Pet owners enjoy a host of health benefits, including lower blood pressure, less stress, and a lower risk of stroke and heart attack, which is reason enough to head to your local shelter and adopt.
But what if you don't have much time, energy or money to invest in an animal? There are plenty of animals that are easier to care for and require much less maintenance than the most popular pets such as cats and dogsdogs. Here are some ideas:
Fisk
For those who don't have much free time or free space to devote to a pet, fish would make ideal companions. Seeing fish is known to have a calming effect and reduce anxiety. Fish are also quiet and do not bark or wake the neighbors at all hours of the night. They don't need much – just a clean aquarium and some food – and fish care is relatively inexpensive.
Guinea pig
These fluffy animals are easy to care for and bring a lot of fun to your home. Guinea pigs are generally calm, yet very social and affectionate. They are also intelligent and love to cuddle. All you need is a 4 square meter hut, a food bowl and a water sipper. Guinea pigs are vegans, so their food doesn't cost much.
Birds
For people who work long hours or have an inconsistent schedule, a bird would make a great pet. Birds are extremely intelligent and excellent companions. They don't need much attention, but with training they can become very affectionate. Birds are cheap to feed and their small cage does not take up much space.
Frogs
A frog would make an exceptional pet for someone who travels a lot. You only need to feed a frog 3 to 4 times a week and it doesn't produce much waste. Frogs can be entertaining without demanding attention in return. Frogs also live longer than most other pets, with some species living as long as 25 to 30 years.
Leopard gecko
These lizards have a docile nature, making them a good pet choice for children of all ages. They are small and not very heavy, making them easy for children to handle. Once you place them in their cage, they don't require much effort. Leopard geckos can easily live more than 20 years, so you and your family will enjoy this low-maintenance pet for many years to come.
Painted turtles
As long as the water is at least as deep as twice the width of the turtle's shell, there is a shelter in the spacious tank where the turtle cannot become trapped, and a basking area where the turtle can be completely out of the water and spread out in the sunlight, these colorful reptiles are easy to care for. They can live indoors or outdoors, in an aquarium, tank or in a pond, painted turtles can make good pets.
Corn snakes
Keep a corn snake in a cage as they are not known for their social skills. A cage the size of a shoebox is fine for a baby corn snake, but once they reach adulthood, make sure the cage is at least 60 gallons long and is escape-proof - they can be sneaky. Throw a branch into the cage for climbing, make sure there's plenty of room inside to hide, and a corn snake can make a great pet.
Hamsters
Hamsters enjoy a good cardio workout. A wheel in the cage or a hamster ball under supervision outside the cage will keep your hamster happy. They are nocturnal, so don't take it personally if they don't seem all that interested in hanging out during the day.
Rabbits
If you have room for a puppy pen (3 feet or larger), your rabbit can actually live outside of a cage. They like a bit of space to romp. Make sure the floor of the rabbit hutch is not chewable and provide a small litter box and your rabbit is good to go.
Hermit crab
Give these little guys a terrarium with rocks to climb on, sand to dig in and plenty of humidity (which can be achieved by misting daily if necessary) and you'll have one of the cooler pets around.
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DoorChrissy SextonInDarryl Jozef,Earth.comStaff Writers
