. As amphibians, they need an enclosure with a shallow water dish for soaking, and a diet of live insects and earthworms.
20. Freshwater Snail
Freshwater snails are beneficial additions to aquariums as they clean algae and small debris regularly as they eat it. Ideally, they’d like a healthy aquarium with suitable water parameters and a diet of algae, detritus, and occasional commercial snail food.
21. Tarpon Fish
Tarpon fish are large and majestic fish for experienced aquarium enthusiasts. They don’t need much attention. It’s easy to keep them, as long as you have a large tank, a varied diet, and proper water conditions.
22. Tortoises
Tortoises make good indoor low maintenance pets. All you need to do is take care of their dietary needs. Tortoises can live for several decades in a spacious enclosure, a varied diet, and regular sunlight.
Conclusion
Regardless of how busy your life is, everyone can have a fulfilling experience owning a pet. With the wide variety of low-maintenance pets available, there’s always something for everyone, from aquatic creatures to terrestrial critters. With the right pet, you can enjoy pet ownership without the stress and hassle of extensive care routines.
