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. Another low-key pet! They make good apartment dwellers since they are clean and relatively odor-free. Oh, and theyre pretty to look at. Amazon Tree Boa The Amazon tree boa is a stunning snake with a need to climb! At the minimum, these rodents need a cage that encompasses about 7-8 square feet. 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. With their pincers and a venomous stinger, it doesn't take an expert to see that scorpions make for a look-but-don't-touch kind of pet for most so also one of the best choices for pet owners who don't want a lot of affection or have time to give it. They need a lot of love, attention, and affection. Pot-bellied pigs are highly intelligent animals whose silly and stylish personalities make for excellent pets. Leopard and house geckos are among the best choices for reptile pets, especially for beginners. 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. They make no noise and are relatively easy to care for. These funny jokes will help you turn your frown upside-down. His short hair doesn't need any trimming," JP says. They make excellent apartment dwellers because they sleep most of the day while the owner is away for the day. 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. Web1. 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. 4. 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. Added bonus: You only need sticks for them to move around on and they feed on common plants. This popular parrot makes a Scorpion. All you need in terms of a home is a terrarium with at least five gallons of space that is out of direct sunlight, lined with "two to three inches of washed aquarium gravel or fine reptile bark bedding." Small, furry, adventurous, and cuddly, guinea pigs are an excellent match for preteens. A pet chipmunk may not play catch like Fido, but he can surprise you with simple tricks or use you as a perch. A Budgerigar perched on a branch in Queensland, Australia. Many snakes are hesitant to accept thawed frozen mice. 5. They're all relatively easy to care for, as most cheap pets are, but will provide years of affection and camaraderie. ), so theyll need a spacious terrarium. They like to chillax in a tropical habitat and love to eat crickets and worms. Pigs are opportunistic omnivores which means they like snacks! 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. 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. An iguana is the most popular pet lizard. They need an aquarium with a half foot thick layer of sand and some stones on top for them to climb and play with. Their diet is also quite diverse, and they eat everything from moths and fruit flies to instars and smaller mantes (eek). 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. In addition to mice, Dumerils Boas like to eat small rabbits and fowl. Let's face it, dogs aren't ever really low-maintenance pets. Ferret makes excellent pets for owners who take the time to bond with them. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); Although they make excellent pets for beginners, Bearded Dragons have specialized diets composed of fruit, vegetables, and insects. Mama pigs even sing for their pigs! Browse through 12 types of exotic pets and why they are suitable for apartments, condominiums, and other small living spaces. These zingers are to-the-point and easy to remember. Goldfish: $1 to $40. 1. 5. Also, the question about Can rabbits eat bok choy arises from another one as can, [] How Much Home Cooked Food to Feed Dog [], [] to give their animals wholesome food. In addition to mice, Dumerils Boas like to eat small rabbits and fowl. Cheap Exotic Pets-Legal Cheapest Top 10 Affordable List. Hermit Crabs: Less Than $10. In terms of food, their diet consists of bloodworms, brine shrimp, and frozen mysis shrimp. The one thing you really need to remember about scorpions is the temperature of their environment. They're not "generally a lap cat" but will stay close by, and can get along with both dogs and children. 5. They are nocturnal, so if you are not home during the day, they will not miss you much. 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. These crabs can be kept in a humid, five gallon-terrarium. Different species are found in environments determined by large rocks, boulders, and cliffs up to 3,900 meters (12,800 feet) above sea level. Cue: low-maintenance pets. 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. Axolotl: $1535. A white spotted hermit crab crawls along the sand. They dont require too much spacea 15-to 20-gallon tank will do the trickand they feed on crickets, wax worms and meal worms. They only grow to about six inches, so all you need is a cage big enough to give them some roaming room. WebGuinea Pig. Because they are very active, some play time outside their cage is also highly recommended. A corn snake is displayed in a vivarium in Sasali natural life park in Izmir. Hamsters aren't the only easy-to-care for rodents you can consider for your home. Their diet mostly consists of regular fish food, though theyre known to have a particular palate for frozen bloodworms. Dik Dik. Obtaining ants is as easy as buying an ant colony or a fertilized queen ant, or collecting one from nature. Although some tropical fish can cost thousands of dollars, other less expensive options include the goldfish and betta fish. This might sound traumatic to any big city dweller, but hear us out. All they need for a home is a small tank "at least twice as wide and three times as tall" as their body. } else { A thriving ant colony seen inside a formicarium enclosure. 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. Budgerigar: $1035. Whether you want to own an exotic animal or something more common, there are more pets available than ever before. Eastern chipmunk is an alternative with two gray-brown stripes and two white stripes. Evenly tempered, these guys get along with other cats, dogs and children. Since most chipmunks dont accumulate significant fat during the fall, they rely on these cached foods in the winter. 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. These spiny little animals need to be fed and cared for in the evening hours so make the perfect companion for night owls. However, they can entertain themselves when you are not around to play, leading to some mischief and problems if they are not supervised. All a hamster needs is a 2-cubic-feet cage equipped with an exercise wheel, items to chew, absorbent bedding, a hiding spot, food, and water. Male tarantulas grow from two to ten inches, and most species only live up to seven years long, according to the experts at Petco. 13 Cheap Pets That Are Easy to Take Care Of. As omnivorous, wild food consists of roots, vegetables, nuts, seeds, berries, eggs, and small insects. Temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees can be maintained using a tank heater or a heat lamp. To cut your start-up costs, adopt a rescue hamster and pick up a second-hand cage on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Agouti. Rabbits are a suitable option for apartment living since they can be litter-box trained, groom themselves, and are relatively quiet. Some male frogs sing, so they'renot a completely quiet pet, but the sound is not loud enough to offend the neighbors. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Daily food fees are minimal, but fish need a proper tank and setup costs about $100. Lives up to three years. Degus, which come from Chile and are a type of rodent similar to a guinea pig, make surprisingly easy pets when socialized from a young age. 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. Bettas often puff up and display their colors when startled or feeling frisky. Guppies also make for great pet fish. 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. The domesticated Budgerigar is the most popular of all pet bird species, according to BirdLife International. They are naturally calm, friendly, friendly, and intelligent as well as timid! There's one catch: They do best in pairs because they're extremely social critters. 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. Monkeys are exciting, but a significant downside is they need a lot of mental stimulation and exercise. Once they've outgrown one shell you'll need to buy their next, larger shell a small cost. 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. According to Vet Street, these cats are pretty easygoing. Younger children may enjoy them, but the small creatures can be injured easily if play gets rough, so they're not the best choice for families with preschoolers or younger children. Their cage needs are not too demanding: about 2 cubic feet per rat. And they do feed on live insects such as crickets, mealworms, super worms and roaches, so trips to the pet store will belively. Let's face it, dogs aren't ever really low-maintenance pets. Goldfish swim in a tank as part of an art exhibition 'Art Aquarium' in Tokyo. 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. Goldfish: $1 to $40. 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. African Dwarf Frogs Scorpions only need to be fed every other day, and their diet consists of insects like crickets, small mealworms, and wax worms. Although mini-pot-bellied pigs are much smaller than their corral, a small pig could easily weigh more than 100 pounds! Unlike other animals, scorpions need a hotter tankanywhere from 80 degrees Fahrenheit at the coolest to 90 degrees at the warmest. Iguanas are some of the most prominent victims of inadequate care for their presence as cheap animals in chain pet stores. Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. WebGuinea Pig. What makes guinea pigs the perfect low-maintenance pet is that they are plenty active without needing much from their owner. Due to their small size, they are easier to control than many other parrot species. 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. Pull out these PG jokes anytime you need a wholesome laugh. 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. Spotted Genet. The praying mantis is great for people who don't want to make a fuzzy, emotional connection with their new pet. They are not as chatty as parrots, but they love human interactions and can be trained to do simple commands such as stepping on and off your hand. Tarantulas can grow to be about ten inches (ahhh! They live in various forest species, from woodpecker and rock-bound alpine meadows to coniferous and deciduous forests to dry shrubs and sagebrush deserts. Check out this selection of 21 low-maintenance pets that are oh-so-easy to take care of. Ants live in colonies and setting up a colony enclosure, called a formicarium, is probably the most challenging part of ant ownership. This one is probably an easy pick for the kids. Degu: $1020. Getting a pet is a simple way to add a different dynamic to your home. Don't forget about the geckos! Although they make excellent pets for beginners, Bearded Dragons have specialized diets composed of fruit, vegetables, and insects. Gerbil. They tend to be easily tamed and often like to hang out on people's shoulders or laps. Although the axolotl is known as a 'walking fish', it is not a fish, but an amphibian. That doesn't mean you don't deserve to bring an animal into your homeyou just have to find the right one. Although they enjoy a good mud bath to protect their sensitive skin from the sun, pot-bellied pigs are very clean animals. Fruit can be given occasionally as a treat. 13 Cheap Pets That Are Easy to Take Care Of. Not usually a typical choice for a household pet, the scorpion only grows three to eight inches long and lives anywhere from two to six years, making it a perfect choice for those with little space who don't desire a furry companion. If the lifespan of a turtle intimidates you, go with a hermit crab instead! Simple! Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Another low-key pet! It guarantees the same level of protein and vital nutrition that pigs want. If youre not committed to having a pet for the long haul, their lifespanfrom caterpillar to fully formed butterflyis only six to eight months. You only need to feed your turtle four to five times a week, and most turtles generally eat insects, fish, and dark, leafy greens. This popular parrot makes a Scorpion. One drawback to keeping rabbits is that they like to chew and dig. A hedgehog is not related to porcupines or not a rodent, they are in a sub-family known as insectivore. However, their curiosity sometimes leads to their mischief, and they can even be destructive. They eat live insects, which you can purchase at a pet store, as well as limited portions of fruits, vegetables and greens. The quintessential low-maintenance "pet" if ever there was one. As with other reptiles, green anoles require special heating, lighting and humidity in their living environments, so make sure you're well-informed before taking these babies on. 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. She lives free in the flat and reaches her cage for drinking, relieving herself, or sleeping. Thus, making a hedgehog seems to be not a subject to the separation anxiety, but this pet is fitting for those who travel. 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. 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. Kids can learn a lot from their metamorphosis since they are born as caterpillars, and they only have a complete lifespanincluding the metamorphosisof six to eight months. Primary diet consists of hay, pellets, fruit, vegetables and Vitamin C supplements. They like the thrill of the chase and constricting their prey on their own. 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. These were not considered true hibernators, but studies have shown that East Chipmunks body temperature is thirty-five to forty-one degrees Celsius (95 to 105.8 degrees Fahrenheit) during activity and 5-7 degrees Celsius (41-44.6 degrees Fahrenheit) topper a true difference. 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. 1. 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. 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. 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). Talk about hands-off. Hens can provide a household with 250 fresh eggs every year and can live up to 10 years. They dont require too much spacea 15-to 20-gallon tank will do the trickand they feed on crickets, wax worms and meal worms. 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. This popular parrot makes a Scorpion. 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. 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. Betta Fish: $5 to $25. 5 Perfect Pets for Kids with Allergies. There are nearly 50 breeds of rabbits that people like to keep as a pet. Degu: $1020. This popular parrot makes a great choice for those who live in small spaces. The domesticated Budgerigar is the most popular of all pet bird species, according to BirdLife International. A decorated tank setup costs $20 to $35 and yearly food costs can be as low as $25. These strange-looking creatures are relatively inexpensive and can be maintained in an aquarium that does not require any heating or specific filtration. They are in the rodent family and eat an omnivorous diet. 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. Leopard geckos tend to be the most commonly available pet geckos, but house geckos Adults grow to up to 4 inches plus a 4-inch tail. 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. They are in the rodent family and eat an omnivorous diet. You will need to make sure your home is ferret-proofed to prevent escapes or unsafe hiding spots (like in the oven). If you want a cute, cuddly pet, but aren't ready to commit to a pup, consider a rabbit instead. Hamsters are relatively small, being only 5 to 7 inches long. 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. That means sweet little piglets are friends for life. Similar to a stick bug, if you're looking for a low-maintenance insect, think about a praying mantis. Height is not critical; they don't tend to climb, so it does not need to be taller than a foot or 18 inches. Primarily nocturnal, they will not mind if you are away during the day. Guinea pigs and ferrets enjoy being held. 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. Although their average lifespan is 12 to 18 years, some senior pigs have reached their early 20s! document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Exotic pets are often compact, quiet, and don't require outdoor space, making them ideal pets for apartment living since they don't bother nearby neighbors or damage your home. These little guys are the quintessential pick for people who want to have something to look at without having to constantly interact. When it comes to fueling your pork adventures, its important to provide a healthy diet. Most are social animals that want to keep you company. 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. 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. In addition to mice, Dumerils Boas like to eat small rabbits and fowl. Physical Characteristics: Large, black eyes and bushy tails; luxuriously soft; silver, yellow-gray, bluish-gray, white, beige and black fur. However, when you're a busy person, it's just not possible to spend every waking moment looking after a pet. Ferrets love to play with humans and each other. "For hygienic purposes, one simple tank wash a month should do the trick as well. It 2. They are most active at night but will wake for interaction during the day. Exotic pets can be beautiful, unique, and some can be trained to do tricks, talk, or retrieve items for you. Youll want to keep their habitat on the warmer side, along with a shallow saltwater dish where they can soak in. Dr. Nelva Bryant, DVM, is a highly accomplished veterinarian with three decades of professional experience in animal welfare, public health, and zoonotic diseases. "I got a dwarf rabbit upon the insistent and repeated requests of my children to have an animal," he says. 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. Fruit can be given occasionally as a treat. Conservatory garden worker Elliot Blacker, founder of Evopure, recommends stick insectsalso known as stick bugsas the perfect low-maintenance pet. Snake. According to Pet Smart, hermit crabs really only live for 10 years at most, and only grow up to 6 inches long. This crawly creature only grows three to eight inches long and lives anywhere from two to six years, according to the pros at Petco. Perhaps the cutest low-maintenance pet you can own is the chinchilla. 4 Low-Maintenance Rodent Pets 1. Hedgehogs are very quiet and low-maintenance pets. Juveniles need feedings three times a day, but adults can eat once daily. Bearded dragon They need a lot of love, attention, and affection. 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. 2022 Galvanized Media. Anoles can live more than five years and grow up to 8 inches long. Physical Characteristics: Pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail; color variations include brown, black, tan, gray, and albino. The animals themselves are inexpensive, and it's fun to buy young ones and watch as they grow. However, they can entertain themselves when you are not around to play, leading to some mischief and problems if they are not supervised. Lianne McLeod, DVM, is a small animal and exotic pet expert with over a decade of experience writing about veterinary care. They are enchanting, cheap, and low maintenance. 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. Stephen Johnson contributed to this story. 1. However, they need much attention and care, including the right temperature, humidity, and lighting. 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. A pug stands in the exhibition hall on the final day of the annual Crufts dog show in Birmingham, England. These are fairly low maintenance, a diet consisting mostly of insects. High-quality pot-bellied pork food should closely reflect the natural food of an animal. They are naturally calm, friendly, friendly, and intelligent as well as timid! Primary diet consists of hay, pellets, fruit, vegetables and Vitamin C supplements. Hermit crabs sometimes move between shells at night, so buy several shells and let them choose their daily outfit. They make a "wheek" sound as a vocalization, but it is not loud enough to disturb neighbors in an apartment setting. A Guinea Pig roams amongst the leaves at Grant's Farm in St. Louis, Missouri. A leopard gecko is the perfect pet for any family or apartment-dwelling young adult. Binturong. 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. Snake. They also don't require a lot of water but will need to have a bit of it around. Ferret makes excellent pets for owners who take the time to bond with them. Chipmunks are not low-maintenance pets, but they are great companions. There are plenty of types of turtles out there to consider for a petapproximately 270 to be exact, according to PetMD. The African dwarf frog may be the pet for you! A second small, popular, and inexpensive fish to consider, Bettas (also known as Siamese fighting fish) are aggressive by nature and need to be kept in isolation.