These small rodents typically live for five or six years and only need the basics to survive: a cage, bedding, food, and water. Similar to a stick bug, if you're looking for a low-maintenance insect, think about a praying mantis. Small Pets That Could Be Right 4. Although mini-pot-bellied pigs are much smaller than their corral, a small pig could easily weigh more than 100 pounds! They're not "generally a lap cat" but will stay close by, and can get along with both dogs and children. 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. According to Pet Smart, hermit crabs really only live for 10 years at most, and only grow up to 6 inches long. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own, I got a dwarf rabbit upon the insistent and repeated requests of my children to have an animal," he says. A decorated tank setup costs $20 to $35 and yearly food costs can be as low as $25. 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. Great for beginner pet parents. 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. They like the thrill of the chase and constricting their prey on their own. Cool Pets to Have in Your Room -Top 10 Coolest Pets 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. Belly Robbs is the heart path of a pot-bellied pig. Hermit crabs sometimes move between shells at night, so buy several shells and let them choose their daily outfit. Hermit Crabs: Less Than $10. Pet A thriving ant colony seen inside a formicarium enclosure. These guys live for four to five years and relish the companionship of a fellow cavy (another name for a guinea pig) in their space. A leopard gecko is the perfect pet for any family or apartment-dwelling young adult. Just make sure you teach your kids not to jostle them around as they dont fancy too much human interaction. They should be kept in a clear terrarium, and you can house multiple snails together, with one to two inches of soil, says Anne Woods with Pets on Mom. While these little guys are low maintenance, they do have specific care requirements. Another reason many owners are surprised by the size. While the idea of rats draws forth troubling images of sewers and dirty corners, pet rats are anything but dirty animals. So before you decide or take the decision to bring one into your home, make sure you research caring for a potty pig. To accommodate their playful nature, provide them with a large cage. 1. Stephen Johnson contributed to this story. 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. Temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees can be maintained using a tank heater or a heat lamp. If turtles and hermit crabs aren't your vibe, consider an even more low-maintenance aquatic animal: Sea-Monkeys! Leopard geckos tend to be the most commonly available pet geckos, but house geckos Local laws also might prohibit certain exotic animals. 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. These lean dogs are low on grooming needs and don't require an enormous amount of care and upkeep. Physical Characteristics: Pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail; color variations include brown, black, tan, gray, and albino. 4 Low-Maintenance Rodent Pets 1. Pet stores will typically sell canaries for about $100 to $150; breeders often sell for less. Their opportunistic nature means that many pet cubs will choose what they want to produce when they throw away the rest of the food. } Once they have all that, they don't need much else. While everyone knows what a porcupine is, many have not seen or heard of the funny-looking, tree-dwelling, 2. 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 Hamsters are relatively small, being only 5 to 7 inches long. 40 Rare and Unique Exotic Pets. They are also intelligent, and their playful antics are fun to watch. High Because of their high intelligence, pot-sand pigs respond very well to clicker training. They like the thrill of the chase and constricting their prey on their own. Bearded dragon The team at Star Milling Co. provides the best nutrition for our pet parents and their products, such as piglets. 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. African Dwarf Frogs Dr. Bryant is a Veterinary Review Board Member for The Spruce Pets. Low-Maintenance Pets The 20 Least Expensive Pets to Own. Hermit crabsare alow-commitment pet. For instance, a painted turtle can live up to 30 years. 40 Rare and Unique Exotic Pets. Leopard geckos have a lifespan of about 20 years and can easily cohabitate with each other. Hamsters aren't the only easy-to-care for rodents you can consider for your home. 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. (Sellers may also try to upsell you to a giant kit.). Hedgehogs. They are also just as fun and loving as traditional pets like dogs and cats. They are low maintenance, only need food every other day or so, and do not mind if you are not around much. 1. They spend most of their time sleeping or laying still and require infrequent feeding. Another low-key pet! With gentle handling from a young age, they can bond closely with you. Cheapest Low-Maintenance Pets Ferret makes excellent pets for owners who take the time to bond with them. Does My Pet Secretly Resent Me for Being Home All the Time? They are quiet creatures but also like to hide and get into mischief. In addition, they need a large terrarium with pure water, fruits, and vegetables every day. If you still want something cute and cuddly you can hold, get a guinea pig. Axolotl: $1535. Degu: $1020. Amazon Tree Boa The Amazon tree boa is a stunning snake with a need to climb! 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. Raising butterflies is fairly easy and requires little space and time, though most kits guarantee only that some of the few caterpillars they send will reach maturity, so you'll need to consider the cost of more than one. Greyhounds can cost thousands of dollars to buy outright but many are now a popular rescue choice and can be adopted for free. They dont require too much spacea 15-to 20-gallon tank will do the trickand they feed on crickets, wax worms and meal worms. 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. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. However, when you're a busy person, it's just not possible to spend every waking moment looking after a pet. They need a lot of love, attention, and affection. They dont require too much spacea 15-to 20-gallon tank will do the trickand they feed on crickets, wax worms and meal worms. Butterflies are one of the few pets you canorder from Amazon(well, in caterpillar form at least; and talk about low maintenance you don't even have to leave the house to bring one home). 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. Expect to pay less than $30 to raise and keep your butterflies. 4. 1. 4. Guppies also make for great pet fish. If youre not committed to having a pet for the long haul, their lifespanfrom caterpillar to fully formed butterflyis only six to eight months. Small Pets That Could Be Right Pet goats can easily adapt to any environment but do need a yard. Learn more about the anole 2. Just like rats, mice also have a bad rep, but when it comes to pets, these fuzzy creatures dont cause a lot havoc if theyre well-taken care of. JP, owner of beloved Instagram pug Aji, says that pugs are one of the easiest dog breeds to own. Their short, smooth, glossy coat needs minimal maintenance and their smaller size means they don't require hours of walking a day, the American Kennel Club says. To cut your start-up costs, adopt a rescue hamster and pick up a second-hand cage on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Crabs are social creatures so it's a good idea to keep more than one. 1. Cool Pets to Have in Your Room: Are you thinking of getting an exotic or different kind of pet? Being small creatures, crabs have low day-to-day food costs. Rest assured, this insect, whose females kill and eat malesafter or during sex, won't provide that. Amazon Tree Boa The Amazon tree boa is a stunning snake with a need to climb! Goats are low maintenance and eat grass, hay, grain and pellet feed. Not the type to help you save on car insurance, but the type to make long-term, easy-to-care-for pets. Evenly tempered, these guys get along with other cats, dogs and children. Not only are they colorful and beautiful to look at, but they are also perfect for smaller spaces since they dont require large aquariums. 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. Mice also require a well-ventilated cage, some toys, but can eat any food suitable for humans. Budgerigar: $1035. A 15- to 20-gallon tank can easily hold two to three leopard geckos, and they have a normal diet of crickets, wax worms, and mealworms. Small Pets That Could Be Right Dik Dik. The traditionally small goldfish fishbowl doesn't provide enough oxygen and has been banned in several countries. Adults grow to up to 4 inches plus a 4-inch tail. The best age to dry and neutral pot-pigs in months. Dr. Nelva Bryant, DVM, is a highly accomplished veterinarian with three decades of professional experience in animal welfare, public health, and zoonotic diseases. 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. 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. His short hair doesn't need any trimming," JP says. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Diet for Pet | When Should You Consider a New Diet? They like to chillax in a tropical habitat and love to eat crickets and worms. Cool Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. So whether you're looking for something that makes sense for your kids, for your working parent lifestyle, or for the limitations of your apartment, these are the low-maintenance pets you should consider taking home. Smith Collection/Gado /Getty Images 13. However, that's usually because people pick the wrong kinds of fish. Dont worry, if youre not into crawlies, theyll turn into beautiful butterflies in a week. Binturong. The key to taking good care of a turtle is maintaining water temperature, keeping clean water, and feeding them consistentlywhich isn't a lot of work in terms of keeping pets. Lives up to three years. They are also just as fun and loving as traditional pets like dogs and cats. Cue: low-maintenance pets. 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. These small rodents typically live for five or six years and only require a cage, some bedding, food, and water. Pets , And you'll need to remember that pet hermit crabs need water to drink, bathe, and replenish their shell water. 10 Cheap Exotic Pets - PetHelpful. Excluding the costs of a cage, toys (canaries can get bored and require entertainment), and unforeseen veterinary visits, you can expect to pay about $120 per year for food and miscellaneous supplies. Rare and Unique Exotic Pets She lives free in the flat and reaches her cage for drinking, relieving herself, or sleeping. Agouti. 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. Betta Fish: $5 to $25. Best Exotic Pets for Small Spaces These strange-looking creatures are relatively inexpensive and can be maintained in an aquarium that does not require any heating or specific filtration. Hermit crabs are interesting to watch; they move from one shell to another. Their vision is surprisingly sharp and allows them to distinguish between people it will eventually learn who you are, so don't be surprised if a day comes when your fish swims over to ask for food when you're nearby. 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. Additionally, fats are crucial for keeping a healthy neural [], Top 10 Coolest Pets List: Cool Pets to Have in Your Room. 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. They're typically gentle and generally solitary. 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. 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. Good Pets for Kids-These Are the Best Pets for Kids at Each Age, How Much White Maltese Dog Hypoallergenic ! Occasional vet visits run more than $50. Mmm. Iguanas are some of the most prominent victims of inadequate care for their presence as cheap animals in chain pet stores. However, they can entertain themselves when you are not around to play, leading to some mischief and problems if they are not supervised. A Hedgehog is seen at the San Francisco Zoo. Many frog species don't need much space, so they are an ideal choice for small apartments. The 20 Least Expensive Pets to Own. Snake species that do not require large enclosures include corn snakes, king snakes, milk snakes,and ball pythons. Dik Dik. Thus, making a hedgehog seems to be not a subject to the separation anxiety, but this pet is fitting for those who travel. Best price ! Simple! Another low-key pet! Ferret makes excellent pets for owners who take the time to bond with them. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); The corn snake is fairly docile, only grows two to five feet in length and primarily eats small rodents. They are quiet, clean, low maintenance, and don't shed. Thus, making a hedgehog seems to be not a subject to the separation anxiety, but this pet is fitting for those who travel. Ferrets, hands down, are the most sociable small pets. They're all relatively easy to care for, as most cheap pets are, but will provide years of affection and camaraderie. Let's face it, dogs aren't ever really low-maintenance pets. Goldfish are active all day and make the perfect viewing shelf pet that is absolutely low maintenance for any pet owner. Youll want to keep their habitat on the warmer side, along with a shallow saltwater dish where they can soak in. A hedgehog is not related to porcupines or not a rodent, they are in a sub-family known as insectivore. It 2. Although they make excellent pets for beginners, Bearded Dragons have specialized diets composed of fruit, vegetables, and insects. Lives 5 to 8 years. At the minimum, these rodents need a cage that encompasses about 7-8 square feet. Some breeds like the brown house snake or the California king snake even go two weeks without eating and some become friendlier the more they get used to being handled. Hedgehogs are amazing little animals that make interesting pets. 4. Forget the myth of pigs being dirty and dumb. "For hygienic purposes, one simple tank wash a month should do the trick as well. Goldfish swim in a tank as part of an art exhibition 'Art Aquarium' in Tokyo. Betta Fish: $5 to $25. Many snakes are hesitant to accept thawed frozen mice. Don't forget about the geckos! In addition, cockatiels have a reputation as gentle and unpretentious birds who enjoy petting and keeping. Their small, twig-like size makes them easy to home in small spaces like "small glass containers" or "cages around 12 inches tall," and their dietary habits are not intense either. High-quality pot-bellied pork food should closely reflect the natural food of an animal. They need a lot of love, attention, and affection. 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. The small swimming critters are ideal for children who cannot take care for other live animals. House a single chinchilla in a cage that is at least 2 feet by 2 feet. Leopard geckos tend to be the most commonly available pet geckos, but house geckos 13 Cheap Pets That Are Easy to Take Care Of. Hedgehogs are quiet and produce very little dander, making them the right pet for people with allergies. They are also just as fun and loving as traditional pets like dogs and cats. Much like turtles, tortoises are mostly noise-free and stay out of the way. Blacker says they can live off a "diet of blackberries, oak, rose, and ivy.". As a bonus, they can live harmoniously with docile fishlike a bettaif you want more than one kind of pet. Leopard geckos tend to be the most commonly available pet geckos, but house geckos Bettas often puff up and display their colors when startled or feeling frisky. They are social and do best when placed with other hermit crabs if their tank is spacious enough. Seeing as most praying mantises are taken from the yard outside the home and brought in, there's usually no cost at all! They can live longer depending on goldfish type, the size of the tank, and how often their water is They need a lot of love, attention, and affection. These animals are a pet that requires little maintenance and space. Their habitat needs to be frequently changed, but other than that, make sure they get some exercise outside their cage and youre good to go. They eat a varied diet of fruit, vegetables and grains. ". In terms of diet, turtles are easy, as they "don't need to be fed every day." Goldfish can live for more than 20 years, have a memory span of at least three months, and can be taught to perform tricks. "And the truth is, we only walk him about 30 minutes a day, and play fetch or tug of war for about 10 minutes, and that's enough to keep him in shape." Many people allow their rabbits to roam free in their homes, which is a good way for them to get exercise. Pet The vet expenditures are minimal, and she eats basically hay and stale bread with sometimes a carrot or an apple. In terms of diet, corn snakes primarily eat rodents and can also find a tasty treat within a quail egg. Pet ownership is wonderful, but many people don't have the space or budget for a larger, more expensive furry friend. 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. Conservatory garden worker Elliot Blacker, founder of Evopure, recommends stick insectsalso known as stick bugsas the perfect low-maintenance pet. A corn snake is displayed in a vivarium in Sasali natural life park in Izmir. "For starters, they require little to no work, as they only need to be fed once or twice a week," she says. Some birds like macaws and Amazons are too loud, known for disrupting the neighbors. Owners can easily rest with complete nutritional assurance on every meal their piggy enjoys. Lives 5 to 8 years. 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. Gilles Ventejol, founder of Animal Patient, recommends rabbits as a pet owner, despite being a specialist in cat and dog health. The good news is that pot-bellied pigs make great house pets.