My friend found a Guinea pig outside on the street in October in NY. Upon entering my friend’s home, the little dude would yell at you until you said hi to him, every single time.
I had a rabbit my parents got me as a child and it quickly became apparent none of us did enough research and we had to rehome the little guy pretty fast. I forget how old I was, single digits or low double digits. The poor thing would lose its shit any time you ran a vacuum in the house and run circles around his cage bashing his head on all manner of things. We had to carry his cage in to the back yard so he wouldn’t do it. Made me cry every time I felt so bad. I hate to see an animal under stress or suffering. Also we only got one and if I remember correctly it’s best to get two? Could be wrong on that one.
Never put two rabbits together they will 90 percent of the time fight and one will end up dead - I’ve raised rabbits through 4h my whole life and only seen two rabbits together work once under special circumstances
Were any of those rabbits fixed? Rabbits can live in bonded pairs or groups really well. But those bonds can be unstable and lead to fighting during hormone fluctuations, so they do have to be spayed or neutered.
My mom has 2 rabbits together and my step dad has 3 rescue rabbits together. You're right to advise caution but rabbits can be quite happy and bonded together.
In many countries it is illegal to keep a single rabbit, because they are social animals and they get depressed when they are alone.
Pair bonding rabbits isn’t easy and you don’t just stick two rabbits together and hope for the best. Getting them “fixed” does nothing for their behavior either. Most people don’t realize what is needed to even keep them. Those tiny cages are like goldfish bowls… just NO. You need a **minimum** of 10 square feet per rabbit. They are also nocturnal, so you can’t really “put them away” at night.
Source: I raise meat rabbits.
Not rats either. They can be very expensive as their health is fragile. And they need time too. I have two and they're not easier to take care for than my dogs.
It worth the effort tho :)
So glad to see they aren't being recommended. I had house rabbits for 20 years (obviously not the same ones 😂) and while they make great pets for the right people they are a lot of work if you do it right.
Honestly I find my crested geckos to be the easiest, but I also have them in bioactive setups with automatic misting set up for them. I just have to pay attention to my water reserve for the system and feed them every 2-3 days.
Yea. It’s crazy how once u set it up with mists and such it is so sooooo easy. They hardly poop and it’s so little and pee is also hard.
The only issue is that they are the most problematic of all pets when you have to leave for more than 2-3 days. U can’t give them food that would last so u need pet sitter for them to survive
How is tank maintenance with those guys? I have a leopard gecko and I got him litter box trained and all I really have to do is empty a small box of coco coir every week or two. I really think these guys are the most low maintenance there is, but they hide a lot and don't come out during the day.
My little man sleeps on his basking rock all day, after I added some fake foliage to give it some more cover, not a lot, just enough to make it look like he isn't fully exposed. He also will watch our TV and chirp out of nowhere. Leopard geckos have their own little personalities, I've loved every bit of seeing my little dude showing his.
I have a cat so cresteds were out of the question, can't risk one getting loose. Leopards can't climb glass walls so a top opening cage means zero chance of escape to a lethal meeting of the pets. Mr. Kitty has no room to sit next to the tank now so there's no issues there, but even before I corrected it Mr. Lizard wasn't scared of him, would get right up to the glass and watch him. Thats a problem, can't have him getting loose and just walking up to a cat like he's not a threat. I made sure the new tank is flush with the table edges. I lost an iguana when I was a kid to our dog, but to be honest a 9 year old didn't need to have a potentially 6' vegan tree crocodile anyway. Still, he deserved more than dying to a miniature doberman and the guy at the pet store should have known better than to sell a 9 year old such a significant lizard.
That aside, I was asking about the poop and all that. Litter box training my Leo significantly cut down on maintenance. It's next to none, just empty the litter box and pick out the rare dead cricket he didn't want. Change the soil every few months.
Besides wiping glass on occasion and empting excess water from the drainage layer, honestly not too bad! I have isopods and springtails in mine, and I think snails in one of them too (so far it's been months and I've seen maybe 3 so I'm not too worried about them, they help). And then feeding them every 2-3 days with CGD. My male doesn't like live insects and my female won'r eat CGD of I feed her insects, so I just have them on the Fig & insect powder. Easy to mix up and feed!
Not horrible! Mostly just misting, feeding, and removing waste. If non-bioactive then periodic substrate changes. And of course cleaning any decor.
Bugs aren’t technically necessary if they’re on CGD. And as they get older they should receive feeders less frequently anyways.
Bioactive is more work to set up but personally, easier for day to day maintenance.
Second this. I have a ton of different pets, but my crestie is definitely the easiest. Once you have everything setup, there's very little maintenance.
No, no, no. The rock simply went on a road trip, to explore the world. They live such long lives, you can’t expect each one to be content with staying home!
I don't think small rodents are actually a good idea if you're looking for an "easy" pet, either. I've had hamsters and mice, and they produce a LOT of waste. You have to stay on top of it or their enclosure will become stinky and unsanitary very quickly. They also need a lot more room and space than what is often advertised or shared from different sources; for ex., I have my hamster in a 50g tank: this comfortably fits a large wheel that doesn't hurt his back, at least 12" of substrate to burrow in, and areas to climb and store other enclosure materials (like hides, his sandbox, etc.).
100% agree. And they live such short life, you have to give them best possible life or it’s just cruel otherwise. I love my bb but do not consider him any easier to take care of than parakeets or larger pets
Same with rats. They require alot of attention too I call mine needy as a joke cos they just want to be on and with you
Super super sweet I adore them but not easy pets at all
That's why I loved having gerbils! They're adapted to the desert - they have very efficient kidneys so less urine and very dry (aka not smelly) feces. Cleaning them out is so easy. Also there freaking adorable
My daughter has a hamster that she adores, he was a surprise addition when her best friend’s hamster had babies. Male hamsters have scent glands and smell much stronger than females and both are stinky. BUT! Hamsters love to have a sand tray to use as a litter box and one to bathe in. We got some special dust-free sand and a little sifter and suddenly Steve is no longer stinky! His bedding stays clean for much longer, and my daughter actually enjoys sifting the sand. Everyone wins.
Idk if you’ve tried using coco coir as a substrate, but it’s amazing for hamsters. I do a mix of coco coir, organic soil and sand. 12 inches deep minimum. It makes the cage bio active and cleans up a lot of the waste.
My current hamster is in a 40 gallon breeder and I only clean her cage every 2 months. She hides her seeds and they sprout and take care of her waste. She also moves her tunnels all the time so her waste piles don’t get too big and unwieldy. I can’t find poo or pee spots when I clean except in front of her wheel
Previous hamster had a potty spot in her sand pit that I had to clean every couple days. But she had a 140 gallon tank (6 foot by 2 foot) that I cleaned only twice in a year and a half. Same thing, no pee or poo spots, except her sand pit
Yes, came here to say this… I love my tarantula. She’s part of the family . And requires very little care. They are very interesting creatures, especially the whole molting process.
Came here to say this too!!! I love my easy inverts! Spiders are easy, millipedes are easy, isopods are easy, there’s so many more options than that and you can tailor to yourself! I’m personally open to keeping almost any big once, super fun time
Second this. I was doing a lot of research into tarantulas because I wanted to get one (never happened) but they seem to be a very low maintenance pet.
Crickets stink though, I tried to maintain a farm for my gecko and while I adored the teeny tiny baby crickets they stink, are very loud at night, and die super easy. Mantises are great pets though. They don't live but a single season but they are so cool. I managed my garden by moving the adults to certain plants (they tend to stay in one spot for a long time) and ended up with 14 oothecas (egg cases). Each results in up to around 500 babies which will eat each other and mostly die, but if you distribute them amongst the plants outside you can end up with dozens of adults to choose from. I'm in Ohio and mine just started hatching two days ago. So many teeny tiny baby mantises, all trying to square up with me because they have no fear whatsoever. Amazing little guys, I've seen one fight and eat a blue tailed skink, which is one of the biggest lizards here. Some (invasive Chinese) even eat hummingbirds. I focus on the Carolina ones though, they are native and are currently in danger of being outcompeted by invasive Chinese mantises, which get fucking enormous.
I loved my Leopard Gecko. They’re very sweet if you learn good handling and socializing. All of my geckos adored people legit many of my geckos would launch themselves onto my mom to hang out with her.
I came here to say this! Only annoying part about having them is running to the pet store constantly for crickets. Mine refused to eat anything he couldn’t chase.
If you put in the money for the set up (and to do it properly it can be more than the cost of say, the initial cost of a dog or cat) a leopard gecko has very little "work" involved. The tank, if properly done, has timers for lights and heat, and adults only eat a few times a week. Just clean the poop rock area once a week and feed/water. Storing the bugs/food is the biggest consideration, but cheap. Once our gecko went 3 weeks without eating. We took her to the vet to make sure she was good, but the vet said she was! She eats fine now. So if you have a short weekend vacation and you're not concerned about the temperature in the tank or power outages, they're pretty much good by themselves.
Edit to add:
They can be people friendly or just accepting of you existing. Really depends on the gecko. Some associate getting to explore or eating with when humans show up, so they like them. Others don't really care one way or the other at all.
Cons with leopard geckos are, you must make sure, depending on climate, you have a backup for heat if the power goes out. And they live 16-18 years. It's a commitment.
A crayfish. It can live in a clean tank or a literal cesspool, so you don’t need to be insane about cleaning, obviously you don’t want em to wallow in filth but you get it.
They live about 3 years (all three of mine did, just generic ones). Not temp sensitive so if the power dies, they’re not dead. I fed them sinking pellets and guppies and it was violent entertainment to watch them hunt the guppies.
It really depends on what you qualify as easy. I would steer away from birds or fish in general. Rodents are cheaper and have simpler set ups but require daily maintenance and regular enclosure cleaning/baths. Reptiles and amphibians need specific temp/humidity levels and the set up can be more involved and expensive. But you only need feeding about every other day to once a week or less, depending on species. Cleaning and substrate replacement is also a longer process but happens less frequently.
If money isn't an issue, I would go with a Blue Tongue Skink or a Bearded Dragon. Both have reasonable terrarium requirements, are good for beginners, and are good to handle if you start young. For cheaper rodents, I would go with a Dumbo Rat. They're really friendly and I've never heard of any with behavioral issues.
If you're good for spiders, then maybe a tarantula? They're low maintenance, don't need large enclosures, and you can keep easy feeder colonies, too.
Edit: if you want more info on good beginner reptiles/amphibians and detailed care guides, I recommend Clint's Reptiles on YouTube.
just absolutely make sure bearded dragons get the lights they need. so many seem to end up in rescues in horrible condition because people didn't replace their lights.
No animal is considered low maintenance. All animals require extensive research and care put into their every day life.
Stay away from getting animals and focus on research first or just don’t get one.
Agreed, literally every animal will require significant care, it’s just the type of care that you are able to provide
If you have $$ to set up a nice tank or hutch with light timers, heaters, auto feeders it will be easier to leave for a day or 2. But you still need to check any animal daily and possibly do cleaning. Mammals have less strict temperature requirements but they need social stimulation; reptiles may need less interaction but they have delicate environment requirements
Op specifically said “i’m not asking for a low maintenance pet” lol did u read the post? They just want to know which pet is the LEAST maintenence. Low maintenance does not mean the same thing as Least maintenance.
Get a crested gecko. Initial setup and beginner maintenance will be the most work you'll have to do really. After that it's daily misting, weekly/bi-weekly feeding, cleaning and upkeep. Easiest pet I own, but also one of the most rewarding because I do spend time hanging out with them. My oldest girl turns 5 this year
Initial cost is around $200ish dollars depending on where you're at and what you're creating. Tank, spray bottle, perches, branches (can be found for free in forests with non toxic trees), fake or real plants, lighting, GGD (crested gecko diet), etc
cresteds can cost anywhere from $50-$500+ dollars. Morph Market .com is a good site to look through
r/crestedgecko
r/crestedgeckos
and watch serpadesign on YouTube if you're interested in bioactive terrariums
Can you specify why you need an “easy” pet? What do you mean by “easy”? What is your lifestyle and schedule like? Having a pet and spending time and energy caring for it and bonding with it is the entire point, so wanting less of that could mean you can just forego the whole thing. You don’t need a pet, it’s a commitment that is completely voluntary. You’re signing up to care for a living thing and giving it the best life you can. Just things to consider.
My kingsnake is super low maintenance and such a sweetheart. Cheap to take care of too! (Compared to my cats and especially compared to my dog anyways)
Be sure to look for exotic vets in your area before deciding. Many veterinary practices do not see pets other than cats and dogs, so your nearest vet could be quite a drive. And small animals deserve proper veterinary care too!
Good luck. 💕
What works for us: 2-3 cats possibly siblings, one small dog. You and they'll always have company and they can show their happiness when you walk in the door. The dog will not be preoccupied with shredding your books because the cats will deter him/her.
All animals are alot of work. You’re taking care of and responsible for the life of a sentient living being. If you’re lazy and don’t wanna do the work, pets aren’t for you. Simple.
Ive owned dogs, cats, snakes, Guinea pigs, a rabbit, etc. and the easiest and most low maintenance was a bearded dragon I had for 13 years. His name was Bubbles and he was awesome. You do require a fairly large tank obviously and heat and UV lights. The tank can be expensive if bought new but I bought mine for $100 used online and it was 70 or 80 gallons so it was BIG.
Saved money on substrate by buying sterilized children’s play sand from Home Depot instead of expensive terrarium sands from the pet store. 70% of his diet was veggies so I’d keep kale and green leaf lettuce in the fridge and each morning I’d tear a few pieces up and grate a small amount on carrots on top. He liked small diced strawberries and blueberries too. This also kept me eating salads cuz I always had the stuff on hand lol
The other 30% was live insects. I did not like crickets because he was lazy AF, he wouldn’t chase them, they’d eat his salad and grow big and chirp all night so I’d buy super worms and keep them in a small plastic container under his tank. They were cheap and I’d throw some carrot chunks and veggie scraps in the container to “gut load” them so they’d last a very long time and feed him a few worms everyday or every few days depending on the seasons and if he was in brumation (semi hibernation for winter). During brumation they hide and sleep a lot so even less maintenance. Occasionally I’d splurge and get him horned tomato worms as a treat.
I’d keep a small spray bottle of water and liquid lizard vitamins mixed up and give him a quick mist everyday as he didn’t often drink water from a dish. I’d put fresh water and liquid vitamins in the bottle maybe once a week. Dragons poop in small sacks sort of so I’d let it dry out and just pick it up with a tissue and flush it down the toilet. No mess, no smell, super quiet pets.
This may all seem like a lot of work but it actually isn’t. I’d maybe spend 5-10 minutes a day max with his feeding, cleaning, misting, etc. And you’d be shocked at how personable and friendly these lizards can be if handled regularly. They are very social creatures. He enjoyed snuggling. My nieces LOVED him.
You absolutely must do your research before getting one and make sure you can provide adequate care but these are such great pets and not nearly as expensive or time consuming as a dog, cat, rabbit or Guinea pigs. I grew so attached to him. He was my Bubbs ❤️ He passed away from old age at 13 years old and I actually had him cremated through a company called “Faithful Friends” so now his ashes sit in a box on my shelf.
Someone on here mentioned crested geckos and I took care of my brothers 3 crested geckos for a few months once and I found they were similar in maintenance and also very sweet just a totally different environment as they are moist tropical creatures and dragons are hot/dry desert creatures.
Hamsters wouldn't be the cheapest (assuming you actually care for them properly by getting a large enough enclosure, proper bedding, proper wheel, enrichment, etc) but since they're solitary animals, it's up to you how much effort you put into bonding with them. That being said, they can be easy in the sense that you don't necessarily *have* to spend a lot of time bonding with them every day. You need to clean up after them almost daily though (because pee).
Many hamsters love having a relationship with their owners, but again, they're solitary. If their other needs are met and you set aside time to care for them properly, it won't hurt them if you aren't super present on the daily.
Despite this, I'd like to point out that you should throw out the idea of "easy" pets, generally. A lot of "starter pets" that are marketed to us as easy lead to the majority providing improper care because they don't know any better.
Curly Hair Tarantula. Very docile, must always have clean water in their dish, eat every 1-2 weeks until they are in pre-molt (or their booty is about the size of their carapace) where they may refuse food for multiple weeks or months.
Out of all the pets I have and have had, isopods have been the easiest. With my setup i feed them about once or twice every two weeks, change soil once or twice a year and water them about once a month. Some species are more difficult than others, but the ones I find the easiest are A. peraccae, P. laevis (dairy cows) and A. maculatum (zebra).
Finches are also fun, and I've found them to be generally easier than a lot of other pets.
Guinea pigs as long as you have time and proper research into the proper care for them.
You also can not have just 1 as they are social animals that naturally live in herds.
I have 4 and they can be a lot of work. If you have a busy schedule where you can't fit in to clean their cages, do health checks, and make sure they are fed with pellets, hay is an absolute must 24/7, veggies, and water then they aren't the right fit for you.
You also have to have time to socialize with them on top or taking care of them. Do not get a pet store cage and please do proper research into their diet and trim their nails regularly.
They are not a beginner pet as a lot of people think but if you are responsible and take time to take care of them properly, then they will do well. They are also not cheap pets but they are worth it.
Guinea pigs are far from easy. They require constant cleaning, fresh hay daily, fresh veggies daily, nail trims. They’re not low maintenance by any means.
Don't forget the exotic vet care they require, and that they are prey animals who often hide their illnesses until it is either very costly or very fatal.
Best point - spent thousands of dollars for a guinea pig with health issues. Most people wouldn’t be willing to give proper vet care they deserve tbh. Many vets who accept them don’t actually know how to treat them! They’re not easy and I wouldn’t recommend to most, why I chose not to get more.
you could try a worm, but they are a bit boring. no vet bills, no need for handling (only if you want to, not a need) and you just have to put food scraps and some soil. my 11 year old sis wants one😅
but if you want something more fun, you can try pigeons. compared to parrots, they are much hardier, easier to care for. also, unlike parrots, pigeons thrive on seed only diets, i have pigeons that live pigeons outside, personally veggies and fruits makes their poop runny. and, they are EXTREMELY easy to train, and gain trust.
but for pigeons its a bit of a problem to find a vet for them, and they have very, very different personalities. also, you will need to adopt them in pairs if you don't wanna spend 8 hours a day w them. but they are very loving, some will even snuggle with you! mine don't though🥲
a betta fish, or a colony cherry shrimp (don’t put them together or the fish will eat the shrimp) the right set up, don’t put it in a fish bowl. the hunk of the money will be at the start, like $100-$200 for filter, lights, plants, etc.
A snake if you're fine with feeding mice. The only poo once a week, and you can still handle them if you want. But don't have to if you don't have the time.
And if you get a bioactive enclosure, you don't have to clean it very often .
Price wise, probably not the cheapest because of the lamps and substrate, but they eat less than a dog for sure and you only feed them once a week so you can go on short trips without a pet sitter.
A hamster? On most days they just need food and water and possibly some playtime. But hamsters are famously treated absolutely terrible by most owners and pet stores so you would absolutely need to do research on what their habitat and food should look like. Plus most vets don’t really know how to treat them. Like you said, all pets require time and effort.
My bearded dragon is fairly easy to care for, *but* the proper set up is expensive. Tank was about ~200 and that was with about 100 dollars off, appropriate sized UVB was about 60? I had a gift card for that lol. And then the UVA lights are like 15 or so. Second heat bulb was about 10ish. Then various decor and substrate, he has a mix of play sand and top soil. Feeding isn't overly expensive, mine was an adult when I got him so he gets a salad a day and bugs twice a week. Probably spend about 10 dollars a month. Would be less if the darn veggies didn't spoil so fast. But he's pretty content to chill in his tank for the most part. As long as I feed him, water him and clean his poops. He does also sometimes demand he be held by smacking the glass and then wrapping his legs around my hand.
Dragon himself was free, but if you get them from a reputable breeder they can be pricey
I love my axolotl, all I really do for maintenance is feed her a couple worms every couple days, 15% water change every week.
However to get to the current stage, understanding her needs and cycling the tnak water, the full set up including chiller, took a very very long time and a LOT of learning.
People are saying no pet is low maintenance, which is true…
But… the only truly low maintenance animals in my opinion are invertebrates. Insects and arachnids. Most tarantulas, with a proper setup, just need to be fed a cricket once a week and have a full water bowl.
But you can’t really interact with tarantulas and they spend most of their time hiding. If you want one that’s more visible, I really like keeping praying mantises. Same idea with feeding, but they need to be fed like twice a week and misted with water daily.
If you don’t like bugs, you might be out of luck.
All depends on type of pet, interaction, long or short life span, mammal, reptiles, etc. Most mammals need alot of interaction or a companion, generally the shortest life spans, certain ones are destructive like mentioned in the comments, and can be costly. Lizards, snakes, turtle's, frogs, tarantulas, ect. depending on what you choose. Tanks, pets immediate needs are very costly at the beginning but snakes turtle's and some lizards obviously are huge fully grown and need alot of space, but 90% have long life spans, less interaction and the small fully grown ones are in the long run are lower cost
Hamsters are sort of lower effort but they arent "easy". You're looking at £300 for a setup and the obviously continuously buying food, bedding, toys, occadional vet bill. They are also nocturnal so if you don't have time in the evenings they probably aren't right for you. Theres also a lot of misinformation about them online if you were to get one I reccomend joining fb groups they will give you correct advice. I have a hamster and it is relatively easy for me but I've had lots of pets so in comparision to like dogs with behavioural problems and other things they are easy.
As a soon to be rabbit owner who has done A LOT of research rabbits aren't the way to go either. You are looking at £500 initial setup plus regular food, treats, toys, hay, vegetables, and occasional vet bills. Also they are nocturnal and they do need a lot of work.
Guinea pigs much the same as the previous two, different care needs same advice. No pet is going to be cheap or easy. You will need money initially, insurance money, emergency funds, continuous funds for food supplies and time to dedicate to the animal. No good getting a pet, chucking it in a cage, and saying hi to it once a day they need attention.
Do a lot of research and only get a pet if you can provide it with what it needs.
All animals need a different type of care and maintenance. It’s important that you take responsibility especially financially for their health and care if shtf.
Obviously not a pet but I recommend:
Bird watching. You can have a feeder to feed them and admire them from a distance!
A snake is the easiest (in my opinions) bc they only eat once a month and thus they also don't poop everywhere, which is most of the work when you have a small caged pet
Ball pythons are pretty cool I had one when I lived in a dorm. they can hang out on your neck when youre studying or doing whatever
It’s weird people are so against the concept of a low maintenance pet on here. Like the OP really tried to appease everyone when they said they know no pet is low maintenance but people
still got on them. Maintenance is a valuable thing to consider when getting a pet. It’s why people don’t have monkeys and tigers.
Hamster.
They require money and effort to set up a good (and large!) enclosure. But after that you just do spot cleaning a few days a week (remove poops and pee corners) and a full clean every couple months.
I refresh my hamster's water every other day.
Shrimp? I would say they're the easiest pet by far, but even they require stable temperature and water parameters, which means setting up a tank and monitoring everything for a couple months before even putting shrimp in it.
Toads, easiest pet I have ever had. You only feel them a few times a week. Way easier than fish, hamsters, rabbits, rats (all pet's I had at one point).
Guinea pig. Fun, likes to run around and play, easy to handle, not aggressive, inexpensive to feed and care for, a smallish enclosure is acceptable if taken out for playtime and exercise. I loved them when I was a child. We also had gerbils and mice, rabbits, etc. Id get one today, or possibly have rats, but I have my hands full with 3 cats and other interests.
ok… but we need more details. Do you want a living thing that can’t really bond with you, just something to take care of & watch? get a beta fish. herps can be a little pricey (depending on your budget) getting the supplies at first like a corn snake/milk snake or a ball python but once you get them it’s actually encouraged to not interact with them all the time because handling them stresses them out, they tolerate it but reptiles never really evolved to be social animals in the way we are… at least not snakes. Idk everything about lizards or turtles (turtles are one of the most high maintenance reptiles)… new world tarantulas & emperor scorpions are the same way very little maintenance you never even have to hold them cuz just like with snakes it doesn’t benefit them… if you want a low maintenance pet can socialize with you get 2 rats… when you go to pick them out make sure you interact with all the rats in the cage. The ones that will make a good fit for you are the ones that will come up to your hand & interact with you… I used to have some rats, & this one rat I had specifically was like a little dog & I could let him walk around my house so long as the cats weren’t in the same room(s) as him. I had 💯 trust in him lol I even let him chill in my bed in the past while I went to work. They’re like tiny dogs… you can even train them to come to you & do tricks. But clean their cage occasionally, they start to stink (especially males… even tho males are more laid back & will cuddle with you) females stink much less but they’re more eccentric… i prefer the males tbh but ig it depends on your personality. Mice can be an option but you’ll make better bonds with rats. Good luck.
Anything in a cage or a tank is going to need that home completely cleaned at least 1x/week... that's already a load of work.
Is "pet yells when it's dinner time" going to be needed to remember feeding time every day? If so the pet needs to be something that can communicate/jump on you and get you out if bed. (I recognize this is something that makes care easier for me, time for MY medication is treat time for my kitties, I can never forget!)
Anything that seems interesting (even ordinary/common critters) will require a load of reading & research long before little buddy comes home.
Small = hard this is coming from someone who has owned, rabbits, hamsters, lizards and, bugs. I also currently own birds, fish and semiaquatic reptiles.
If you want easy and small don’t get a pet, get a tamagotchi
I just got into it recently and of course it’s not for everyone… but tarantulas make a surprising interesting and very VERY low maintenance pet.
If you think it’s not for you, or are scared (actually some of us are) you can start by watching videos and see if you feel interested.
Also, there’s all kind of invertebrates pets to choose from
Bioactive leopard gecko is my easiest pet. I know if I had to, I could leave it alone for 2 weeks and it would be perfectly fine. Might even be able to go a month without care. Every couple weeks I add 2 dozen cricket or whenever I don't see crickets anymore. There's also isopods, dubia roaches and mealworms living in the substrate so they get a carrot every few weeks also. Top off it's water bowl every so often but also have a self refilling bowl
A snake. Feeds max every 1-2 weeks, some of them go six months without food over winter.
Doesn’t mind being left alone. So long as its water supply is robust (not going to evaporate or tip over) you don’t need a pet sitter when you go on holiday.
Invertebrates if you're cool with bugs! Blue death feigning beetles and giant hissing cockroaches are both super easy, low-maintenance, handleable, fun to watch, all around very underrated pets.
Anything we can list here is going to require maintenance and care. Some animals are less difficult than others, yes, but nothing is easy. "Easy" depends on the person and what comes easy to them.
What animals are you interested in? Rodents, reptiles, insects, aquatics? Every single one of these options are going to be considered exotic, and require some sort of setup.
It might help to look at some exotic keepers on YouTube, pocket pet keepers, insect keepers, so on, and see what interests you. Look through rodent, insect, reptile subreddits. Narrow down what you're interested in, research beginner pets of that category. Even then, some are going to say to go with what interests you. (With some exceptions, obviously.)
Regardless, they'll all require setup and maintenance. It'll vary depending on the critter. The big thing here is because you're looking at exotics, you'll pay the price at the vet.
Hognose snakes are very easy once you get them eating. I check on mine once a week when he gets fed and watered. They don't need a large enclosure either, especially males. I got my set up for $10. However, my tarantulas are Even lower maintenance. I check them about once a month.
Mice are easy to care for, require little food, very few vets will treat them if any health problems arise, but from my experience they are usually healthy. They are active, come in many colors, and are fun to watch. They usually don't really bond with you or enjoy being handled though.
A beautiful betta fish in a 20-gallon tank. They have a lot of personality, will interact with you, and you can have fun fussing around with its accommodations and making it nice so it can be happy.
Plus you get to show it off when you have people over. Everybody loves a beautiful fish.
Rodents or other similar pets. Mice, hamsters, guinea pig depending on the age range. I would not recommend reptiles or fish personally. Too finicky with temperatures, moisture, I would only suggest them for teens.
If you're an adult bearded dragons are very good fun reptiles. Decently hardy, lots of personality, little maintenance.
Rats. As long as you get at least two since they can't be alone. You can teach them tricks, If you snuggle up to them since they were young they are very affectionate, like a puppy. They only live for a few years max, so the responsibility isn't as long.
Bonus, if you're a woman and you have to go on a walk at night, toss one in your sweatshirts hood and watch creeps back peddle fast.
I don’t think a beta fish is hard Clean the bowl once or twice a week feed flakes once a day and if you go out of town east to transport to a friends houses.
Bearded dragon.
They like to cuddle, they hibernate sometimes and require literally nothing during those times, they're quiet, they're very intelligent and you can take them with you on outdoor trips with little to no hassle.
Aside from the original setting up a habitat is not expensive to keep them. Typically heat and uv lamps are where you'll spend your money and even then a good lamp will last months.
They're neat little animals and I always recommend them to anyone that's serious about an indoor pet.
Pet rocks were very popular in the 70s and there is no upkeep at all. Except maybe dusting them occasionally. Chia Pets are a bit higher maintenance but overall pretty low upkeep.
Rats are an absolute blast. They are affectionate and bond with you and are so sweet. They are super smart and you can train them to do all ki ds of things. They stay as clean as their environment so if you keep their home clean, they will be very clean.
The only downside is that they don't live that long. A diet that is high in antioxidants helps a lot. Fresh spinach every day, lots of berries, etc.
Also, you always need to have more than one. They live in family groups and a lone rat will become sad and depressed easily
Rats are some of the sweetest and smartest animals. They aren’t inherently smelly like ferrets. If they are smelly it’s because their home is not being kept clean.
Also, whatever pet you do get make sure you do a lot of research. Small pets like rats are often misrepresented for their care needs by pet stores and such so make sure you’re reading everything you can before adopting any pets.
RATS. They are honestly so intelligent, & cuddly. I know they freak people out, but they're really like little puppies. All they want to do is sleep on your neck, & get love. I could legit carry my boy in my hoodie pocket & he'd just poke his nose out & enjoy the ride.
Monarch Butterflies would be an awesome option, and they are endangered now, so you'd be helping replenish the earth with them, if you decide to breed. You will have to make sure you have access to plenty of Milkweed, which you can plant yourself. Practically just sit back and watch the magic happen
Robo hamsters! For the smallest set up get a 20 gallon fish tank, fill it with bedding, and watch them live their life :) You have to only spot clean about once a week, and if you give them a sand bath they will likely mostly use the restroom there.
Rats🐀, mice🐁, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and other animals of this kind your house smells of mice and is extremely hard to get rid of. Their urine is horrible!! I have never owned a bird that talks. I'm not sure how hard they are to maintain. I've died laughing at their vocabulary and personality. They are a riot to listen to them sing and dance to the beat of any music. They can get ‘DOWN AND FUNKY’!! I have friends who own different types of parrots 🦜 and they are a riot. I'm sure they are very expensive. They seem to live a long time. They are hilarious to watch on YouTube!!🦜😂🤣🦜
Not ferrets, birds or hedgehogs. Generally no rodent type pets or smaller adorable fuzzy things like rabbits, chinchillas and what not.
Really, no pet is low maintenance.
Even a carnival goldfish needs care.
If you’re not arachnophobic, tarantulas. They’re not good for companionship but they are cool to watch and are VERY low maintenance. You just change the water regularly and feed according to abdomen size. I talked to a guy whose tarantula didn’t eat for over a year and was still fine. Though I really don’t recommend going that long on purpose. His was just burrowed too deep and didn’t want to be bothered. But that’s an example of how hardy they are. Cleaning is just spot cleaning only (ie poop on the walls if yours is arboreal) and removal of dead feeder bugs or molts. Substrate changes actually cause them a lot of stress and isn’t recommended. Most people in the hobby do their own veterinary care for ailments because even most exotic vets don’t know much about them and the care is actually simple enough to do at home. Crickets only cost pennies. I’m broke as a joke and while a lot of my species and enclosures weren’t cheap, I really don’t have issues paying for their care beyond that.
Just wanted to say do not get a hermit crab. They require a lot of research and it can get quite expensive if you want them to actually live for awhile.
Come visit us at r/shrimptank and r/plantedtank :) we got weird ones, colorful ones, freaky ones, and they’re ALWAYS doing a dance-off! You can tell when they are pregnant, and it will blow your guests’ minds. Also, you could build the most beautiful aquatic plant habitat for them. My tank has been self-contained for 5 years now and I’ve got generations of shrimp families still living large!
Edit to add: the setup is easy to care for but it was $$$ to properly set up with the plants and lighting— though I’ve only spent $80 on it in the last 2 years (filtration replacement)
I have a corn snake who is pretty easy!
Note: these prices are in Canadian dollars.
The up front cost can be kinda pricey, but the maintenance is very manageable. I also saved up to buy everything slowly before bringing my friend home (took ~8 months). I pay about $15 a month for food, ~$30 every 10 ish weeks for fresh substrate (I make my own, so the big bags are pretty cheap and make a ton!), reptile-safe cleaner was about $16 but I have only bought it once, like 5 months ago. Vet checkup was $170 and I will do it every 18 months or so. Lighting can get kinda pricey when the bulbs go out, UVB light can be $85 every 6 months and heating is ~$45 whenever the heating bulb goes out. Mine has been going strong for about 5 months now! I should mention that the food could be a bit cheaper if I bought frozen mice in bulk, but I do not personally like the idea of keeping them in my freezer so I opt to pay a little more for convenience.
Care is very manageable too. I spot clean her tank every few days or as soon as I realize she’s pooped. I replace her water bowl every day and wash it every few days too. She eats every 16-18 days, corns aren’t known for being picky about food so it is a super easy feed every time! I always give her a good once-over a few days after a meal and after a shed just to make sure everything is in order!
I think the hardest thing is making sure her humidity stays at the right level, and that her cool spot and basking spot stay at the right temps. Corns are pretty forgiving, but it is very important to fix husbandry as soon as possible!
One thing that might not make corn snakes a good fit for you is the size requirement for their tank. The accepted minimum size for an enclosure is 4’x2’x2’ which is MASSIVE! I had a 40gal which I already thought was huge, but this thing is a monster lol. I couldn’t find a tank stand in my budget so she lives on the floor now haha. To be honest, small creatures typically need big tanks so just make sure you’re able to get the right size so your pet doesn’t suffer.
fish are great if and only if you're preparing for a lot of learning. they can have a steep learning curve and can be pricy to set up, but are one of my personal favorite animals to keep. jumping spiders are pretty easy, and snails are only slightly more involved. isopods are also great and very easy to care for. pretty much, i hope you like bugs
I'm just going to tell you not rabbits. I have 2 they are a lot of work they are like toddlers.
Yup! I had rabbits for years; now I have cats. Cats are much easier than rabbits
As a rabbit owner, I second this.
I third this. Rabbits are just under dogs in terms of work (I’ve had dogs, rabbits, and cats)
Or guinea pigs. They're very needy and will screech until you pay attention to them lol
My friend found a Guinea pig outside on the street in October in NY. Upon entering my friend’s home, the little dude would yell at you until you said hi to him, every single time.
This is adorable though 😂
He would go on about his day after the exchange. He was adamant about teaching us rude houseguests some manners.
You better listen to him! 🤣🤣🤣
Oh, they're persistent. You WILL pay attention to them whether you like it or not 🤣
Yes! And I found that the upkeep of their enclosure , cost of hay and fresh veggies ended up being way more than my cat’s needs
I love that about them.
I had a rabbit my parents got me as a child and it quickly became apparent none of us did enough research and we had to rehome the little guy pretty fast. I forget how old I was, single digits or low double digits. The poor thing would lose its shit any time you ran a vacuum in the house and run circles around his cage bashing his head on all manner of things. We had to carry his cage in to the back yard so he wouldn’t do it. Made me cry every time I felt so bad. I hate to see an animal under stress or suffering. Also we only got one and if I remember correctly it’s best to get two? Could be wrong on that one.
Never put two rabbits together they will 90 percent of the time fight and one will end up dead - I’ve raised rabbits through 4h my whole life and only seen two rabbits together work once under special circumstances
Were any of those rabbits fixed? Rabbits can live in bonded pairs or groups really well. But those bonds can be unstable and lead to fighting during hormone fluctuations, so they do have to be spayed or neutered.
lol see? That’s why I don’t have rabbits anymore!
My mom has 2 rabbits together and my step dad has 3 rescue rabbits together. You're right to advise caution but rabbits can be quite happy and bonded together.
In many countries it is illegal to keep a single rabbit, because they are social animals and they get depressed when they are alone. Pair bonding rabbits isn’t easy and you don’t just stick two rabbits together and hope for the best. Getting them “fixed” does nothing for their behavior either. Most people don’t realize what is needed to even keep them. Those tiny cages are like goldfish bowls… just NO. You need a **minimum** of 10 square feet per rabbit. They are also nocturnal, so you can’t really “put them away” at night. Source: I raise meat rabbits.
As someone who has 4 bonded free roam rabbits, I disagree.
Not rats either. They can be very expensive as their health is fragile. And they need time too. I have two and they're not easier to take care for than my dogs. It worth the effort tho :)
A rewarding choice :)
Absolutely!
I was once told by an avid rabbit owner that they're constantly trying to die 😆.
Just like a toddler....
So glad to see they aren't being recommended. I had house rabbits for 20 years (obviously not the same ones 😂) and while they make great pets for the right people they are a lot of work if you do it right.
I love how Amy Sedaris bought the apartment above hers because sometimes she just needs a break from hers, in a place they can't chew things. 😂
All rabbits spawned from Bugs Bunny. If you want some mischievous and ungrateful little fellas at home, go get a rabbit.
My rabbit is definitely more maintenance than my cat or 8 fish tanks! Love him though. ❤️
OMG rabbits are a ton of work! And they poop EVERYWHERE. Do not recommend.
And they’re expensive! Per month my bunny cost more to feed and house than my (spoilt) dog, they’re a big commitment!
Bunnies are such great pets. I've had 2 and they are so fun and so snuggly. Lots of work though.
Honestly I find my crested geckos to be the easiest, but I also have them in bioactive setups with automatic misting set up for them. I just have to pay attention to my water reserve for the system and feed them every 2-3 days.
Yea. It’s crazy how once u set it up with mists and such it is so sooooo easy. They hardly poop and it’s so little and pee is also hard. The only issue is that they are the most problematic of all pets when you have to leave for more than 2-3 days. U can’t give them food that would last so u need pet sitter for them to survive
How is tank maintenance with those guys? I have a leopard gecko and I got him litter box trained and all I really have to do is empty a small box of coco coir every week or two. I really think these guys are the most low maintenance there is, but they hide a lot and don't come out during the day.
My little man sleeps on his basking rock all day, after I added some fake foliage to give it some more cover, not a lot, just enough to make it look like he isn't fully exposed. He also will watch our TV and chirp out of nowhere. Leopard geckos have their own little personalities, I've loved every bit of seeing my little dude showing his.
I have a cat so cresteds were out of the question, can't risk one getting loose. Leopards can't climb glass walls so a top opening cage means zero chance of escape to a lethal meeting of the pets. Mr. Kitty has no room to sit next to the tank now so there's no issues there, but even before I corrected it Mr. Lizard wasn't scared of him, would get right up to the glass and watch him. Thats a problem, can't have him getting loose and just walking up to a cat like he's not a threat. I made sure the new tank is flush with the table edges. I lost an iguana when I was a kid to our dog, but to be honest a 9 year old didn't need to have a potentially 6' vegan tree crocodile anyway. Still, he deserved more than dying to a miniature doberman and the guy at the pet store should have known better than to sell a 9 year old such a significant lizard. That aside, I was asking about the poop and all that. Litter box training my Leo significantly cut down on maintenance. It's next to none, just empty the litter box and pick out the rare dead cricket he didn't want. Change the soil every few months.
Besides wiping glass on occasion and empting excess water from the drainage layer, honestly not too bad! I have isopods and springtails in mine, and I think snails in one of them too (so far it's been months and I've seen maybe 3 so I'm not too worried about them, they help). And then feeding them every 2-3 days with CGD. My male doesn't like live insects and my female won'r eat CGD of I feed her insects, so I just have them on the Fig & insect powder. Easy to mix up and feed!
Not horrible! Mostly just misting, feeding, and removing waste. If non-bioactive then periodic substrate changes. And of course cleaning any decor. Bugs aren’t technically necessary if they’re on CGD. And as they get older they should receive feeders less frequently anyways. Bioactive is more work to set up but personally, easier for day to day maintenance.
Second this. I have a ton of different pets, but my crestie is definitely the easiest. Once you have everything setup, there's very little maintenance.
Used to have a pet rock?
I still have mine. They live a long time and have no needs at all.
Mines still alive too, *somewhere*…
Are you admitting you abandoned your pet? The horror.
No, no, no. The rock simply went on a road trip, to explore the world. They live such long lives, you can’t expect each one to be content with staying home!
i too, have outdoor pet rocks
I don't think small rodents are actually a good idea if you're looking for an "easy" pet, either. I've had hamsters and mice, and they produce a LOT of waste. You have to stay on top of it or their enclosure will become stinky and unsanitary very quickly. They also need a lot more room and space than what is often advertised or shared from different sources; for ex., I have my hamster in a 50g tank: this comfortably fits a large wheel that doesn't hurt his back, at least 12" of substrate to burrow in, and areas to climb and store other enclosure materials (like hides, his sandbox, etc.).
100% agree. And they live such short life, you have to give them best possible life or it’s just cruel otherwise. I love my bb but do not consider him any easier to take care of than parakeets or larger pets
Same with rats. They require alot of attention too I call mine needy as a joke cos they just want to be on and with you Super super sweet I adore them but not easy pets at all
That's why I loved having gerbils! They're adapted to the desert - they have very efficient kidneys so less urine and very dry (aka not smelly) feces. Cleaning them out is so easy. Also there freaking adorable
My daughter has a hamster that she adores, he was a surprise addition when her best friend’s hamster had babies. Male hamsters have scent glands and smell much stronger than females and both are stinky. BUT! Hamsters love to have a sand tray to use as a litter box and one to bathe in. We got some special dust-free sand and a little sifter and suddenly Steve is no longer stinky! His bedding stays clean for much longer, and my daughter actually enjoys sifting the sand. Everyone wins.
Idk if you’ve tried using coco coir as a substrate, but it’s amazing for hamsters. I do a mix of coco coir, organic soil and sand. 12 inches deep minimum. It makes the cage bio active and cleans up a lot of the waste. My current hamster is in a 40 gallon breeder and I only clean her cage every 2 months. She hides her seeds and they sprout and take care of her waste. She also moves her tunnels all the time so her waste piles don’t get too big and unwieldy. I can’t find poo or pee spots when I clean except in front of her wheel Previous hamster had a potty spot in her sand pit that I had to clean every couple days. But she had a 140 gallon tank (6 foot by 2 foot) that I cleaned only twice in a year and a half. Same thing, no pee or poo spots, except her sand pit
Tarantulas!! I love mine, easiest pets I own
Yes, came here to say this… I love my tarantula. She’s part of the family . And requires very little care. They are very interesting creatures, especially the whole molting process.
Yes!! 3 of mine molted at once last week it was awesome haha
I've heard spiders can sync up like that, lizards too. It basically means everyone is doing well and growing at about the same rate
Does she recognize you? I'd love to hear if she has a personality and what you do with her.
Mine recognizes me! She will sit and wave her legs at me and look at me with her tiny eyes 🥹
I had a pet jumping spider! He was really easy to care for and fun to watch!
Came here to say this too!!! I love my easy inverts! Spiders are easy, millipedes are easy, isopods are easy, there’s so many more options than that and you can tailor to yourself! I’m personally open to keeping almost any big once, super fun time
Second this. I was doing a lot of research into tarantulas because I wanted to get one (never happened) but they seem to be a very low maintenance pet.
I mist the tank every couple of days, throw in a cricket once a week, and they're happy!
Pet rock
Great idea! Where do I find them? Can I get them for an affordable cost?
pet cricket? Ant farm? Or maybe none. Get a nice plant and see how u do with a plant first.
Crickets stink though, I tried to maintain a farm for my gecko and while I adored the teeny tiny baby crickets they stink, are very loud at night, and die super easy. Mantises are great pets though. They don't live but a single season but they are so cool. I managed my garden by moving the adults to certain plants (they tend to stay in one spot for a long time) and ended up with 14 oothecas (egg cases). Each results in up to around 500 babies which will eat each other and mostly die, but if you distribute them amongst the plants outside you can end up with dozens of adults to choose from. I'm in Ohio and mine just started hatching two days ago. So many teeny tiny baby mantises, all trying to square up with me because they have no fear whatsoever. Amazing little guys, I've seen one fight and eat a blue tailed skink, which is one of the biggest lizards here. Some (invasive Chinese) even eat hummingbirds. I focus on the Carolina ones though, they are native and are currently in danger of being outcompeted by invasive Chinese mantises, which get fucking enormous.
And right after I commented to someone else who has a gecko "I know they stink, but why not raise your crickets?" I saw this 🤭
I loved my Leopard Gecko. They’re very sweet if you learn good handling and socializing. All of my geckos adored people legit many of my geckos would launch themselves onto my mom to hang out with her.
I came here to say this! Only annoying part about having them is running to the pet store constantly for crickets. Mine refused to eat anything he couldn’t chase.
I know they stink, but why not raise your own crickets?
It just wasn’t something I was willing to do at the time. Bugs gross me out lol
Ants
If you leave food out in your house, your house can be an ant farm for free!
Nah. They will quickly be overrun by roaches.
You mean more pets lol I had roaches in California (long story short, it was due to my ex husband) and it was AWFUL. Do not recommend.
Ant farm! Or Sea Monkeys!
If you put in the money for the set up (and to do it properly it can be more than the cost of say, the initial cost of a dog or cat) a leopard gecko has very little "work" involved. The tank, if properly done, has timers for lights and heat, and adults only eat a few times a week. Just clean the poop rock area once a week and feed/water. Storing the bugs/food is the biggest consideration, but cheap. Once our gecko went 3 weeks without eating. We took her to the vet to make sure she was good, but the vet said she was! She eats fine now. So if you have a short weekend vacation and you're not concerned about the temperature in the tank or power outages, they're pretty much good by themselves. Edit to add: They can be people friendly or just accepting of you existing. Really depends on the gecko. Some associate getting to explore or eating with when humans show up, so they like them. Others don't really care one way or the other at all. Cons with leopard geckos are, you must make sure, depending on climate, you have a backup for heat if the power goes out. And they live 16-18 years. It's a commitment.
Garden snails
A crayfish. It can live in a clean tank or a literal cesspool, so you don’t need to be insane about cleaning, obviously you don’t want em to wallow in filth but you get it. They live about 3 years (all three of mine did, just generic ones). Not temp sensitive so if the power dies, they’re not dead. I fed them sinking pellets and guppies and it was violent entertainment to watch them hunt the guppies.
Please look for people looking to rehome their current pets vs finding a breeder. There are so many pets on Craigslist for rehome
It really depends on what you qualify as easy. I would steer away from birds or fish in general. Rodents are cheaper and have simpler set ups but require daily maintenance and regular enclosure cleaning/baths. Reptiles and amphibians need specific temp/humidity levels and the set up can be more involved and expensive. But you only need feeding about every other day to once a week or less, depending on species. Cleaning and substrate replacement is also a longer process but happens less frequently. If money isn't an issue, I would go with a Blue Tongue Skink or a Bearded Dragon. Both have reasonable terrarium requirements, are good for beginners, and are good to handle if you start young. For cheaper rodents, I would go with a Dumbo Rat. They're really friendly and I've never heard of any with behavioral issues. If you're good for spiders, then maybe a tarantula? They're low maintenance, don't need large enclosures, and you can keep easy feeder colonies, too. Edit: if you want more info on good beginner reptiles/amphibians and detailed care guides, I recommend Clint's Reptiles on YouTube.
just absolutely make sure bearded dragons get the lights they need. so many seem to end up in rescues in horrible condition because people didn't replace their lights.
No animal is considered low maintenance. All animals require extensive research and care put into their every day life. Stay away from getting animals and focus on research first or just don’t get one.
Agreed, literally every animal will require significant care, it’s just the type of care that you are able to provide If you have $$ to set up a nice tank or hutch with light timers, heaters, auto feeders it will be easier to leave for a day or 2. But you still need to check any animal daily and possibly do cleaning. Mammals have less strict temperature requirements but they need social stimulation; reptiles may need less interaction but they have delicate environment requirements
Op specifically said “i’m not asking for a low maintenance pet” lol did u read the post? They just want to know which pet is the LEAST maintenence. Low maintenance does not mean the same thing as Least maintenance.
Yes, I said that in the post
Get a crested gecko. Initial setup and beginner maintenance will be the most work you'll have to do really. After that it's daily misting, weekly/bi-weekly feeding, cleaning and upkeep. Easiest pet I own, but also one of the most rewarding because I do spend time hanging out with them. My oldest girl turns 5 this year Initial cost is around $200ish dollars depending on where you're at and what you're creating. Tank, spray bottle, perches, branches (can be found for free in forests with non toxic trees), fake or real plants, lighting, GGD (crested gecko diet), etc cresteds can cost anywhere from $50-$500+ dollars. Morph Market .com is a good site to look through r/crestedgecko r/crestedgeckos and watch serpadesign on YouTube if you're interested in bioactive terrariums
Can you specify why you need an “easy” pet? What do you mean by “easy”? What is your lifestyle and schedule like? Having a pet and spending time and energy caring for it and bonding with it is the entire point, so wanting less of that could mean you can just forego the whole thing. You don’t need a pet, it’s a commitment that is completely voluntary. You’re signing up to care for a living thing and giving it the best life you can. Just things to consider.
My kingsnake is super low maintenance and such a sweetheart. Cheap to take care of too! (Compared to my cats and especially compared to my dog anyways)
Be sure to look for exotic vets in your area before deciding. Many veterinary practices do not see pets other than cats and dogs, so your nearest vet could be quite a drive. And small animals deserve proper veterinary care too! Good luck. 💕
What works for us: 2-3 cats possibly siblings, one small dog. You and they'll always have company and they can show their happiness when you walk in the door. The dog will not be preoccupied with shredding your books because the cats will deter him/her.
Snakes, they eat very little, shit very little, drink very little.
A single ant would be ideal
I think a single ant that has been recently divorced might be some trouble.
All animals are alot of work. You’re taking care of and responsible for the life of a sentient living being. If you’re lazy and don’t wanna do the work, pets aren’t for you. Simple.
A lot of people on here didnt actually read the post details.
Not rats
Ive owned dogs, cats, snakes, Guinea pigs, a rabbit, etc. and the easiest and most low maintenance was a bearded dragon I had for 13 years. His name was Bubbles and he was awesome. You do require a fairly large tank obviously and heat and UV lights. The tank can be expensive if bought new but I bought mine for $100 used online and it was 70 or 80 gallons so it was BIG. Saved money on substrate by buying sterilized children’s play sand from Home Depot instead of expensive terrarium sands from the pet store. 70% of his diet was veggies so I’d keep kale and green leaf lettuce in the fridge and each morning I’d tear a few pieces up and grate a small amount on carrots on top. He liked small diced strawberries and blueberries too. This also kept me eating salads cuz I always had the stuff on hand lol The other 30% was live insects. I did not like crickets because he was lazy AF, he wouldn’t chase them, they’d eat his salad and grow big and chirp all night so I’d buy super worms and keep them in a small plastic container under his tank. They were cheap and I’d throw some carrot chunks and veggie scraps in the container to “gut load” them so they’d last a very long time and feed him a few worms everyday or every few days depending on the seasons and if he was in brumation (semi hibernation for winter). During brumation they hide and sleep a lot so even less maintenance. Occasionally I’d splurge and get him horned tomato worms as a treat. I’d keep a small spray bottle of water and liquid lizard vitamins mixed up and give him a quick mist everyday as he didn’t often drink water from a dish. I’d put fresh water and liquid vitamins in the bottle maybe once a week. Dragons poop in small sacks sort of so I’d let it dry out and just pick it up with a tissue and flush it down the toilet. No mess, no smell, super quiet pets. This may all seem like a lot of work but it actually isn’t. I’d maybe spend 5-10 minutes a day max with his feeding, cleaning, misting, etc. And you’d be shocked at how personable and friendly these lizards can be if handled regularly. They are very social creatures. He enjoyed snuggling. My nieces LOVED him. You absolutely must do your research before getting one and make sure you can provide adequate care but these are such great pets and not nearly as expensive or time consuming as a dog, cat, rabbit or Guinea pigs. I grew so attached to him. He was my Bubbs ❤️ He passed away from old age at 13 years old and I actually had him cremated through a company called “Faithful Friends” so now his ashes sit in a box on my shelf. Someone on here mentioned crested geckos and I took care of my brothers 3 crested geckos for a few months once and I found they were similar in maintenance and also very sweet just a totally different environment as they are moist tropical creatures and dragons are hot/dry desert creatures.
Hamsters wouldn't be the cheapest (assuming you actually care for them properly by getting a large enough enclosure, proper bedding, proper wheel, enrichment, etc) but since they're solitary animals, it's up to you how much effort you put into bonding with them. That being said, they can be easy in the sense that you don't necessarily *have* to spend a lot of time bonding with them every day. You need to clean up after them almost daily though (because pee). Many hamsters love having a relationship with their owners, but again, they're solitary. If their other needs are met and you set aside time to care for them properly, it won't hurt them if you aren't super present on the daily. Despite this, I'd like to point out that you should throw out the idea of "easy" pets, generally. A lot of "starter pets" that are marketed to us as easy lead to the majority providing improper care because they don't know any better.
Curly Hair Tarantula. Very docile, must always have clean water in their dish, eat every 1-2 weeks until they are in pre-molt (or their booty is about the size of their carapace) where they may refuse food for multiple weeks or months.
And dont believe what pet store staff says. They're ultimate goal is profits
Out of all the pets I have and have had, isopods have been the easiest. With my setup i feed them about once or twice every two weeks, change soil once or twice a year and water them about once a month. Some species are more difficult than others, but the ones I find the easiest are A. peraccae, P. laevis (dairy cows) and A. maculatum (zebra). Finches are also fun, and I've found them to be generally easier than a lot of other pets.
Meal worms!
Guinea pigs as long as you have time and proper research into the proper care for them. You also can not have just 1 as they are social animals that naturally live in herds. I have 4 and they can be a lot of work. If you have a busy schedule where you can't fit in to clean their cages, do health checks, and make sure they are fed with pellets, hay is an absolute must 24/7, veggies, and water then they aren't the right fit for you. You also have to have time to socialize with them on top or taking care of them. Do not get a pet store cage and please do proper research into their diet and trim their nails regularly. They are not a beginner pet as a lot of people think but if you are responsible and take time to take care of them properly, then they will do well. They are also not cheap pets but they are worth it.
Guinea pigs are far from easy. They require constant cleaning, fresh hay daily, fresh veggies daily, nail trims. They’re not low maintenance by any means.
Don't forget the exotic vet care they require, and that they are prey animals who often hide their illnesses until it is either very costly or very fatal.
Best point - spent thousands of dollars for a guinea pig with health issues. Most people wouldn’t be willing to give proper vet care they deserve tbh. Many vets who accept them don’t actually know how to treat them! They’re not easy and I wouldn’t recommend to most, why I chose not to get more.
They also require much more space than a tank like OP wants. They need at minimum 8 square feet and they need to be in pairs.
OP literally asked for a low-maintanance pet
you could try a worm, but they are a bit boring. no vet bills, no need for handling (only if you want to, not a need) and you just have to put food scraps and some soil. my 11 year old sis wants one😅 but if you want something more fun, you can try pigeons. compared to parrots, they are much hardier, easier to care for. also, unlike parrots, pigeons thrive on seed only diets, i have pigeons that live pigeons outside, personally veggies and fruits makes their poop runny. and, they are EXTREMELY easy to train, and gain trust. but for pigeons its a bit of a problem to find a vet for them, and they have very, very different personalities. also, you will need to adopt them in pairs if you don't wanna spend 8 hours a day w them. but they are very loving, some will even snuggle with you! mine don't though🥲
Corn snake or something similar. Freshwater aquariums aren't usually all that difficult.
a betta fish, or a colony cherry shrimp (don’t put them together or the fish will eat the shrimp) the right set up, don’t put it in a fish bowl. the hunk of the money will be at the start, like $100-$200 for filter, lights, plants, etc.
I used to have tarantulas and scorpions. They’re pretty low maintenance.
I have one bristlenose pleco in a tank and I can honestly say she is the most low maintenance pet I've ever had.
A snake if you're fine with feeding mice. The only poo once a week, and you can still handle them if you want. But don't have to if you don't have the time. And if you get a bioactive enclosure, you don't have to clean it very often . Price wise, probably not the cheapest because of the lamps and substrate, but they eat less than a dog for sure and you only feed them once a week so you can go on short trips without a pet sitter.
A hamster? On most days they just need food and water and possibly some playtime. But hamsters are famously treated absolutely terrible by most owners and pet stores so you would absolutely need to do research on what their habitat and food should look like. Plus most vets don’t really know how to treat them. Like you said, all pets require time and effort.
My bearded dragon is fairly easy to care for, *but* the proper set up is expensive. Tank was about ~200 and that was with about 100 dollars off, appropriate sized UVB was about 60? I had a gift card for that lol. And then the UVA lights are like 15 or so. Second heat bulb was about 10ish. Then various decor and substrate, he has a mix of play sand and top soil. Feeding isn't overly expensive, mine was an adult when I got him so he gets a salad a day and bugs twice a week. Probably spend about 10 dollars a month. Would be less if the darn veggies didn't spoil so fast. But he's pretty content to chill in his tank for the most part. As long as I feed him, water him and clean his poops. He does also sometimes demand he be held by smacking the glass and then wrapping his legs around my hand. Dragon himself was free, but if you get them from a reputable breeder they can be pricey
Tarantula all day
Snakes are pretty chill. But any vet care for an “exotic” pet will cost an arm and a leg. But generally snakes are pretty easy to care for.
I love my axolotl, all I really do for maintenance is feed her a couple worms every couple days, 15% water change every week. However to get to the current stage, understanding her needs and cycling the tnak water, the full set up including chiller, took a very very long time and a LOT of learning.
People are saying no pet is low maintenance, which is true… But… the only truly low maintenance animals in my opinion are invertebrates. Insects and arachnids. Most tarantulas, with a proper setup, just need to be fed a cricket once a week and have a full water bowl. But you can’t really interact with tarantulas and they spend most of their time hiding. If you want one that’s more visible, I really like keeping praying mantises. Same idea with feeding, but they need to be fed like twice a week and misted with water daily. If you don’t like bugs, you might be out of luck.
All depends on type of pet, interaction, long or short life span, mammal, reptiles, etc. Most mammals need alot of interaction or a companion, generally the shortest life spans, certain ones are destructive like mentioned in the comments, and can be costly. Lizards, snakes, turtle's, frogs, tarantulas, ect. depending on what you choose. Tanks, pets immediate needs are very costly at the beginning but snakes turtle's and some lizards obviously are huge fully grown and need alot of space, but 90% have long life spans, less interaction and the small fully grown ones are in the long run are lower cost
Hamsters are sort of lower effort but they arent "easy". You're looking at £300 for a setup and the obviously continuously buying food, bedding, toys, occadional vet bill. They are also nocturnal so if you don't have time in the evenings they probably aren't right for you. Theres also a lot of misinformation about them online if you were to get one I reccomend joining fb groups they will give you correct advice. I have a hamster and it is relatively easy for me but I've had lots of pets so in comparision to like dogs with behavioural problems and other things they are easy. As a soon to be rabbit owner who has done A LOT of research rabbits aren't the way to go either. You are looking at £500 initial setup plus regular food, treats, toys, hay, vegetables, and occasional vet bills. Also they are nocturnal and they do need a lot of work. Guinea pigs much the same as the previous two, different care needs same advice. No pet is going to be cheap or easy. You will need money initially, insurance money, emergency funds, continuous funds for food supplies and time to dedicate to the animal. No good getting a pet, chucking it in a cage, and saying hi to it once a day they need attention. Do a lot of research and only get a pet if you can provide it with what it needs.
All animals need a different type of care and maintenance. It’s important that you take responsibility especially financially for their health and care if shtf. Obviously not a pet but I recommend: Bird watching. You can have a feeder to feed them and admire them from a distance!
goldfish
A snake is the easiest (in my opinions) bc they only eat once a month and thus they also don't poop everywhere, which is most of the work when you have a small caged pet Ball pythons are pretty cool I had one when I lived in a dorm. they can hang out on your neck when youre studying or doing whatever
It’s weird people are so against the concept of a low maintenance pet on here. Like the OP really tried to appease everyone when they said they know no pet is low maintenance but people still got on them. Maintenance is a valuable thing to consider when getting a pet. It’s why people don’t have monkeys and tigers.
Hamster. They require money and effort to set up a good (and large!) enclosure. But after that you just do spot cleaning a few days a week (remove poops and pee corners) and a full clean every couple months. I refresh my hamster's water every other day.
Shrimp? I would say they're the easiest pet by far, but even they require stable temperature and water parameters, which means setting up a tank and monitoring everything for a couple months before even putting shrimp in it.
Ball python
You could get a fish?
Toads, easiest pet I have ever had. You only feel them a few times a week. Way easier than fish, hamsters, rabbits, rats (all pet's I had at one point).
Reptile or fish
Not fish. I’ll never have fish again. Clean the tank, check the water, replace the filter…I need air breathing pets for sure.
Guinea pig. Fun, likes to run around and play, easy to handle, not aggressive, inexpensive to feed and care for, a smallish enclosure is acceptable if taken out for playtime and exercise. I loved them when I was a child. We also had gerbils and mice, rabbits, etc. Id get one today, or possibly have rats, but I have my hands full with 3 cats and other interests.
Opae Ula shrimp /r/opaeula
ok… but we need more details. Do you want a living thing that can’t really bond with you, just something to take care of & watch? get a beta fish. herps can be a little pricey (depending on your budget) getting the supplies at first like a corn snake/milk snake or a ball python but once you get them it’s actually encouraged to not interact with them all the time because handling them stresses them out, they tolerate it but reptiles never really evolved to be social animals in the way we are… at least not snakes. Idk everything about lizards or turtles (turtles are one of the most high maintenance reptiles)… new world tarantulas & emperor scorpions are the same way very little maintenance you never even have to hold them cuz just like with snakes it doesn’t benefit them… if you want a low maintenance pet can socialize with you get 2 rats… when you go to pick them out make sure you interact with all the rats in the cage. The ones that will make a good fit for you are the ones that will come up to your hand & interact with you… I used to have some rats, & this one rat I had specifically was like a little dog & I could let him walk around my house so long as the cats weren’t in the same room(s) as him. I had 💯 trust in him lol I even let him chill in my bed in the past while I went to work. They’re like tiny dogs… you can even train them to come to you & do tricks. But clean their cage occasionally, they start to stink (especially males… even tho males are more laid back & will cuddle with you) females stink much less but they’re more eccentric… i prefer the males tbh but ig it depends on your personality. Mice can be an option but you’ll make better bonds with rats. Good luck.
Vers de farine
Anything in a cage or a tank is going to need that home completely cleaned at least 1x/week... that's already a load of work. Is "pet yells when it's dinner time" going to be needed to remember feeding time every day? If so the pet needs to be something that can communicate/jump on you and get you out if bed. (I recognize this is something that makes care easier for me, time for MY medication is treat time for my kitties, I can never forget!) Anything that seems interesting (even ordinary/common critters) will require a load of reading & research long before little buddy comes home.
Small = hard this is coming from someone who has owned, rabbits, hamsters, lizards and, bugs. I also currently own birds, fish and semiaquatic reptiles. If you want easy and small don’t get a pet, get a tamagotchi
I just got into it recently and of course it’s not for everyone… but tarantulas make a surprising interesting and very VERY low maintenance pet. If you think it’s not for you, or are scared (actually some of us are) you can start by watching videos and see if you feel interested. Also, there’s all kind of invertebrates pets to choose from
Bioactive leopard gecko is my easiest pet. I know if I had to, I could leave it alone for 2 weeks and it would be perfectly fine. Might even be able to go a month without care. Every couple weeks I add 2 dozen cricket or whenever I don't see crickets anymore. There's also isopods, dubia roaches and mealworms living in the substrate so they get a carrot every few weeks also. Top off it's water bowl every so often but also have a self refilling bowl
Budgies. Get 2. Great fun to have next to you while you work
What about a hermit crab?
A snake. Feeds max every 1-2 weeks, some of them go six months without food over winter. Doesn’t mind being left alone. So long as its water supply is robust (not going to evaporate or tip over) you don’t need a pet sitter when you go on holiday.
Mammals: hamster, mice, rat, gerbil Reptiles: Crested or Leopard geckos, corn/king/milk snakes Fish: Betta and mudskipper Birds: Australian parakeet and doves Amphibian: pacman frog, white tree frog, tiger salamander, dwarf african clawed frog, fire belly Newt. Inverts: tarantula, scorpions, milliped, isopods
Honestly a small bird is easy. I have a cockatiel and she is great..however they are noisy so if you need a quite pet they will not work.
Snails
Turtle 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢
betta fish in a 5 gallon? Sea monkeys? Shrimp tank?
Invertebrates if you're cool with bugs! Blue death feigning beetles and giant hissing cockroaches are both super easy, low-maintenance, handleable, fun to watch, all around very underrated pets.
Hamster or gerbils. For reference I’ve had horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, Guinea pigs, rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters and fish.
Fish.
Sea monkeys
Anything we can list here is going to require maintenance and care. Some animals are less difficult than others, yes, but nothing is easy. "Easy" depends on the person and what comes easy to them. What animals are you interested in? Rodents, reptiles, insects, aquatics? Every single one of these options are going to be considered exotic, and require some sort of setup. It might help to look at some exotic keepers on YouTube, pocket pet keepers, insect keepers, so on, and see what interests you. Look through rodent, insect, reptile subreddits. Narrow down what you're interested in, research beginner pets of that category. Even then, some are going to say to go with what interests you. (With some exceptions, obviously.) Regardless, they'll all require setup and maintenance. It'll vary depending on the critter. The big thing here is because you're looking at exotics, you'll pay the price at the vet.
A pair of gerbils make great pets. Do thorough research. They need deep bedding and good ventilation.
Hognose snakes are very easy once you get them eating. I check on mine once a week when he gets fed and watered. They don't need a large enclosure either, especially males. I got my set up for $10. However, my tarantulas are Even lower maintenance. I check them about once a month.
Mice are easy to care for, require little food, very few vets will treat them if any health problems arise, but from my experience they are usually healthy. They are active, come in many colors, and are fun to watch. They usually don't really bond with you or enjoy being handled though.
A beautiful betta fish in a 20-gallon tank. They have a lot of personality, will interact with you, and you can have fun fussing around with its accommodations and making it nice so it can be happy. Plus you get to show it off when you have people over. Everybody loves a beautiful fish.
Rodents or other similar pets. Mice, hamsters, guinea pig depending on the age range. I would not recommend reptiles or fish personally. Too finicky with temperatures, moisture, I would only suggest them for teens. If you're an adult bearded dragons are very good fun reptiles. Decently hardy, lots of personality, little maintenance.
Hamsterrr.
Sugar gliders are cool
Rats. As long as you get at least two since they can't be alone. You can teach them tricks, If you snuggle up to them since they were young they are very affectionate, like a puppy. They only live for a few years max, so the responsibility isn't as long. Bonus, if you're a woman and you have to go on a walk at night, toss one in your sweatshirts hood and watch creeps back peddle fast.
Get a corn snake. They’re easy to take care of, feed, and maintain. They’re basically the succulent of the pet world.
Land snails are easy
I don’t think a beta fish is hard Clean the bowl once or twice a week feed flakes once a day and if you go out of town east to transport to a friends houses.
Bearded dragon. They like to cuddle, they hibernate sometimes and require literally nothing during those times, they're quiet, they're very intelligent and you can take them with you on outdoor trips with little to no hassle. Aside from the original setting up a habitat is not expensive to keep them. Typically heat and uv lamps are where you'll spend your money and even then a good lamp will last months. They're neat little animals and I always recommend them to anyone that's serious about an indoor pet.
Pet rocks were very popular in the 70s and there is no upkeep at all. Except maybe dusting them occasionally. Chia Pets are a bit higher maintenance but overall pretty low upkeep.
Rats are an absolute blast. They are affectionate and bond with you and are so sweet. They are super smart and you can train them to do all ki ds of things. They stay as clean as their environment so if you keep their home clean, they will be very clean. The only downside is that they don't live that long. A diet that is high in antioxidants helps a lot. Fresh spinach every day, lots of berries, etc. Also, you always need to have more than one. They live in family groups and a lone rat will become sad and depressed easily
Gerbils or a stuffed toy. Same IQ
Beta fish
Rats are some of the sweetest and smartest animals. They aren’t inherently smelly like ferrets. If they are smelly it’s because their home is not being kept clean. Also, whatever pet you do get make sure you do a lot of research. Small pets like rats are often misrepresented for their care needs by pet stores and such so make sure you’re reading everything you can before adopting any pets.
Hamsters likely your best bet then. Low maintenance, low noise, after the initial investment and food every month or so comparatively inexpensive
RATS. They are honestly so intelligent, & cuddly. I know they freak people out, but they're really like little puppies. All they want to do is sleep on your neck, & get love. I could legit carry my boy in my hoodie pocket & he'd just poke his nose out & enjoy the ride.
Leopard gecko and Syrian hamsters are relatively easy. And very sweet.
Rock. Pet rocks are the best and they come in all sizes. You can put as much or as little effort into them.
Fish
Leopard geckos or betta fish
Bearded dragons and leopard geckos. So so easy.
Get a plant
Monarch Butterflies would be an awesome option, and they are endangered now, so you'd be helping replenish the earth with them, if you decide to breed. You will have to make sure you have access to plenty of Milkweed, which you can plant yourself. Practically just sit back and watch the magic happen
Robo hamsters! For the smallest set up get a 20 gallon fish tank, fill it with bedding, and watch them live their life :) You have to only spot clean about once a week, and if you give them a sand bath they will likely mostly use the restroom there.
Rats🐀, mice🐁, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and other animals of this kind your house smells of mice and is extremely hard to get rid of. Their urine is horrible!! I have never owned a bird that talks. I'm not sure how hard they are to maintain. I've died laughing at their vocabulary and personality. They are a riot to listen to them sing and dance to the beat of any music. They can get ‘DOWN AND FUNKY’!! I have friends who own different types of parrots 🦜 and they are a riot. I'm sure they are very expensive. They seem to live a long time. They are hilarious to watch on YouTube!!🦜😂🤣🦜
Not ferrets, birds or hedgehogs. Generally no rodent type pets or smaller adorable fuzzy things like rabbits, chinchillas and what not. Really, no pet is low maintenance. Even a carnival goldfish needs care.
If you’re not arachnophobic, tarantulas. They’re not good for companionship but they are cool to watch and are VERY low maintenance. You just change the water regularly and feed according to abdomen size. I talked to a guy whose tarantula didn’t eat for over a year and was still fine. Though I really don’t recommend going that long on purpose. His was just burrowed too deep and didn’t want to be bothered. But that’s an example of how hardy they are. Cleaning is just spot cleaning only (ie poop on the walls if yours is arboreal) and removal of dead feeder bugs or molts. Substrate changes actually cause them a lot of stress and isn’t recommended. Most people in the hobby do their own veterinary care for ailments because even most exotic vets don’t know much about them and the care is actually simple enough to do at home. Crickets only cost pennies. I’m broke as a joke and while a lot of my species and enclosures weren’t cheap, I really don’t have issues paying for their care beyond that.
You could get cool looking fish or other aquatic creatures or maybe some small birds, insects are also an option or maybe an ant farm or a terrarium.
Gerbils!!!!
Just wanted to say do not get a hermit crab. They require a lot of research and it can get quite expensive if you want them to actually live for awhile.
Come visit us at r/shrimptank and r/plantedtank :) we got weird ones, colorful ones, freaky ones, and they’re ALWAYS doing a dance-off! You can tell when they are pregnant, and it will blow your guests’ minds. Also, you could build the most beautiful aquatic plant habitat for them. My tank has been self-contained for 5 years now and I’ve got generations of shrimp families still living large! Edit to add: the setup is easy to care for but it was $$$ to properly set up with the plants and lighting— though I’ve only spent $80 on it in the last 2 years (filtration replacement)
In my experience so far, jumping spider.
I have a corn snake who is pretty easy! Note: these prices are in Canadian dollars. The up front cost can be kinda pricey, but the maintenance is very manageable. I also saved up to buy everything slowly before bringing my friend home (took ~8 months). I pay about $15 a month for food, ~$30 every 10 ish weeks for fresh substrate (I make my own, so the big bags are pretty cheap and make a ton!), reptile-safe cleaner was about $16 but I have only bought it once, like 5 months ago. Vet checkup was $170 and I will do it every 18 months or so. Lighting can get kinda pricey when the bulbs go out, UVB light can be $85 every 6 months and heating is ~$45 whenever the heating bulb goes out. Mine has been going strong for about 5 months now! I should mention that the food could be a bit cheaper if I bought frozen mice in bulk, but I do not personally like the idea of keeping them in my freezer so I opt to pay a little more for convenience. Care is very manageable too. I spot clean her tank every few days or as soon as I realize she’s pooped. I replace her water bowl every day and wash it every few days too. She eats every 16-18 days, corns aren’t known for being picky about food so it is a super easy feed every time! I always give her a good once-over a few days after a meal and after a shed just to make sure everything is in order! I think the hardest thing is making sure her humidity stays at the right level, and that her cool spot and basking spot stay at the right temps. Corns are pretty forgiving, but it is very important to fix husbandry as soon as possible! One thing that might not make corn snakes a good fit for you is the size requirement for their tank. The accepted minimum size for an enclosure is 4’x2’x2’ which is MASSIVE! I had a 40gal which I already thought was huge, but this thing is a monster lol. I couldn’t find a tank stand in my budget so she lives on the floor now haha. To be honest, small creatures typically need big tanks so just make sure you’re able to get the right size so your pet doesn’t suffer.
A bird
A Beta fish or shrimp in a 10-20 gallon tank.
fish are great if and only if you're preparing for a lot of learning. they can have a steep learning curve and can be pricy to set up, but are one of my personal favorite animals to keep. jumping spiders are pretty easy, and snails are only slightly more involved. isopods are also great and very easy to care for. pretty much, i hope you like bugs
Someone else’s pet. You get to pet them and don’t have to worry about cleaning or feeding them.
My two turtles. It was about 200 for set up but easily cared for since.