These spiny little animals need to be fed and cared for in the evening hours so make the perfect companion for night owls. 21 Best Pets For Kids (By Age Range Consider adding one of these small creatures to your home as your family's new (and easiest) pet. 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. Although they enjoy a good mud bath to protect their sensitive skin from the sun, pot-bellied pigs are very clean animals. They like to chillax in a tropical habitat and love to eat crickets and worms. You don't have to settle on a tank-living, aquatic animal just because you want a low-maintenance pet, however. Gerbil. In terms of diet, corn snakes primarily eat rodents and can also find a tasty treat within a quail egg. 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. Sidenote: Male betta fish should be kept alone since they tend to get territorial with each other, but the ladies can cohabitate. Hermit Crabs: Less Than $10. Betta fish usually sell for $5 to $25, with the less-colorful females cheaper; rare patterns can command as much as $50. Know which species you can keep in your town or city before bringing them home. Hedgehogs. While everyone knows what a porcupine is, many have not seen or heard of the funny-looking, tree-dwelling, 2. Primates often fulfill their enrichment requirements by destroying property or wreaking havoc in your house. Rabbits are a suitable option for apartment living since they can be litter-box trained, groom themselves, and are relatively quiet. In terms of diet, turtles are easy, as they "don't need to be fed every day." Leopard geckos have a lifespan of about 20 years and can easily cohabitate with each other. That works, too, as their care, cost, and temperament are similar. They are in the rodent family and eat an omnivorous diet. Small Pets That Could Be Right Low Maintenance Pets They are great for apartment living since they make no noise, are hypoallergenic, and low-maintenance. Cats are notoriously independent. Pet goats require little to no grooming however they can be destructive to fences and gardens and can call loudly, which neighbours may find a nuisance, British animal charity the RSPCA warns. Physical Characteristics: Common variations include white, sable, cinnamon, and chocolate-colored slinky bodies with white foreheads, muzzles, and throats; black feet, Photography by Peter A. Kemmer / Getty Images. Blacker says they can live off a "diet of blackberries, oak, rose, and ivy.". Primary diet consists of hay, pellets, fruit, vegetables and Vitamin C supplements. Dr. Nelva Bryant, DVM, is a highly accomplished veterinarian with three decades of professional experience in animal welfare, public health, and zoonotic diseases. Rare and Unique Exotic Pets The leopard gecko is a surprisingly friendly and sociable choice for a pet. Top 13 Best Pets To Have At Home Or In An Apartment. Fish are often "seen as low-maintenance pets" until people realize just how much work needs to be put into 2 Pugs. Their tank should be equipped with a hygrometer to ensure adequate humidity levels of at least 75 percent. 67 Cool Animals You Can Own as Pets 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. Pot-bellied pigs are highly intelligent animals whose silly and stylish personalities make for excellent pets. A scorpion crawls along the ground at the Scorpion Kingdom laboratory and farm in Egypt's Western Desert. Physical Characteristics: Small, stout bodies with no tail, a large head with large and alert eyes, strong, short legs with four toes on their front feet and three on the back, all with sharp claws; color variations include black, beige, chocolate, cream, cinnamon, gold, lemon, lilac, red, silver, and white, Fernando Trabanco Fotografa / Getty Images. However, keeping ants is a cool, interesting way for young children to feel like they "own pets," without parents having to feel like they need to spend a lot of time "taking care" of said pets. Reptiles like smaller lizards and snakes are not as social as mammals, but they can be good for small spaces. African dwarf frogs dont need much human interaction, so its advisable to get several in a tank. They make a "wheek" sound as a vocalization, but it is not loud enough to disturb neighbors in an apartment setting. Mice do not require a lot of space or a large cage. Dik Dik. They require a cage with soft bedding. Amazon Tree Boa The Amazon tree boa is a stunning snake with a need to climb! If you are looking for a pet to look at and display, then this is the right choice for you. 4 Low-Maintenance Rodent Pets 1. Unless won at the county fair, these animals can cost anywhere from $1 (sometimes they're considered food for other animals, rather than pets) to $40 or more. In addition, they need a large terrarium with pure water, fruits, and vegetables every day. Simple! They cheat along the ground but are also expert mountaineers. 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. Binturong. But when you have roommates, kids in the family or work long hours, caring for a pet is not easy. Required fields are marked *. Physical Characteristics: Pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail; color variations include brown, black, tan, gray, and albino. Greyhounds can cost thousands of dollars to buy outright but many are now a popular rescue choice and can be adopted for free. Iguanas are some of the most prominent victims of inadequate care for their presence as cheap animals in chain pet stores. They need human contact (especially when young), plenty of space, and various foods, including seeds, fruits, and vegetables. 5. And since their hair isn't as long as other cats', they only need to be brushed two to three times a week to get rid of loose hair. Anoles can live more than five years and grow up to 8 inches long. They're extremely fun and playful. 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. These small rodents typically live for five or six years and only require a cage, some bedding, food, and water. 4. Lives 5 to 8 years. Chickens are omnivores and eat anything from fruits, vegetables, grains and even food scraps. They're not "generally a lap cat" but will stay close by, and can get along with both dogs and children. Leopard and house geckos are among the best choices for reptile pets, especially for beginners. Leopard geckos tend to be the most commonly available pet geckos, but house geckos 1. British shorthair cats, in particular, are a quite hands-off breed for those who want a furry friend who is not so needy, but also not a praying mantis. However, they do require a diet of chinchilla-specific food, which can be bought at a local pet store. 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. And while cleaning their space and providing fresh water is essential, turtles actually dont need to be fed every day. They don't need much cage spacea 15- to 20-gallon tank should doso they're a good option if you don't have room for an elaborate vivarium setup. Pull out these PG jokes anytime you need a wholesome laugh. "For hygienic purposes, one simple tank wash a month should do the trick as well. Cheapest Pets Scorpions only need to be fed every other day, and their diet consists of insects like crickets, small mealworms, and wax worms. Once thats all sorted out, however, snakes are generally easy-peasy lemon squeezy. 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. Check out this selection of 21 low-maintenance pets that are oh-so-easy to take care of. Let's face it, dogs aren't ever really low-maintenance pets. Binturong. Riley Children's Health at Indiana University. Youll want to keep their habitat on the warmer side, along with a shallow saltwater dish where they can soak in. They are also just as fun and loving as traditional pets like dogs and cats. Lives up to three years. Garden snails have also been known to be low-maintenance pets. Like praying mantises, scorpions eat live insects, so plan on spending about $100 per year on crickets. Best Exotic Pets for Small Spaces Learn more about the anole 2. Their enclosures are also a manageable size. 21 Best Pets For Kids (By Age Range Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hamsters are relatively small, being only 5 to 7 inches long. Easy to maintain and even easier to acquirethey can be found in most backyards! Rare and Unique Exotic Pets When it comes to welcoming pets into your family, every pet needs to be cared for and loved. Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach-Watermelon-Blueberries-Cucumbers-Celery-Lettuce? When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Ask a Pediatrician: How Do I Know If My Child Is Ready for Kindergarten? Monthly food, bedding, and hay can cost up to $35 a month, although the outlay can be minimized and made easy by feeding the animal leftover veggies from the dinner table. There are nearly 50 breeds of rabbits that people like to keep as a pet. Don't forget about the geckos! Mama pigs even sing for their pigs! 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. Agouti. All they need is a cage, fresh water (which can be distributed with a drinking bottle on the side of the cage), hamster food (alongside small pieces of fruits and veggies), and a hamster wheel for them to play and exercise on. Physical Characteristics: Small and furry mammals with long ears, short fluffy tails, and strong, large hind legs; coats can vary in color from whites to browns, grays, and black, and by fur length, from short to long. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cages should be large and airy and owners should expect to put up with some noise. Examples of animals that you can have as pets include Bearded Dragons, Budgies, Asian Palm Civet, Chacoan Maras, and Garden Eels. Browse through 12 types of exotic pets and why they are suitable for apartments, condominiums, and other small living spaces. Most are social animals that want to keep you company. Although mini-pot-bellied pigs are much smaller than their corral, a small pig could easily weigh more than 100 pounds! This one is probably an easy pick for the kids. 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. Also, before buying a foreign pet, make sure the pet is legal wherever you live. The most popular is probably the corn snake because it's a fairly docile snake, and they don't grow that largetwo to five feet in length at most. Hamsters are relatively small, being only 5 to 7 inches long. Web1. 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. Budgerigar: $1035. These zingers are to-the-point and easy to remember. 3. Feeding the bottle to your baby will create a close bond between the owner and the animal. 1. Leopard and house geckos are among the best choices for reptile pets, especially for beginners. Lives up to three years. Hermit crabs sometimes move between shells at night, so buy several shells and let them choose their daily outfit. Their size requirements are just one of the reasons why they make great pets for small spaces. These crabs can be kept in a humid, five gallon-terrarium. Snake. Much like turtles, tortoises are mostly noise-free and stay out of the way. The fur is reddish-brown and is broken by five brownish brown stripes running down the length of the body. 13 Cheap Pets That Are Easy to Take Care Of. 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. Like most rodents, they really just need a large, active cage lined with nesting. They are naturally calm, friendly, friendly, and intelligent as well as timid! } else { 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. Best Pet Snakes To Have Stephen Johnson contributed to this story. Physical Characteristics: Large, black eyes and bushy tails; luxuriously soft; silver, yellow-gray, bluish-gray, white, beige and black fur. Primary diet consists of hay, pellets, fruit, vegetables and Vitamin C supplements. The quintessential low-maintenance "pet" if ever there was one. They appreciate out-of-cage time to socialize, explore, and play. 17 Low-Maintenance Pets That Are Easy Their cage needs are not too demanding: about 2 cubic feet per rat. Primarily nocturnal, they will not mind if you are away during the day. A hedgehog is not related to porcupines or not a rodent, they are in a sub-family known as insectivore. Pet They are nocturnal, so if you are not home during the day, they will not miss you much. Sea monkeys live up to two years and only need to be fed once a week. 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. Your content goes here. 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. However, if you choose to get a tortoise you must be diligent about their diets as some species require a fair amount of vegetables, while certain breeds of turtles eat meat. 4. Although most taxonomies chipmunks acknowledge a single lineage of Tamias, some species are separated into Tamiya, utopias, and species. Two to eight (rarely) young babies are born in the spring or summer after about a month of gestation. Their diet mostly consists of regular fish food, though theyre known to have a particular palate for frozen bloodworms. Parakeets must be fed daily, however. They spend most of their time sleeping or laying still and require infrequent feeding. Green Iguana: $1525. A decorated tank setup costs $20 to $35 and yearly food costs can be as low as $25. Leopard geckos tend to be the most commonly available pet geckos, but house geckos Opt for a larger tank with a filtration system. After buying a multilevel cage ($50 to $150) and some other supplies ($100), you can expect to pay between $65 and $125 yearly on food for each degu (guinea pig food works fine), depending on its appetite. 1. There are several types of pet frogs: aquatic frogs (African clawed frogs), semi-aquatic frogs (oriental fire-bellied toads), tree frogs (American green tree frogs), and large but sedentary frogs (Pacman frogs). 5 Perfect Pets for Kids with Allergies. Rats (the ones that dont live in the subway tracks) are small, affectionate and easy to take care of since all you need is a well-ventilated cage, some toys and appropriate food. Binturong. The African dwarf frog may be the pet for you! Rats require a wire cage, bedding and toys. 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. 5. Whether you want to own an exotic animal or something more common, there are more pets available than ever before. Therapists say it can damage your connection. Cool They are also quiet, fastidious self groomers, and they are relatively easy to care for. Top 13 Best Pets To Have At Home Or In An Apartment. 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. Norway rats are the most common species of pet rat, and they only live two to three years, and grow nine to eleven inches long. Hamsters are small and low-maintenance and can entertain themselves with a wheel or other toys. 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. Marketed somewhat nonsensically as the worlds only instant pets, Sea-Monkeys is the brand name for a type of brine shrimp that issold in novelty kits, usually to children. However, hedgehogs get a little nervous and roll into a ball when threatened or picked up. Cheap Exotic Pets An iguana is the most popular pet lizard. 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. 67 Cool Animals You Can Own as Pets Crabs are social creatures so it's a good idea to keep more than one. They have prominent eyes and ears, hairy tails s, and good claws. However, they are social animals are typically require the company of another guinea pig. When they are handled early, they become quite fluent and can form bonds with their owner. (But they can also be left to their own devices.) They make remarkably easy pets probably one of the easiest in terms of maintenance. 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. Budgerigar: $1035. Great for beginner pet parents. Hamsters are small and low-maintenance and can entertain themselves with a wheel or other toys. Choosing a rat as a pet might seem like a gamble. WebGuinea Pig. They are also intelligent, and their playful antics are fun to watch. Low-Maintenance Pets 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. The animals themselves are inexpensive, and it's fun to buy young ones and watch as they grow. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Betta Fish: $5 to $25. As a bonus, the average hen lays 276 eggs every year, according to a survey issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 4. Chinchillas are small rodents with playful personalities. Many snakes are hesitant to accept thawed frozen mice. The 20 Least Expensive Pets to Own.