Low Maintenance Pets: Are Easy Pets Truly the Best Choice? (2024)

We certainly don’t need to list the reasons why owning a pet is a great idea, but we do know that if you have a busy life, owning a pet may be overwhelming. Luckily, there are many low maintenance pets if you are still looking to cuddle up with, look at, or adore a cute animal.

Here are our top 7 best low maintenance pets.

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7. Hamsters: A Perfect Example of Low Maintenance Pets

Taking care of a hamster is easy once they havethe proper cage. Hamsters are generally loving and docile animals but are very curious making them fun to watch. Putting down bedding, such as paper bedding which absorbs urine will ensure that you won’t need to worry about their bathroom needs as routinely as you would with a dog. The best part? Hamsters are sold at almost all pet stores!

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6. Cats: Among The Best Low Maintenance Pets

If you claim that you are not a “cat person”, have you ever tried owning a cat? Cats are actually pretty independent and self-sufficient creatures, especially for those looking for low maintenance pets. Although their aloof demeanor may sometimes suggest otherwiseats still secretly love human interaction whether they show it or not. A cozy corner, an interactive toy, or a comfortable bed can turn your home into a pet paradise and your cat will love you for it!

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5. Goldfish: One of the Easiest Pets to Take Care Of

Ahh, the goldfish. Generally, the most low maintenance pet of all. Makes sense why it is usually a child’s first pet, right? Taking care of a goldfish is incredibly easy. While it is a myth that goldfish can survivelong-termin a small tank without a filter, they can handle a normal fishbowl while you’re getting set up. Fortunately, there’s not much more you need to do besides occasionally clean the tank and feed ‘em.

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4. Guinea pigs: Easy Pets Full of Excitement

If you are looking for a pet that will be as happy to see you as you are to see them, a guinea pig is a great option. Many people find that the affectionate nature of guinea pigs, their responsiveness to human interaction, and their relatively easy care regimen make them an ideal choice for children or for those who are new to pet ownership. They’re known for “popcorning”, where they jump in the air from excitement- cute, right? Their diet, primarily made up of fresh vegetables and hay, is straightforward and they don't require much grooming except for some breeds with longer hair. Similar to hamsters and mice, they do not require much more than a proper cage with straw, food, and water.

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3. Sea Monkeys: Unique, Fun, and Easy Pets

Ever heard of them? The sea monkey, created in 1957 as a hybrid of the brine shrimp is a great low maintenance pet that you can actually grow yourself! They must be fed about once a week, making them very easy to take care of.

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2. Snakes: A Different Take on Low Maintenance Pets

Although a snake may sound like a scary pet to own to some, they are a very good option if you are looking for a low maintenance pet. All they need is a warm tank, some foliage, and some mice or rats to feast on every few weeks, depending on their size and breed. (So maybe don’t have both a snake and a mouse as your choice of low maintenance pets… sounds a bit contradicting)

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1. Birds: Beautiful and Among the Easiest Pets to Take Care Of

Last but not least, a bird is a beautiful option for a low maintenance pet. In fact, you can choose the type of bird that works best for you. Some smaller birds don’t require much human interaction while others do. Choosing the right bird breed according to your lifestyle can be crucial. Budgies, for instance, are small and relatively easy to care for, making them suitable for first-time bird owners. They are sociable, friendly, and even capable of mimicking human speech. Canaries, on the other hand, are known for their beautiful songs and don't require as much interaction, making them a perfect fit for those who want a low maintenance pet with a musical touch.

What’s also fun is that some birds are able to learn and interact similar to the way a dog does!

Do any of these pets interest you? While these are great options if you’re looking for easy pets, please know that there is a difference between low maintenance and no maintenance. Please do not get one of these top 7 easiest pets to take care of if it will not receive appropriate, researched care. But if you’re ready to put in a bit of time and effort, you could find that one of these animals is the perfect low maintenance pet for you!

Low Maintenance Pets: Are Easy Pets Truly the Best Choice? (2024)

FAQs

What is the most low maintenance pet to have? ›

#1: Guinea Pigs, Gerbils, Mice, Rats, Hamsters, and Other Small Mammals. These small mammals or “pocket pets” require daily care and clean cages. Otherwise, though, many of them are relatively tough and self-sufficient. Young children will need to learn how to handle them gently in order to keep them safe.

What is the cleanest pet to own? ›

What pet is the cleanest? Cats are famously fastidious in their cleanliness, but they will leave trails of litter, fluffs of hair, and the occasional hairball (or other things) for their human to clean up. The cleanest pets include amphibians, fish, reptiles, and rodents.

What is the best choice for a pet? ›

If you're an active person with a lot of free time, a dog might be the perfect fit for you. However, if you're more of a homebody, a cat might be a better choice. And if you're really lazy, a pet rock might be your best option.

What is the best animal to have as the perfect pet? ›

A dog is a great pet for an outgoing and extroverted family because dogs are outgoing themselves. If your family is made up of introverts, a cat or rabbit might be the perfect companion. Do any of your family members have allergies? If being around pet fur makes you sneeze, a reptile might make a more suitable pet.

What is the cheapest best pet? ›

  • Guinea Pigs. If you're looking for something cuddly that's easier on the wallet than a puppy, you may want to consider a guinea pig. ...
  • Hermit Crabs. ...
  • Sea Monkeys. ...
  • Dwarf Frogs. ...
  • Goldfish. ...
  • Leopard Geckos. ...
  • Ants. ...
  • Canaries.

What pet can you leave alone for a week? ›

Low maintenance pets are a better option for those who have unpredictable schedules or who have to be away from home frequently. Fish, snakes and some other reptiles only need to be fed around once a week, and won't suffer from emotional distress at being left alone.

What pet is best for anxiety? ›

Dogs and cats are the most common animals used for anxiety and depression. A dog is the best pet for a child with anxiety since they can be trained as service animals who will know how to address a situation where a child may have a severe attack, tremors, or seizures.

What is the easiest pet ever? ›

With these considerations in mind, let's explore the top 10 easiest animals to care for
  • #8: Hamster. ...
  • #7: Rabbit. ...
  • #6: Ferrets. ...
  • #5: Birds. ...
  • #4: Turtles. ...
  • #3: Reptiles. ...
  • #2: Rodents. ...
  • #1: Fish. We're hesitant to include fish as the #1 easiest animal to care for, as some fish require extensive and frequent maintenance.

What pet does not stink? ›

Well, the least smelly pet would be a pet rock. But if you want something warm-blooded and cuddly, cats are a great choice. Rabbits are also a good choice, but they are rather high maintenance. Four dog breeds that are low odor would be Boston Terrier, Basenji, Poodle and the Bichon Frise.

What first pet should I get? ›

Small pets such as guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils make good companions because they are easy to handle, easy to keep track of, and non-threatening to a child. Guinea pigs make especially good pets for very young children because they are docile, rarely bite, and are easily handled.

What is the easiest class pet to take care of? ›

Hamsters tend to make good classroom pets because they require little maintenance and are fun to watch. Lessons about hamsters can focus on everything from habitats (hamsters tend to live in burrows) to eating habits (hamsters are omnivorous).

What animals Cannot be kept as pets? ›

Animals Not Allowed as Pets
  • Wolves, foxes, coyotes, hyenas, dingoes, jackals, and other undomesticated dogs.
  • Lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, pumas, panthers, mountain lions, cheetahs, cougars, bobcats, lynxes, and other undomesticated cats.
  • Ferrets, weasels, minks, badgers, wolverines, skunks, and mongooses.

What is the smartest pet to have? ›

Researchers believe that the average intelligence of domesticated dogs ranks on par with human 2-year-olds, although intelligence varies significantly between dog breeds. The border collie, for instance, is the smartest breed, closely followed by poodles, German shepherds and golden retrievers.

What is the easiest cleanest pet? ›

Want A Pet and A Clean Home? We Rate the Cleanest Pets
  1. Budgies. Budgies are a great pet option as they are very easy to look after. ...
  2. Hamsters. The benefit of having a hamster is that they are incredibly easy to look after. ...
  3. Guinea pigs. ...
  4. Cats. ...
  5. Dogs.
Jan 24, 2023

What animal has the easiest life? ›

What wild animals have the easiest lives? The giant clam, Tridacna. It never has to get up and go anywhere, it has no predators or enemies, it doesn't have to defend itself, doesn't have to go in search of a mate, and doesn't even have to go hunt food.

What's the easiest small pet to take care of? ›

Easiest Small Animals to Care for and Why They Might be Right for You
  • Hamsters. While hamsters are fun and active pets, they are nocturnal, which means that they can be a disappointing pet for small children. ...
  • Guinea Pigs. ...
  • Rabbits. ...
  • Chinchillas. ...
  • Mice and Rats. ...
  • Parrots. ...
  • Hermit Crabs. ...
  • Ferrets.

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