Bringing a pet home can be exciting initially, but the everyday duties might soon make that excitement fade into routine. Fortunately, many low-maintenance pets are ideal for anyone seeking companionship without added stress. Whether you're drawn to unusual critters like scorpions or prefer soft, cuddly friends like chinchillas, there’s a hassle-free pet to match almost every taste.
Keep reading to discover which amphibians, rodents, insects, and mammals are the easiest and most relaxed companions to care for.
Praying Mantises
Praying mantises are some of the most striking insects and pose no threat to humans. Because adult mantises can fly, it's best to keep windows closed when you’re handling them.
These fascinating creatures serve as natural pest controllers by hunting moths, fruit flies, and other insects, making them a valuable addition to your home. Depending on the species, they can grow as long as 6 inches and typically have a lifespan of around one year.
Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are among the easiest pets to look after, needing little more than a proper diet and a comfortable habitat. They typically eat pellet or powdered food and do well in a five-gallon terrarium setup.
To keep them happy, place their enclosure out of direct sunlight and use substrates like aquarium gravel or reptile bark. These little creatures usually reach about 4 inches in length and can live for several years. Because they're social by nature, it’s best to keep them in groups rather than on their own.
Pugs
While dogs are often considered high-maintenance, the level of care needed can differ greatly between breeds. If you're after a more easygoing companion, a pug could be just the match. These lovable, wrinkly pups weigh under 20 pounds and are most content lounging around the house.
They only need a moderate amount of activity to stay healthy—usually a daily walk and a bit of playtime. Bathing is rarely required, and brushing them once a week is typically enough to manage their shedding.
Snails
Aside from SpongeBob SquarePants' famous pet, snails aren't the first animals that come to mind—but they’ve quietly gained popularity as low-maintenance pets. Their simple care needs make them an appealing choice for many.
Snails do well in a terrarium with soil and appreciate a mixed diet of fruits, vegetables, turtle food, or even dog treats. They only need to be fed a few times a week, and a quick weekly cleanup of their slime trails is enough to keep their space tidy.
Butterflies
Keeping butterflies as pets provides a visually stunning and educational experience, particularly when you get to observe their fascinating transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. You can create a suitable habitat in various ways, whether open or enclosed, as long as there's proper airflow.
A common approach is to repurpose an old fish tank by placing a leafy plant inside for the caterpillar to feed on. The caterpillar will explore the branches and munch on leaves until it enters its chrysalis stage. Once it emerges as a butterfly, it will flutter about and sip nectar, bringing the whole process full circle.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs rank as some of the most adorable rodents, providing the warmth of a mammal pet without requiring too much care. They thrive in cages outfitted with bedding, a water bottle, a cozy hideout, and chew toys to keep them engaged.
Their meals mainly include hay, fresh vegetables, and specially designed pellets. These sociable little animals appreciate time spent with their humans but can be particular about how they're handled. Just a few minutes of playtime and gentle petting daily is enough to make them feel cherished.
Scorpions
If you want a pet that's far from cuddly, a scorpion might be the perfect choice. Though their appearance can be intimidating, some species have a relatively mild sting. However, it’s important to ensure you don’t have any allergies before getting one.
Scorpions are housed in terrariums filled with plants and reptile bark, as gravel can be too rough on their delicate skin. Maintaining a warm, humid environment with a heat lamp and mister is essential for their care.
Mice
Although wild mice can be unsettling, pet mice make charming and easy-to-care-for companions. Being smaller than rats, male mice usually do best alone because they are territorial by nature.
On the other hand, female mice, much like rats, enjoy having a buddy since they can get lonely. In terms of social behavior, mice are often compared to cats, while rats are more like dogs. Mice generally take more time to bond with their owners and need less attention. They also require smaller living spaces than rats.
Rabbits
If you're interested in a popular pet mammal besides dogs or cats, rabbits are a great option. Smaller breeds can weigh under a pound, while larger ones can reach over 20 pounds.
With sufficient space to hop and explore, rabbits can live comfortably in a pen or cage. Ideally, they should be allowed to roam freely around the house for a few hours each day. Their diet mainly consists of hay, supplemented with specific vegetables and occasional fruits.
Chinchillas
Chinchillas are another cute rodent choice, ideal for those patient enough to handle their naturally skittish behavior. Because they can be nervous, it may take a while for chinchillas to feel comfortable being held.
With time, they can form strong bonds with their owners and learn to enjoy being held by trusted people. They require a spacious cage equipped with bedding, toys, hiding spots, a feeding rack, and hay. Once their habitat is properly set up, chinchillas only need weekly cage cleanings and a daily diet of one to two tablespoons of food.
Betta Fish
Betta fish are not only stunning to look at, but they're also fairly low-maintenance pets. While many people assume all fish are easy to care for, some require more attention than others. Betta fish are among the simplest to care for, with the main focus being on their environment.
They thrive in an aquarium of at least five gallons with slightly warm water, so a heater is a good idea. Once their setup is right, all you need to do is feed them daily and occasionally change a portion of the water.
Leopard Geckos
If you're looking for a low-maintenance pet that also can have a long lifespan, a leopard gecko may be right for you. These cute pets can live up to 20 years long and enjoy being handled once they are used to their environment (about four days after moving in).
They also don't have sticky hands which means that they can't climb on walls. They do need a tank that is about 15 gallons in size. They eat crickets and worms, both of which are inexpensive and easy to attain.
Hamsters
Hamsters are one of the more popular choices when it comes to rodent pets thanks to their history as a low-maintenance companion. They can eat a variety of human foods such as broccoli, cucumbers, and apples.
Aside from feeding them a tablespoon or two once per day, there isn't much hamster owners need to do for them. Hamsters are satisfied with a water bottle and a running wheel. Kids can take them out to play every so often and their cages should be cleaned about once a week.
Turtles
There are hundreds of kinds of turtles, making them one of the most varied pets out there. Whether you want a giant turtle to live in your backyard pond or a tiny one to add to an aquarium, there's no limit when it comes to their size.
Pond turtles can be kept with large fish, but they'll eat smaller fish. Depending on the kind of turtle, they'll eat fruits, veggies, insects, worms, pelleted food from a pet store, and more.
Tarantulas
If cockroaches keep infiltrating your home, a tarantula may be a good companion as that's one of the insects they eat. The fuzzy spiders are far less scary than they look; they rarely bite humans and typically aren't dangerous.
The easygoing insects do need to be kept out of the sun but are otherwise low-maintenance. They only need to be fed once or twice a week and are generally tidy creatures, so weekly cleanings should be easy to manage.
Snakes
To some, the idea of owning a pet snake seems insane. For others, snakes are the most incredible pets a person can own. Like turtles, snakes come in a wide array of sizes and kinds.
Corn snakes are generally thought of as good beginner pets since they tend to be compliant and are only two to six feet long. The diet of a pet snake depends on the kind, but generally includes rodents, so be sure you don't also have a pet mouse!
Stick Bugs
Stick bugs are a solid choice for those looking for an insect pet that isn't intimidating or bothersome. They are formally known as Phasmids, but get their common name from their uncanny resemblance to sticks.
The smaller variations of this bug are only half an inch in length, while the giant version can grow to be 21 inches long! They are one of the most low-maintenance pets you can own as all they need are some fresh leaves to feed on once every few days.
Ants
When you spot an ant on your arm or around the kitchen, you don't usually think of it as an opportunity for a new pet. While ant infestations are no joke, keeping an ant farm is almost effortless.
All you need to do is provide the ants with a few drops of water every day and a tiny bit of food once a week. It's important to keep the ant farm out of direct sunlight and to avoid moving it.
British Shorthair Cats
The British Shorthair cat is a great option for anyone seeking a cuddly companion without the high maintenance. Compared to other cat breeds, they require less grooming thanks to their short fur.
These cats are generally friendly with other pets and children, thanks to their calm nature. While they are independent and don't demand constant attention, they do enjoy being around their humans.
Dwarf Frogs
Dwarf frogs are little amphibians that only grow to about 2.5 inches in length and live about five years. It's recommended to keep them in pairs since they are social creatures. For this reason, they also tend to get along with other tank pets, such as Betta fish!
Though the frogs aren't venomous, it's important to only ever handle them with gloves on to prevent the spread of disease. They are heavily reliant on being in the water and shouldn't be taken out for more than a few minutes at a time.