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. They can live longer depending on goldfish type, the size of the tank, and how often their water is They are also just as fun and loving as traditional pets like dogs and cats. Similar to a stick bug, if you're looking for a low-maintenance insect, think about a praying mantis. Hermit Crabs: Less Than $10. Dik Dik. 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. Check out this selection of 21 low-maintenance pets that are oh-so-easy to take care of. Ferret makes excellent pets for owners who take the time to bond with them. 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. These clean and cuddly rodents also require at least an hour of daily exercise out of their cage, in a rat-proofed room (think removing plants that may be toxic), so this also has to be taken into account when making the approximately 2.5-year commitment, which is the usual lifespan of these animals. 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. 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. But what about the cost to buy this insect? Choosing a rat as a pet might seem like a gamble. 13 Cheap Pets That Are Easy to Take Care Of. You only need to feed your turtle four to five times a week, and most turtles generally eat insects, fish, and dark, leafy greens. Just make sure you teach your kids not to jostle them around as they dont fancy too much human interaction. 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. They are nocturnal, so if you are not home during the day, they will not miss you much. Betta Fish: $5 to $25. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own 1 Betta fish. They require a wire cage, bedding, toys and eat a varied diet of fruit, vegetables and grains. Hedgehogs. 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. Forget the myth of pigs being dirty and dumb. "For starters, they require little to no work, as they only need to be fed once or twice a week," she says. The 20 Least Expensive Pets to Own Hedgehogs. They can live longer depending on goldfish type, the size of the tank, and how often their water is These little guys are the quintessential pick for people who want to have something to look at without having to constantly interact. Obtaining ants is as easy as buying an ant colony or a fertilized queen ant, or collecting one from nature. 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. Similarly, pets like pot-bellied pigs might be naturally inclined to burrow and damage a rental property. The corn snake is fairly docile, only grows two to five feet in length and primarily eats small rodents. Another low-key pet! Pigs are why pellets are the staple food of choice for pet pigs. They make remarkably easy pets probably one of the easiest in terms of maintenance. Tarantulas just need a suitable terrarium to roam around in, and they eat live insects like crickets, mealworms, super worms, and roaches. Anole This cool lizard boasts a colorful neck pouch and is a great choice for novice reptile pet parents. They need human contact (especially when young), plenty of space, and various foods, including seeds, fruits, and vegetables. If the lifespan of a turtle intimidates you, go with a hermit crab instead! To cut your start-up costs, adopt a rescue hamster and pick up a second-hand cage on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Monkeys are exciting, but a significant downside is they need a lot of mental stimulation and exercise. It 2. A scorpion crawls along the ground at the Scorpion Kingdom laboratory and farm in Egypt's Western Desert. Additionally, fats are crucial for keeping a healthy neural [], Top 10 Coolest Pets List: Cool Pets to Have in Your Room. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than 200 articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. Learn more about the anole 2. This popular parrot makes a great choice for those who live in small spaces. Anoles can live more than five years and grow up to 8 inches long. You will need to make sure your home is ferret-proofed to prevent escapes or unsafe hiding spots (like in the oven). These spiny little animals need to be fed and cared for in the evening hours so make the perfect companion for night owls. 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. Pot-bellied pigs are highly intelligent animals whose silly and stylish personalities make for excellent pets. Being small creatures, crabs have low day-to-day food costs. They're extremely fun and playful. 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. Green Iguana: $1525. 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 betta fish, goldfish are a sight for sore eyes and they come in many varieties so you'll be spoiled for choice. Sea monkeys live up to two years and only need to be fed once a week. 67 Cool Animals You Can Own as Pets Being active and playful requires a variety of toys to keep them busy, especially chewing gum. Learn more about the anole 2. Pigs communicate in a range of very voices, squeals, oinks, and whines. A hermit crab on its own goes for around $10, but you should budget between $50 and $175 for a tank and decorations. A second liter, usually small, is often produced in the long summer region. They are quiet, clean, low maintenance, and don't shed. Temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees can be maintained using a tank heater or a heat lamp. 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. Budgerigar: $1035. Geckos enjoy eating live crickets and worms, and weekly food expenses run from $5 to $10, depending on the size of your gecko. 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). Although their average lifespan is 12 to 18 years, some senior pigs have reached their early 20s! These small rodents typically live for five or six years and only need the basics to survive: a cage, bedding, food, and water. Best Exotic Pets for Small Spaces Cheap Exotic Pets Don't forget about the geckos! xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Cool Pets to Have in Your Room -Top 10 Coolest Pets These crabs can be kept in a humid, five gallon-terrarium. Not only are they super adorable, but hamsters are also cost effective and even down for cuddles, should you feel compelled. They require a cage with soft bedding. At the minimum, these rodents need a cage that encompasses about 7-8 square feet. Much like turtles, tortoises are mostly noise-free and stay out of the way. 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. When it comes to welcoming pets into your family, every pet needs to be cared for and loved. Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, should live alone and usually live for three to five years. While everyone knows what a porcupine is, many have not seen or heard of the funny-looking, tree-dwelling, 2. These guys are great if you need a pet to bring some zen into the space. Read our, 8 Best Talking Bird Species to Keep as Pets, 11 Easiest Fish to Take Care Of For Beginners, These 7 Birds Make the Best Pets for Kids, 10 Best Tarantula Species to Keep as Pets. Physical Characteristics: Pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail; color variations include brown, black, tan, gray, and albino. xhr.send(payload); Reptiles like smaller lizards and snakes are not as social as mammals, but they can be good for small spaces. Their size requirements are just one of the reasons why they make great pets for small spaces. For instance, a painted turtle can live up to 30 years. Their diet is also quite diverse, and they eat everything from moths and fruit flies to instars and smaller mantes (eek). Length: 9 to 11 inches, plus a tail of 7 to 9 inches, Physical Characteristics: Slender bodied with a pointed head, large eyes, and prominent, thinly furred ears; colors variations include brown, black, tan, gray, white, Siamese, blue, silver black, silver fawn, lilac, cinnamon, black-eyed white, cinnamon pearl, lynx, silver agouti, silver lilac, and blaze. Rare and Unique Exotic Pets Hamsters are relatively small, being only 5 to 7 inches long. If you want a cute, cuddly pet, but aren't ready to commit to a pup, consider a rabbit instead. Amazon Tree Boa The Amazon tree boa is a stunning snake with a need to climb! Although a slightly more niche option for insect enthusiasts, ants can be an intriguing pet to own. Your content goes here. 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. Once they've outgrown one shell you'll need to buy their next, larger shell a small cost. Although mini-pot-bellied pigs are much smaller than their corral, a small pig could easily weigh more than 100 pounds! 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. A rat doesn't seem like the most cuddly choice, but if handled from a young age they can make very affable companions. 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. These zingers are to-the-point and easy to remember. Pet All Rights Reserved. Bearded dragon They like the thrill of the chase and constricting their prey on their own. 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. Physical Characteristics: Outer shell; 10 jointed legs, the front two are of different sizes; large left claw is used for defense; smaller right claw scoops food and water. Lifespan, Chinchillas as Pet How Long do Chinchillas Live as Good Pets, Crested Gecko Tank Size and Setup ! 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. Pets However, they can entertain themselves when you are not around to play, leading to some mischief and problems if they are not supervised. Juveniles need feedings three times a day, but adults can eat once daily. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); The catch? Ferrets love to play with humans and each other. While the idea of rats draws forth troubling images of sewers and dirty corners, pet rats are anything but dirty animals. Many snakes are hesitant to accept thawed frozen mice. Best price ! But at the same time, she is quite funny, curious, and very interested when something new happens at home. 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. 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. The domesticated Budgerigar is the most popular of all pet bird species, according to BirdLife International. Gerbil. They are naturally calm, friendly, friendly, and intelligent as well as timid! They are also intelligent, and their playful antics are fun to watch. 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. These tiny kangaroos from below create a unique pet. Dr. Nelva Bryant, DVM, is a highly accomplished veterinarian with three decades of professional experience in animal welfare, public health, and zoonotic diseases. 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. In addition to mice, Dumerils Boas like to eat small rabbits and fowl. Two to eight (rarely) young babies are born in the spring or summer after about a month of gestation. Easy to maintain and even easier to acquirethey can be found in most backyards! Hermit crabsare alow-commitment pet. 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. 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. Hermit crabs are interesting to watch; they move from one shell to another. Goldfish can live for more than 20 years, have a memory span of at least three months, and can be taught to perform tricks. Mice also require a well-ventilated cage, some toys, but can eat any food suitable for humans. The quintessential low-maintenance "pet" if ever there was one. Binturong. The team at Star Milling Co. provides the best nutrition for our pet parents and their products, such as piglets. The domesticated Budgerigar is the most popular of all pet bird species, according to BirdLife International. Mmm. Also, since they are natural predators, it may take some time to make friends with other animals in the house. When you're thinking of cute, cuddly pets to own, ants probably don't pop into your mind. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Best pets to have at home or in an apartment This might sound traumatic to any big city dweller, but hear us out. 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. While these little guys are low maintenance, they do have specific care requirements. 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. 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. Owning a pet can be one of life's greatest joys and comforts but the cost of a furry companion can add up. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-72659260-1&cid=d6a81bc2-bca8-428b-9de6-25d5b884bf8c&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=1271192797602887479'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); If you still want something cute and cuddly you can hold, get a guinea pig. 5. These small rodents typically live for five or six years and only require a cage, some bedding, food, and water. Lizard species that are good for beginners include leopard geckos, crested geckos, house geckos, bearded dragons, and anoles. They dont require too much spacea 15-to 20-gallon tank will do the trickand they feed on crickets, wax worms and meal worms. Ask a Pediatrician: How Do I Know If My Child Is Ready for Kindergarten? 5. They can thrive in 10-gallon tanks or terrariums as long as they're set up correctly. Thus, making a hedgehog seems to be not a subject to the separation anxiety, but this pet is fitting for those who travel. In addition to food and water maintenance, make sure you provide enough toys for these interactive little mammals to play with. 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. These animals are a pet that requires little maintenance and space. He recommends buying a five-gallon aquarium kit, which is a perfect size for betta fish. However, their curiosity sometimes leads to their mischief, and they can even be destructive. Chinchillas are small rodents with playful personalities. Small Pets That Could Be Right This is a characteristic children will love. Diet for Pet | When Should You Consider a New Diet? Snake. Cheapism may earn a commission if you buy through a link on our site. Their tank needs to have enough room for them to be able to swim around and come up for air when needed. Amazon Tree Boa The Amazon tree boa is a stunning snake with a need to climb! It may seem strange to keep insects or spiders as pets, but these are unique animals that are interesting to look at. Pigs are opportunistic omnivores which means they like snacks! (Painted shells are controversial there's a risk of using a toxic material that will hurt the crab.) As a team, they are an environmentally versatile race. A hermit crab will need a 10 gallon tank filled with plenty of sand to burrow in and other items to provide stimulation such as tree branches. Low-Maintenance Pets Its no accident that their good names have become almost synonymous with eating something. "I got a dwarf rabbit upon the insistent and repeated requests of my children to have an animal," he says. They are social and do best when placed with other hermit crabs if their tank is spacious enough. They live in various forest species, from woodpecker and rock-bound alpine meadows to coniferous and deciduous forests to dry shrubs and sagebrush deserts. The domesticated Budgerigar is the most popular of all pet bird species, according to BirdLife International. This popular parrot makes a Scorpion. They are great for apartment living since they make no noise, are hypoallergenic, and low-maintenance. Pets Behind this cotton will be the ant queen and her offspring. In terms of diet, turtles are easy, as they "don't need to be fed every day." Other than that, you just need to clean your snails' terrarium at least once a week, spraying the walls with water and paper towels to clear mucus trails. They're typically gentle and generally solitary. A Budgerigar perched on a branch in Queensland, Australia. They are also quiet, fastidious self groomers, and they are relatively easy to care for. Best Exotic Pets for Small Spaces Top 13 Best Pets To Have At Home Or In An Apartment. They appreciate out-of-cage time to socialize, explore, and play. 10 Cheap Exotic Pets - PetHelpful. Physical Characteristics: Cone-shaped faces, short legs, bodies covered in spikey hair called spines (looks like porcupine quills), can roll into a ball. Sea monkeys only need to be fed every five to seven days and outside of ensuring that their tank is in great conditions, you dont have to worry about them. ". Once you set them up with the appropriate heat, light and humidity, bearded dragons make for easy pets. They are also low-maintenance pets, only eating a few times a week. 4. Although the axolotl is known as a 'walking fish', it is not a fish, but an amphibian. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own 1 Betta fish. Pig Dirty This idea cant stay far from the truth. However, they can entertain themselves when you are not around to play, leading to some mischief and problems if they are not supervised. Binturong. Male tarantulas grow from two to ten inches, and most species only live up to seven years long, according to the experts at Petco. Chinchillas are nocturnal animals, but they make beautiful pets because they are low maintenance, quiet and odorless, with beautiful soft fur. "For hygienic purposes, one simple tank wash a month should do the trick as well. Rare and Unique Exotic Pets Fruit can be given occasionally as a treat. "And once your tank is ready, you only need to feed them once a dayor get an automatic fish feederand replace 15 percent of the water each week.". However, they need much attention and care, including the right temperature, humidity, and lighting. Leopard geckos eat live insects and worms and only grow up 10 inches in length. Cute White Blue Gecko Lifespan, How Long Do Gerbils Live as Pets ! However, they can be very active and are nocturnal. Primary diet consists of hay, pellets, fruit, vegetables and Vitamin C supplements. 2022 Galvanized Media. 3. These crabs can be kept in a humid, five gallon-terrarium. They are most active at night but will wake for interaction during the day. Although they make excellent pets for beginners, Bearded Dragons have specialized diets composed of fruit, vegetables, and insects. Stephen Johnson contributed to this story. Cheapest Pets 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. Goldfish: $1 to $40. Rest assured, this insect, whose females kill and eat malesafter or during sex, won't provide that. 1. Leopard geckos have a lifespan of about 20 years and can easily cohabitate with each other. 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. House a single chinchilla in a cage that is at least 2 feet by 2 feet. Primary diet consists of hay, pellets, fruit, vegetables and Vitamin C supplements. Thus, making a hedgehog seems to be not a subject to the separation anxiety, but this pet is fitting for those who travel. These lean dogs are low on grooming needs and don't require an enormous amount of care and upkeep. Small Pets Web1. 3. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. WebGuinea Pig. 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. As McLeod wrote for The Spruce Pets, these adorable creatures actually prefer not to be held that much, so if you're looking for a pet you can keep at arm's length but still love, this may be the one for you. Although they make excellent pets for beginners, Bearded Dragons have specialized diets composed of fruit, vegetables, and insects. Water should be changed every week or two. Bearded dragon Required fields are marked *. They dont require too much spacea 15-to 20-gallon tank will do the trickand they feed on crickets, wax worms and meal worms. 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. Like most rodents, they really just need a large, active cage lined with nesting. They like to chillax in a tropical habitat and love to eat crickets and worms. Cats are notoriously independent. High Because of their high intelligence, pot-sand pigs respond very well to clicker training. Many frog species don't need much space, so they are an ideal choice for small apartments. 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. But not always. However, only some know the exact components of a nutritious diet for cats, [] are a vital part of an unique pets weight-reduction plan. Adults grow to up to 12 inches. Best Pet Snakes To Have Lives 5 to 8 years. Pet They need an aquarium with a half foot thick layer of sand and some stones on top for them to climb and play with. They make excellent apartment dwellers because they sleep most of the day while the owner is away for the day. Leopard and house geckos are among the best choices for reptile pets, especially for beginners. A leopard gecko is the perfect pet for any family or apartment-dwelling young adult. 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. However, domesticated and bottle-fed wallabies are gentle and humble animals that can be accompanied by great affection. Many snakes are hesitant to accept thawed frozen mice. 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. Rats will likely sleep most of the day if you leave the house. They make good apartment dwellers since they are clean and relatively odor-free. 4 Low-Maintenance Rodent Pets 1. Owners can easily rest with complete nutritional assurance on every meal their piggy enjoys. Axolotl: $1535. Hedgehogs are quiet and produce very little dander, making them the right pet for people with allergies. The glass test tube should be filled with sugar water capped with cotton wool. Whether you want to own an exotic animal or something more common, there are more pets available than ever before. They are low maintenance, only need food every other day or so, and do not mind if you are not around much. Let's face it, dogs aren't ever really low-maintenance pets. Snake. Rare and Unique Exotic Pets Leopard and house geckos are among the best choices for reptile pets, especially for beginners. They like to chillax in a tropical habitat and love to eat crickets and worms.