However, they do require a diet of chinchilla-specific food, which can be bought at a local pet store. The quintessential low-maintenance "pet" if ever there was one. Pets Hedgehogs are not social. Check out this selection of 21 low-maintenance pets that are oh-so-easy to take care of. Cheapest Pets 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. Oh, and theyre pretty to look at. 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. 1. 5. Like other pets allowed to roam in your home, make sure there are no exposed wires or toxic plants and protect wooden fixtures. African Dwarf Frogs Juveniles need feedings three times a day, but adults can eat once daily. Two to eight (rarely) young babies are born in the spring or summer after about a month of gestation. And while cleaning their space and providing fresh water is essential, turtles actually dont need to be fed every day. Some male frogs sing, so they'renot a completely quiet pet, but the sound is not loud enough to offend the neighbors. Pet stores will typically sell canaries for about $100 to $150; breeders often sell for less. Cool They are not too fussy when it comes to sharing space and can get along with your other little sea creatures. The corn snake is fairly docile, only grows two to five feet in length and primarily eats small rodents. Tarantulas just need a suitable terrarium to roam around in, and they eat live insects like crickets, mealworms, super worms, and roaches. The good news is that pot-bellied pigs make great house pets. They dont require too much spacea 15-to 20-gallon tank will do the trickand they feed on crickets, wax worms and meal worms. Talk about hands-off. Learn more about the anole 2. African Dwarf Frogs Although they may be a larger dog, they are a low energy breed and don't require excessive amounts of exercise or food requirements. After, all you'll need to do is change the water every once in a while and feed them the growth food that comes with most kits, which typically cost between $8 and $20. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); They are also able to keep active on their own if provided with enough toys and other items for stimulation. In terms of food, their diet consists of bloodworms, brine shrimp, and frozen mysis shrimp. This one is probably an easy pick for the kids. One drawback to keeping rabbits is that they like to chew and dig. "For starters, they require little to no work, as they only need to be fed once or twice a week," she says. Lives up to three years. When moved to a larger enclosure, ants require a nest area made of gypsum or concrete with tunnels in it, covered by a glass slate to keep the nest dark. Obtaining ants is as easy as buying an ant colony or a fertilized queen ant, or collecting one from nature. Adults grow to up to 4 inches plus a 4-inch tail. Mice also require a well-ventilated cage, some toys, but can eat any food suitable for humans. Don't forget about the geckos! The leopard gecko is a surprisingly friendly and sociable choice for a pet. Dr. Bryant is a Veterinary Review Board Member for The Spruce Pets. Know which species you can keep in your town or city before bringing them home. Hedgehogs are very quiet and low-maintenance pets. These spiny little animals need to be fed and cared for in the evening hours so make the perfect companion for night owls. Unlike dogs, you don't need to worry about giving a cat lots of exercise and because they are so independent, cats can be left alone for extended periods of time provided they are left with food and water. These dont necessarily add to the dynamic of your home, but its nice to know theyre there. } From perfect beaks to curly tails, tiny pot-bellied pigs have become a very favorite addition to the exotic pet scene. 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. Let's face it, dogs aren't ever really low-maintenance pets. The glass test tube should be filled with sugar water capped with cotton wool. Hermit Crabs: $535. Youll want to keep their habitat on the warmer side, along with a shallow saltwater dish where they can soak in. Being active and playful requires a variety of toys to keep them busy, especially chewing gum. Although they make excellent pets for beginners, Bearded Dragons have specialized diets composed of fruit, vegetables, and insects. While showing your pet some love with occasional table scraps wont hurt them, owners need to maintain a high-quality, nutritious diet for their breakfast monsters. Rats require a wire cage, bedding and toys. 12 Best Exotic Pets for Apartment Living. Fruit can be given occasionally as a treat. Ferrets love to play with humans and each other. Conservatory garden worker Elliot Blacker, founder of Evopure, recommends stick insectsalso known as stick bugsas the perfect low-maintenance pet. A Guinea Pig roams amongst the leaves at Grant's Farm in St. Louis, Missouri. Lifespan, Chinchillas as Pet How Long do Chinchillas Live as Good Pets, Crested Gecko Tank Size and Setup ! Betta Fish: $5 to $25. They are in the rodent family and eat an omnivorous diet. They make remarkably easy pets probably one of the easiest in terms of maintenance. Rats are friendly, quiet, and intelligent animals. Im About to Have My First GrandchildWhat Gear Do I Actually Need to Invest In So She Can Visit? 13 Cheap Pets That Are Easy to Take Care Of. Gerbil. Crabs are social creatures so it's a good idea to keep more than one. A leopard gecko is the perfect pet for any family or apartment-dwelling young adult. 10 Cheap Exotic Pets - PetHelpful. They need a lot of love, attention, and affection. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. The one thing to remember about these creatures is that they need to be kept in a dark part of your room, away from sunlight. 4. Feeding the bottle to your baby will create a close bond between the owner and the animal. Also, since they are natural predators, it may take some time to make friends with other animals in the house. Local laws also might prohibit certain exotic animals. Supplies for having a pet rat can add up to $100 and more, depending on how thrifty and industrious you want to be. Consider a smaller turtle that grows up to nine or twelve inches at most, like a painted turtle, if you're looking for the kind you can put in a regular-sized terrarium. Both young and older children love them, they need virtually none of your time, and, unlike dogs, cats, and most of the other creatures on this list, don't require a pet-sitter when you leave town. Simple! From Spay. Spotted Genet. 17 Low-Maintenance Pets That Are Easy Great for beginner pet parents. The best part about this pet is that most butterfly species feed on just a mixture of sugar and water. This popular parrot makes a Scorpion. Adults grow to up to 12 inches. Easy to maintain and even easier to acquirethey can be found in most backyards! Chipmunk (Tamias species) is a large internal cheekbone used for food transport. Cool 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. If you're looking for a new companion and aren't in the market for a dog, or even if you already have a dog and are considering another pet, its a good idea to consider a low-maintenance pet. Gilles Ventejol, founder of Animal Patient, recommends rabbits as a pet owner, despite being a specialist in cat and dog health. But what about the cost to buy this insect? Pet ownership is wonderful, but many people don't have the space or budget for a larger, more expensive furry friend. Leopard geckos have a lifespan of about 20 years and can easily cohabitate with each other. So, overall, they're inexpensive, low-maintenance and getting one is certainly not a big commitment.". Kids will love feeding them, but because goldfish have such short memories, they tend to overeat if youre not careful. But not always. Cats also groom and wash themselves and the British Shorthair is particularly easy as it has an undemanding personality, easygoing temperament and molts far less than other cats, Cattime.com recommends. A hedgehog is not related to porcupines or not a rodent, they are in a sub-family known as insectivore. And they do feed on live insects such as crickets, mealworms, super worms and roaches, so trips to the pet store will belively. If you're not against keeping spiders as pets, a tarantula might be a good addition to your family. However, when you're a busy person, it's just not possible to spend every waking moment looking after a pet. A classic easy first pet, a goldfish is an animal that adds life and beauty to the room without requiring much attention, time or maintenance from its owners. Pot-bellied pigs are highly intelligent animals whose silly and stylish personalities make for excellent pets. Exotic pets can be beautiful, unique, and some can be trained to do tricks, talk, or retrieve items for you. Different species are found in environments determined by large rocks, boulders, and cliffs up to 3,900 meters (12,800 feet) above sea level. It may seem strange to keep insects or spiders as pets, but these are unique animals that are interesting to look at. In terms of diet, turtles are easy, as they "don't need to be fed every day." However, they need much attention and care, including the right temperature, humidity, and lighting. 3. According to Pet Smart, hermit crabs really only live for 10 years at most, and only grow up to 6 inches long. Parakeets must be fed daily, however. Physical Characteristics: Short tails, stubby legs, and small ears; color variations include black, grey, brown, white, yellow, red, or a mixture of several colors. 5. Examples of animals that you can have as pets include Bearded Dragons, Budgies, Asian Palm Civet, Chacoan Maras, and Garden Eels. These crabs can be kept in a humid, five gallon-terrarium. However, it is important to consider commitment before jumping into piggy paternity. These strange-looking creatures are relatively inexpensive and can be maintained in an aquarium that does not require any heating or specific filtration. Small Pets Small Pets Best Exotic Pets for Small Spaces Pet 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. If you're looking for a low-maintenance fish, go betta. They are also low-maintenance pets, only eating a few times a week. Budgerigar. It 2. Seeing as most praying mantises are taken from the yard outside the home and brought in, there's usually no cost at all! You don't have to settle on a tank-living, aquatic animal just because you want a low-maintenance pet, however. She has worked with airlines and the Centers for Disease Control to improve pet travel through veterinary oversight. Chipmunks are not low-maintenance pets, but they are great companions. Similarly, pets like pot-bellied pigs might be naturally inclined to burrow and damage a rental property. Cheap Exotic Pets 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. 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. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own 1 Betta fish. Chinchillas are small rodents with playful personalities. This is a characteristic children will love. Fruits, vegetables, and cat or dog food are young, healthy, in a good mood, and perfect. Pigs are why pellets are the staple food of choice for pet pigs. 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 Anoles can live more than five years and grow up to 8 inches long. No need for constant trips to the groomers! Also, be careful not to move the ant farm once ants have built their tunnels, as it might cause a collapse, which could kill or injure the ants. Best pets to have at home or in an apartment Gallery:The Most Expensive Pets Money Can Buy, Note: Cheapism does not accept or publish guest blog posts. Axolotl: $1535. Budgerigar. Chinchillas prefer warm temperatures, enjoy dust baths, and need a balanced feeding routine to have shoots and good quality grass straw. Low-Maintenance Pets Smith Collection/Gado /Getty Images 13. Once they've outgrown one shell you'll need to buy their next, larger shell a small cost. Your content goes here. But many rat owners say the furry little animals are cuddly if handled often from a young age. Smith Collection/Gado /Getty Images 13. Thanks to their day-to-day ease of care and, among male canaries, their trademark singing, canaries have been one of the most popular types of pets for more than 500 years not nearly as long as dogs, but 500 years is pretty impressive. The small, spotted creatures may be shy at first, but after some love and care they'll sweeten up to your touch, just like other pets. All you need to do, according to Allie Layos of Wide Open Pets, is keep a temperature of somewhere between 60 to 70 degrees, cover the ants at night, give them sufficient water with either a damp cotton ball or a few drops, and provide foods like small pieces of fruits and vegetables. Fish are often "seen as low-maintenance pets" until people realize just how much work needs to be put into 2 Pugs. They're extremely fun and playful. Guinea pigs crave socialization and are typically easy to handle. Spotted Genet. They are most active at night but will wake for interaction during the day. They make excellent apartment dwellers because they sleep most of the day while the owner is away for the day. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Although mini-pot-bellied pigs are much smaller than their corral, a small pig could easily weigh more than 100 pounds! The fur is reddish-brown and is broken by five brownish brown stripes running down the length of the body. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. According to Laurie Hess, DVM, with Vet Street, they actually groom themselves and organize their food into neat piles, making them one of the neatest pets you can own. They tend to be easily tamed and often like to hang out on people's shoulders or laps.