10 Best Low-Maintenance Pets With Easy Care Requirements

Sharing your life with a pet has so many mental and even physical health benefits. But if you're a busy person, it can be difficult to find a pet to fit your lifestyle. Dogs need daily walks, parrots need tons of interaction, and some small mammal pets have very intricate diets. Don't worry, because we found the 10 best pets that are incredibly low-maintenance. Bring home one of these cuties if you're looking for a pet that's both cool and easy to care for.

Axolotls, sometimes called "walking fish," are adorable aquatic salamanders that make incredibly entertaining and low-maintenance pets. Because they need to live in cooler water, keeping their water temperature within the correct parameters - 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit - can be a challenge in warm climates or during the summer months. However, with the right equipment, you won't have to do much to keep your smiley axolotl happy.

Parakeets are the most popular pet bird around, and one of the reasons is that they don't require a ton of effort. These petite birds are friendly, smart, and can learn a variety of tricks. Many can even learn to talk! Due to their social nature, you'll need to get at least two parakeets so they have company.

Tortoises are fairly easy to care for, unlike their messy cousins, turtles. Greek tortoises stay small at only 8 inches long, plus they're docile, mellow, and friendly little guys. Despite their small size, you will need to get a spacious enclosure for your Greek tortoise (at least 3 by 6 feet).

Are you looking for a furry, cuddling pet that's also low maintenance? A Guinea pig is a great choice. Guinea pigs are hardy rodents that do well with children and families. However, they need to be handled regularly in order to keep them docile and tame. A solo Guinea pig will need more attention than those kept in pairs or groups, so you may want to consider multiple pigs so they always have a buddy.

Some snakes are high-maintenance, but not the corn snake. Corn snakes stay fairly small compared to many other snake species and make calm pets. They don't take up much room, though they need at least a 40-gallon tank in order to thrive. You will need a temperature-controlled terrarium with a heat bulb, thermometer, and lighting, but once you have the ideal environment set up, it's smooth sailing. As a bonus, you only need to feed these critters once every week or two.

Crested geckos are another fascinating and low-maintenance pet. These small lizards can be found in plenty of attractive patterns and colors. Their most distinguishing feature is their "eyelashes," which are pronounced spines above their eyes. The crested gecko's solitary nature means they're best kept alone, and they can thrive in a smaller environment, like a 20-gallon tank. Just know they are nocturnal, so you won't see much activity in their enclosure during the day.

Maintaining a large, complex fish tank can take a lot of work. If you're looking for a very low-maintenance fish, consider a betta. Bettas are gorgeous fish that don't need much to be happy. However, contrary to popular belief, these fish cannot be kept in a fishbowl or plant vase. A filtration system can keep their water clean, and they don't need a lot of equipment to be happy.

Frogs are great beginner pets, and the White's tree frog is a favorite for many reasons. This frog species is absolutely adorable and very low maintenance. White's tree frogs are pretty hardy animals, though they do have a few habitat requirements. They need to be housed in high humidity, so you'll need to regularly mist their enclosure and monitor the humidity level with a hygrometer. Your new friend won't mind if you handle them, but be careful because they do have delicate bodies and can carry Salmonella.

Who doesn't love hamsters? These pocket pets don't need much to thrive besides a clean cage, balanced diet, and entertaining toys. Of course, most are also friendly and will tolerate handling, although they typically aren't huge fans of being held. Hamsters do well when kept alone in their cage.

Canaries are excellent pets for busy families or anyone who needs a pet that's easy to care for. You might be familiar with canaries because of their melodic songs, and that's one of the reasons many people love them. These small yellow birds are territorial and prefer to keep to themselves, so you'll need to house them alone.

Even those these pets are easier to keep, they still need regular care. Make sure to read up on the husbandry requirements for any species you plan to keep. Your dedication and care mean your new pet will live a fulfilling life of love that you get to share together.