The 24 Best Low-Maintenance Pets for Busy People (Including 3 Dogs If Your Kid Is Begging)

• Length: up to 12 inches
• Weight: varies
• Physical characteristics: various patterns and colors of the shell

The very essence of a turtle is to be cool, calm and collected, and maintaining them is just as easy. There can be a little bit of initial setup, as breeds like the African Sideneck do require ten gallons of water per inch of shell. (For example, if the turtle is eight inches long, you need 80 gallons.) But once you’ve set up the terrarium with a UVB bulb, underwater heater and a couple thermometers, you’re up and running. Otherwise, expect to swap out half the water in the tank weekly, planning for a monthly cleaning. Turtles can be served pellets once a day, with vegetables, insects and feeder fish sprinkled in throughout the week.

• Length: varies
• Weight: varies
• Physical characteristics: large, hard shell in varying patterns

Much like turtles, tortoises are mostly noise-free and stay out of the way. They do require more roaming room, but, per the Dan Herder Veterinary Hospital, can be left outside as long as temperatures don’t drop below 50 degrees. Tortoises are better suited low-maintenance pets for the countryside and suburban spaces, because in good weather they can source a majority of their food outside. However, they do require extensive indoor housing when temperatures drop, so make sure you have the space for them. Another thing to consider is the tortoise lifespan. Even the smaller species, like Red Foots, can live up to 50 years, with larger species such as African Spurred Tortoises seeing 100 years or more.

• Length: varies, up to 14 inches
• Weight: up to 6 ounces
• Physical characteristics: small with tan, brown or multi-colored fur and sharp teeth

Hamsters are independent creatures, and provided their cage has plenty of toys, can entertain themselves. While they are cute, they can also be fragile, so consider the hamster a good low-maintenance pet for older elementary-aged children who will be gentle with the rodent. It’s ideal for families who can give the animal some daily cuddles and commit to a weekly cage cleaning. Since their teeth never stop growing, it’ll also be imperative for you to provide them with ample chewing toys.

• Length: up to 3 inches
• Weight: up to 0.1 ounces
• Physical characteristics: various vibrant colors, dramatic fins

Not only are they colorful and beautiful to look at, but they are also perfect for smaller spaces since they don’t require large aquariums. Per PetMD, you only need about a gallon tank for a single fish. Male betta fish should be kept alone since they tend to get territorial with each other, but the ladies can cohabitate. When it comes to maintenance, you only need to change the water every two to four weeks, and feed the fish once daily. Plan to monitor the water quality monthly (weekly the first two months if you have new fish or equipment).

• Length: up to 2.5 inches
• Weight: up to 0.13 ounces
• Physical characteristics: various vibrant colors, round or V-shaped tails

Guppies also make for great pet fish, with PetMD calling them “one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species.” These social fish come in many species, such as pinktail guppies, lyretail guppies and tequila sunrise guppies. They’re not too fussy when it comes to sharing space—guppies actually require companionship and can get along with your other little sea creatures. Some recommended tank friends are cory catfish, rainbowfish and swordtails. (Keep in mind that they do require a good-sized tank, starting at five gallons with an additional two gallons per fish.) Their diet mostly consists of regular fish food, though they’re known to have a particular palate for frozen bloodworms. Similarly to betta fish, expect to clean the aquarium every two to four weeks. You’ll also want to make sure someone can fish extra food out of the tank daily.

• Length: up to 18 inches
• Weight: up to 1.4 ounces
• Physical characteristics: bold colors (usually green or blue), small round beak, long pointed tails

If you want a pet that asserts their presence without taking too much out of you, parakeets are perfect. PetMD notes that these birds are the most popular pet avians, with a lifespan of up to 12 years. They are not as chatty as parrots, but they love human interactions and can be trained to do simple commands such as stepping on and off your hand. You can keep food and water in their cages, though the dishes must be cleaned daily to prevent bacterial growth. The cage also needs daily spot cleaning—an ideal chore for a kiddo who’s learning how to care for a pet for the first time. Plan to replace bedding, habitat liners and substrate weekly.

• Length: up to 8 inches
• Weight: up to 0.2 ounces
• Physical characteristics: slender body, skinny tail, can change color (green to brown)

While these little guys are low maintenance, they do have specific care requirements. They can thrive in ten-gallon tanks or terrariums as long as they're set up correctly. Because they perch in the wild, anoles are most comfortable in habitats that are elevated at least five feet. Anoles also require UV light and humidity, which is managed via a hygrometer. You’ll have to plan on misting the habitat once a day, in addition to spot cleaning. Otherwise, aim for a thorough cleaning once a week. These reptiles feed on a variety of insects and worms, such as crickets, mealworms and roaches. For a real low-maintenance pet, opt for an adult anole, which requires food only every other day.

• Length: up to 0.75 inch
• Weight: varies
• Physical characteristics: tiny invertebrate, translucent

Despite the name, no monkeys are involved here. Per LiveScience, these critters are actually brine shrimp eggs. The sobriquet comes from their monkey-esque tails. These little guys are the quintessential pick for people who want to have something to look at without having to constantly interact. (And, they’re probably one of the most inexpensive options, too, going for $15 on Amazon.) In regards to setup, you don’t even need a tank. Simply pour 12 ounces of distilled water into a glass, pour in the “Water Purifier” packet included with your sea monkeys and wait 24 hours before adding the “Live Eggs” packet. After a week, stir in the included food, and do so weekly thereafter. As long as you keep them out of direct sunlight, you’re good to go. Talk about low effort.

• Length: up to 2 feet
• Weight: up to 6 pounds
• Physical characteristics: golden orange, large eyes, no teeth

If you don’t like the look of betta fish or guppies, here’s another aquatic option for you. Goldfish come in many varieties so you'll be spoiled for choice. Oranda, Black Moor or Shubunkin, anyone? These can grow anywhere between eight to 24 inches on average, so they require a spacious tank or aquarium—not a bowl. (Think 20 gallons for junior goldfish.) You should plan to change their water every two to four weeks and remove uneaten food daily. Keep in mind that these guys are a little more finicky when it comes to water, which needs to be the same temperature and salinity as that which is currently in their tank.

• Length: varies
• Weight: varies
• Physical characteristics: various patterns, colors and wingspans dependent on species

So, you have a fifth grader who is finally learning about metamorphosis, what better way to show them the process than to get some caterpillars for the home. Don’t worry, if you’re not into crawlies, they’ll turn into beautiful butterflies—some in as little as eight days, though some species can take months. If you’re not committed to having a pet for the long haul, their lifespan—from caterpillar to fully formed butterfly—is only six to eight months. There’s also the option to release the butterflies once they emerge from their cocoons. Caterpillars only require leaves as sustenance, in addition to fresh water. Leaves can be replaced weekly, though you’ll want to keep an eye on any dried out plant matter, which is inedible. If you’re keeping the butterflies, remember that they have wings and will want to fly, so keeping them enclosed will be tricky. But in terms of food, sugar water does the trick.

• Length: up to five inches
• Weight: up to 6 ounces
• Physical characteristics: various shades of brown, hairy, long legs

If you’re one of those cool, ballsy people without arachnophobia, treat yourself to a pet tarantula. These bad boys only require that you keep them in a dark area of the house, away from any sunlight. They’re also nocturnal, sleeping during the day. Tarantulas can reach a maximum legspan of five to six inches and require a terrarium of about five to ten gallons. According to Tom’s Big Spiders, an arachnid specialist website, tarantulas are the true definition of a low-maintenance pet. They require at most a weekly feeding, but can go as long as a month. You also don’t need to worry about cleaning their habitat too regularly. Just spot clean when you notice food remains and old molts.

• Length: up to 11 inches
• Weight: up to 2.8 ounces
• Physical characteristics: leopard-like spots, long pointy tail, eyelids

Not the type to help you save on car insurance, but the type to make long-term, low-maintenance pets. Leopard geckos have a lifespan of up to 20 years and females can easily cohabitate with each other. (The male geckos like to pick fights.) Because these reptiles need warm habitats—between 75 and 90 degrees—check their temperature once a day. A hygrometer is also essential for ensuring the humidity stays under 50 percent. In terms of cleaning, feeding and maintenance, you will need to set aside some time to clean food and water bowls every day, in addition to collecting discarded food. You should do a more thorough cleaning once per week. Geckos need live insects as food; junior reptiles need feeding daily while mature ones can eat every other day.

• Length: up to 2 inches
• Weight: less than 1 ounce
• Physical characteristics: spotted skin, large back webbed feet, small eyes, aquatic creatures with lungs that breathe at water’s surface

If your child is fascinated by frogs, the good news is that they’re on this list. These guys are great if you need a pet to bring some zen into the space. According to PetMD, African dwarf frogs are aquatic amphibians, which means they live underwater, so making sure they’re living in clean, filtered water is paramount. Their tank, which should be at least three gallons, needs to have enough room for them to be able to swim around and come up for air when needed. African dwarf frogs don’t need much human interaction, but they do play well with smaller (non-carnivorous) fish. They need to be fed once a day, and you should remove any uneaten food that remains after a couple of minutes.

• Length: up to 18 inches
• Weight: up to 1.5 pounds
• Physical characteristics: perpetually growing incisors, sleek haircoat, active  

This might sound traumatic to any big city dweller, but hear me out. (If you can do rat snacking, you can do this.) Rats—the non-subway track dwellers—are small, affectionate and easy to take care of since all you need is a well-ventilated cage, some toys and appropriate food. Their bedding needs to be replaced every day, and the cage thoroughly cleaned weekly. When it comes to diet, rats should be fed in the morning and evening and do well with pelleted food. (Though, fresh food like fruits and vegetables can be offered as treats.)

• Length: up to 3 inches (not including tail)
• Weight: about 1 ounce
• Physical characteristics: large ears, long whiskers, various colored haircoats

Just like rats, mice also have a bad rep, but when it comes to pets, these fuzzy creatures don’t cause a lot of havoc if they’re well taken care of. These cute, furry guys require a well-ventilated cage with bedding and nesting materials. (Note: It’s best to keep one mouse at a time, or all female mice.) Be sure to throw in a running wheel, as similarly to hamsters, mice need to run. Plan to spot clean their cage at the end of the day, and do a more thorough cleaning once a week. As for food, their diets mirror those of the rat, and they enjoy pellet food alongside the occasional fruit, grain and vegetable.

• Length: up to 10 inches
• Weight: up to 2.5 pounds
• Physical characteristics: various hair coats, whiskers, can be hairless, perpetually growing white teeth

Guinea pigs are excellent beginner pets and can be hairless, but otherwise come with hair coats in various colors. They’re truly family-friendly; older children can play with the guinea pig outside its cage, while smaller children are still able to interact with it inside the enclosure. While they can be extremely social, they also need their alone time and do best on a schedule for feeding, playing and resting. They do not require baths, so no worries about wrestling it into a basin, but their nails require monthly maintenance. When it comes to food and water, you can install hanging bowls on the sides of the cage, to be refilled as needed. Their main food source is hay. Keep an eye on their teeth if they appear to be growing longer than is normal. Otherwise, plan on changing their bedding once a week, and that’s it.

• Length: up to 2 inches (shell)
• Weight: less than 1 ounce
• Physical characteristics: single foot covered in mucus, shell attached to body can be damaged if snail is pickup up by shell alone

These don’t necessarily add to the dynamic of your home, but it’s nice to know they’re there. Assassin snails, for example, are not the best standalone pets, but they can add some diversity to your aquarium if you invest in fish or sea monkeys. Garden snails have also been known to be low-maintenance pets and are the most common variety. All you need is some fruit and vegetables to feed them and a tank that gets an adequate amount of moisture. (You can also throw down some gardening soil.) The biggest pros are that they don’t take up much space and you’ll generally never need to clean the terrarium.

• Length: up to 6 inches
• Weight: less than 1 ounce
• Physical characteristics: molt, change shells, have pincers

They may look intimidating, but hermit crabs are actually super chill once they get acquainted with their environments— though they will snip if they feel threatened, so a soft touch is key when handling them. 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—weekly scooping is recommended, however. Though they eat pellet food, hermit crabs can also ingest bits of your leftovers, just be careful not to give them anything with garlic, onion or citrus.

• Length: up to 24 inches
• Weight: up to 18 ounces
• Physical characteristics: sheds, tiny claws, beards that puff out

No, this isn’t something out of Harry Potter, but actually a popular pet lizard. Once you set them up with the appropriate heat, light and humidity, bearded dragons make for easy pets. They eat live insects, which you can purchase at a pet store, as well as limited portions of fruits, vegetables and greens. 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.

• Length: up to 6 inches
• Weight: less than 1 ounce
• Physical characteristics: various colors, sizes and shapes

Easy to maintain and even easier to acquire—they can be found in most backyards! They only grow to about six inches, so all you need is a cage big enough to give them some roaming room. (General rule says twice as wide and three times as tall as the bug.) Their diet is also quite diverse, and depending on the type of mantis, they eat everything from moths and fruit flies to instars and smaller mantes (eek). The Praying Mantis is sensitive to temperature and humidity, so be sure to keep the terrarium between 70 to 85 degrees, misting the tank occasionally to keep the humidity up. (This is also how they’ll get their water intake.)

• Length: varies depending on breed
• Weight: varies depending on breed
• Physical characteristics: varies depending on breed

Cats are notoriously independent, but are probably higher maintenance than many other pets on this list. Luse recommends Abyssinians, American shorthairs and Russian blues, saying they are most likely to maintain themselves without you brushing. Other things you can take into account when choosing a cat is age and personality. Also note that some breeds are more at risk for medical conditions than others. Luse cites those with anomalous physical features as more likely to need a trip to the vet. (Think Persian cats, the Scottish fold and the Manx.) Otherwise, cats are fairly even tempered—as long as the kibble bowl is full and the litterbox changed. Just make sure you teach your kids not to jostle them around as they don’t fancy too much human interaction.

• Length: 4 to 6 feet
• Weight: 1 to 3 pounds
• Physical characteristics: various patterns and colors like orange, red, brown white, black and yellow

The corn snake is an easy-going pet that likes its alone time, and earned it named for the pattern of its scales, which resemble maize, or corn. It’s a great pick for beginning snake enthusiasts, because all the snake requires is fresh water and the occasional thawed rodent. (Junior snakes can eat every five to seven days, more mature reptiles can go ten to 14 days between meals.) They’ll also need a shallow water dish that should be replaced daily. If you notice that your snake isn’t slithering in for a soak, aim to give them a ten to 15 minute session two or three times a week. Their terrarium also needs to be disinfected weekly. You’ll need a ten to 20 gallon tank for a baby snake, and expect to transition up to a 40-gallon tank for a mature snake.

• Length: 3 to 4 inches
• Weight: up to 1 ounce
• Physical characteristics: yellow, red and multi-colored

Named after the islands from which they came, canaries are a great pet for inexperienced owners and those who want a low-maintenance companion. As long as you provide proper housing (room for flight is ideal, minimum 18"W x 14"D x 18"H) and a good food source (mostly pellets), they’ll be good. Just be sure to spot clean for soiled materials and food waste. As with parakeets, you’ll also need to do a nightly washing of food and water bowls. Keep an eye on their nails, too, and have an avian veterinarian do the trimming. (This can be every few weeks but as infrequently as every few months.) No need to coddle or cuddle—they are ornamental pets who prefer not to be handled. Just take note: If you want a bird because it sings, you’ll want a male canary. Females chirp.

• Length: varies depending on breed
• Weight: varies depending on breed
• Physical characteristics: varies depending on breed

Your child is absolutely begging you for a dog, but you know that no one has time for three 45-minute walks per day, baths and lint rolling all the hair. (I’d recommend the Roomba for that.) In the scheme of low-maintenance dog breeds, there are definitely some that are less involved than others. Levy recommends three: the Shih-tzu, Greyhound and Cavalier Spaniel. The first, she explains, isn’t a huge shedder, is naturally docile and comfortable being left alone. Greyhounds, though excellent runners, default to “couch potato” mode, groom themselves and just need to be let out once a day. As for the Cavalier Spaniel, they are calmer and lower in energy than other spaniels. They are also easy-going when it comes to handling, exercise, alone time and kids. 

At the end of the day, any living creature will require some sort of maintenance because it depends on you for survival. However, as seen in the 24 options above, some will require less effort than others. The best thing you can do when choosing a low-maintenance pet is to get honest with yourself about time and resources. Now, it’s time to find your new little companion the perfect name.