“Mum, I want a dog!”
“Mum, why don’t we have a cat?!”
Sound like something your kids say?
If only they realised that it wasn’t as easy as simply buying a cat or a dog and letting it loose in the house. From a child’s point of view having a pet is simple; you feed it, pet it and play with it, but we know it’s a much bigger deal than that. Owning one of those furry friends costs money and takes time and effort to maintain and care for. Keeping them clean, making sure they’re healthy—the list goes on. That’s why you should consider getting a low maintenance pet for your kids instead.
Hermit Crab
These little guys are one of the cheapest pets you could get and also an easy way to introduce your child to the idea of responsibility and pet ownership. Most of the things they require are self-explanatory.
A plastic aquarium makes for a sufficient living space, be sure to place some gravel on the bottom, with larger rocks, wood, and plants as decoration. Apart from water and food, which can easily and cheaply be bought from a regular pet store, they require a new shell every so often once they outgrow their old one, but that’s also easily bought from a pet store.
Gecko
Much like the hermit crab, a gecko is a very simple and inexpensive pet to own. You can find geckos for sale for no more than $20, or if you feel like spending more, up to $75. The requirements for living space are also very similar; a terrarium, plastic or glass, with some sand at the bottom, rocks and a lamp to heat the terrarium. Geckos eat mealworms, which can be bought at a pet store for just a few cents per serving.
Fish
Another pet that lives inside a glass container, although this one’s filled with water. Fish make great first pets and are one of the cheapest to maintain and care for.
Of course, there’s different types of fish, each with their own requirements, some more expensive than others.
A betta fish is the least costly, only requiring a simple glass bowl and food that costs no more than $20 per year. If you feel like owning something different and you have a pond in your backyard, you could consider looking into a koi carp; a slightly larger, exotic fish that looks absolutely beautiful. Costs vary depending on the size, so for more information check out a Koi Carp website.
It’s as low maintenance as any other fish, but with the added benefit of looking absolutely amazing.
Rat
Excuse me? Yes, you read that correctly. Even though people might not like the idea of owning one, they’re very inexpensive and make great pets. Contrary to popular belief, rats are actually very affectionate and loving creatures as well as very intelligent. It would typically cost around $300 a year for a rat, including the cost of food, bedding, and toys. Their cage needs weekly cleaning and about an hour of time outside the cage each day.
**This is a collaborative post
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