Not everyone has the time, energy, or resources to take care of a pet, such as a dog, that often requires a lot of maintenance. For those who would still like animal companionship, but with fewer of the hassles associated with pet ownership, there are many options available for low maintenance pets. This may be important for people who are not at home enough to take care of an animal, or who simply do not have the patience to deal with a needier pet, but would still like to reap some of the rewards associated with owning a pet. Cats are often considered to be relatively low maintenance, but they still require a lot of care compared to other animals, and some breeds need much more care for than others. In addition, a cat can ways to cause trouble and make messes, and cannot feed itself or change its own litter box.
There are plenty of other animals that can be left alone for days or even weeks with little or no care, and the rewards of owning such pets can vary from simply being aesthetically pleasing to actually still having a pet to love and care for. Low maintenance pets, in most cases, will still require daily and weekly work and care. Fish are a good example of this, and typically, but not always, they will need to be fed daily and have their tank cleaned once a week. Fish are also one of the most decorative pets to have in the house, and an aquarium can usually enhance the looks of any space.
There are other pets that live in aquariums and don't require much maintenance, but they are often not as pleasing to the eye because the tank need to be filled with things like sand or newspaper for their survival. These easy pets include snakes, turtles, lizards, spiders, and even bugs. Their downside is that they are less likely to be interactive and “cuddly,” especially in the case of bugs like the hissing cockroach. This is actually a popular pet despite its appearance and unique sound.
For people who want pets that are friendlier but may require a little more care, there are other options for low maintenance pets. Birds can fit into this category, although some types require more care than others. For instance, a canary might only need to be fed daily and have its cage cleaned weekly, while a more exotic parrot might need to be cleaned daily and fed more often. Other pets that require a similar amount of care to that of birds while offering more human interaction include rabbits, ferrets, and rodents such as mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs.
Of course, someone looking for a pet that requires little or no care at all should consider a pet rock — the lowest of low maintenance pets.
If you're looking for remote care for your pet, consider Pettable