9 Low maintenance pets for your kids to love. Most mums have gone through the ‘can we get a dog?‘ stage. And it is tempting. Dogs are great company but they are also hard work. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a pet of some kind. There are lots of low maintenance pets that bring plenty of joy. If you’d like to find a pet which will fit perfectly into your tribe, keep reading for everything you need to know.
Guinea pigs are one of the easiest animals to care for. These cute little critters are very social and enjoy companionship. This means you need to get two guinea pigs so the other one doesn’t get lonely. They are also very tame and not bitey, perfect for single mums with small children. Average lifespan: Up to 8 years with proper care 2. TurtlesTurtles can be the perfect low-maintenance pet for your family. They are quiet, adorable, affectionate and fun for kids to watch and feed. Some breeds live much longer than other house pets. The type of turtle you get will determine how much you’ll be spending on care and maintenance, so choose wisely. In Australia, the easiest to care for and most common pet is the long-necked turtle. Other types may need a licence. Average lifespan: Up to 50 years 3. MiceMice are curious little creatures that are popular with the kiddos. Contrary to popular belief, mice are gentle and very clean animals when properly cared for. Like guinea pigs, they are social animals and should not be kept alone. They also need a good-sized space to roam around. Most of the time mice rest and groom themselves, but they enjoy company with regular handling. Average lifespan: 1 to 2 years
Blue-tongued lizards are a popular reptile pet that thrive in captivity if given proper care. Considered a starter lizard, they are great pets especially if you have a garden … they eat snails, caterpillars and insects that munch on plants. The most important requirement is the right temperature range (from 24˚C to 35˚C) within the enclosure. Besides climate control, they also need a special ultraviolet lamp for growth and development. The initial setup cost can run up to $700, but monthly maintenance is very affordable. Average lifespan: 15 to 20 years 5. BudgiesBudgies or parakeets are not only low-maintenance, they are also super friendly, affectionate and can be trained to do tricks! You can even teach them to talk, or at least imitate sounds. Budgies are small and don’t take up as much space as larger birds, and they can thrive happily even if you live in a small apartment. They also consume less food. Budgies are perfect pet birds for beginners and families with children. Average lifespan: 5 to 10 years 6. CockatielsAnother Australian native bird that is easy to care for, the cockatiel is a small affectionate bird that‘s great for families with kids. When raised in a loving environment with plenty of attention and interaction, they grow up to be very friendly, sociable and intelligent pets. Some birds can mimic telephone and doorbell sounds. Since they’re tiny, you don’t need to break the bank to buy a large cage or feed them high quality food. Average lifespan: 15 years or more
Betta fish or Siamese fighting fish are one of the most popular pet fish in the world. They naturally live in small spaces in the wild and don’t require lots of space in captivity either. They’re very hardy and you can get away with less than pristine tank conditions, although regular cleanings are still recommended. Buying a common betta fish and setting up the tank will set you back from $10 to $150 (larger tanks are more expensive), and monthly upkeep is very affordable. Average lifespan: 3 to 5 years 8. GoldfishA goldfish is as low maintenance as it gets when it comes to pets. All you need is good quality food and a clean tank to keep them happy. As your goldfish grows (and they can grow up to 10 inches), you’ll need to move it to larger aquarium to make sure they have enough room. Experts recommend one to three gallons of water for every inch of fish. Keeping goldfish in tiny bowls allows waste and bacteria to accumulate rapidly and can harm the fish. Average lifespan: 5 to 10 years with proper care 9. CatsMost cats are naturally independent and don’t require as much maintenance as a dog, and they make great pets for inexperienced owners. Give your kitty food, a warm bed, litter box and enough attention and they’ll be happy. If this is your first pet, consider getting an easy-going cat breed like Persian, British Shorthair, Ocicat or Russian Blue. Note: Under a new law that aims to reduce the number of strays in some states, your cat could be forced to stay indoors 24/7. Average lifespan: 13 to 17 years
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