10 Small, Low-Maintenance Pets That Are Easy to Take Care Of

Leonard is a former teacher and principal who has also been a writer for the past two decades. Writing and animals are his true loves.

Throughout the history of human civilization, people have domesticated and tamed animals to be their pets. The bond between human beings and their pets is something that is truly unique—one of loyalty, devotion, companionship, and love.

While the idea of acquiring a pet can be quite appealing, it can also be very overwhelming for many individuals. Pet ownership requires a lot of time, care, money, and responsibility. Not everyone is ready for this.

Remember—All Pets Deserve Love and Care

All pets require and deserve loving care and attention. People who are not able to provide that really should not consider pet ownership. Pet shelters are full of animals whose original owners were not prepared for the responsibility and commitment that pet ownership demands.

Dogs, cats, birds, and even fish have no place in this article; their care, needs, and maintenance can be constant, complicated and intense. Nevertheless, there are certainly some pets that are easier to take care of than others.

Whatever pet you decide upon, always conduct proper research to ensure they are given the most comfortable and loving home possible.

The 10 Best Low-Maintenance Pets

The following list features 10 pets that can be cared for and loved, yet at the same time do not need (or in some cases want) the demanding caregiving some others require.

1. Sea-Monkeys
2. Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
3. Garden Snail
4. African Dwarf Frog
5. Leopard Gecko
6. Guinea Pig
7. Syrian Hamster
8. Fancy Rat
9. Fancy Mouse
10. Hermit Crab

Read on for more information about each of these delightful animals, including their life spans, general care requirements, and average monthly costs.

1. Sea-Monkeys

• Scientific Name: Artemia salina
• Average Adult Size: Up to 0.75 inches
• Average Life Span: 2 years
• Diet: Herbivore
• Average Monthly Cost: $0 (Your sea-monkey kit should include all the food they need!)

Sea-monkeys are extremely easy pets to care for. Once their tank is set up, your sea monkeys won't require much care. Beyond feeding them once weekly and keeping an eye out for tank conditions and your pets' general health, they don't need much! For this reason, Artemia salina make great pets for kids.

These pets are perfect for people who want to watch animals without really having to care for or interact with them. You won't find an easier pet! Here's an in-depth guide detailing how to grow sea-monkeys from a kit.

2. Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

• Scientific Name: Gromphadorhina portentosa
• Average Adult Size: Up to 3 inches long
• Average Life Span: 1–3 years with proper care
• Diet: Herbivore
• Average Monthly Cost: $0–$10 (If you give your cockroach your leftovers—all they need to eat is lettuce, apples, carrots, and the occasional overripe fruit—they are extremely low-cost pets!)

Undoubtedly, the majority of people would never consider having a cockroach for a pet. The very term conjures up visions of complete filth. However, hissing cockroaches are ideal for those looking for easy pets to care for.

They grow up to approximately four inches long and can be kept in an aquarium tank with proper ventilation as their habitat. Such a setup will take very little space and effort to create. The hissing cockroach is also quite simple to feed, and the food can be purchased from pet stores and supplemented with fresh fruit and certain greens.

Include some clean water in the tank and the hissing cockroach will not only be well cared for, but quite entertaining to watch and interact with as well. The best part is that it will hardly notice when you have to come home late from school or work!

3. Garden Snail

• Scientific Name: Helix aspersa
• Average Adult Size: 1.5 inches
• Average Life Span: 3–5 years
• Diet: Herbivore
• Average Monthly Cost: $0–$10 (If you give your cockroach your leftovers—all they need to eat is lettuce, apples, carrots, and the occasional overripe fruit—they are extremely low-cost pets!)

There can be little doubt that the name "snail" does not typically come to mind when people are considering which pet to get. Nevertheless, they are a great pet which are exceptionally easy to care for. While snails will respond well to being handled, they are also perfectly fine to be left alone in a tank habitat which has been properly prepared with hiding places and lined with peat or moss.

As for feeding, they obviously do not eat very much but can feed on fresh fruit or vegetables. They will require a source of calcium such as natural chalk. If given this basic and life-preserving care, the snail will make for a very low maintenance pet which will live on for many years to come.

Ensure Food Is Pesticide-Free

You must wash all food before feeding it to your snail, as many fresh fruits and veggies have pesticides on their skins that will kill your pet.

4. African Dwarf Frog

• Scientific Name: Hymenochirus curtipes
• Average Adult Size: 1.25 inches long
• Average Life Span: Up to 5 years with proper care
• Diet: Omnivore
• Average Monthly Cost: $7

African dwarf frogs are another very popular choice for a pet which is easy to care for. It should be noted however that like all other pets, investing time and research into how to properly care for them is mandatory. Once that is completed, a knowledgable owner will have a truly fascinating and low-maintenance pet.

That said, maintaining the habitat for the African dwarf frog is critical. They are aquatic amphibians who live underwater, but they need to be able to breach the surface to breathe air. The aquarium should be mid-size with clean, filtered water. Also, they are amphibians who do the best with a partner or two.

While the African dwarf frog is delicate and does not respond very well to handling, the viewing pleasure they provide more than compensates for this and makes them a wonderful pet. The following YouTube video provides many great care tips for those considering obtaining the African dwarf frog as a pet.

5. Leopard Gecko

• Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius
• Average Adult Size: 6–9 inches long
• Average Life Span: 20+ years with proper care
• Diet: Insectivore
• Average Monthly Cost: $5–$20 after the first year

With the increasing desire to obtain pets that match the busy nature of our lives, many people have turned to lizards. In particular, the leopard gecko has become one of the most popular selections. There are a variety of geckos, but the most popular to keep as a pet is the leopard gecko. It is quite tame in nature and easy to be handled. It is also not anywhere near as quick as other types of geckos as they do not have the sticky toe pads that enable other types to run across virtually any surface.

Their food can be purchased at pet stores and consists of live insects and mealworms. As for their habitat, they are a smaller type of lizard, so their area can be much smaller than that of their relations. They can be enclosed in a cage called a vivarium. This will need to have plenty of hiding places as well as a very important climate control (heat and humidity). Here's more about how to take care of your leopard gecko.

Everything which is required can be easily purchased and once it is set up it will only require typical care and periodic maintenance. Its tiny size and docile nature make the leopard gecko a very popular pet for those people with busy lives who need a pet that is easy to care for.

6. Guinea Pig

• Scientific Name: Cavia porcellus
• Average Adult Size: 8–11 inches long
• Average Life Span: Up to 8 years with proper care
• Diet: Herbivore
• Average Monthly Cost: $40–$65 (Fresh bedding doesn't come cheap!)

The Guinea pig is a very popular pet, mainly due to its gentle and affectionate nature. They are simply wonderful pets for children and adults alike. In a previous article about which pets are the most affectionate, the many loving traits and characteristics of the Guinea pig are outlined with actual examples.

More importantly for the sake of this article, it should be noted that they are also extremely simple to care for. They require a cage with a suitable habitat area with clean food, water, and ventilation. Their food can be easily purchased from local pet stores, and being little rodents, they do not consume very much.

As mentioned, they are also very affectionate and easy to handle. They respond well to gentle handling but certainly do not require as much attention as other pets such as dogs. Affectionate, cuddly, and easy to care for, guinea pigs have become very popular pets.

7. Syrian Hamster

• Scientific Name: Mesocricetus auratus
• Average Adult Size: 5–7 inches long
• Average Life Span: 3–4 years old
• Diet: Omnivore
• Average Monthly Cost: $50

Another excellent pet that is easy to care for is the Syrian hamster. It is actually a distant relative of the Guinea pig. While it does take a Syrian hamster longer to warm up to human handlers than Guinea pigs, they do eventually begin to crave such interaction. Once again, however, its need for handling and interaction is much less than that of many other pets.

The Syrian hamster is quite easy to care for. It only requires a cage with a habitat area, food, and water. You must clean the cage on a regular basis, but sometimes you may even forget they are there (except for in the middle of the night, as that is when they are the most active). Provide your hamster with love and affection and they will become a truly affectionate pet that requires minimal effort.

8. Fancy Rat

• Scientific Name: Rattus norvegicus
• Average Adult Size: 8 inches long
• Average Life Span: Up to 5 years with proper care
• Diet: Omnivore
• Average Monthly Cost: $20–$35

Despite their historically entrenched bad reputation, rats are becoming very popular pets. The fancy rat in particular is a favorite due to its loving and friendly nature. They are also quite an easy pet to care for if they have a caring and responsible owner. All the necessary equipment—such as a cage, food, and toys—can be purchased from pet stores.

It should be noted that it is vitally important that their habitat area has proper ventilation and is cleaned on a regular basis. It is also important for pet rats to have a partner or two as they are very social animals. They will require exercise and time outside their cage, but for many people, this is what makes them such a great pet. They are very affectionate and easy to handle.

Great Resources for First-Time Rat Owners

• How to Take Care of a Pet Rat: FAQs, Tips and Tricks
• Rat Care for Beginners: How to Create the Perfect Rat Cage Setup

9. Fancy Mouse

• Scientific Name: Mus musculus
• Average Adult Size: 3 inches long
• Average Life Span: Up to 3 years with proper care
• Diet: Omnivore
• Average Monthly Cost: $35

Like rats, mice often get a bad rap, but they are actually very sweet and loving pets. They are very intelligent and make great companions for people who do not want a large pet. Mice, being nocturnal, are most active at night, but they can adjust to your schedule.

While pet mice can be handled, they are fragile and require a patient, gentle touch. They may nip when scared. For this reason, they are not the best pets for small children.

Mice are very social animals, so it is recommended you get more than one. They will happily play together and are very fun to watch, but you must be sure to introduce them properly. (Note, however, that you should get mice of the same sex, otherwise you will soon be dealing with a much larger family than you bargained for!)

For more information, here's a complete guide to keeping fancy mice as pets.

10. Hermit Crab

• Scientific Name: Coenobita spp
• Average Adult Size: 2–6 inches long, depending on species
• Average Life Span: Up to 20 years with proper care, depending on species
• Diet: Omnivore
• Average Monthly Cost: $6

Land hermit crabs are surprisingly inquisitive and social creatures, making them fun pets for people of all ages. They are generally non-aggressive and tolerate handling well, though they may pinch if threatened or scared.

Hermit crabs require a relatively small amount of living space and care; for example, whereas guinea pigs and hamsters need their bedding replaced once a week, the sand in the bottom of your hermit crabs' enclosure only needs to be completely replaced three times a year (in addition to weekly poop-scooping). The initial set-up of their enclosures, however, is key.

These pets also act like little composts. In addition to their pellet food, you can feed them your kitchen scraps (even bits of meat and fish)—they'll eat just about anything! That said, avoid feeding them garlic, onion, or citrus. Here's a wealth of information about what to feed your hermit crab.

Note: It is recommended that you get at least two hermit crabs, as they are naturally social creatures.

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Best Pets for People Who Can't Take Care of Pets

If you aren't ready to care for a pet, here are a few more options to consider—from sponsorship to plants.

Pet Sponsorship

There is probably no easier way to care for a pet than by sponsoring one. Many programs and organizations will allow you to monetarily sponsor animals and pets at sanctuaries, shelters and in the wild. Not only will this help provide the resources to house and care for the animals, but it will also save many from being euthanized in overcrowded animal shelters.

There are many options for pet sponsorship, such as one-time gifts or monthly contributions. In terms of caring for a pet, this is indeed one of the easiest ways! It is also very compassionate and humane.

Pet-Sponsorship Organizations

The following are just a few of the organizations that accept sponsors:

• WWF Global
• Best Friends
• Blue Cross for Pets
• Pet Finder
• Born Free Foundation
• North Shore Animal League America (for special-needs pets)

Chia Pet

If an animal is too much for you, try a plant instead! All you need for a chia pet is a terracotta planter, some chia seeds, and water. With proper care, your chia pet will live for a whole 10 days!

Tamagotchi Pet

If your lack of a green thumb has you worried that even a chia pet might be too much to handle, why not shower your love and affection on a Tamagotchi pet? This virtual game will satisfy your desire to take care of a pet (including checking their weight, monitoring their happiness, and picking up their poops) without putting an animal—or even a plant—at risk.

Sources:

• Bradford, A. (2014, June 11). Hamster Facts: Diet, Habits & Types of Hamsters.
• Brinks, Z. (2017, March 2). Hissing Cockroaches as Pets. Josh's Frogs How-to Guide.
• Guinea Pig Care Guide. Love That Pet. 2017.
• How Much Does a Pet Mouse Cost. (2019, May 28).
• How to Keep and Care for African Dwarf Frogs. My Froggy cam.
• McLeod, L. (2019, February 9). Having Land Hermit Crabs for Pets.
• McLeod, L. (2019, May 5). How Do You Care for the Different Kinds of Pet Geckos?
• McLeod, L. (2019, June 26). Keeping and Caring for Pet Syrian Hamsters.
• Miguel, R. F. (2019, June 13). How Much Does A Pet Rat Cost? (Prices, Averages, Tips).
• Pet Snail Care. Petsnails.co.uk.
• Rat Care Guide. Love That Pet.
• Whitehouse, P. (2019, May 26). Keeping Pet Snails: Everything you need to know about their care!

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2017 Leonard Tillerman

Comments

Shrugvi on September 02, 2020:

I really want to get sea monkeys for my kids.

Charlotte on April 29, 2020:

This was actually a very helpful read :) thank you

Jack on April 15, 2020:

Despite what has been said, guinea pigs can be very easy to take care of. I have 8 at the moment and have had over 20 babies in the past 3 years. I take 10 minutes a morning to feed them and fill their water bottles. Over 2 days, I will spend about 45 minutes on each cage of guinea pigs (I have three).

They can be costly if they get ill as there's still a lot not known about guinea pig anatomy and immune system.

Also, guinea pigs from stores are just fine. Naturally my first 4 guinea pigs came from a shop, they all did well except two died from cancer. I will point out that despite what some of the other comments say, almost all illnesses a guinea pig may get will NOT have come from a pet store. Guinea pigs can be sickly animals - our local vets have said in the past: "If a guinea pig gets sick, it is almost guaranteed that it will die".

Guinea pigs are more robust than most people think.

Our guinea pigs have lived with a dog running around and have come to love him. This is to the point that they come out of their 'bedroom' to see him in the morning.

However, guinea pigs are amazing animals and are truly rewarding.

Australia-Rose on March 23, 2020:

I have 10+ pets that consist of 2 guinea pigs. 3 Cats. 2 Geckos. 3 dogs. 1 rabbit and 2 hedgehogs. They are all easy, it really depends if you have the time and if your parents will allow for such a pet. I would say (and a ferret) that the hedgehog is the easiest since you only have to clean out the cage every once every week and a half. Life span 5 years and they are nocturnal so whilst im at school its sleeping and when I get back shes ready to play.

Yukee on February 11, 2020:

Or just buy a rock and put goggly eyes on it. Monthly cost: 0$ Lifespan: surely longer than yours

Violet on August 29, 2019:

i like cats :3

UwU

Snikitty Kitty on June 30, 2019:

I think cats and dogs are the easiest. Cats can use litter boxes and all you have to do is scoop them. The main problem with cats is the claws, which can easily be taken care of with a scratching post or claw caps. Rodents need all that bedding, and it gets soiled so fast and has to be completely changed all the time. Dogs are simple because you just pick up after them as they go, though you would have to have a pet door or be home to let them out. Things like lizards are too sensitive need a really balanced and precise environment to survive. I guess it just depends on what pet a person grew up with and can meet the challanges of better.

Cavies mommy on May 14, 2019:

DO NOT GET GUINEA PIGS IF YOU ARE NOT MATURE ENOUGH. Here are some things you need to know,

1. Guinea pigs are very hard to care for

2. They have delicate spines not suitable for small children

3. They are pigs and eat a LOT of food, hay, pellets and veggies, which are very expensive unless you buy in bulk. The pellets at the pet shops are usually bad as well

4. You should never get guinea pigs from pet stores because they mistreat them and the guinea pigs are likely sick. Get them from shelters.

5. Guinea pigs need a LOT of space and I mean a lot

6. Guinea pigs poop a lot and you have to clean their cage every day so if you cannot take at least twenty minutes a day to clean their cage then you shouldn’t get them.

7. Guinea pigs actually require a lot of money for food each month, vet bills and the starting fee which will add up

8. Guinea pigs live for a longggg time so if you cannot have long time commitment do not get them

9. Guinea pigs are prey animals so they are easily scared so they aren’t suitable for a household with dogs or cats.

BUT,

If you think that you have all the requirements to be a guinea pig mom/dad and meet the standards above, then feel free to adopt a piggy because they are affectionate and you will be rewarded for those long days of poop cleaning.

Thanks,

Yo on May 10, 2019:

Did not help

Sylvie on May 07, 2019:

Didn’t really help, although I like the Guinea pig photo

Bob kevin on April 13, 2019:

Really good site.

aaa on April 11, 2019:

Rats need a lot of attention or they get bored. You need to have a lot of time for them if you want them to be happy.

;oiohoijn on April 05, 2019:

hey everybody go to this site instead Wiki how.com its great it has everything

ewrgr4 on February 28, 2019:

woof

Ainsley on January 12, 2019:

Guinea pigs are not very simple they need very large cages at least 5 square ft per guinea pig think of it this way would you keep your dog in a crate it's entire life

Ennie on January 07, 2019:

They forgot the most easiest to takecare of pet... the pet rock!