If you're not against keeping spiders as pets, a tarantula might be a good addition to your family. They are naturally calm, friendly, friendly, and intelligent as well as timid! She lives free in the flat and reaches her cage for drinking, relieving herself, or sleeping. Their opportunistic nature means that many pet cubs will choose what they want to produce when they throw away the rest of the food. However, domesticated and bottle-fed wallabies are gentle and humble animals that can be accompanied by great affection. Goldfish are active all day and make the perfect viewing shelf pet that is absolutely low maintenance for any pet owner. Fruit can be given occasionally as a treat. Hissing cockroaches and some tarantulas make the starter insects pets because they lack rather modest and serious weapons such as stingers and terrifying venom. When they are handled early, they become quite fluent and can form bonds with their owner. Sea monkeys only need to be fed every five to seven days and outside of ensuring that their tank is in great conditions, you dont have to worry about them. Another reason many owners are surprised by the size. These small rodents typically live for five or six years and only need the basics to survive: a cage, bedding, food, and water. Tarantulas are quiet and typically only need a 10- to 20-gallon aquarium to thrive. However, that's usually because people pick the wrong kinds of fish. The team at Star Milling Co. provides the best nutrition for our pet parents and their products, such as piglets. Unlike dogs, you don't need to worry about giving a cat lots of exercise and because they are so independent, cats can be left alone for extended periods of time provided they are left with food and water. Goldfish can live for more than 20 years, have a memory span of at least three months, and can be taught to perform tricks. As omnivorous, wild food consists of roots, vegetables, nuts, seeds, berries, eggs, and small insects. Mice also require a well-ventilated cage, some toys, but can eat any food suitable for humans. All a hamster needs is a 2-cubic-feet cage equipped with an exercise wheel, items to chew, absorbent bedding, a hiding spot, food, and water. However, they can entertain themselves when you are not around to play, leading to some mischief and problems if they are not supervised. These funny jokes will help you turn your frown upside-down. 5 Perfect Pets for Kids with Allergies. Not for the faint of heart, but snakes can make for very easy pets to have around the house. Rats are friendly, quiet, and intelligent animals. It 2. Bettas often puff up and display their colors when startled or feeling frisky. They need an aquarium with a half foot thick layer of sand and some stones on top for them to climb and play with. So, you have a fifth grader who is finally learning about metamorphosis, what better way to show them the process than to get some caterpillars for the home. They like to chillax in a tropical habitat and love to eat crickets and worms. 3. The most popular is probably the corn snake because it's a fairly docile snake, and they don't grow that largetwo to five feet in length at most. 4. Still, praying mantises are cool to look at, it's fun to watch them feed, and, on the list of easiest pets, they rank right up there. Youll want to keep their habitat on the warmer side, along with a shallow saltwater dish where they can soak in. Budgerigar: $1035. It guarantees the same level of protein and vital nutrition that pigs want. Length: 9 to 11 inches, plus a tail of 7 to 9 inches, Physical Characteristics: Slender bodied with a pointed head, large eyes, and prominent, thinly furred ears; colors variations include brown, black, tan, gray, white, Siamese, blue, silver black, silver fawn, lilac, cinnamon, black-eyed white, cinnamon pearl, lynx, silver agouti, silver lilac, and blaze. Chipmunk (Tamias species) is a large internal cheekbone used for food transport. Their enclosures are also a manageable size. You will need to make sure your home is ferret-proofed to prevent escapes or unsafe hiding spots (like in the oven). Hamsters Image Credit: Lichtpuenktchen, Pixabay Hamsters are one of the small pets that many people would think of immediately when asked to name a low-maintenance pet. Dr. Bryant is a Veterinary Review Board Member for The Spruce Pets. They dont require too much spacea 15-to 20-gallon tank will do the trickand they feed on crickets, wax worms and meal worms. Great for beginner pet parents. Smith Collection/Gado /Getty Images 13. So before you decide or take the decision to bring one into your home, make sure you research caring for a potty pig. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own 1 Betta fish. But if you do want to bring a precious pooch into your family, consider a more low-maintenance breed. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Science in Plant Biology from Ohio University. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Gerbil. Hamsters are small and low-maintenance and can entertain themselves with a wheel or other toys. These clean and cuddly rodents also require at least an hour of daily exercise out of their cage, in a rat-proofed room (think removing plants that may be toxic), so this also has to be taken into account when making the approximately 2.5-year commitment, which is the usual lifespan of these animals. More of a hamster person? They don't need much cage spacea 15- to 20-gallon tank should doso they're a good option if you don't have room for an elaborate vivarium setup. Fish are often "seen as low-maintenance pets" until people realize just how much work needs to be put into 2 Pugs. Although dogs are usually a lot more high-maintenance and costly than other pets, pugs are a fairly low-maintenance and economical choice. As McLeod wrote for The Spruce Pets, these adorable creatures actually prefer not to be held that much, so if you're looking for a pet you can keep at arm's length but still love, this may be the one for you. 4 Low-Maintenance Rodent Pets 1. As with other reptiles, green anoles require special heating, lighting and humidity in their living environments, so make sure you're well-informed before taking these babies on. Leopard geckos eat live insects and worms and only grow up 10 inches in length. Hermit Crabs: $535. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 10 Cheap Exotic Pets - PetHelpful. Unlike other animals, scorpions need a hotter tankanywhere from 80 degrees Fahrenheit at the coolest to 90 degrees at the warmest. This popular parrot makes a Scorpion. Juveniles need feedings three times a day, but adults can eat once daily. Length: 1 inch to 24 inches (smaller lizard species); up to 6 feet (common pet snakes), Weight: 0.5 ounce to 1 pound (smaller lizards); 1 to 5 pounds (common pet snakes), Physical Characteristics: Cold-blooded; scales instead of skin; come in a variety of colors. When you're thinking of cute, cuddly pets to own, ants probably don't pop into your mind. 3. Their cage needs are not too demanding: about 2 cubic feet per rat. Physical Characteristics: Small and furry mammals with long ears, short fluffy tails, and strong, large hind legs; coats can vary in color from whites to browns, grays, and black, and by fur length, from short to long. Pig Dirty This idea cant stay far from the truth. They are also just as fun and loving as traditional pets like dogs and cats. The ideal tank size for most frogs is a 10-gallon or 20-gallon tank. Another low-key pet! As a bonus, the average hen lays 276 eggs every year, according to a survey issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Rabbits are a suitable option for apartment living since they can be litter-box trained, groom themselves, and are relatively quiet. 1. They should be kept in a clear terrarium, and you can house multiple snails together, with one to two inches of soil, says Anne Woods with Pets on Mom. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own, I got a dwarf rabbit upon the insistent and repeated requests of my children to have an animal," he says. They are quiet creatures but also like to hide and get into mischief. And in terms of diet, they have a variety of foods they eat: fruit flies, smaller mantids, moths, house flies, and the occasional cricket or mealworm if your mantid is larger. Anole This cool lizard boasts a colorful neck pouch and is a great choice for novice reptile pet parents. Goldfish swim in a tank as part of an art exhibition 'Art Aquarium' in Tokyo. A pug stands in the exhibition hall on the final day of the annual Crufts dog show in Birmingham, England. Ashley Peeling, regional marketing manager at property management company CLV Group, is a huge advocate for this tank-based household pet. Chinchillas are nocturnal animals, but they make beautiful pets because they are low maintenance, quiet and odorless, with beautiful soft fur. A scorpion crawls along the ground at the Scorpion Kingdom laboratory and farm in Egypt's Western Desert. Not the type to help you save on car insurance, but the type to make long-term, easy-to-care-for pets. They like to chillax in a tropical habitat and love to eat crickets and worms. A pet chipmunk may not play catch like Fido, but he can surprise you with simple tricks or use you as a perch. Sidenote: Male betta fish should be kept alone since they tend to get territorial with each other, but the ladies can cohabitate. Cool Pets to Have in Your Room: Are you thinking of getting an exotic or different kind of pet? They only grow an average of one-and-a-half inches and live up to five years, according to the pros at Petco. Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine. So, overall, they're inexpensive, low-maintenance and getting one is certainly not a big commitment.". Norway rats are the most common species of pet rat, and they only live two to three years, and grow nine to eleven inches long. They only require 30% to 40% humidity, but as diurnal reptiles, they need at least 12 hours of sunlight and a heated basking area set at But not always. Physical Characteristics: Small, stout bodies with no tail, a large head with large and alert eyes, strong, short legs with four toes on their front feet and three on the back, all with sharp claws; color variations include black, beige, chocolate, cream, cinnamon, gold, lemon, lilac, red, silver, and white, Fernando Trabanco Fotografa / Getty Images. The 20 Least Expensive Pets to Own. Lives up to three years. Although the axolotl is known as a 'walking fish', it is not a fish, but an amphibian. As a bonus, they can live harmoniously with docile fishlike a bettaif you want more than one kind of pet. However, they need much attention and care, including the right temperature, humidity, and lighting. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Goldfish: $1 to $40. An important thing to consider is that while a single rat may be cheap, these intelligent and social animals absolutely need to have a same-sex buddy to avoid loneliness and depression. Binturong. Adults grow to up to 4 inches plus a 4-inch tail. No need for constant trips to the groomers! A rat doesn't seem like the most cuddly choice, but if handled from a young age they can make very affable companions. Fish are often "seen as low-maintenance pets" until people realize just how much work needs to be put into 2 Pugs. Backyards are ideal when exercising and playing, while daily or regular walks are allowed, so your older baby is ready to kiss and sleep during dinner. These bad boys only require that you keep them in a dark area of the house, away from any sunlightbecauseof course. The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own 1 Betta fish. Hedgehogs are quiet and produce very little dander, making them the right pet for people with allergies. These small rodents typically live for five or six years and only require a cage, some bedding, food, and water. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); However, the Budgerigar is a social bird and often requires company as well as a supply of new toys, branches, or other items to chew. Tarantulas can grow to be about ten inches (ahhh! Belly Robbs is the heart path of a pot-bellied pig. Fruit can be given occasionally as a treat. "Betta fish are stunning, really hardy, and you can have an awesome low-maintenance setup," Adams says. Adults grow to up to 12 inches. Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, should live alone and usually live for three to five years. Cue: low-maintenance pets. Hamsters are small and low-maintenance and can entertain themselves with a wheel or other toys. Plus, their diet consists of small pellet or powdered food. They are not as chatty as parrots, but they love human interactions and can be trained to do simple commands such as stepping on and off your hand. Importantly, hermit crabs require a few different sized shells during their lifetime and enough sand to bury into when they molt, according to the Hermit Crab Association. Butterflies are a pretty sight to see outside, but they're also a good insect for inside your home. Iguanas are some of the most prominent victims of inadequate care for their presence as cheap animals in chain pet stores. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than 200 articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. Just pour a packet containing salt, conditioner, and brine shrimp eggs into a tank of water, and wait a few days for the little crustaceans to hatch. In addition to mice, Dumerils Boas like to eat small rabbits and fowl. African Dwarf Frogs Leopard geckos have a lifespan of about 20 years and can easily cohabitate with each other. Most allergy sufferers can live comfortably with a hamster in the house. Hamsters are easy to tame with regular handling. Cats also groom and wash themselves and the British Shorthair is particularly easy as it has an undemanding personality, easygoing temperament and molts far less than other cats, Cattime.com recommends. They don't need much cage spacea 15- to 20-gallon tank should doso they're a good option if you don't have room for an elaborate vivarium setup. But please note, it is illegal to own a hedgehog as a pet in some jurisdictions in the U.S. such as New York City. In addition, cockatiels have a reputation as gentle and unpretentious birds who enjoy petting and keeping. While the idea of rats draws forth troubling images of sewers and dirty corners, pet rats are anything but dirty animals. Unlike many other lizards and reptiles, the leopard gecko is a friendly and sociable choice for a pet. Not usually a typical choice for a household pet, the scorpion only grows three to eight inches long and lives anywhere from two to six years, making it a perfect choice for those with little space who don't desire a furry companion. Best price ! However, they can entertain themselves when you are not around to play, leading to some mischief and problems if they are not supervised. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. These guys are great if you need a pet to bring some zen into the space. Kids are always mesmerized by Sea-Monkeys, making them the perfect pet; they'll just sit and stare at them for hours. 4. They're not "generally a lap cat" but will stay close by, and can get along with both dogs and children. When moved to a larger enclosure, ants require a nest area made of gypsum or concrete with tunnels in it, covered by a glass slate to keep the nest dark. Not only that, but these reptiles can live up to 20 years or more as pets, so they're perfect if you're not looking to say goodbye to your animal too soon. Youll want to keep their habitat on the warmer side, along with a shallow saltwater dish where they can soak in. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Both young and older children love them, they need virtually none of your time, and, unlike dogs, cats, and most of the other creatures on this list, don't require a pet-sitter when you leave town. One drawback to keeping rabbits is that they like to chew and dig. Consider a smaller turtle that grows up to nine or twelve inches at most, like a painted turtle, if you're looking for the kind you can put in a regular-sized terrarium. Ferret makes excellent pets for owners who take the time to bond with them. Hermit Crabs: Less Than $10. A hedgehog is not related to porcupines or not a rodent, they are in a sub-family known as insectivore. They are in the rodent family and eat an omnivorous diet. In addition, they need a large terrarium with pure water, fruits, and vegetables every day. Riley Children's Health at Indiana University. 12 Best Exotic Pets for Apartment Living. They need human contact (especially when young), plenty of space, and various foods, including seeds, fruits, and vegetables. They like the thrill of the chase and constricting their prey on their own. They can live longer depending on goldfish type, the size of the tank, and how often their water is Great for beginner pet parents. Chipmunks are not low-maintenance pets, but they are great companions. It may seem strange to keep insects or spiders as pets, but these are unique animals that are interesting to look at. Bearded dragon 13 Cheap Pets That Are Easy to Take Care Of. 3. Because they are very active, some play time outside their cage is also highly recommended. With gentle handling from a young age, they can bond closely with you. Although they may be a larger dog, they are a low energy breed and don't require excessive amounts of exercise or food requirements. However, they can be very active and are nocturnal. Similar to a stick bug, if you're looking for a low-maintenance insect, think about a praying mantis. Anoles can live more than five years and grow up to 8 inches long. Lizard species that are good for beginners include leopard geckos, crested geckos, house geckos, bearded dragons, and anoles. Goldfish: $1 to $40. Their habitat needs to be frequently changed, but other than that, make sure they get some exercise outside their cage and youre good to go. Dr. Nelva Bryant, DVM, is a highly accomplished veterinarian with three decades of professional experience in animal welfare, public health, and zoonotic diseases. Owners can easily rest with complete nutritional assurance on every meal their piggy enjoys. But what about the cost to buy this insect? Hermit Crabs: $535. How to Pet Proof Your Home in 10 Easy Steps. No-pet apartment leases usually allow hamsters, and they are an ideal apartment pet since they do not require a lot of space. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. They are also quiet, fastidious self groomers, and they are relatively easy to care for. They are also quiet and require little space and attention. They can easily adapt to any environment but do need a yard. 12 Best Exotic Pets for Apartment Living. Lives 5 to 8 years. Physical Characteristics: Short tails, stubby legs, and small ears; color variations include black, grey, brown, white, yellow, red, or a mixture of several colors. 1. Speaking of which, food is the only catch with this strange pet: Praying mantises eat live insects, which can cost about $100 per year, while the creatures themselvestypically cost around $25 each, and you can buy eggs and nymphs for much less. If you still want something cute and cuddly you can hold, get a guinea pig. Hamsters are relatively small, being only 5 to 7 inches long. Hedgehogs. Spotted Genet. Your email address will not be published. The one thing you really need to remember about scorpions is the temperature of their environment. 5. They are also intelligent, and their playful antics are fun to watch. 10 Cheap Exotic Pets - PetHelpful. Unlike turtles, tortoises need more room to roam, so be sure to invest in a spacious pen. Agouti. The leopard gecko is a surprisingly friendly and sociable choice for a pet. African Dwarf Frogs Male tarantulas grow from two to ten inches, and most species only live up to seven years long, according to the experts at Petco. However, they can entertain themselves when you are not around to play, leading to some mischief and problems if they are not supervised. In terms of diet, turtles are easy, as they "don't need to be fed every day." WebHermit crabs are one of those small pets that are not very common, but nevertheless quite well mannered, insanely cheap, and make for great pets. WebHermit crabs are one of those small pets that are not very common, but nevertheless quite well mannered, insanely cheap, and make for great pets. Pull out these PG jokes anytime you need a wholesome laugh. However, only some know the exact components of a nutritious diet for cats, [] are a vital part of an unique pets weight-reduction plan. After caring for animals in her veterinarian practice, Lianne went on to study biology and research water quality and chronic disease at theUniversity of Saskatchewan. 3. Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine. A 15- to 20-gallon tank can easily hold two to three leopard geckos, and they have a normal diet of crickets, wax worms, and mealworms. The 20 Least Expensive Pets to Own. They like to chillax in a tropical habitat and love to eat crickets and worms. 5. They need an aquarium with a half foot thick layer of sand and some stones on top for them to climb and play with. Budgerigar. Iguanas are some of the most prominent victims of inadequate care for their presence as cheap animals in chain pet stores. They fill their cheekbones with seeds and nuts and take them to a borough where they are stored for later use. According to Pet Smart, hermit crabs really only live for 10 years at most, and only grow up to 6 inches long. All that, alongside the small size of pugs, make them one of the most low-maintenance dog breeds. Juveniles need feedings three times a day, but adults can eat once daily. They make no noise and are relatively easy to care for. A classic easy first pet, a goldfish is an animal that adds life and beauty to the room without requiring much attention, time or maintenance from its owners. However, they are social animals are typically require the company of another guinea pig. They are quiet, clean, low maintenance, and don't shed. For instance, a painted turtle can live up to 30 years. Hermit crabs are interesting to watch; they move from one shell to another. As McLeod explained to The Spruce Pets, they have a docile nature that makes them easy to get along with and play with, but they also don't need a lot in terms of care. Much like turtles, tortoises are mostly noise-free and stay out of the way. If stick bugs and praying mantises are not satisfying your child's pet needs, you can always go bigger (and creepier) with a scorpion. No, this isnt something out of Harry Potter, but actually a popular pet lizard. Many snakes are hesitant to accept thawed frozen mice. You only need to feed your turtle four to five times a week, and most turtles generally eat insects, fish, and dark, leafy greens. However, their curiosity sometimes leads to their mischief, and they can even be destructive. , And you'll need to remember that pet hermit crabs need water to drink, bathe, and replenish their shell water. They are also just as fun and loving as traditional pets like dogs and cats. 4 Low-Maintenance Rodent Pets 1. These animals also require a moist hideout to aid their shedding, a water bowl, and a second hideout for when they're feeling self-conscious. Physical Characteristics: Hairy bodies with long, hairy legs; two visible fangs; most are brown, although some varieties are cobalt blue, black with white stripes, or multicolored. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Axolotl: $1535. Opt for a larger tank with a filtration system. But when you have roommates, kids in the family or work long hours, caring for a pet is not easy. There's one catch: They do best in pairs because they're extremely social critters. In Captivity For in The Wild, Box Turtle Food | Guide | Chain | Chart List, Norwegian Forest Cat vs Maine Coon | Size and Price | Black Grey Orange White. Thus, making a hedgehog seems to be not a subject to the separation anxiety, but this pet is fitting for those who travel. Although the venom of a pet tarantula is only mildly toxic (similar to a bee sting), you should not handle it. 4. Know which species you can keep in your town or city before bringing them home. High-quality pot-bellied pork food should closely reflect the natural food of an animal. Dik Dik. } else { Guinea pigs, rabbits, and ferrets love to cuddle with humans. With their pincers and a venomous stinger, it doesn't take an expert to see that scorpions make for a look-but-don't-touch kind of pet for most so also one of the best choices for pet owners who don't want a lot of affection or have time to give it. Degus, which come from Chile and are a type of rodent similar to a guinea pig, make surprisingly easy pets when socialized from a young age. You can make your own home for them with things around the house or buy a butterfly kit. And while cleaning their space and providing fresh water is essential, turtles actually dont need to be fed every day. They don't need much cage spacea 15- to 20-gallon tank should doso they're a good option if you don't have room for an elaborate vivarium setup. Many frog species don't need much space, so they are an ideal choice for small apartments. African Dwarf Frogs They're easy to care for perhaps the most low-maintenance "pet" on this list and need only a terrarium for living quarters, and a heating pad, totaling about $75. Cheapism may earn a commission if you buy through a link on our site. Being small creatures, crabs have low day-to-day food costs. These fuzzballs often whistle, purr, and squeal to express emotions, which makes them one of the best choices for people who like to know their pets are happy. Agouti. All they need for a home is a small tank "at least twice as wide and three times as tall" as their body. While everyone knows what a porcupine is, many have not seen or heard of the funny-looking, tree-dwelling, 2. Leopard geckos are nocturnal meaning they're less active during the day and unlike other reptiles, don't require UV light bulbs, but do need an incandescent bulb and possibly a heat pad, depending on temperatures in your home or apartment. Ferret makes excellent pets for owners who take the time to bond with them. Whether you want to own an exotic animal or something more common, there are more pets available than ever before. Gerbil. Goats are low maintenance and eat grass, hay, grain and pellet feed. 100 Irish Baby Names That We're Totally Going to Steal, 12 Pet Memorial Gifts to Give After the Loss of a BFF (Best Furry Friend), Parents: Activating Your Yes-Brain Will Be Your Tantrum Reducer Superpower. In terms of diet, corn snakes primarily eat rodents and can also find a tasty treat within a quail egg. Scorpions only need to be fed every other day, and their diet consists of insects like crickets, small mealworms, and wax worms. Hedgehogs are not social. 4 Low-Maintenance Rodent Pets 1. 4. They spend most of their time sleeping or laying still and require infrequent feeding. Excluding the costs of a cage, toys (canaries can get bored and require entertainment), and unforeseen veterinary visits, you can expect to pay about $120 per year for food and miscellaneous supplies. Snakes are not everybody's cup of tea, but they do make for an easy-to-care for pet. According to the Entomologists' Society, the main requirements these critters need are a secure enclosure that can be maintained at an appropriate humidity and temperature of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Like praying mantises, scorpions eat live insects, so plan on spending about $100 per year on crickets. They are social and do best when placed with other hermit crabs if their tank is spacious enough. However, it is important to consider commitment before jumping into piggy paternity. Although a slightly more niche option for insect enthusiasts, ants can be an intriguing pet to own. Most are social animals that want to keep you company. The going price for leopard geckos ranges from $20 to $70; a beginning terrarium setup generally costs between $100 and $200. Web1. You'll pay about $15-20 for the hamster, another $20-50 for a cage, $7-8 for an exercise ball, $10 for the first bag of food and another $10 for the first bag of shavings. Being active and playful requires a variety of toys to keep them busy, especially chewing gum. Axolotl: $1535. Some male frogs sing, so they'renot a completely quiet pet, but the sound is not loud enough to offend the neighbors. "I got a dwarf rabbit upon the insistent and repeated requests of my children to have an animal," he says. Pygmy goats are curious and love to explore, play and socialize. (But they can also be left to their own devices.) Green Iguana: $1525. To cut your start-up costs, adopt a rescue hamster and pick up a second-hand cage on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Another low-key pet! They need a lot of love, attention, and affection. They eat a varied diet of fruit, vegetables and grains. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. They eat live insects, which you can purchase at a pet store, as well as limited portions of fruits, vegetables and greens. The praying mantis is great for people who don't want to make a fuzzy, emotional connection with their new pet. Hens can provide a household with 250 fresh eggs every year and can live up to 10 years. They also don't require a lot of water but will need to have a bit of it around. In fact, the American Kennel Club says the breed is "perfectly happy to lounge around the house all day". They are naturally calm, friendly, friendly, and intelligent as well as timid! This is a characteristic children will love. Choosing a rat as a pet might seem like a gamble. Good Pets for Kids-These Are the Best Pets for Kids at Each Age, How Much White Maltese Dog Hypoallergenic ! The catch? He recommends buying a five-gallon aquarium kit, which is a perfect size for betta fish. Their diet consists of small bits of apples, carrots, and cucumbers with chalk, egg shells, or cuttlefish bone for calcium to "strengthen your snails' shells."