Looking for the best low-maintenance pets?
Here are some great options for you to consider for your family.
Pets are great for families. Not only can taking care of a pet teach a child responsibility and the value of caring for another living creature, but pets can also reduce anxiety and stress in your everyday life.
Easy Pets To Take Care Of
Many pets also require a lot of work – that’s something most pet stores won’t tell you!
The ideal pets for busy people will be easy to care for without requiring a lot of time, a lot of space, and let’s face it – without a stinky litter box to clean.
While some will say that such a pet does not exist, there are plenty of popular pet options you can choose from if you have a small apartment or limited time to spend (like if you have young children at home).
The Benefits of Pet Ownership
There are so many benefits of owning a pet, regardless of your age or occupation.
Owning a pet can increase your opportunities to exercise – after all, someone has to care for your furry (or not-so-furry) friend!
Even if you don’t have a dog that needs to be walked every day, the basic chores of feeding and watering a pet can get your blood pumping on a daily basis.
There are other benefits, too, such as increased opportunities for socialization and human interaction and reduced feelings of loneliness. In fact, there are several dog breeds for seniors that are recommended simply for their ability to help aging folks feel more connected.
Although more research is needed on exactly why this is the case, it is believed that owning pets can also reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The long and short of it?
Pets offer both emotional and physical health benefits to their owners. They’re great for families, too, which is likely why most households in the United States have at least one pet.
Here are 10 good pets that are easy to take care of!
1. Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are cute and cuddly – the perfect alternative to cats that need their litter boxes cleaned every five seconds.
These teeny tiny rodents live up to six years and just require a simple indoor hutch or cage, some bedding, food, and water.
Your kids will enjoy playing their guinea pigs and you’ll enjoy their low maintenance appeal.
2. Praying Mantises
Here’s a fun, unique pet option that most people don’t consider!
Praying mantises live for around a year and just need a small tank to call their own.
They only grow to six inches long at most and eat foods that are easy to find at your local pet store, like moths, house flies, mealworms, and crickets.
3. Ferrets
Ferrets are often considered rodents, but they’re technically members of the weasel family.
Although they are highly sociable and intelligent, they are easy to care for as long you provide them with the proper environment.
They can even be litter trained!
4. Hamsters
A hamster is another rodent that’s easy to care for, albeit with significantly more appeal than other rodents like rats and mice!
Hamsters require minimal maintenance, requiring just some water, food, a cage, and of course, a hamster wheel for them to get their exercise.
5. Cockatiels
Cockatiels are some of the most popular pet birds and a great option for a family that lives in a small space. They offer gorgeous colors and are easy to tame.
Many people keep their pet birds in a cage in the kitchen, but you must be aware of the dangers of cooking with some non-stick pans.
Birds, in particular, can become sick or even die as a result of breathing in the fumes emitted from overheated cookware coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
The respiratory condition is called ‘Teflon toxicity,’ or ‘PTFE poisoning,’ and can affect many animals. However, it’s pet birds that are most in danger.
6. Fish
Fish are some of the easiest creatures you can care for, and fortunately, there are plenty of species for you to consider while you’re getting started.
From glofish to goldfish, betta fish to sea monkeys, there are all kinds of options for you to consider.
If you only want to keep a small fish tank, you might want to consider raising betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish.
Bettas are stunning to look at and only require a five-gallon tank. You just need to feed them about once a day but there are automatic feeders you can use to cut down on that chore, too.
7. Leopard Gecko
If you have a limited amount of space in your apartment, a leopard gecko is a cool choice for a family pet.
These creatures just require basic cages or terrariums along with a steady diet of wax worms, crickets, or mealworms. It is probably time-consuming to set up, but with the ideal equipment, they will stay healthy.
Believe it or not, leopard geckos can live up to 20 years, too!
8. Bearded Dragons
Like the leopard gecko, the bearded dragon is another lizard that is surprisingly easy to care for.
You will need to provide some supplemental heat for these sun worshippers, but besides that, you should find that caring for them is a simple, low-maintenance task. They are also sociable creatures that are incredibly easy to tame!
9. Parakeets
Parakeets, also known as budgies, are gentle and docile birds that are easy for young children to care for.
Consider raising more than one at a time, since they do best when living in pairs.
They can be messy to keep in the house, but as long as you keep on top of the vacuuming it shouldn’t get too untidy.
10. Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are just as easy to care for as turtles – another critter that deserves mention when you’re looking for low-maintenance pets – but without the intimidating lifespan.
In fact, hermit crabs only live for a maximum of a decade, rarely reaching anything longer than six inches.
All you need is a terrarium that’s out of direct sunlight to keep these cute shell-bound creatures happy!
Easiest Pets
Owning pets is a great way to teach young children a bit of responsibility.
However, all pets require a certain level of care, from human interaction to grooming and regular feeding. Fortunately, there are some that thrive in small spaces and that don’t require a ton of attention.
If you’re looking for low-maintenance pets that will improve your life without making your day-to-day any more stressful, these are the best critters for you to consider.
Lastly, some breeds of rabbits are also very docile and quiet and do not require a lot of hands-on assistance.