What Are Easy Pets to Take Care Of?

What makes a pet easy to take care of? It’s all in the eye of the beholder. But most people can agree that once you’ve established a routine for your pet — and once you’ve fallen in love with their unique personality — they are likely to feel like no trouble at all.

That said, no pets are completely hassle-free. They rely on us to keep their bellies full, bodies healthy, and minds engaged. We purchase supplies, take them to the vet, and see to their happiness, and they pay that right back to us with abundant affection and amusing antics. They’re our best friends. And if you’re looking for a best friend who tends to be easy to take care of — though remember all pets are individuals with unique care needs — consider the following types of pets.

Cats can make great best friends. They run the gamut as far as how much affection they want. Some will determinedly seek your attention while others will be happy to spend most of their time independently roaming around your home. You’ll somewhat be able to gauge their personality when you meet them, but be aware that some cats appear shyer than they really are when they’re at an animal shelter.

As far as care goes, cats require no training — most will use a litter box naturally if you just make it available to them and keep it clean. They require food and routine vet care, of course. But they're quite good at grooming themselves, with a little help from you. And although they (like all pets) need enrichment — activities to keep them physically and mentally active — they're good at entertaining themselves, too. For the effort they require, many people find cats give back far more love and joy.

Adopting a kitten can be a real joy. And believe it or not, kittens are easier than you might think. Kittens 3 months and younger are usually quite open to new experiences and therefore highly adaptable in new environments.

It also doesn't take them very long to accept and befriend other pets in the home. In fact, it can be even easier to bring home two kittens than one because they can entertain each other. And a huge bonus is that kittens are born instinctively knowing how to use the litter box. So if you're looking for an adorable pet to easily integrate into your home with little stress, a kitten or pair of kittens could be the way to go.

While puppies can require lots of hands-on care as they mature and learn how to navigate the world, adult dogs are usually easier. The list of what dogs ask of us isn’t long: nutritious meals (just don't be tardy filling their bowl or they’ll let you know), regular walks and playtime, vet care (though they might not admit it makes them feel better), and lots of love. What a dog really wants is to be a part of your life.

Adopting a dog comes with several bonuses that can make caring for them easier. When you adopt, the shelter or rescue group staff can help you find a match who suits your lifestyle, and they usually provide ongoing support even after you bring home your dog. Plus, many adoptable dogs have already been house-trained, know how to walk on a leash, and know basic cues like sit, stay, and come. So you’ll be able to start your relationship already speaking a common language.

Senior dogs deserve a special callout as a potentially easy pet to care for. Yes, any senior animal might develop age-related medical needs, though that’s not always the case. As with any pet, you should plan for regular veterinary care and emergencies.

But if you think having a dog would be too hard because you work full time or are otherwise in and out during the day, a senior pup is definitely worth a look. Many seniors are happy to snooze the day away while you’re busy, join you for leisurely strolls and low-key playtime, and then cuddle up with you on the couch. Plus, giving a pet a safe home during their golden years — and feeling their love and appreciation for you — makes their care so worthwhile.

Beyond guinea pigs, there are several other fuzzy little friends who can be easy additions to your life — including hamsters. Like guinea pigs, they need a spacious, clean enclosure with places to play, explore, hide, and nap. Their teeth also are constantly growing, so they require chew toys plus other toys, as well as a healthy diet. And you'll need to make sure you have a vet in your area who specializes in their care.

Most hamsters prefer to be solitary, so you don’t have to worry about finding them friends. They don’t take up a lot of space, and they’re quiet. Just keep in mind that they are active at night, so you might not want to set them up in your bedroom.

Rats as pets might not immediately come to mind if you’re not familiar with them, but they can actually make very loving and loyal companions. They’re typically quite sociable and affectionate, including with their people. And they prefer to live with rat friends as well, so they’ll still have company even when you need to leave them alone. (Consult your vet for how to introduce them to each other and about spay/neuter for mixed-sex groups.)

It’s important to take special care when setting up their enclosure because rats are quite smart and can be cunning escape artists. However, after the initial setup, their needs are pretty simple to maintain — a healthy diet, a variety of toys, places to climb and hide, and a clean enclosure. Rats can even be taught to use a litter box to make cleaning easier.

Birds can range widely in their care needs, depending on species and on their individual personalities. Make sure you have an avian vet nearby who can help guide you. In general, small birds like budgies, cockatiels, canaries, and finches tend to be easy to take care of — and easier to keep in pairs or groups to meet their social needs. (Don’t worry, many birds still bond closely with their people too, even if they have other birdy friends.)

They need as large of an enclosure as you can provide plus time to fly and play outside of the enclosure (in a bird-safe area). And their setup should include several different types of perches and toys that you change out regularly to keep them physically and mentally active. They also need a balanced diet of fresh foods, seeds, nuts, and pellets. But once you have their care routine down, maintaining it is pretty simple. And then you can just enjoy your little feathered friends.

Lizards, snakes, and other reptiles aren’t pets who demand your attention. And they’re certainly quiet and don’t take up a lot of space. However, setting up their habitat needs to be done right for their health and safety. And after the initial setup, their habitat requires consistent monitoring (and cleaning) to ensure that the conditions are right.

You’ll also want to make sure you have a veterinarian in your area who sees reptiles before you bring one home. Do your research and have fun with it. While reptiles may not be the most affectionate pets, they are all individuals. It can be fascinating to learn about their likes and dislikes and to fall in love with their unique personalities.

Not sure you’re ready to commit to the responsibilities of having a pet? Try fostering. Caring for a foster pet can help you learn what you find easy and what you might not want to do long term. For instance, some people who foster pets who need daily medication learn it’s really not a big deal to make that part of their routine.

There are foster opportunities for a day, a week, or longer, and the organization for which you’re fostering typically will provide all the supplies, vet care, and guidance you need. It’s a win-win — you learn more about what you’re looking for in a pet, and a homeless pet gets the TLC they deserve. And of course, if you fall in love and realize your foster pet fits effortlessly into your life, you can make things official and adopt. Check out bestfriends.org/foster for more information on fostering.

So what’s the bottom line on easy pets? Species can be a guide. But when it comes down to it, every pet’s needs are individual, and how much you’re prepared to do for the love and companionship of a particular pet is individual, too. Thank you for considering the adoption of a pet — easy or otherwise.