Low-maintenance pets can be a real lifesaver if you’re craving some animal companionship but don’t have the time or energy to devote to a super-active dog or cat.
While low-maintenance certainly doesn’t mean no-maintenance (you still have to give the creatures on this list plenty of love, attention, food, and mental and physical stimulation), these pets don’t require as much time and energy as say a German Shepherd would.
We also love that many of the best emotional support animal breeds are low-maintenance, so if you’re looking for a loving forever friend, you may just find them here.
1. Turtle
Did you know that with good pet turtle care, these sweet little creatures can live up to 80 years?! Keeping turtles as pets has become more and more popular in recent years with many people finding they make fascinating (not to mention cute) companions. While they may start off small, many turtles can grow to be up to 12 inches long, so you’ll want a tank that’s 4-5 times longer than this and 3-4 times wider.
2. Hamster
Hamsters are fun animals that can make wonderful first pets, as long as you know what it takes to keep them happy and healthy. Hammies don’t have particularly long lifespans, with many living for just two years, so that’s something to keep in mind if longevity is something you’re looking for in a pet. However, while they don’t live as long as other animals, hamsters have bucketloads of character and they’ll certainly keep you entertained watching them play with the best hamster toys.
3. Betta fish
When it comes to the best types of fish for first-time owners, the betta fish, also known as the Siamese Fighting fish, is well worth considering. Stunningly beautiful (there’s nothing quite as calming as watching one of these striking fish swimming around a tank), the betta fish are highly interactive and they don’t require the same amount of space that many of our other finned friends do. When well cared for, they can live for between 3-5 years, however, just bear in mind that male betta fish need to be kept individually to prevent fighting. Females can be housed with other community fish or other female betta fish of the same size.
4. Parakeet
Parakeets are very social birds who love spending time with other creatures and they adore human company too. Because of that, one of our top tips for taking care of pet birds is to ensure that your feathered friend gets plenty of interactive mental and physical stimulation. Native to Australia, the parakeet is a gentle and docile bird that’s easy to tame and has a delightfully playful and active nature. While they can be kept alone (with plenty of human company) they enjoy being kept in pairs where they have another parakeet to play with and talk to.
5. Goldfish
Goldfish have always been a popular choice of pet and for good reason. With the right love and care, goldfish live on average between 10 and 15 years and while they can live alone, they’re very social and prefer the company of other goldfish. Contrary to popular belief, goldfish are very intelligent and have been known to interact with their humans. They’re also hardy little creatures but that doesn’t mean they don’t require appropriate care — although you may see images of goldfish being kept in bowls, this is not the right living environment for them, so if you plan on welcoming a goldfish into your family be sure to invest in the best fish tank to ensure they thrive.
6. British Shorthair
With teddy bear good looks and a heart of gold, the laid-back and loving British Shorthair is one of the most popular cat breeds. Gentle, patient, and tolerant, they are highly adaptable and do well in almost any living environment, from busy family homes with young children to quiet homes with seniors looking for companionship. They’re affectionate and adore being close to their humans, but they’re also independent enough to tolerate being left alone for several hours during the day.
7. Butterflies
Many people are enamored with butterflies and we can totally understand why. These stunning winged creatures are a joy to behold and most of us delight in crossing paths with one when we’re spending time in nature. Butterflies themselves only live for 2-3 weeks, so we recommend you enjoy the first three stages of their lifecycle — watching them go from an egg to a caterpillar (larva) to a chrysalis (pupa) and then release them into the wild when they become a butterfly so they can spend their short lives spreading their wings and brightening up our skies.
8. Rats
When it comes to great pets that aren’t cats or dogs, don’t look past the humble rat. Super social and highly intelligent, they make wonderfully rewarding pets and are known for forming close bonds with their humans. They also bond deeply with other rats and for that reason, they should never be kept alone. One of the sweetest facts about rats is that scientists have discovered that they laugh when tickled. Not only that, they remember which humans have tickled them and played with them and show a clear preference for those people. So, if you want to form a deep relationship with your new pocket pet, a gentle tickle here and there will do the trick!
9. Greyhound
We know — when you think of a greyhound, you don’t typically think of low-maintenance pets, but believe it or not, they really are. Although they’re known for being incredible short-distance sprinters, the greyhound actually tires very quickly. This makes them a great choice if you’re looking for a dog that will enjoy a good daily walk with you but will also be quite happy to snooze beside you once they’ve burned off some energy.
10. Snails
Snails can make truly fantastic pets. Think about it — unlike cats and dogs they don’t have to be walked, played with, groomed, or vaccinated and they don’t make noise, shed, or smell, which makes them a dream to have around. Plus, there’s something incredibly tranquil and soothing about watching a snail glide across a surface, they really are the perfect example of slow living. Like any pet, they’ll need the right living environment and diet, but snails can make brilliant first pets for children and they can have a calming effect on frazzled adults, too!
11. Guinea pig
Taking care of guinea pigs is a little different from looking after a cat or a dog, so it’s worth doing some research if you plan on welcoming one of these sociable and chatty little rodents into your family. Guinea pigs typically live for around five to six years and because they thrive on companionship, they need to be kept in pairs or groups to prevent them from becoming lonely. Placid and personable, they’re another good pet for children, however, bear in mind that they do require very gentle handling and lots of mental and physical stimulation each day.
12. Hermit crab
We have to admit, we’d never thought of getting a hermit crab as a pet but it turns out these social crustaceans make marvelous companions. Hermit crabs need to live in heated enclosed glass tanks and they require a certain amount of light each day to help regulate their natural behaviors. Floor material made from sand will replicate the beaches they would usually call home and because they’d eat at night in the wild, it’s best to stick to that for their feeding schedule. They like to live in large groups, so be sure to get several hermit crabs — you’ll want to get them all at the same time so they form a community as adding one in later could cause fighting.
13. Bearded dragon
Bearded dragons (or ‘beardies, as they’re affectionately known) originated in Australia but it has become a popular pet worldwide in recent years. One of many types of reptiles that you can keep as a pet, beardies are quite a commitment as they tend to live for around 15 years when cared for correctly. However, if you’re up for that, you’ll find this social and docile lizard with its curious and animated nature to be a responsive and gentle pet.
14. Russian Blue
One of the best cats for introverts, the loyal Russian Blue is a quiet and sensitive soul with a short, fine coat and striking green eyes. Sweet-tempered and very attached to their humans, they are affectionate cats who enjoy being with their people. That being said, the Russian Blue also has a strong independent streak which means they’re happy to spend hours quietly snoozing the day away in their own company if their owners are busy or out of the house.
15. Pug
The Pug is one of many brachycephalic animal breeds, which means their flat faces can compromise their breathing. However, while the pug does require a bit of extra care (such as avoiding long walks in the heat), they make wonderfully charming and comical companions. Clever, playful, and mischievous they are an absolute delight to have in the family and they adapt well to almost any living situation. Because they have such even and stable temperaments and a gentle and loving nature, they get on well with children and adults of all ages and stages.
16. Chinchilla
With the correct chinchilla care, these quiet and clean rodents can live for up to 20 years. It’s worth bearing in mind that while they’re super cute, chinchillas are fairly shy and don’t like being handled, which is why we’d recommend them for adults as opposed to children. Highly social, they must be kept in pairs as in the wild they live in colonies of up to 100 members.
17. Leopard gecko
The perfect lizard for beginners, the leopard gecko is a crepuscular creature, meaning they’re active at dawn and dusk. Hailing from Pakistan and Afghanistan, the leopard geckos are terrestrial, so they spend most of their time on the ground and feed mainly on invertebrates, which means they’ll need a diet of live food such as crickets and locusts. Leopard geckos need plenty of opportunities to express their natural behaviors, so their enclosure needs to include plenty of hiding places and low branches and rocks for them to climb.
18. Sea monkey
No, a sea monkey is not a chimpanzee with flippers, goggles, and a snorkel (although seriously, how cute would that be?!) Instead, sea monkey is a marketing term for brine shrimp and when it comes to the best aquarium pets that aren’t fish, the sea monkey is making quite a name for itself. While they may be too small to hug (they grow to just ½ to ¾ inch in length) are super enjoyable to watch and are virtually maintenance-free.
19. Maltese
Looking for one of the best dog breeds for companionship? It’s hard to go past the charming and gentle Maltese. These pint-sized pups weigh less than seven pounds, but what they lack in stature they make up for with their huge hearts. Super affectionate and lively dogs, they’re game athletes who excel on the agility course. Smart and highly trainable, this small breed has a beautiful temperament and loves to curl up on a warm lap.
20. Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is one of our favorite cat breeds for first time-owners because they have such an undemanding temperament. Sporting an adorable owl-like appearance, the Scottish Fold is easygoing, affectionate, and adaptable and their calm and sweet nature makes them a great choice for families with young children. Quiet and softly spoken, they are incredibly loyal and love human companionship.
21. Frog
If you’re in the market for an exotic pet, why not consider a frog? There are lots of breeds of frogs that are both very beginner-friendly and also visually stunning to look at, not to mention low-maintenance. For example, horned frogs, who also go by the incredibly cute name of pacman frogs, have a very simple diet and their environment is easy to set up, so they’re a great choice. Dart frogs are another striking choice but please don’t be put off by the other name they go under, which is the poison arrow frog. Because their poison comes from their diet when they’re in the wild, captive dart frogs are completely non-toxic.
22. Axolotl
Having recently found fame in the form of a children’s toy, axolotl’s have suddenly skyrocketed in popularity. An aquatic salamander that’s a cross between a fish and a lizard, the axolotl has an unusual and rather distinctive appearance. While they’re not hugely energetic and active, they’re not ones for hiding away much either, so they can make incredibly fascinating creatures to watch. Once you have their housing all setup, you’ll generally only need to spend a few hours a week feeding them and cleaning their tank, so they’re fairly low-maintenance as far as pets go.
23. Mice
Curious and social little creatures, mice are quiet during the day and active at night. While they’re not huge fans of physical contact with humans, they adore mixing with their own kind, so getting a few mice will ensure they all stay happy and healthy. Small and quick, being prey for other animals means they do startle and frighten easily, so having lots of places they can hide will be much appreciated. However, while they’re not going to be keen on being picked up or cuddled, mice are fascinating to watch and can make lovely pets for the right person.
24. Whippet
The whippet is one of those low-energy dog breeds that’s just perfect for laid-back pet parents. Sweet-faced and very gentle, the whippet is a quiet and affectionate little soul who’s particularly wonderful with children and seniors. Known as ‘burst exercisers’, whippets certainly have their active and energetic moments but they tire quickly, so they can get all the exercise they need with some short sprinting sessions. We recommend two, five to 10-minute bursts of high-energy exercise with a frisbee or ball each day with a little stroll around the block in between. Other than that, your whippet will be perfectly content snoozing the day away beside you.
25. Ragdoll
Docile, placid, and attentive, ragdoll cats are one of the most popular breeds in the world and it’s not hard to see why. They are incredibly family-oriented, brilliant with people of all ages and stages, tend to get on well with other pets, and have a wonderfully laid-back nature. Confident and lovable, they have active periods like all breeds where they enjoy running around after one of the best cat toys, but they are also true lap cats who adore being cuddled and stroked.
26. Chickens
Quiet and relatively low-maintenance, keeping chickens can be very therapeutic and rewarding. While they do require a bit of space in terms of housing, you’ll be rewarded with lovely fresh eggs, which is a cracking good deal if you ask us! Chickens tend to be very friendly birds who tend to be fairly comfortable around humans, as long as they’ve been handled from a young age. Just bear in mind that they’re social animals who flock together, so you’ll need to get more than one of them.
27. Tarantula
While they wouldn’t be our personal choice of pet, there are plenty of people out there who say that tarantulas make fantastic companions — as long as you don’t try to handle them that is, because let’s face it, while they may be fascinating to watch, you certainly wouldn’t want to be bitten by one of these venomous little creatures. However, given they take up very little space and are easy to take care of, the tarantula could be the pet for you if you’re looking for a docile friend that you can admire from afar.
28. Corn snake
Corn snakes are a brilliant choice for first-time snake-parents as they’re typically very docile and easy to care for. They also don’t tend to grow very large as far as snakes go (most are around 2.5 to 4 feet on average) but they’re marvelous escape artists, so you’ll want to make sure the lid on their tank is extra snug-fitting. Corn snakes are generally very tolerant of being handled and will live for around 10 to 15 years.
29. Degu
Small, social, and vocal little rodents, the degu hails from Chile and comes from the same family as the guinea pig and the chinchilla. They live in groups of up to 100 in the wild so it’s vital that you get more than one if you plan on keeping a degu as a pet. While they enjoy human interaction, they don’t like being handled, so if you have small children in the family, you’ll need to explain this to them.
30. Ferret
Ferrets make fantastic small pets for compact homes, which is why they tend to be quite popular with those living in apartments. Charming, cheeky, inquisitive, and playful, ferrets love exploring and they form deep bonds with their humans. Vocal creatures who live for around six to 10 years, they’re generally very friendly and clean and get on well with older children. However, just bear in mind that they adore sleeping — sometimes for as many as 20 hours a day — so don’t expect to spend too much quality awake time with your new fur friend.
31. Gerbil
Did you know that there are about 90 species of gerbil? It’s true! The one that’s kept as a pet is the Mongolian gerbil who’s known for being very friendly and inquisitive and because they’re diurnal (meaning they’re up and about during the day) they’re a great choice for families with older children. While they’re very social, they don’t like being handled, preferring to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground. They tend to live for around three to four years and need to be kept in groups.
32. Hedgehog
African Pygmy hedgehogs have developed somewhat of a cult following over the past decade with these cute little creatures becoming a more popular pet choice. These insect-eating mammals live around four to seven years when cared for correctly, and while they have a reputation for being shy and timid, many hedgehog owners say that with the right socialization, these prickly pets can become engaging and interactive companions. Hedgehogs require special care and are known to suffer from a range of health issues, so be sure to do your research before adopting one.
