Have You Considered These Low-Key Pets?

Dogs and cats get a lot of glory. We’re not saying it isn’t warranted – they’re cute, interactive, and offer a special companionship to their owners – but they’re also a lot of dang work. Between grooming, exercising, and feeding certain breeds, you’re looking at a lot of time and money that you may not have or may not want to be doling out on a pet right now. The good news is there are lots of other pal types to choose from; ones that don’t need as much attention and financial investment as dogs or cats. If you’re looking for the company of an animal without the necessary booster shots, grooming appointments, and training, consider these amazing companions.

• Small Animals. We’d consider this anything furry that lives in a cage – rabbits, chinchillas, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, and mice (did we miss any?) These guys are a wonderful middle ground to cats and dogs; they have interactive personalities and can be trained, but they don’t require a crazy amount of exercise, a bag of food lasts for months, and they take up as much space as their cage does (making them phenomenal for apartment living.)
• Turtles. Different types require different things in regards to their ideal environment but, once that’s established, these guys are a breeze to care for. Just make sure they’re fed and their habitat is maintained and you’ve got yourself a buddy that loves and appreciates you just as much as a dog would (they just might show it a little differently.)
• Fish. Fish tanks are a wonderful way to decompress and reduce stress – why do you think we see them in the lobby of so many doctors’ offices? They’re also a relatively low-key pet to care for. For first timers, start small and research how to maintain your tank but, once that’s maintained, they are inexpensive and require zero vet visits per year.

Remember, all pets require a certain level of commitment. But, if it’s a dog or cat you want and  it’s simply not in the cards right now, we think you’ll be impressed by how satisfying and uplifting caring for one of these pet types can be. It’s a perfect way to work your way up to providing for an animal that requires more of you and, who knows, maybe one day you’ll be caring for your own horse!