Terri Ramsey Beavers Some people would love to have a little companion to keep around the home, but a dog can be intensely demanding. Whatever pet you get, you need to make sure that you’re able to take responsibility for its care and survival. You are taking charge of another life, so you should act like it. However, there are some options that might be better suited to those of you who want something a little lower maintenance.
Hamsters and guinea pigs
If you’re looking for something fluffy and adorable, cats, rabbits, and ferrets tend to take less energy to raise than dogs. However, hamsters and guinea pigs tend to be the lowest maintenance of them all. They are relatively inexpensive to care for and they don’t need a lot of attention. Their cage, bedding, food dishes, water bottles, and some playthings are enough to keep them happy. Guinea pigs are often happy to be cuddled, too. Providing they have the right personality. Mammals tend to all behave a little differently from one another and have distinct personalities.
Small birds
All small birds are quite different, and the most common one (which is also one of the easiest to care for) is the budgie bird. The most popular pet bird of all, they do particularly well in captivity and have a lot of character. You need to take care to clean out their birdcage and learn proper budgie care. While they are low maintenance, they still have some needs to take care of. For instance, you may want to consider getting two budgies instead of getting on alone as they can have isolation problems if they don’t have a friend of their own kind.
Fish
The first thing to bear in mind is that not all fish are the same. They have different needs, and goldfish care is different from cichlids care. However, even though those needs can vary from fish to fish, they rarely ever get too demanding. Mostly, you need to make sure they have a bowl or tank that fits their size, that it is kept clean with a tank and filter, and that you give them the feed that they need. Otherwise, they’re a fun and colorful bit of company for any home.
Turtles
A lot of lizards move around a lot less than their mammal counterparts, which can make them quite easy to care for. You need to invest in setting up a tank with the right heating and moisture for them, but one of the lowest maintenance of them all is the turtle. Not only are turtles suitable for being left alone, but they also live long, which is a good option for those who have a particularly tough time with losing pets.
If you doubt you have the time or freedom to offer the care any of the above-mentioned pets need, then you can always look at getting yourself a houseplant instead. They might be a little more passive, but they’re still good for your mental health.
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