Degus can be found for around $25 to $40 each from a shelter and around $80 to $100 each from a breeder. Although mini-pot-bellied pigs are much smaller than their corral, a small pig could easily weigh more than 100 pounds! The 20 Least Expensive Pets to Own. Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. 4 Low-Maintenance Rodent Pets 1. But please note, it is illegal to own a hedgehog as a pet in some jurisdictions in the U.S. such as New York City. The praying mantis is great for people who don't want to make a fuzzy, emotional connection with their new pet. Dr. Bryant is a Veterinary Review Board Member for The Spruce Pets. All that, alongside the small size of pugs, make them one of the most low-maintenance dog breeds. Betta Fish: $5 to $25. Smith Collection/Gado /Getty Images 13. They need human contact (especially when young), plenty of space, and various foods, including seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Some birds like macaws and Amazons are too loud, known for disrupting the neighbors. Hermit crabsare alow-commitment pet. In most common species, the body length is 8 to 16 cm say (3.1 to 6.3 inches), and the tail length is 6 to 14 cm say (2.4 to 5.5 inches). The one thing you really need to remember about scorpions is the temperature of their environment. These small rodents typically live for five or six years and only need the basics to survive: a cage, bedding, food, and water. Water should be changed every week or two. Aquatic turtles may be okay to keep in an apartment as babies, but they can grow very large and may require a tank that is at least 120 gallons, which can be a drain on space. Choosing a rat as a pet might seem like a gamble. According to the pros at Pet Helpful, African dwarf frogs are aquatic amphibians which means they live underwater, so making sure theyre living in clean, filtered water is paramount. They're typically gentle and generally solitary. They only require 30% to 40% humidity, but as diurnal reptiles, they need at least 12 hours of sunlight and a heated basking area set at They eat a varied diet of fruit, vegetables and grains. They dont require too much spacea 15-to 20-gallon tank will do the trickand they feed on crickets, wax worms and meal worms. Leopard geckos have a lifespan of about 20 years and can easily cohabitate with each other. Greyhounds can cost thousands of dollars to buy outright but many are now a popular rescue choice and can be adopted for free. Many frog species don't need much space, so they are an ideal choice for small apartments. It is the size of a medium to large breed of dog. ), so theyll need a spacious terrarium. Like most rodents, they really just need a large, active cage lined with nesting. A drawback is that there are some parts of the U.S. where they are illegal or require permits; check yourstate laws on exotic pets before you adopt one. Excluding the costs of a cage, toys (canaries can get bored and require entertainment), and unforeseen veterinary visits, you can expect to pay about $120 per year for food and miscellaneous supplies. Examples of animals that you can have as pets include Bearded Dragons, Budgies, Asian Palm Civet, Chacoan Maras, and Garden Eels. Cute White Blue Gecko Lifespan, How Long Do Gerbils Live as Pets ! Leopard and house geckos are among the best choices for reptile pets, especially for beginners. Axolotl: $1535. For the most part, they're just a pet you observeno need to take it for a daily walk. Two to eight (rarely) young babies are born in the spring or summer after about a month of gestation. Dik Dik. Hedgehogs. Mama pigs even sing for their pigs! Web1. Let's face it, dogs aren't ever really low-maintenance pets. However, they do require a diet of chinchilla-specific food, which can be bought at a local pet store. Physical Characteristics: Short tails, stubby legs, and small ears; color variations include black, grey, brown, white, yellow, red, or a mixture of several colors. Chinchillas are small rodents with playful personalities. Goldfish: $1 to $40. Leopard geckos tend to be the most commonly available pet geckos, but house geckos These rodents cost between $25 and $50, and a proper habitat adds about $75 to the initial cost. For the most part, hamsters do well on their own. Remember, while pets are kid-friendly, your kids should be properly supervised when handling them. In addition to mice, Dumerils Boas like to eat small rabbits and fowl. Pigs are why pellets are the staple food of choice for pet pigs. Due to their small size, they are easier to control than many other parrot species. These clean and cuddly rodents also require at least an hour of daily exercise out of their cage, in a rat-proofed room (think removing plants that may be toxic), so this also has to be taken into account when making the approximately 2.5-year commitment, which is the usual lifespan of these animals. They like the thrill of the chase and constricting their prey on their own. Physical Characteristics: Common variations include white, sable, cinnamon, and chocolate-colored slinky bodies with white foreheads, muzzles, and throats; black feet, Photography by Peter A. Kemmer / Getty Images. Hedgehogs. They like the thrill of the chase and constricting their prey on their own. If you still want something cute and cuddly you can hold, get a guinea pig. A leopard gecko is the perfect pet for any family or apartment-dwelling young adult. Chipmunk (Tamias species) is a large internal cheekbone used for food transport. Consider a smaller turtle that grows up to nine or twelve inches at most, like a painted turtle, if you're looking for the kind you can put in a regular-sized terrarium. These reptiles are also known to be well-tempered, so you can even put them on a leash and take them out for a walk if you can handle the incoming stares. They may look intimidating, but hermit crabs are actually super chill once they get acquainted to their environments though they will snip if they feel threatened, so a soft touch is key when handling them. These are fairly low maintenance, a diet consisting mostly of insects. This popular parrot makes a Scorpion. Required fields are marked *. Pigs are opportunistic omnivores which means they like snacks! They eat live insects, which you can purchase at a pet store, as well as limited portions of fruits, vegetables and greens. Great for beginner pet parents. "For starters, they require little to no work, as they only need to be fed once or twice a week," she says. According to Vet Street, these cats are pretty easygoing. However, if you choose to get a tortoise you must be diligent about their diets as some species require a fair amount of vegetables, while certain breeds of turtles eat meat. You will need to make sure your home is ferret-proofed to prevent escapes or unsafe hiding spots (like in the oven). African Dwarf Frogs Hamsters are relatively small, being only 5 to 7 inches long. Among the most popular pets, cocktails are interesting, friendly, playful, active, and mimic speech. Kids will love feeding them, but because goldfish have such short memories, they tend to overeat if youre not careful. Betta Fish: $5 to $25. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); What makes guinea pigs the perfect low-maintenance pet is that they are plenty active without needing much from their owner. } However, the Budgerigar is a social bird and often requires company as well as a supply of new toys, branches, or other items to chew. While everyone knows what a porcupine is, many have not seen or heard of the funny-looking, tree-dwelling, 2. They can live longer depending on goldfish type, the size of the tank, and how often their water is Crabs are social creatures so it's a good idea to keep more than one. A hermit crab will need a 10 gallon tank filled with plenty of sand to burrow in and other items to provide stimulation such as tree branches. A handle, Tame Hedgehog will unroll fairly quickly and reduce its quills for some quality bonding time. In terms of food, their diet consists of bloodworms, brine shrimp, and frozen mysis shrimp. A pug stands in the exhibition hall on the final day of the annual Crufts dog show in Birmingham, England. Being active and playful requires a variety of toys to keep them busy, especially chewing gum. They are naturally calm, friendly, friendly, and intelligent as well as timid! Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. They only require 30% to 40% humidity, but as diurnal reptiles, they need at least 12 hours of sunlight and a heated basking area set at So before you decide or take the decision to bring one into your home, make sure you research caring for a potty pig. 3. Leopard geckos have a lifespan of about 20 years and can easily cohabitate with each other. They of course need and deserve the same amount of TLC youd give Fido, but these animals can be left to their own devices without (too many) worries. WebGuinea Pig. Fish are often "seen as low-maintenance pets" until people realize just how much work needs to be put into 2 Pugs. The African dwarf frog may be the pet for you! However, only some know the exact components of a nutritious diet for cats, [] are a vital part of an unique pets weight-reduction plan. They make no noise and are relatively easy to care for. They make remarkably easy pets probably one of the easiest in terms of maintenance. If you are looking for a pet to look at and display, then this is the right choice for you. Pet goats require little to no grooming however they can be destructive to fences and gardens and can call loudly, which neighbours may find a nuisance, British animal charity the RSPCA warns. Primates often fulfill their enrichment requirements by destroying property or wreaking havoc in your house. Know which species you can keep in your town or city before bringing them home. These fish will need a tank filled with water, fish pellets and decoration inside the tank. To cut your start-up costs, adopt a rescue hamster and pick up a second-hand cage on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. They can live longer depending on goldfish type, the size of the tank, and how often their water is Hedgehogs are amazing little animals that make interesting pets. Exotic pets can be beautiful, unique, and some can be trained to do tricks, talk, or retrieve items for you. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-72659260-1&cid=d6a81bc2-bca8-428b-9de6-25d5b884bf8c&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=1271192797602887479'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); Hermit Crabs: $535. Height is not critical; they don't tend to climb, so it does not need to be taller than a foot or 18 inches. Primary diet consists of hay, pellets, fruit, vegetables and Vitamin C supplements. Many snakes are hesitant to accept thawed frozen mice. Different species are found in environments determined by large rocks, boulders, and cliffs up to 3,900 meters (12,800 feet) above sea level. All they need for a home is a small tank "at least twice as wide and three times as tall" as their body. JP, owner of beloved Instagram pug Aji, says that pugs are one of the easiest dog breeds to own. Budgerigar. Although they make excellent pets for beginners, Bearded Dragons have specialized diets composed of fruit, vegetables, and insects. Budgerigar: $1035. (Sellers may also try to upsell you to a giant kit.). Their diet mostly consists of regular fish food, though theyre known to have a particular palate for frozen bloodworms. They don't require much space, so a Betta tank in the five- to 10-gallon range is an appropriate size and can be decorated on the cheap with rocks and one good hiding place. Axolotl: $1535. They can grow anywhere between eight to 24 inches, so they require a spacious tank or aquariumnot bowl. However, domesticated and bottle-fed wallabies are gentle and humble animals that can be accompanied by great affection. Still on the search for the perfect small amphibian? The vet expenditures are minimal, and she eats basically hay and stale bread with sometimes a carrot or an apple. Exotic pets are often compact, quiet, and don't require outdoor space, making them ideal pets for apartment living since they don't bother nearby neighbors or damage your home. Unlike turtles, tortoises need more room to roam, so be sure to invest in a spacious pen. Goats are low maintenance and eat grass, hay, grain and pellet feed. With an ant farm, the ants do most of the work. Although dogs are usually a lot more high-maintenance and costly than other pets, pugs are a fairly low-maintenance and economical choice. Perhaps the cutest low-maintenance pet you can own is the chinchilla. 5. All you need is some fruit and vegetables to feed them and a tank that gets an adequate amount of moisture. The quintessential low-maintenance "pet" if ever there was one. Hens can provide a household with 250 fresh eggs every year and can live up to 10 years. WebHermit crabs are one of those small pets that are not very common, but nevertheless quite well mannered, insanely cheap, and make for great pets. They should be kept in a clear terrarium, and you can house multiple snails together, with one to two inches of soil, says Anne Woods with Pets on Mom. Fruit can be given occasionally as a treat. Some male frogs sing, so they'renot a completely quiet pet, but the sound is not loud enough to offend the neighbors. Parakeets must be fed daily, however. Stephen Johnson contributed to this story. So, overall, they're inexpensive, low-maintenance and getting one is certainly not a big commitment.". Once thats all sorted out, however, snakes are generally easy-peasy lemon squeezy. British shorthair cats, in particular, are a quite hands-off breed for those who want a furry friend who is not so needy, but also not a praying mantis. Their size requirements are just one of the reasons why they make great pets for small spaces. While everyone knows what a porcupine is, many have not seen or heard of the funny-looking, tree-dwelling, 2. 40 Rare and Unique Exotic Pets. 5. Green Iguana: $1525. While everyone knows what a porcupine is, many have not seen or heard of the funny-looking, tree-dwelling, 2. They are low maintenance, only need food every other day or so, and do not mind if you are not around much. Snakes species which are easy to own include the corn snake, California kingsnake, rosy boa, gopher snake, and ball python. But one thing to note is that turtles can live for a while. From the initial purchase to the cost of food, vet bills, grooming and the ongoing expense of care, having a pet often puts a dent in your personal finances. While the idea of rats draws forth troubling images of sewers and dirty corners, pet rats are anything but dirty animals. Most allergy sufferers can live comfortably with a hamster in the house. Hamsters are easy to tame with regular handling. Once you set them up with the appropriate heat, light and humidity, bearded dragons make for easy pets. Cue: low-maintenance pets. Kids can take them out of their cages to gently play with them every once in a while, but as long as they have the basic necessities, they're happy. 1. They like to chillax in a tropical habitat and love to eat crickets and worms. Hamsters Image Credit: Lichtpuenktchen, Pixabay Hamsters are one of the small pets that many people would think of immediately when asked to name a low-maintenance pet. Chipmunks are not low-maintenance pets, but they are great companions. 4. Length: 9 to 11 inches, plus a tail of 7 to 9 inches, Physical Characteristics: Slender bodied with a pointed head, large eyes, and prominent, thinly furred ears; colors variations include brown, black, tan, gray, white, Siamese, blue, silver black, silver fawn, lilac, cinnamon, black-eyed white, cinnamon pearl, lynx, silver agouti, silver lilac, and blaze. Exotic pets are often compact, quiet, and don't require outdoor space, making them ideal pets for apartment living since they don't bother nearby neighbors or damage your home. It 2. These animals also require a moist hideout to aid their shedding, a water bowl, and a second hideout for when they're feeling self-conscious. This popular parrot makes a Scorpion. The very essence of a turtle is to be cool, calm and collected, and maintaining them is just as easy. Amazon Tree Boa The Amazon tree boa is a stunning snake with a need to climb! Although the axolotl is known as a 'walking fish', it is not a fish, but an amphibian. Ferret makes excellent pets for owners who take the time to bond with them. Goldfish can live for more than 20 years, have a memory span of at least three months, and can be taught to perform tricks.