Leopard geckos tend to be the most commonly available pet geckos, but house geckos Remember, while pets are kid-friendly, your kids should be properly supervised when handling them. Because they are very active, some play time outside their cage is also highly recommended. While the idea of rats draws forth troubling images of sewers and dirty corners, pet rats are anything but dirty animals. According to Vet Street, these cats are pretty easygoing. The leopard gecko is a surprisingly friendly and sociable choice for a pet. 40 Rare and Unique Exotic Pets. A drawback is that there are some parts of the U.S. where they are illegal or require permits; check yourstate laws on exotic pets before you adopt one. 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. This crawly creature only grows three to eight inches long and lives anywhere from two to six years, according to the pros at Petco. Males and females are less picky than goldfish, and aside from a need to change the water in the bowl and daily feeding, these make for lo- maintenance pets that don't interfere with your time. Pygmy goats are curious and love to explore, play and socialize. In addition to food and water maintenance, make sure you provide enough toys for these interactive little mammals to play with. They like the thrill of the chase and constricting their prey on their own. In most common species, the body length is 8 to 16 cm say (3.1 to 6.3 inches), and the tail length is 6 to 14 cm say (2.4 to 5.5 inches). 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. Examples of animals that you can have as pets include Bearded Dragons, Budgies, Asian Palm Civet, Chacoan Maras, and Garden Eels. Their tank should be equipped with a hygrometer to ensure adequate humidity levels of at least 75 percent. Web1. 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. Leopard geckos tend to be the most commonly available pet geckos, but house geckos All they need for a home is a small tank "at least twice as wide and three times as tall" as their body. Agouti. Added bonus: You only need sticks for them to move around on and they feed on common plants. 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 need a lot of love, attention, and affection. House an individual in a 10- to 20-gallon tank. Daily food fees are minimal, but fish need a proper tank and setup costs about $100. Pot-bellied pigs are highly intelligent animals whose silly and stylish personalities make for excellent pets. WebGuinea Pig. Among the most popular pets, cocktails are interesting, friendly, playful, active, and mimic speech. Lives 5 to 8 years. Youll want to keep their habitat on the warmer side, along with a shallow saltwater dish where they can soak in. Primary diet consists of hay, pellets, fruit, vegetables and Vitamin C supplements. 4. You don't have to settle on a tank-living, aquatic animal just because you want a low-maintenance pet, however. Water should be changed every week or two. The ideal tank size for most frogs is a 10-gallon or 20-gallon tank. Budgerigar. Forget the myth of pigs being dirty and dumb. 1. Venus fly traps are unique in that they have a special mechanism that's able to close rapidly on insects unlucky enough to land on their lobes. 5. Not only that, but these reptiles can live up to 20 years or more as pets, so they're perfect if you're not looking to say goodbye to your animal too soon. A decorated tank setup costs $20 to $35 and yearly food costs can be as low as $25. 1. Hermit Crabs: Less Than $10. The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is the largest deciduous forest in eastern North America. Unlike many other lizards and reptiles, the leopard gecko is a friendly and sociable choice for a pet. Not for the faint of heart, but snakes can make for very easy pets to have around the house. If turtles and hermit crabs aren't your vibe, consider an even more low-maintenance aquatic animal: Sea-Monkeys! They also don't mind being held and pet. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own 1 Betta fish. At the minimum, these rodents need a cage that encompasses about 7-8 square feet. All Rights Reserved. Hissing cockroaches and some tarantulas make the starter insects pets because they lack rather modest and serious weapons such as stingers and terrifying venom. There are nearly 50 breeds of rabbits that people like to keep as a pet. Binturong. Smith Collection/Gado /Getty Images 13. "I must say I'm quite pleased with the rabbit. Leopard geckos have a lifespan of about 20 years and can easily cohabitate with each other. Sidenote: Male betta fish should be kept alone since they tend to get territorial with each other, but the ladies can cohabitate. Hedgehogs. Its no accident that their good names have become almost synonymous with eating something. Thus, making a hedgehog seems to be not a subject to the separation anxiety, but this pet is fitting for those who travel. They have prominent eyes and ears, hairy tails s, and good claws. Raising them up from a caterpillar, you just need a common plant to feed them, and sticks for them to wander around on, especially in the beginning stage of their life. When it comes to welcoming pets into your family, every pet needs to be cared for and loved. However, that's usually because people pick the wrong kinds of fish. 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. For instance, a painted turtle can live up to 30 years. 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. If youre not committed to having a pet for the long haul, their lifespanfrom caterpillar to fully formed butterflyis only six to eight months. Riley Children's Health at Indiana University. These crabs can be kept in a humid, five gallon-terrarium. 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 4. Leopard geckos tend to be the most commonly available pet geckos, but house geckos These are fairly low maintenance, a diet consisting mostly of insects. Many frog species don't need much space, so they are an ideal choice for small apartments. 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. They don't require much space, so a Betta tank in the five- to 10-gallon range is an appropriate size and can be decorated on the cheap with rocks and one good hiding place. They are not as chatty as parrots, but they love human interactions and can be trained to do simple commands such as stepping on and off your hand. They are most active at night but will wake for interaction during the day. That works, too, as their care, cost, and temperament are similar. Though they eat pellet food, hermit crabs can also ingest bits of your leftovers, just be careful not to give them anything with garlic, onion or citrus. Top 13 Best Pets To Have At Home Or In An Apartment. Rest assured, this insect, whose females kill and eat malesafter or during sex, won't provide that. These strange-looking creatures are relatively inexpensive and can be maintained in an aquarium that does not require any heating or specific filtration. The very essence of a turtle is to be cool, calm and collected, and maintaining them is just as easy. Gallery:The Most Expensive Pets Money Can Buy, Note: Cheapism does not accept or publish guest blog posts. Im About to Have My First GrandchildWhat Gear Do I Actually Need to Invest In So She Can Visit? Lives 5 to 8 years. House a single chinchilla in a cage that is at least 2 feet by 2 feet. Although their average lifespan is 12 to 18 years, some senior pigs have reached their early 20s! A second small, popular, and inexpensive fish to consider, Bettas (also known as Siamese fighting fish) are aggressive by nature and need to be kept in isolation. Some birds like macaws and Amazons are too loud, known for disrupting the neighbors. The going price for leopard geckos ranges from $20 to $70; a beginning terrarium setup generally costs between $100 and $200. In Captivity For in The Wild, Box Turtle Food | Guide | Chain | Chart List, Norwegian Forest Cat vs Maine Coon | Size and Price | Black Grey Orange White. Conservatory garden worker Elliot Blacker, founder of Evopure, recommends stick insectsalso known as stick bugsas the perfect low-maintenance pet. A pet chipmunk may not play catch like Fido, but he can surprise you with simple tricks or use you as a perch. In addition to mice, Dumerils Boas like to eat small rabbits and fowl. 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. However, it is important to consider commitment before jumping into piggy paternity. Also, before buying a foreign pet, make sure the pet is legal wherever you live. Length: 1 inch to 24 inches (smaller lizard species); up to 6 feet (common pet snakes), Weight: 0.5 ounce to 1 pound (smaller lizards); 1 to 5 pounds (common pet snakes), Physical Characteristics: Cold-blooded; scales instead of skin; come in a variety of colors. Best price ! 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. Degu: $1020. } ); Like betta fish, goldfish are a sight for sore eyes and they come in many varieties so you'll be spoiled for choice. Moreover, fat are essential for holding a wholesome neural, [] are an essential component of an exotic pets diet. Their enclosures are also a manageable size. Gerbil. They can live longer depending on goldfish type, the size of the tank, and how often their water is Pet ants can be kept in a simple glass test tube until the colony is big enough to be moved to an enclosure with a nest and an "outdoor" compartment where the ants can feed, keepinginsects.com advises. Snake. A Guinea Pig roams amongst the leaves at Grant's Farm in St. Louis, Missouri. The domesticated Budgerigar is the most popular of all pet bird species, according to BirdLife International. [] Rabbits Eat Celery Leaves? Cool pets to have in California - IPS FAM, Natural Rat Control | Shield your Home from Rats, Professional Dog Grooming Equipment for Sale, How Much Home Cooked Food to Feed Dog Vets w/ Pets. They are low maintenance, only need food every other day or so, and do not mind if you are not around much. Diet for Pet | When Should You Consider a New Diet? 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. A hermit crab on its own goes for around $10, but you should budget between $50 and $175 for a tank and decorations. Not the type to help you save on car insurance, but the type to make long-term, easy-to-care-for pets. Binturong. Anoles can live more than five years and grow up to 8 inches long. Most kids end up having hamsters as childhood pets because they're more low-maintenance than other animals. So, you have a fifth grader who is finally learning about metamorphosis, what better way to show them the process than to get some caterpillars for the home. 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. It is the size of a medium to large breed of dog. Leopard geckos have a lifespan of about 20 years and can easily cohabitate with each other. Tarantulas are quiet and typically only need a 10- to 20-gallon aquarium to thrive. How to Pet Proof Your Home in 10 Easy Steps. This popular parrot makes a Scorpion. Iguanas are some of the most prominent victims of inadequate care for their presence as cheap animals in chain pet stores. Feeding the bottle to your baby will create a close bond between the owner and the animal. 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. They need a lot of love, attention, and affection. They require hardly any maintenance, and only need to be fed growth food every five to seven days. They need a lot of love, attention, and affection. African Dwarf Frogs 3. They of course need and deserve the same amount of TLC youd give Fido, but these animals can be left to their own devices without (too many) worries. Hedgehogs. Web1. Check out this selection of 21 low-maintenance pets that are oh-so-easy to take care of. That doesn't mean you don't deserve to bring an animal into your homeyou just have to find the right one. Whether you want to own an exotic animal or something more common, there are more pets available than ever before. In terms of diet, corn snakes primarily eat rodents and can also find a tasty treat within a quail egg. Youll want to keep their habitat on the warmer side, along with a shallow saltwater dish where they can soak in. Goats are low maintenance and eat grass, hay, grain and pellet feed. As McLeod explained to The Spruce Pets, they have a docile nature that makes them easy to get along with and play with, but they also don't need a lot in terms of care. Top 13 Best Pets To Have At Home Or In An Apartment. However, they can entertain themselves when you are not around to play, leading to some mischief and problems if they are not supervised. With an adult scorpion, you only have to feed it every other day, and their diet consists of insects like crickets, small mealworms, and wax worms. Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, should live alone and usually live for three to five years. The 20 Least Expensive Pets to Own. 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. Pet stores will typically sell canaries for about $100 to $150; breeders often sell for less. Hedgehogs are not social. Easy to maintain and even easier to acquirethey can be found in most backyards! Hermit crabsare alow-commitment pet. Hens can provide a household with 250 fresh eggs every year and can live up to 10 years. Pet goats can easily adapt to any environment but do need a yard. Let's face it, dogs aren't ever really low-maintenance pets. "We've never taken him into a dog groomer. Unlike turtles, tortoises need more room to roam, so be sure to invest in a spacious pen. One drawback to keeping rabbits is that they like to chew and dig. They are naturally calm, friendly, friendly, and intelligent as well as timid! "Betta fish are stunning, really hardy, and you can have an awesome low-maintenance setup," Adams says. Provided you have a backyard and space for a coop, chickens are a surprisingly easy choice. Our list of the cheapest pets some of whom just require food and water includes animals such as insects, reptiles, freshwater fish, and even a crustacean. You'll pay about $15-20 for the hamster, another $20-50 for a cage, $7-8 for an exercise ball, $10 for the first bag of food and another $10 for the first bag of shavings. Ants live in colonies and setting up a colony enclosure, called a formicarium, is probably the most challenging part of ant ownership. Axolotl: $1535. Hermit Crabs: Less Than $10. They are nocturnal, so if you are not home during the day, they will not miss you much. These rodents cost between $25 and $50, and a proper habitat adds about $75 to the initial cost. Fish are often "seen as low-maintenance pets" until people realize just how much work needs to be put into them, says Christopher Adams, founder of ModestFish. 20 Baby Boomer Names That Are at Risk of Going Extinct, Nakhorn Yuangkratoke / EyeEm/ Getty Images, Alan Tunnicliffe Photography/Getty Images. African Dwarf Frogs 5. } else { Although most taxonomies chipmunks acknowledge a single lineage of Tamias, some species are separated into Tamiya, utopias, and species. Different species are found in environments determined by large rocks, boulders, and cliffs up to 3,900 meters (12,800 feet) above sea level. According to the Entomologists' Society, the main requirements these critters need are a secure enclosure that can be maintained at an appropriate humidity and temperature of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These dont necessarily add to the dynamic of your home, but its nice to know theyre there. With gentle handling from a young age, they can bond closely with you. Leopard and house geckos are among the best choices for reptile pets, especially for beginners. Snake. Their small size and relatively easy care make them perfect for smallerhomes. Leopard geckos are nocturnal meaning they're less active during the day and unlike other reptiles, don't require UV light bulbs, but do need an incandescent bulb and possibly a heat pad, depending on temperatures in your home or apartment. Eastern chipmunk is an alternative with two gray-brown stripes and two white stripes. 13 Cheap Pets That Are Easy to Take Care Of. Great for beginner pet parents. From the initial purchase to the cost of food, vet bills, grooming and the ongoing expense of care, having a pet often puts a dent in your personal finances. Anole This cool lizard boasts a colorful neck pouch and is a great choice for novice reptile pet parents. Physical Characteristics: Two bulging eyes; strong, long, webbed hind feet used for leaping and swimming; smooth or slimy skin; colors are varied. As a bonus, the average hen lays 276 eggs every year, according to a survey issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hedgehogs are not social. They are not too fussy when it comes to sharing space and can get along with your other little sea creatures. No-pet apartment leases usually allow hamsters, and they are an ideal apartment pet since they do not require a lot of space. They only grow an average of one-and-a-half inches and live up to five years, according to the pros at Petco. Here's a list of economically friendly pets that won't break the bank. 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. Leopard and house geckos are among the best choices for reptile pets, especially for beginners. Height is not critical; they don't tend to climb, so it does not need to be taller than a foot or 18 inches. The one thing you really need to remember about scorpions is the temperature of their environment. Pigs are why pellets are the staple food of choice for pet pigs. 5. Butterflies are a pretty sight to see outside, but they're also a good insect for inside your home. Cats are certainly not the cheapest option but for those who love felines, the British Shorthair is a low-maintenance and cheaper alternative. If you're not against keeping spiders as pets, a tarantula might be a good addition to your family. Blacker says they can live off a "diet of blackberries, oak, rose, and ivy.". If you are looking for a pet to look at and display, then this is the right choice for you. Spotted Genet. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Choosing a rat as a pet might seem like a gamble. Speaking of which, food is the only catch with this strange pet: Praying mantises eat live insects, which can cost about $100 per year, while the creatures themselvestypically cost around $25 each, and you can buy eggs and nymphs for much less. 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. In addition to mice, Dumerils Boas like to eat small rabbits and fowl. Another reason many owners are surprised by the size. But at the same time, she is quite funny, curious, and very interested when something new happens at home.". } Let's face it, dogs aren't ever really low-maintenance pets. 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. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own 1 Betta fish. Cute White Blue Gecko Lifespan, How Long Do Gerbils Live as Pets ! They need an aquarium with a half foot thick layer of sand and some stones on top for them to climb and play with. Hermit Crabs: Less Than $10. Hedgehogs. With an ant farm, the ants do most of the work. If you still want something cute and cuddly you can hold, get a guinea pig. They are also just as fun and loving as traditional pets like dogs and cats. Lives up to three years. These animals, among the easiest of their species to own, live for about eight to 15 years and are relatively inexpensive compared with other popular pet birds such as parrots. As a team, they are an environmentally versatile race. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); They can thrive in 10-gallon tanks or terrariums as long as they're set up correctly. Tarantulas can grow to be about ten inches (ahhh! Hermit Crabs: $535. 3. If you're looking for a low-maintenance fish, go betta. Gerbil. Crabs are social creatures so it's a good idea to keep more than one. A scorpion crawls along the ground at the Scorpion Kingdom laboratory and farm in Egypt's Western Desert. Snakes probably are not the first animal that comes to mind when considering a pet but they are surprisingly easy to maintain and can make great companions, if not conversation-starters. 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. 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. You'll pay about $15-20 for the hamster, another $20-50 for a cage, $7-8 for an exercise ball, $10 for the first bag of food and another $10 for the first bag of shavings. Chinchillas are small rodents with playful personalities. Web1. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings. Hermit crabs are interesting to watch; they move from one shell to another. Parakeets must be fed daily, however. To cut your start-up costs, adopt a rescue hamster and pick up a second-hand cage on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Dr. Nelva Bryant, DVM, is a highly accomplished veterinarian with three decades of professional experience in animal welfare, public health, and zoonotic diseases. Although the axolotl is known as a 'walking fish', it is not a fish, but an amphibian. JP, owner of beloved Instagram pug Aji, says that pugs are one of the easiest dog breeds to own. Hedgehogs are quiet and produce very little dander, making them the right pet for people with allergies. Although they may be a larger dog, they are a low energy breed and don't require excessive amounts of exercise or food requirements. Hermit crabs are the quintessential low-maintenance pets since the sand at the bottom of their tanks only needs to be changed three times a yearweekly scooping is recommended, however. Hamsters are relatively small, being only 5 to 7 inches long. Although dogs are usually a lot more high-maintenance and costly than other pets, pugs are a fairly low-maintenance and economical choice. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Hamsters are relatively small, being only 5 to 7 inches long. They're all relatively easy to care for, as most cheap pets are, but will provide years of affection and camaraderie. WebGuinea Pig. Amazon Tree Boa The Amazon tree boa is a stunning snake with a need to climb! While everyone knows what a porcupine is, many have not seen or heard of the funny-looking, tree-dwelling, 2. Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine. Two to eight (rarely) young babies are born in the spring or summer after about a month of gestation. Oh, and theyre pretty to look at. 40 Rare and Unique Exotic Pets. Pet ownership is wonderful, but many people don't have the space or budget for a larger, more expensive furry friend. 13 Cheap Pets That Are Easy to Take Care Of. Small, furry, adventurous, and cuddly, guinea pigs are an excellent match for preteens. If the lifespan of a turtle intimidates you, go with a hermit crab instead! Since most chipmunks dont accumulate significant fat during the fall, they rely on these cached foods in the winter. Physical Characteristics: Large, black eyes and bushy tails; luxuriously soft; silver, yellow-gray, bluish-gray, white, beige and black fur. Gerbil. Their intelligence and bizarre personality make them an interesting and loving addition to their family. Betta Fish: $5 to $25. However, the Budgerigar is a social bird and often requires company as well as a supply of new toys, branches, or other items to chew. They are also low-maintenance pets, only eating a few times a week. There's one catch: They do best in pairs because they're extremely social critters. It is of the utmost importance that if youre going to buy a snake, you do so from a reputable vendor so as to avoid any issues, legal or health wise.