When you have roommates, kids in the family or work long hours, caring for a pet is not easy. Cue: low-maintenance pets.
THESE pets OF COURSE DESERVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TLC YOU'D GIVE FIDO, BUT THESE ANIMALS CAN TYPICALLY BE LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES WITHOUT (TOO MANY) WORRIES.
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1. TURTLES
While cleaning their space and providing fresh water is essential, turtles actually don’t need to
be fed every day.
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2. cats
notoriously independent, British shorthair cats are quite A hands-off breed for those who want a furry friend who's not so needy.
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3. HAMSTER
These little guys are super
adorable, affordable and even down for cuddles. Just make
sure you provide enough toys
to keep them entertained.
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4. GOLDFISH
They can grow anywhere
between 8 to 24 inches, so
they require a spacious tank or aquarium—not bowl. Clean their tank often and you'll be GTG.
5. BUTTERFLIES
If you’re not committed to having a pet for the long haul, their lifespan (from caterpillar to fully formed butterfly) is only 6-8 months.
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6. LEOPARD GECKO
These guys have a lifespan of
about 20 years and can easily cohabitate with each other. Plus they don’t require too much space!
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7. MICE
Typically mice are pretty low-maintenance. They require a well-ventilated cage, some toys, and can eat any food suitable for humans.
8. HERMIT CRAB
Hermit crabs are the quintessential low-maintenance pets since
the sand at the bottom of their
tanks only needs to be changed three times a year.
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9. BEARDED DRAGON
Once you set them up with the appropriate heat, light and humidity, bearded dragons make for easy pets that are well-tempered.
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10. PRAYING MANTIS
Easy to maintain and even easier
to acquire—they can be found in most backyards! And fun fact: they only grow to about 6 inches.
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11. GUPPIES
Guppies are not too fussy when it comes to sharing space and can get along with your other little sea creatures. Plus they're pretty cute!
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12. PARAKEETS
They're not as chatty as parrots,
but parakeets love human interactions and can be trained
to do simple commands.
The Best
Low-Maintenance Dogs for People with Super-Hectic Lives