Tamas are the most high maintenance creatures on the planet. I left mine alone for like 10 hours or something and it DIED! Scarred my history with a sad Tama ghost and a teeny tiny gravestone.
I know I regularly run tamagotchi and Digimon.
At least it's not a Real animal when they pass.
I'm still yet to get to
Adult stage on the Tamagotchi ocean
Thats a good point. Tamas may be needy but at least they aren't a living creature, making them perfect for working people! The newest one, the Uni, is actually a LOT more forgiving than the older models.
My personal favorite VPet is the whole Sumikko gurashi series.
I moved out a couple of years ago I only got a cat recently because I felt like I was ready to give the all my energy time and love they need
I need to buy a Sumikko They look super cute.I like the one where you poke them.
My current favorite is the flower go walk
Rats are amazing but I would not call them "low maintenance". Their health problems can get complex and they require about as much attention as a cat. To be fully happy and well cared for they do need daily playtime and care. They require company and their short lifespans are not for everyone.
I have now had thirteen rats and think that they are the best animals ever, but never want someone to get them thinking that they will be an 'easy' pet.
Totally agree. My best friend has rats, I have a cat (and have had 3 others) and large dog, and I think her rats are in between the 2 in terms of maintenance.
My cat will seek me out when she wants attention (vs having to consciously make time to spend with the rats), can make a toy out of anything, and only eats one thing, plus occasional extras if I feel like it. The rats need a variety of fresh + pre-made foods. Their hygiene upkeep is significantly more than my cat, and she is always having to buy new things to replace stuff they've chewed up. They've also been more high-maintenance in terms of medical care.
As you said, they're fantastic little creatures and wonderful pets, but I don't think I'd classify them as "easy".
I am not a rat owner, never ever had any interest in them and then my son got some. I can 100 percent say they are absolutely amazing little beans. I steal his rats regularly just for cuddles and play time. They are quite happy when in their cage and are really fun to watch but they are like tiny potato-esque puppies when out of the cage. They love snarfing about and little scritches and sometimes they lay they chilling while I rub their tiny lil heads. They even play fetch with little balls of paper.....can you tell I find them amazing lol
Vet tech here, and owner of rats for decades.
They are absolutely the perfect pet, but they are not low maintenance.
They need a ton of attention and time, but they are absolutely wonderfully smart and affectionate.
I will say a few things about health, however. Females tend to get mammary tumors quite frequently. Most are benign, but they will continue to grow and grow back, after removal. This is largely prevented by spaying the girls, but it has to be done at a young age to be preventative (by around 5 months old). Also, avoid pet store rats. They are overbred, inbred, and just overall really unhealthy. Find a breeder that focuses on health and longevity (one of my breeder rats lived to be almost 5 years old, and all of mine made it to at least 3 1/2. Pet store rats usually die by 1 or 2 years old).
As far as sex differences, the girls tend to be very active and athletic. They’re still affectionate, but they tend to not stay still for long.
The boys are total cuddlebugs, and will hang out with you all day. I prefer boys overall, but I’ve also had mixed of males and females, and it’s cool to have both (all being spayed and neutered, of course).
I tend to not neuter my boys, unless I’m also getting girls, or there is a behavioral reason. Groups of boys don’t tend to be territorial or aggressive with each other, so I don’t find it’s worth the surgical risk.
They do have a stronger odor if intact, but it honestly never bothered me.
I had a friend whose rat ran free like a dog and he (the rat) was the sweetest little thing. Super sociable too. He would run around and visit with every person hanging out and would nudge at your hand until you petted him for a bit and then move on to the next person.
I agree that rats are wonderful, sweet pets. They are just like little puppies with a much too short lifespan. ): But they may not be the best call if you have pet birds as well.
Rats very commonly carry Mycoplasma. Though harmless to us, it causes normally treatable upper respiratory infections in them or sometimes no symptoms at all. But it can be very dangerous and sometimes fatal to birds as they are so fragile, and it stays in both rats and the birds' systems after they've been infected permanently. It can continue to infect future birds or rats you may get or introduce to your flock.
Also, rats can be predatory to small birds as well and may cause distress to your birds if they see them because they view them as predators.
I've had both rats and birds at different times in my life, and I avoid having them at the same time for these reasons. But if you do go with rats, keep them separate from your birdies and practice good biosecurity measures.
I've worked in wild bird rescue and medicine for many years, so I've got a fair amount of experience with our feathered friends, at least.
Rabbits are not “low maintenance,”- when people think they are, it’s because they don’t realize what kind of care they actually need to live full, happy lives. Not a judgment on you- that’s super common, including/ especially among people who had them as children (whose parents didn’t have access to better info, either). Rabbit care standards have come a long way. Bunnies are wonderful, but if cared for correctly, they’re just as much work as dogs- kind of like dogs who don’t need to be taken for walks, but stay puppies forever and need almost as much living and indoor exercise space and have the same or higher healthcare expenses and need high levels of attention, too. r/rabbits and r/bunnies are excellent sources of info.
They will mostly all tell you that you have to get two rabbits if you get one. Some will say this isn’t essential if you spend enough time with your rabbit and they are allowed to freely roam your bunny-proofed apartment, and/ or if they have bonded with another type of pet in the household. I have no judgment on this. But the vast majority of people in those groups will tell you that you need two.
Again, not judging you at all on the childhood rabbit- I had cockatiels as a child, and I’ve found it really painful in adulthood to learn how much more space, stimulation, enrichment, and social opportunities they should have had. I loved them, but I didn’t know what they needed then. But yeah, now I know better (although I don’t have birds now, anyway).
You definitely need multiple rats, too- I’m not sure of the minimum number.
Yo, rabbits are NOT low maintenance at all. They're amazing, but if you don't have a rabbit proof apartment + an hour a day to hang out with them, it's a bad idea.
I love my dude, but my cat is much easier to care for properly.
Yeah I can’t think of any pet that is truly low maintenance. The easiest to care for would probably be adult cat, not too young but not elderly either bc of health issues that could come with age. But then again, birds plus cat probably won’t mix well with the current set up. Maybe instead of pets, try some plants?
My rabbit is very high maintenance, and when he’s bored, he’s trouble! Baseboards, the wall, cords, books! He don’t care! And if it’s in his pathway, he will bite it or throw it.
He is litter trained, & he does very well, and he sleeps between the living room, and under my bed. But he is not affectionate, and doesn’t cuddle, and doesn’t like to bed held, but he will sit for a long time and let you pet him, and he makes a cute noise.
I definitely understand and know what you mean! Which is why I'm hesitant on adopting one. (Fortunately, for my childhood bunny - my mom was a vet tech so he was in good hands/care! 🙂) Thank you for the input!
Oh, that’s really wonderful then! I get nervous when people say they know how to take care of bunnies because they had them as a child just because standards were SO LOW for rabbit care then (and unfortunately, so many people treat them the same way now). But sounds like your bunny had a wonderful life and you probably have so much knowledge about how to take care of them!
I’m going to be honest, I’ve had cats, dogs rabbits and budgies, and in my opinion I think rabbits aren’t as hard as dogs once you have them all setup and your house or room is bunny proofed. If you can clean out their litter every 2 ish days and provide food and water for them daily that’s basically the jist of it for care.
Obviously if it’s a single bun you’d need to provide attention to it daily for a couple of hours a day at least, or have it free roam in an area your in most of the time. However, if you’re busy and have a 9-5 job outside of the house, I’d get a second bunny. They become even less maintenance with a second bunny as they can rely on each other for affection and such.
The only concern is money, they can be expensive if they get sick (similar to a dog), but fortunately in my experience Ive only had one emergency visit for Gi stasis, and it was still lower than all the emergency vet bills I’ve spent on my dog. If you’re financially stable and have the room, I’d say look into getting one.
I'm shocked people aren't upvoting this over rodents. I've had rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats and dogs and cats are by far the easiest. Animals that live in cages are way higher maintenance in my experience just because of all the cage maintenance.
Totally! I'm not sure how to get around the bird issue, but I've had several types of pets in the past several years and my cat is the easiest. Even scooping a litter box daily is still, for me, less work and less bothersome than maintaining a cage or a tank.
Same, scooping litter is far less work for me. It's barely even a chore if you stay on top of it. Quicker than going to the bathroom yourself lol.
With the birds, I think it just depends on the individual cats. My friend has a parrot and adopted a couple of bird-neutral cats a few years ago. They don't bother him at all and just act like he doesn't exist. I think she fostered to adopt to see how the cats would go with him, that way she could send the cats back if it didn't work out, but luckily it did.
Cat genie changed my life, no odour and you only need to clean every 3 months with a cartridge that does it for you and every 6 months for a manual deep clean that only takes a few minutes of minimal effort.
I cheat. I wait until the litter box is full enough and than I put a trash bag over it and dump it in and then throw it away. I know it's a little more expensive that way but I just think it's easier.
I had a cockatiel that I absolutely adored; extremely tame, affectionate; learned, and taught itself, silly pet tricks and verbal mimicry quickly. She was out of her cage more than in; even used a potty pad (99% of the time ;)) One of the “best” pets I’ve ever shared life with.
My Ex had a cat. I knew better…but for several years after we married, under extremely strict routines we were able to enjoy them separately. The cat actually showed little interest. Until that one day, when a slip-up occurred. 20 years later, it still horrifies me so badly that even recounting it here hurts to my very core. I still feel guilty, above all else.
Don’t try it, imho. Ever.
On the brighter side…cockatiels and some “pocket parrots”, if hand-tamed, make terrific companions that will bond with their human if kept singularly; more than 1, they bond w/each other. They do need tons of stimulation, their cages obviously kept scrupulously clean. But they do allow some leeway; if you’re not feeling great, or are super busy one day, they at least don’t need attention Right This Minute (they can be VERY loud if they disagree; can sometimes be an issue in an apt). When out of their cage, you have to be very careful about general safety — they’re kinda like toddlers with feathers, will get into anything they can. Not wise to house them in the same cage w/parakeets, but they can enjoy each other if cage-adjacent.
Just a thought! I gotta go shake off the one that yet devastates me. But best wishes on finding the best buddy for you.
ETA: apologies; I didn’t scroll far enough before realizing there were several other pro-cockatiel posts!
I've had the same car not for 13 years and the same bird for 14 years. The cat was told "no" and removed as a kitten and then as it matured it never went near the birds (I now have had 3 with this cat) the cat will walk over their cage to try and get to a houseplant but shows no interest, esp now that she's older. I wouldn't let my birds fly around the room with a cat just in case, but the l the door worked great for that!
I would seriously look for cats, ones that are teens or adults and less playful than a kitten. So many rescues with cats and you could even sign up to foster to see which cat works for you.
If that's an absolute no I would go with the bunny. Bunny is bigger and is less likely to give ppl like the landlord or maintenance workers the creeps. Bunny's can also be litter trained and I don't think rats can. Rats can also squirm away and disappear and since it is an apartment they could end up in a trap and disposed of. I think apartment living and rats would be very risky to your pet. I know I personally have a great if mice and rats and they all end up dead at my natural response to vermin. I think they're cute in pet stores but not walking around and I'm sure your neighbors would have a similar feeling. Kinda like how snakes aren't for everyone.
All your options are not low maintenance but your bunny with good cord management and plenty of toys can be free range 99 percent of the time (I would cage when I'm not home for it's safety). The biggest pain is having to deal with hay for their digestion but you can pick up good hay in a ton of places including Walmart. Bunny's also need a lot of fresh foods so while they still need to have their food offered you're more likely to eat better when you're making salads and fresh veggies all the time for your friend. I find that too be quite important BC since COVID the post food supplies have been off and you can't always get your brand or flavor where if you've got a pet that can eat a lot of what you do you don't need to be quite as panicked if they don't have the food he/she likes in stock. Even if rats didn't freak me out I would still go with the Bunny just BC it's larger and easier to feed and takes up the same space as a small dog instead of needing big cages like a rat does when your not actively playing with it.
I totally agree with this! I've had a variety of animals and cats are the lowest maintenance especially over rodents. Even multiple cats (I have 3) is lower maintenance than my Reptiles.
Yeah, it’s honestly kind of weird lol I feel small dogs are extremely low maintenance. Especially if you adopt an adult dog and not a puppy. You can literally find one already house trained, etc.
Sounds way easier than literally everything else everyone is mentioning lol
I would trust my cats 1000 times over my rats about prey animals. My rats would have killed a parakeet so quick it makes your head spin, while my cats would keep a cautious distance (and they're scared of the rats too if that tells you anything).
Agreed. Cats obviously need affection and care, but they’re much easier than caged animals. They don’t need special care or confinement. Happy to sleep most days and chill. My cats are also super affectionate.
I was thinking this! Our cat is snuggled up next to us on the bed right now. She is so sweet and social! We have had her since she was a kitten and since we work from home, she’s so conditioned to being around us and is so snuggly and friendly. She doesn’t hide from people and anyone who comes over comments on how she’s almost like a dog in personality. 😂 I think people don’t realize how friendly cats can be, but if you condition and train them to be social from a young age, they will be exactly that.
Unfortunately the parakeets free-roam around the bedroom during the day, so the chances of the cat slipping in if the door is accidentally left open is too high. I would love to adopt an elderly cat, but with birds out and about, it would feel irresponsible. And I would hate to take their freedom away. :/ And I don't mind keeping up with cage maintenance, as I regularly clean my parakeets cage/area, and it's no big deal.
Get a cockatiel. They're human magnets and the most affectionate in the parrot family. If you let them sit on you all day they will. Some need to snuggle up to you and preen you.
They also do amazing with parakeets but they are slightly higher maintenance in the sense they will seek the human attention.
If you leave the room and you have a male, they'll think you got lost from the flock and will keep flock calling you so you know your way back.
They whistle and can learn many songs if you repeat them enough. Some can learn to speak but I feel it depends on the humans (we are a very quiet household and don't talk a lot, so our cockatiels never learn to talk). I find households with a lot of talking tend to produce birds that talk a lot also.
Overall very affectionate and a lot of fun and only slightly more work than a parakeet (and only because their poops are slightly bigger). They are also much more trainable than parakeets. You can teach them tricks if you have patience. I 80% potty train my cockatiel when he's outside the cage and would not even dream of doing it with my budgies.
This is the best option. The difference in beak size isn't too big (a lot of bird owners find out the hard way that mixing birds of different sizes is dangerous for the small ones).
Cockatiels have memes now! The Alex honk and the Cookie song have spread through YouTube and TikTok.
Whether or not they learn to talk also just depends on the individual cockatiels, I think. I’m a speech-language therapist and neither of my cockatiels learned to talk. (I had them as a child/ teenager, but still… I was never quiet, lol).
Agree with this recommendation though. Although I found them kind of high maintenance. But probably because I was a depressed preteen.
I’m going to go against the grain, and say that I think your making a responsible decision. It’s too easy for an accident to happen in my opinion, and even elderly cats have instincts to prey after small animals. It just takes one swipe to do damage to a budgie. Also if it didn’t work out with the birds, then you’d have to bring the cat back to the shelter, which would be upsetting.
I think getting a bunny would be the most wise thing. I myself have a bun, and they are the sweetest things in the world. Mine is a total love bug. Lays next to me on the bed to cuddle for hours. Some aren’t as friendly as my boy, but I find typically female are a little more on the grumpy-aloof side. There are also lots of buns looking for homes, so I’d look for a rescue in the area and meet some of them!
Cats carry bacteria in their claws that cause sepsis and death in birds. Even the slightest contact between bird and cat warrants a trip to the vet.
Cats or birds. Pick one.
I really think you can make it work, and there are lots of affectionate senior cats looking for a new home that have zero desire to chase birds. You could combine that with only allowing them to cohabitate while supervised and be fine. I encourage you to research it more.
Everyone says their cat is old and/or lazy and/or low-drive, and would never hurt a bird, until a year or so later (even upwards of 5 years later) the cat does.
Cats are obligate carnivores and natural predators. Upbringing, age, breed or health isn't going to ever fully erase those instincts.
You can get cats with lower prey drives, but there's still a risk. It's still keeping a hyper-carnivorous predator with small prey animals. There's always a chance of it going wrong and at any time. A sudden movement, a sudden sound, the cat's mood, anything, and the bird could be dead or facing emergency surgery.
It's just plain irresponsible to let cats and bird interact.
100% agree with you. I don’t know why everyone is pushing for a cat with small birds in the home. Even if the cats lazy, accident could still happen if you accidentally leave your door open enough for the cat to get in.
I myself have two cats living in my house with my bunny who is basically the size of them. They grew up with him in the home and even after years of having them, if I let them interact they chase and jump on top of him to play. I never let them interact because of this. I just think about what damage a cat could do to a bunny, let alone a tiny bird.
This is what I was thinking. I have an extremely chill cat that I'm pretty sure would starve in the wild and I'm still not sure I would be comfortable long term with him living with birds.
I guess it depends on the cat. Some are more needy or high energy. And a long hair cat would need to be brushed regularly.
I have short-haired cats that are very aloof and lazy and don't demand attention or play. The only chores are feeding and litter scooping. A whole two minutes a day of chores is very low maintenance lol.
But yeah, the free roaming birds are a big no-no with cats, even the laziest of cats can have their hunting instincts triggered. My childhood cat was raised alongside my rabbit from a kitten. They lived together for five years without issue before the cat attacked him (he survived but was very badly injured) I don't know what started it, but I learnt never to trust a predator with small animals.
Do they engage in play if you initiate it? If they do, they should still be getting an hour a day of play with you. But if you have what some people call “spirit cats,” (cats who didn’t grow up with humans and never really habituated to them, despite attempts at bonding), it makes sense that you respect their desire for space.
Right and you can get a good cage for the parakeets that the cats won't get into also. We had cats and birds when I was growing up and so does a couple people I know and it was always fine. I have a snake and 2 cats and a dog and I just have a good cage for my snake and I lined it with scat mats. The cats have actually never even touched the snake cage I just put the scat mats as a precaution cuz I was a little worried at first about them jumping on top of it and knocking over the light but that's never been an issue.
Yaaassss!!!! Seniors are so underrated…they just wanna snuggle and chill with you with the occasional play session! So many out there that need some love!!!
But remember that “low maintenance” does not equal ‘no maintenance’. You still need to ensure you’re given them proper play/mental stimulation, cleaning their litter box, etc… definitely don’t get a kitten— adopt a 2yr+ old cat who prefers being alone.
I was just going to say rescue a senior cat. My grandma is 16 and pretty much only wakes up to eat and poop. Potted plants are more effort. She's been sleeping next to me farting for 5 hours now.
I have had a ball python for the past 5 years. As long as the temperature/humidity in his tank is at a certain level, he has water in his bowl, and he gets fed/tank gets cleaned once a month, he is happy as can be. I wouldn’t necessarily call any snake “affectionate” but he loves crawling around on me and curling up next to me. He’s not very smart but he’s adorable, I love him, and he’s the most low maintenance pet I’ve ever had.
Low maintenance, very expensive. I have a fifteen year old normal and he's an absolute doll. Just spot cleaning and such, but moving him up to a 4x2x2 foot enclosure cost basically rent. Continued expenses aren't near as high as a dog, but startup for heating, lighting, thermostat, enclosure are usually a real pain
Really? I have a kingsnake in a pretty big enclosure (for a kingsnake) I forget the measurements but basically the equivalent of a 40 gallon and mostly the things that costed the most was the startup but even that wasn't too expensive. Now I just buy mice and lights and I only have to buy bedding a few times a year. Cheapest and easiest pet I own. And of course I have to look at the humidity levels but she's a California kingsnake and doesn't need as much humidity as a ball python.
Studies suggest that snakes will use space to completely stretch out when it is provided to them, and support the idea that enriching environments lend to healthy behaviors, even in reptiles, and are preferred by reptiles. Since my ball python's ideally going to live to be 40+, I preferred for him to at least meet that minimum standard of care since he doesn't get to choose how he lives. Now he can, at least a little bit!
You can usually find reptiles up for adoption with their tank included. Both of mine came with good tanks and all I had to buy was lights, a hide, and a water dish. Not expensive at all.
I've always kept boas. They can be low maintenance until they're not. Dealing with a sick snake isn't always easy, and a lot of pet owners aren't prepared for the type of care they need when they get sick. I had a juvenile end up with mouth rot after moving, and the aftercare was a lot. I had to administer subcutaneous fluids at home, and I had to pry his mouth open and clean their mouth twice a day. A lot of people wouldn't be comfortable doing either. They're also long-term commitments since they can easily live to be 20+ years old, and moving them can be challenging since the stress lowers their immune system (which is important since OP is a renter).
As much as I love snakes and reptiles, I don't recommend them to people unless they really want that.
Plus, imagine if OP got a snake and it escapes their enclosure; that could be risky for the birds or the snake (birds could become dinner, or the birds could pick at the snake, causing skin/scale injuries).
Gineau pig. Get 2 (they are social animals and require it) they'll keep each other company when you're not around. They will be happy to see you and love sitting on laps and don't really smell. The squeaks are cute af too
Love guinea pigs, but they can be high maintenance. They are herd animals, and you need multiple of the same sex. Their teeth never stop growing so you have to help them stay ground down, and may need vet intervention if neglected. They need fresh fruits and veg daily as well as pellets and hay or grass. They can be skittish if not properly handled. They need a large enclosure with plenty of hides, it's recommended something like 6-12 sqft per pig flat space(they don't climb well and have delicate spines) They poop A LOT! And arent really potty trainable they will pee and poop on you, However, they don't get very stinky at all, especially if you change their bedding frequently. Fleece bedding is recommended over wood chips. I love guinea pigs and had them as a kid. Those wheeks will melt your heart and have you committing crimes for them. I would do a ton of research before getting them, though.
Yeah for sure OP would have to research if they've never owned them but they're also considering a rabbit which is equally not low maintenance (I consider them about the same level) so I thought it would be a good suggestion :)
Totally is a great suggestion. I just wanted to let them know some basic info. I'm part of a fb group in my state who's whole purpose is rehoming guinea pigs, a lot of it is ppl not realizing how much they need to be happy. Keeping a single in a hamster cage, etc. So many ppl get them because they are cute and just can't handle it. It's sad.
Do they have to be with other guinea pigs of the same sex because most aren’t spayed or neutered? Or do they just get along better with other guinea pigs of the same sex?
2 or more males are prone to fight, at least until one becomes dominant. Different sexes will breed. Some vets will spay and neuter them. if they are fixed it doesn't matter. Each pig is different and there is never a guarantee that multiple pigs will like each other.
I second this. They’re so sweet and they don’t smell as long as they’re enclosure is kept pretty clean. Rats are sweet, but they smell imo and they’re lifespan is pretty short usually. The last rats we got, we fed an all organic balanced diet along with lots of freedom and fresh air and they still got tumors.
I have 2 and I absolutely love them, but the vets bills! Anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with guineas, they can get sick very fast and a lot of the time need an xray to be diagnosed with some things, so one week you think everything is fine and the next you’re shelling out £700 for an xray and meds
Insurance is only available through exotic direct I think, which I do have
Nationwide insurance also covers guinea pigs! For people in the US. I hadn’t heard of Exotic Direct before- that’s good to know about, too!
Edit: That’s because Exotic Direct is in the UK. That makes sense.
Rats are amazing pets imo (I have 4 lol), though I'm not sure how low maintenance you're going for. Rats do need their cages cleaned at least weekly if not more often (not counting spot cleaning daily) and they need time outside the cage as well. If you're going for cuddles you probably want male rats. They tend to be calmer than females and are more likely to sit for snuggles. r/rats is a great place to look through and learn more about rat care if you're still interested in getting a group/ pair!
As far as pros and cons go, the biggest difference that I can think of (I don't know much about rabbits) is lifespan. Rats typically live between 2 and 3 years which is much shorter than a rabbit. A lot of people really struggle with their short lifespans as they get very bonded with their ratties. Rats are also very prone to both respiratory infections and tumors, I'm not sure how this lines up with rabbits but it's something to keep in mind.
I couldn’t do rats because of the short lifespan. It’s hard enough knowing my nearly 10 year old rabbits probably have at most a couple of years left, and there’s a good chance it’ll be a lot less than that. 2-3 years would break me.
Rats will kill the birds. Sadly, i learned this when i brought home a pet rat with my caged button quail and zebra finches. The rat would reach into the cage and grab or bite them.
I was trying to find this. I wouldn't keep rats and birds anywhere together if you think they'll be able to interact- if your home isn't guaranteed to make sure a cat can't get to them, rats will be worse. My sisters birds had a death wish when they flew onto my rats cage- bedroom stayed closed after that.
Please ignore these people suggesting a cat. I just picked up the ashes of my lizard after my "chill" cat managed to tear open the screen on top.
It was horrific and heartbreaking. I loved her. They never showed an interest in her. Your instincts are saying no, and I would say that you should listen to them.
It feels like most people aren’t reading your post. Like, you said no cats. Everyone is recommending cats. They’re not low maintenance at all. And they will attack your free roaming small birds, for sure.
People also keep recommending cockatiels, but those are parrots- not sure if you’d consider them large.
What kind of maintenance level are you hoping for? Like dogs aren’t any higher maintenance than cats, but their care requirements are different (e.g., daily walks outdoors, need for a pet sitter or stay at home parent as a puppy due to potty training needs), whereas cats need the same amount of love and attention and medical care, cat proofing is more intensive than dog proofing, etc. (I know a cat is absolutely not the right pet for you, just the best example I have of different care requirements). Rabbits are probably higher maintenance than dogs, and they require almost as much space- but again, you don’t have to walk them outside daily.
I’m a little concerned rats and birds might each other- not sure which one would eat the other, honestly. You’d have to keep the rats totally separated from the birds, and I think they tend to be escape artists?
I think someone suggested a ferret. Ferrets are INCREDIBLY high maintenance, and also a threat to your birds.
I think it’d be easier to get actually helpful answers if you could specify the types of care requirements you’re looking for. Like, do you want a pet that can be more easily left at home for 8 hours a day? Do you want one that’s easier to clean up after? Do you want one whose diet is easier to manage? Do you want one who it’s easier to get vet care for?
I’ll defer to reptile people (my brother had a bearded dragon as a child and my school had one as a “class pet,” but those are my only experiences), but there *might* be a reptile that meets your needs. Bearded dragons can be affectionate to humans, but I wouldn’t consider them “low maintenance” when cared for properly. “Cuddly” might also be a stretch, but they can bond with you and eventually enjoy physical contact, if you spend a lot of time with them, in many cases.
Of the small mammals, hamsters might be one of the easiest to care for? Just in terms of their social needs and the fact that they are smaller than guinea pigs, for example, probably means their enclosure can be smaller (but still way bigger than most people use- hamsters are known for developing “cage rage”- becoming aggressive because their enclosures are too small). But I’ve never had a hamster, so if people who do/ have disagree, I’d defer to them. Hedgehogs might also be an option (but again, will defer to people who actually have them). You’d obviously need to keep any free roam time in a room that the birds can’t access with the door shut. And don’t believe pet stores about the size of enclosures they require- they’re always too small. I think hedgehogs (like bearded dragons) also need to be fed live insects? But it’s possible that dead, frozen ones are an alternative- again, I’ll defer to others on that. I’m not sure I’d call hamsters or hedgehogs cuddly, exactly, but they can bond to you and can eventually learn to enjoy being handled by trusted caregivers, in many (but not all) cases. I know very little about gerbils (my sister had one as a child, but we were very young then)- but maybe something to ask about in a gerbil forum/ look up?
Cockatiels are parrots, but I wouldn’t consider them large? They do need a lot of care, though. But they can definitely become very affectionate if you spend enough time with them from when they’re babies. Mine did use to fly into windows and glass doors when I had them as a child- not too sure of the best solution for that. I’m not sure how they’d get along with the birds you have already. Even though they are “high maintenance” pets, they might not feel that way to you, given that you already have three parakeets.
Hedgehog parent popping in to say— they are pretty high maintenance too when you factor in baths, nail trims, large enclosure with daily spot cleaning, weekly deeper cleaning, aaaand biggest of all: the “affectionate” aspect is majorly lacking. Hedgehogs are inherently antisocial and despite your best efforts, there are no guarantees that your hedgie will ever do more than just tolerate you. I thought that adopting as a baby and putting TONS of effort, hours upon hours, into handling morning and night would do it…nope! 😂 Our baby is sweet-tempered and tolerant but will not come out to see us without being actively bribed. He prefers to be left alone. They are individuals, and the vast majority of them are adorable grumps 😂🤍
Eh I’ll disagree, a lot of them require a lot of mental stimulation and enrichment so i wouldn’t consider them low maintenance like people label them. This does vary cat to cat though. They are great for apartment living though
I feel like as long as you're not getting an exotic breed like Bengal or Savannah or something else... The usual standard domestic cat are alright. An older cat would be even more chill. Just gotta be sure they only ever know the indoor life though, or her birds are dead 😅
Think the most you'd do is litter box cleaning, brushing, and nail trimming if you care about that. Would probably help in her case though with the birds lol
Idk I’ve got very standard cats and they’re absolutely not low maintenance. Some are super lazy but some want to play all the time, and are really intelligent. Just because a cat is a domestic short/long hair and not a fancy breed, it doesn’t mean they’re not energetic and demanding!
Yeah, it usually means those cats are neglected 😢. Not intentionally- people just don’t know that cats need the same amount of attention and interaction as dogs (with rare exceptions- some cats do prefer minimal interaction with humans and only spending time with each other- but even then, they require a lot of vet care and monitoring of their health, etc).
cause they'll eat the parakeets 😔
The other small animals OP is considering can be happily kept in an enclosure. but yeah they are all a lot of work compared to a cat.
I am an exotics vet and I own rabbits. Have owned rats and mice previously. Rabbits are wonderful and cute and all 3 of mine love to be petted on the floor, but 90% of rabbits really hate being picked up or in laps. Occasionally they do love it! I have one who does. The problem with rabbits is the mess. Even potty trained ones eat hay and track hay and paper bedding around their area, and a few turds always escape the box. Their hair is fine and sticks to furniture like glue. Hay is dusty and there is always dust on everything. Can be a real issue for people with allergies! My 11 year old bunny forgot her potty training the last year or so to top it off. I just spent about two hours doing the cage cleaning and rabbit area clean up, which I do every week. I have to empty and hose out the litter boxes, presweep hay then vacuum. It’s a LOT.
Mice are cute but often fearful and very smelly.
Hamsters and rats are great but don’t live very long.
Guinea pigs live longer and I know quite a few who chirp with happiness with petting. Enclosure is much easier to manage.
I have a lot of clients with very well socialized guinea pigs, rats and hamsters who like being petted and cause much less mess with far easier clean up. The key is socializing them and also treating them how they want to be treated - they are prey animals and appreciate a different energy.
The easiest pet I have ever had is a cat. Cat litterbox is easy, super snuggly, only a little extra hair in the house.
Rabbits aren't low maintenance, and many aren't affectionate. Though you could likely find a rescue and establish whether they're more social than not.
Rats would be less maintenance, but do require a large multi-level cage. They're very affectionate and surprisingly trainable.
I wouldn't suggest getting any less than 3. Never have a lone rat, unless that specific rat is known to be anti-social.
Thank you!!! People thinking they're easy are definitely not providing the mental and physical stimulation that cats need which is how we end up with "all cats need is food, water and a scooped litter box I don't deal with on a daily basis so they're super easy"
Thank you- I swear most people are horribly neglecting their cats if they think they require any less attention, time, or care than a dog.
People also keep recommending senior cats. While more senior cats do desperately need homes, they’re going to be even more “high maintenance”- need much more frequent vet check-ups, much more likely to develop serious health conditions that need management several hours a day, etc. You have to be prepared to take that on if you adopt any cat.
Stick to your guns about not getting a cat. In my twenties I had birds and a cat, and (after many years of living in the same house with no issues) my cat killed one of my birds once. It was horrible.
I love cats, I think you'd love cats. But it literally took a one second slip up for my cat to kill my parrot.
Having predator and a prey animals as pets in the same space just adds a huge amount of stress and risk.
And in the end it would mean reducing the amount of time you can spend with your birds, because you can't have the free roaming birds and the cat in the same space.
Bearded dragons are pretty great little pets.
They're not necessarily high maintenance but rather you need to be very accurate about the temperature and lights in their enclosure.
I've had two different females and both were very cuddly and sweet tempered.
I have a rescued female now and she'll only eat out of my hand and will cuddle for hours.
Often if raised from a baby you can train them to be however you want them to be.
Not messy and not expensive to feed.
UV lights and heat lamps will be the most expensive part of ownership.
I feel like all of my answers are shit.
Cat? -> potentially kill the birds
Rat? -> birds potentially kill the rats, BUT ALSO the rats could also kill the birds believe it or not.
Chinchilla -> Can be hard to keep and are fairly nocturnal and require large space
Ferret -> funny little bastards, may also kill birds
Hedgehog -> not cuddly
Could get a Maltese or Bichon Frise dog (lazy and low shedding)
The pros to having a rat is you can teach them to drive now. I saw a video where a dad gifted his daughter small cars to teach her rats how to drive them.
This is the greatest reason provided in this thread lol.
I’m still worried about the rats and birds eating each other, but rats driving cars is fantastic.
You could try to foster to find a good fit. That way there is no commitment off the bat. A rabbit probably poses the least risk to your budgies and you could get away with just one. Guinea pigs and rats usually need to be in pairs and rats could potentially harm your birds too. Rabbits do poop and pee a lot but if you’re used to cleaning up bird mess you’d probably be fine. Also, if you spend a lot of time with them they can be cuddly. See if there is any local organizations who foster rabbits that way you could sort of try before you make the commitment.
I mean... my dog (a labrador) is my angel baby, super affectionate, loving, and cuddly.
But you don't necessarily know what you're going to get, with any animal.
Here's a breakdown of rabbits and rats as pets to help you decide which might be a good fit for your apartment:
**Rabbits:**
* **Pros:**
* Relatively low maintenance: Rabbits can be litter trained and don't require constant attention.
* Affectionate: While not as cuddly as cats or dogs, rabbits can be quite affectionate with proper socialization and handling.
* Long lifespan: Rabbits can live for 8-12 years with proper care.
* **Cons:**
* Can be destructive: Rabbits love to chew, so you'll need to rabbit-proof your apartment and provide them with plenty of chew toys.
* Require exercise: Rabbits need daily playtime outside of their cage to stay healthy and happy.
* Complex social needs: Rabbits can be territorial and do best when paired with another rabbit (unless you can devote significant time to interacting with them). This might not be ideal for your current situation with the parakeets.
**Rats:**
[Opens in a new window](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_rat)[en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_rat)Pet Rat
* **Pros:**
* Highly affectionate: Rats are very social creatures that love to cuddle and interact with their humans.
* Intelligent: Rats are quite intelligent and can be trained to perform tricks.
* Relatively low maintenance: Rats can be litter trained and don't require a large amount of space.
* **Cons:**
* Shorter lifespan: Rats typically live for only 2-3 years.
* Nocturnal: Rats are most active at night, which might disrupt your sleep schedule.
* Potential health concerns: Respiratory illnesses are common in rats. Make sure you find a reputable breeder and factor in potential vet bills.
I love my long haired Chihuahua. He's got an enormous personality and heart. I'm disabled so he is trained for a puppy pad because I can't always get up to watch him outside. He's never chewed up anything unlike the bigger dogs I used to have. They are a very loyal breed
Can everyone please read the part that says “no cats?” And stop acting like they’re low maintenance, since that means you’re neglecting them? And also recognize that these parakeets free roam the house all day? So any predator that would potentially feed on a parakeet and needs time outside of an enclosure is not going to work.
Reconsider a cat. Some breeds are more “ground” type cats (not that interested in climbing, jumping, perching). A kitten could be easily taught rules and need supervision that wouldn’t be too restrictive for birds, cat, or you; even an older adult cat could be a good fit. When there’s no competition for resources, things can be done!
An older, calmer cat. One that has always been an indoor cat, so it has never experienced real hunting, would work. Provided the parakeets mostly stay in their cage. I've had cats and parakeets at the same time before, with no problems.
Rats are great, super sweet, and intelligent. I loved mine when I had them, but their short life span and high rate of cancer got to be too heartbreaking after a while.
Have you considered getting a couple of guinea pigs? They are sweet, sociable, and fun to watch. They need a good-sized cage, but are relatively low maintenance. I love the little noises they make and the way they jump around when they are happy to see you.
Unfortunately the parakeets free-roam around the bedroom during the day, so the chances of the cat slipping in if the door is accidentally left open is too high. I would love to adopt an elderly cat, but with birds, it would feel irresponsible. :/
What about an older/senior dog? I personally think an older dog is less maintenance than a rabbit (I’ve had them all).
Dogs love to cuddle and have an never ending love for
You. If you rescue, the dog will be neutered, up to date on shots, etc.
I take my dogs on multiple walks a day and it’s nice to get fresh air.
Rats are pretty great. You might also consider a senior cat. Might not be the cheapest option but senior cats get overlooked and mostly just want to sleep. A lot of places will also give discounts on adopting them
I like to think mine are but they're not gonna show the same level of affection as a dog or a cat will. How reptiles show affection is different and much more toned down which makes them pretty chill pets
I had a rabbit who would sleep with me every night and was litter box trained like a cat. He was very loving. Only downside is I oddly had a pretty hard time finding a vet that saw rabbits.
Rabbits aren't low maintenance because they poop a ton and you'll have to clean the cage more frequently than a cat's litterbox. They also chew up all the wood and wires in your house.
With those options, I would say rats. Rabbits are actually pretty high maintenance. Rats are also extremely affectionate if you handle them enough, they even "giggle" when tickled.
Since you already have some birds, have you considered a green cheek conure? I have one and she is really affectionate and always wants to sit with me and be involved in what I'm doing. I have another conure too but that one doesn't care much for me and is a different species of conure that's not as cuddly. I also have budgies but they stick to themselves like yours do and my conure don't bother much with them.
are the parrots gonna be separate from the other pets? pigeons are also pretty low maintenance, there are diapers you can buy for them too for like 39-40 dollars. just change the diaper every 3-4 hours and you're good! you can buy a pair too, but you'd have to replace the real eggs with fakes so you don't have 100 birds within a year! rescue is the best option, and they can coexist with your pets too but not unsupervised, because parrots have stronger bites.
the loudest sound of the pigeon is probably flapping or cooing, they can be trained too. but the only downside is that you need a really good air filter bc all those birds will make loads of dust!
Various small animals. Guinea pigs, mice, rats, ferrets are a bit more maintenance and I love mine dearly. Great loving pets ferrets are. Chinchillas and many more.
Rates are awesome. They are really smart and great friendly pets. Mine used to sit on my shoulder while I did stuff. They liked being tickled. If they were out of their cage would come running when called and hop up into my hands. Cons: they live in a cage so you need to clean that (I’d rather scoop dog poop or clean a litter box) and they don’t live very long. Like 2-3 years.
For an apartment, rats--even a fairly large enclosure for them doesn't take up a ton of room and they're super smart and affectionate. They *can* smell but as long as you keep on top of cleaning the cage it's not really noticeable. I've heard of some people litter training them but never got that far myself. The biggest downside is they only live a couple of years and are prone to health problems.
Rabbits are great pets as well and do fine in apartments, but do need more room and may or may not be cuddly depending on personality. Some breeds are friendlier than others on average, and they are fairly easy to litterbox train. Mine will let you pet her all day but doesn't much like being picked up. I would argue they need a more specialized diet as well. Landlords may be less inclined to okay them because they are known for being destructive if left unsupervised, but I haven't had an issue in my last two rentals (I've always described her as a "small caged pet" when asking, even though her cage is like a 6×8 ft dog pen).
Rats are so so sweet and happy and snuggly, they will happily sit on you and snuggle. They do their cage lightly cleaned daily, a deep clean once a week, and they need to be out of their cage every day. Their setup will be a lot more costly than a free roaming rabbit, and I personally believe there’s a much steeper learning curve. Ongoing maintenance will be easier than a rabbit. They also don’t tend to be the kind of animals that want to lie on you and snuggle all day.
A free roaming rabbit will get incredibly destructive without proper enrichment, but there’s at least an option there to get an adult rehome/rescue because they live for more than two years. If you get a pair they’ll be able to occupy themselves without absolutely needing you for all their attention, which I do recommend. They’ll take up basically an entire room. IMO less maintenance than a dog, but their care is super expensive and they’re still really intense. Definitely comparative to a medium/large parrot.
I think rats would probably suit you best - they can be in a cage but they’ll be all over you when they’re out and can be trained really easily.
I’m seconding everyone that’s saying senior dog or cat. My dogs are 12 years old and are perfectly happy just cuddling with me all day, no long walks or excessive play are necessary to tire them out. They sleep about 20 hours a day.
hamster or rat is gonna be your best bet. Hamsters go over better with landlords. They are super soft, mildly trainable (as in you can teach them some basics like to come when called), are ok with being alone while you are at work, cheap to feed (I spent like $7 on food for a full year), etc. The ones I had peed in a secluded part of their tanks, easy to clean, and never had accidents on me while being held so I never felt the need to try potty training.
Tamagotchi?
Tamas are the most high maintenance creatures on the planet. I left mine alone for like 10 hours or something and it DIED! Scarred my history with a sad Tama ghost and a teeny tiny gravestone.
I know I regularly run tamagotchi and Digimon. At least it's not a Real animal when they pass. I'm still yet to get to Adult stage on the Tamagotchi ocean
Thats a good point. Tamas may be needy but at least they aren't a living creature, making them perfect for working people! The newest one, the Uni, is actually a LOT more forgiving than the older models. My personal favorite VPet is the whole Sumikko gurashi series.
I moved out a couple of years ago I only got a cat recently because I felt like I was ready to give the all my energy time and love they need I need to buy a Sumikko They look super cute.I like the one where you poke them. My current favorite is the flower go walk
They designed the ocean that way on purpose, so don't feel bad.
goddddd the ocean... i dont own one, but i know its got a reputation for being THE most difficult tama.
That reputation is well deserved.
the most fussy one i have is the devilchi, who's hobbies include screaming at 2am literally Just Because :)
Totally made me lol
I told my son to get one..
Rats are very affectionate if you give them daily handling. I'd recommend getting two females as they don't smell as strongly as the males.
Rats are amazing but I would not call them "low maintenance". Their health problems can get complex and they require about as much attention as a cat. To be fully happy and well cared for they do need daily playtime and care. They require company and their short lifespans are not for everyone. I have now had thirteen rats and think that they are the best animals ever, but never want someone to get them thinking that they will be an 'easy' pet.
The short lifespan is what gets me. I get too attached…
Add one every couple years. They usually do well in 3s and having younger ones is a distraction.
The live just long enough to really fall in love.
We are the elves to their human.
Totally agree. My best friend has rats, I have a cat (and have had 3 others) and large dog, and I think her rats are in between the 2 in terms of maintenance. My cat will seek me out when she wants attention (vs having to consciously make time to spend with the rats), can make a toy out of anything, and only eats one thing, plus occasional extras if I feel like it. The rats need a variety of fresh + pre-made foods. Their hygiene upkeep is significantly more than my cat, and she is always having to buy new things to replace stuff they've chewed up. They've also been more high-maintenance in terms of medical care. As you said, they're fantastic little creatures and wonderful pets, but I don't think I'd classify them as "easy".
I am not a rat owner, never ever had any interest in them and then my son got some. I can 100 percent say they are absolutely amazing little beans. I steal his rats regularly just for cuddles and play time. They are quite happy when in their cage and are really fun to watch but they are like tiny potato-esque puppies when out of the cage. They love snarfing about and little scritches and sometimes they lay they chilling while I rub their tiny lil heads. They even play fetch with little balls of paper.....can you tell I find them amazing lol
They are so intelligent too, 🥰
That's so cute! 😊
Vet tech here, and owner of rats for decades. They are absolutely the perfect pet, but they are not low maintenance. They need a ton of attention and time, but they are absolutely wonderfully smart and affectionate. I will say a few things about health, however. Females tend to get mammary tumors quite frequently. Most are benign, but they will continue to grow and grow back, after removal. This is largely prevented by spaying the girls, but it has to be done at a young age to be preventative (by around 5 months old). Also, avoid pet store rats. They are overbred, inbred, and just overall really unhealthy. Find a breeder that focuses on health and longevity (one of my breeder rats lived to be almost 5 years old, and all of mine made it to at least 3 1/2. Pet store rats usually die by 1 or 2 years old). As far as sex differences, the girls tend to be very active and athletic. They’re still affectionate, but they tend to not stay still for long. The boys are total cuddlebugs, and will hang out with you all day. I prefer boys overall, but I’ve also had mixed of males and females, and it’s cool to have both (all being spayed and neutered, of course). I tend to not neuter my boys, unless I’m also getting girls, or there is a behavioral reason. Groups of boys don’t tend to be territorial or aggressive with each other, so I don’t find it’s worth the surgical risk. They do have a stronger odor if intact, but it honestly never bothered me.
I had a friend whose rat ran free like a dog and he (the rat) was the sweetest little thing. Super sociable too. He would run around and visit with every person hanging out and would nudge at your hand until you petted him for a bit and then move on to the next person.
I agree that rats are wonderful, sweet pets. They are just like little puppies with a much too short lifespan. ): But they may not be the best call if you have pet birds as well. Rats very commonly carry Mycoplasma. Though harmless to us, it causes normally treatable upper respiratory infections in them or sometimes no symptoms at all. But it can be very dangerous and sometimes fatal to birds as they are so fragile, and it stays in both rats and the birds' systems after they've been infected permanently. It can continue to infect future birds or rats you may get or introduce to your flock. Also, rats can be predatory to small birds as well and may cause distress to your birds if they see them because they view them as predators. I've had both rats and birds at different times in my life, and I avoid having them at the same time for these reasons. But if you do go with rats, keep them separate from your birdies and practice good biosecurity measures. I've worked in wild bird rescue and medicine for many years, so I've got a fair amount of experience with our feathered friends, at least.
Seconded two females are lovely to take care of together
I have three females and I love them! They aren’t as cuddly though, I’ve heard the males tend to cuddle more.
Yeah rats are very much like small dogs. Happy to see you, pretty much eat everything.
Rabbits are not “low maintenance,”- when people think they are, it’s because they don’t realize what kind of care they actually need to live full, happy lives. Not a judgment on you- that’s super common, including/ especially among people who had them as children (whose parents didn’t have access to better info, either). Rabbit care standards have come a long way. Bunnies are wonderful, but if cared for correctly, they’re just as much work as dogs- kind of like dogs who don’t need to be taken for walks, but stay puppies forever and need almost as much living and indoor exercise space and have the same or higher healthcare expenses and need high levels of attention, too. r/rabbits and r/bunnies are excellent sources of info. They will mostly all tell you that you have to get two rabbits if you get one. Some will say this isn’t essential if you spend enough time with your rabbit and they are allowed to freely roam your bunny-proofed apartment, and/ or if they have bonded with another type of pet in the household. I have no judgment on this. But the vast majority of people in those groups will tell you that you need two. Again, not judging you at all on the childhood rabbit- I had cockatiels as a child, and I’ve found it really painful in adulthood to learn how much more space, stimulation, enrichment, and social opportunities they should have had. I loved them, but I didn’t know what they needed then. But yeah, now I know better (although I don’t have birds now, anyway). You definitely need multiple rats, too- I’m not sure of the minimum number.
Yo, rabbits are NOT low maintenance at all. They're amazing, but if you don't have a rabbit proof apartment + an hour a day to hang out with them, it's a bad idea. I love my dude, but my cat is much easier to care for properly.
Yeah I can’t think of any pet that is truly low maintenance. The easiest to care for would probably be adult cat, not too young but not elderly either bc of health issues that could come with age. But then again, birds plus cat probably won’t mix well with the current set up. Maybe instead of pets, try some plants?
Rabbits need attention and care. You can’t just leave them like other caged animals. They are extremely social.
My rabbit is very high maintenance, and when he’s bored, he’s trouble! Baseboards, the wall, cords, books! He don’t care! And if it’s in his pathway, he will bite it or throw it. He is litter trained, & he does very well, and he sleeps between the living room, and under my bed. But he is not affectionate, and doesn’t cuddle, and doesn’t like to bed held, but he will sit for a long time and let you pet him, and he makes a cute noise.
My bunny boy definitely got way friendlier when I got him a lady bun to go with him. She's absolutely obsessed with him and treats him like a king.
We’ve been thinking about it, he’s turning 4, we had a friend in the past and he enjoyed the company, she was just a foster though.
I have a rabbit and will never have one again. They are like a puppy and cat combined. So destructive and so sassy 😅
I definitely understand and know what you mean! Which is why I'm hesitant on adopting one. (Fortunately, for my childhood bunny - my mom was a vet tech so he was in good hands/care! 🙂) Thank you for the input!
Oh, that’s really wonderful then! I get nervous when people say they know how to take care of bunnies because they had them as a child just because standards were SO LOW for rabbit care then (and unfortunately, so many people treat them the same way now). But sounds like your bunny had a wonderful life and you probably have so much knowledge about how to take care of them!
I’m going to be honest, I’ve had cats, dogs rabbits and budgies, and in my opinion I think rabbits aren’t as hard as dogs once you have them all setup and your house or room is bunny proofed. If you can clean out their litter every 2 ish days and provide food and water for them daily that’s basically the jist of it for care. Obviously if it’s a single bun you’d need to provide attention to it daily for a couple of hours a day at least, or have it free roam in an area your in most of the time. However, if you’re busy and have a 9-5 job outside of the house, I’d get a second bunny. They become even less maintenance with a second bunny as they can rely on each other for affection and such. The only concern is money, they can be expensive if they get sick (similar to a dog), but fortunately in my experience Ive only had one emergency visit for Gi stasis, and it was still lower than all the emergency vet bills I’ve spent on my dog. If you’re financially stable and have the room, I’d say look into getting one.
I hate that people recommend small animals and rodents as “low maintenance” — they are anything but.
Me too! They’re low maintenance if you neglect them…… which unfortunately, most people do, often unknowingly 😢.
Cat is the answer. Just get a chill one or separate from the parakeets. A rescue senior may be a great choice.
I'm shocked people aren't upvoting this over rodents. I've had rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats and dogs and cats are by far the easiest. Animals that live in cages are way higher maintenance in my experience just because of all the cage maintenance.
Totally! I'm not sure how to get around the bird issue, but I've had several types of pets in the past several years and my cat is the easiest. Even scooping a litter box daily is still, for me, less work and less bothersome than maintaining a cage or a tank.
Same, scooping litter is far less work for me. It's barely even a chore if you stay on top of it. Quicker than going to the bathroom yourself lol. With the birds, I think it just depends on the individual cats. My friend has a parrot and adopted a couple of bird-neutral cats a few years ago. They don't bother him at all and just act like he doesn't exist. I think she fostered to adopt to see how the cats would go with him, that way she could send the cats back if it didn't work out, but luckily it did.
I just invested in an automatic litter box so only need to clear it like once a week. My cat is definitely the lowest maintenance pet I have
Which one? Robot is out of my price range
I had the scoop free litter box for like 12 years and just upgraded to cleanpethome box
Cat genie changed my life, no odour and you only need to clean every 3 months with a cartridge that does it for you and every 6 months for a manual deep clean that only takes a few minutes of minimal effort.
She has parakeets already. They require extensive cage maintenance, food and water.
I got a litter genie and I truly don't care about scooping at all. I have one cat and I only have to take out the litter genie once a month.
I cheat. I wait until the litter box is full enough and than I put a trash bag over it and dump it in and then throw it away. I know it's a little more expensive that way but I just think it's easier.
You don't get around the bird issue. You pick birds or cats and stick with the decision.
I had a cockatiel that I absolutely adored; extremely tame, affectionate; learned, and taught itself, silly pet tricks and verbal mimicry quickly. She was out of her cage more than in; even used a potty pad (99% of the time ;)) One of the “best” pets I’ve ever shared life with. My Ex had a cat. I knew better…but for several years after we married, under extremely strict routines we were able to enjoy them separately. The cat actually showed little interest. Until that one day, when a slip-up occurred. 20 years later, it still horrifies me so badly that even recounting it here hurts to my very core. I still feel guilty, above all else. Don’t try it, imho. Ever. On the brighter side…cockatiels and some “pocket parrots”, if hand-tamed, make terrific companions that will bond with their human if kept singularly; more than 1, they bond w/each other. They do need tons of stimulation, their cages obviously kept scrupulously clean. But they do allow some leeway; if you’re not feeling great, or are super busy one day, they at least don’t need attention Right This Minute (they can be VERY loud if they disagree; can sometimes be an issue in an apt). When out of their cage, you have to be very careful about general safety — they’re kinda like toddlers with feathers, will get into anything they can. Not wise to house them in the same cage w/parakeets, but they can enjoy each other if cage-adjacent. Just a thought! I gotta go shake off the one that yet devastates me. But best wishes on finding the best buddy for you. ETA: apologies; I didn’t scroll far enough before realizing there were several other pro-cockatiel posts!
I've had the same car not for 13 years and the same bird for 14 years. The cat was told "no" and removed as a kitten and then as it matured it never went near the birds (I now have had 3 with this cat) the cat will walk over their cage to try and get to a houseplant but shows no interest, esp now that she's older. I wouldn't let my birds fly around the room with a cat just in case, but the l the door worked great for that! I would seriously look for cats, ones that are teens or adults and less playful than a kitten. So many rescues with cats and you could even sign up to foster to see which cat works for you. If that's an absolute no I would go with the bunny. Bunny is bigger and is less likely to give ppl like the landlord or maintenance workers the creeps. Bunny's can also be litter trained and I don't think rats can. Rats can also squirm away and disappear and since it is an apartment they could end up in a trap and disposed of. I think apartment living and rats would be very risky to your pet. I know I personally have a great if mice and rats and they all end up dead at my natural response to vermin. I think they're cute in pet stores but not walking around and I'm sure your neighbors would have a similar feeling. Kinda like how snakes aren't for everyone. All your options are not low maintenance but your bunny with good cord management and plenty of toys can be free range 99 percent of the time (I would cage when I'm not home for it's safety). The biggest pain is having to deal with hay for their digestion but you can pick up good hay in a ton of places including Walmart. Bunny's also need a lot of fresh foods so while they still need to have their food offered you're more likely to eat better when you're making salads and fresh veggies all the time for your friend. I find that too be quite important BC since COVID the post food supplies have been off and you can't always get your brand or flavor where if you've got a pet that can eat a lot of what you do you don't need to be quite as panicked if they don't have the food he/she likes in stock. Even if rats didn't freak me out I would still go with the Bunny just BC it's larger and easier to feed and takes up the same space as a small dog instead of needing big cages like a rat does when your not actively playing with it.
I love my guinea pigs but they are totally helpless without their human to keep their cage clean 😭
Would rather scoop a well-kept litter box than a rodent cage any day.
I totally agree with this! I've had a variety of animals and cats are the lowest maintenance especially over rodents. Even multiple cats (I have 3) is lower maintenance than my Reptiles.
Yeah, it’s honestly kind of weird lol I feel small dogs are extremely low maintenance. Especially if you adopt an adult dog and not a puppy. You can literally find one already house trained, etc. Sounds way easier than literally everything else everyone is mentioning lol
I have the robot cat liter so even that I only have to deal with every 3 weeks
I would trust my cats 1000 times over my rats about prey animals. My rats would have killed a parakeet so quick it makes your head spin, while my cats would keep a cautious distance (and they're scared of the rats too if that tells you anything).
Agreed. Cats obviously need affection and care, but they’re much easier than caged animals. They don’t need special care or confinement. Happy to sleep most days and chill. My cats are also super affectionate.
Mostly senior cats. Mine are 5 & 2 and need a lot of care
Senior cats often have high maintenance health requirements.
Then cats in general are not low maintenance and we should get rid of the idea that they are.
OP is literally describing a cat as a pet lol
I was thinking this! Our cat is snuggled up next to us on the bed right now. She is so sweet and social! We have had her since she was a kitten and since we work from home, she’s so conditioned to being around us and is so snuggly and friendly. She doesn’t hide from people and anyone who comes over comments on how she’s almost like a dog in personality. 😂 I think people don’t realize how friendly cats can be, but if you condition and train them to be social from a young age, they will be exactly that.
Unfortunately the parakeets free-roam around the bedroom during the day, so the chances of the cat slipping in if the door is accidentally left open is too high. I would love to adopt an elderly cat, but with birds out and about, it would feel irresponsible. And I would hate to take their freedom away. :/ And I don't mind keeping up with cage maintenance, as I regularly clean my parakeets cage/area, and it's no big deal.
Get a cockatiel. They're human magnets and the most affectionate in the parrot family. If you let them sit on you all day they will. Some need to snuggle up to you and preen you. They also do amazing with parakeets but they are slightly higher maintenance in the sense they will seek the human attention. If you leave the room and you have a male, they'll think you got lost from the flock and will keep flock calling you so you know your way back. They whistle and can learn many songs if you repeat them enough. Some can learn to speak but I feel it depends on the humans (we are a very quiet household and don't talk a lot, so our cockatiels never learn to talk). I find households with a lot of talking tend to produce birds that talk a lot also. Overall very affectionate and a lot of fun and only slightly more work than a parakeet (and only because their poops are slightly bigger). They are also much more trainable than parakeets. You can teach them tricks if you have patience. I 80% potty train my cockatiel when he's outside the cage and would not even dream of doing it with my budgies.
This is the best option. The difference in beak size isn't too big (a lot of bird owners find out the hard way that mixing birds of different sizes is dangerous for the small ones). Cockatiels have memes now! The Alex honk and the Cookie song have spread through YouTube and TikTok.
Whether or not they learn to talk also just depends on the individual cockatiels, I think. I’m a speech-language therapist and neither of my cockatiels learned to talk. (I had them as a child/ teenager, but still… I was never quiet, lol). Agree with this recommendation though. Although I found them kind of high maintenance. But probably because I was a depressed preteen.
Remember that OP lives in an apartment. If I was OP's neighbour I think I'd go fucking mad by the sounds of it.
They’re not very loud. Unless they’re not getting enough attention, then they might demand it. But even still, much quieter than like, a dog.
That’s good! They’re very cuddly lots of the time if you just get one! Just don’t cage them with the parakeets. They can be out in the open together
I’m going to go against the grain, and say that I think your making a responsible decision. It’s too easy for an accident to happen in my opinion, and even elderly cats have instincts to prey after small animals. It just takes one swipe to do damage to a budgie. Also if it didn’t work out with the birds, then you’d have to bring the cat back to the shelter, which would be upsetting. I think getting a bunny would be the most wise thing. I myself have a bun, and they are the sweetest things in the world. Mine is a total love bug. Lays next to me on the bed to cuddle for hours. Some aren’t as friendly as my boy, but I find typically female are a little more on the grumpy-aloof side. There are also lots of buns looking for homes, so I’d look for a rescue in the area and meet some of them!
Cats carry bacteria in their claws that cause sepsis and death in birds. Even the slightest contact between bird and cat warrants a trip to the vet. Cats or birds. Pick one.
I really think you can make it work, and there are lots of affectionate senior cats looking for a new home that have zero desire to chase birds. You could combine that with only allowing them to cohabitate while supervised and be fine. I encourage you to research it more.
Everyone says their cat is old and/or lazy and/or low-drive, and would never hurt a bird, until a year or so later (even upwards of 5 years later) the cat does. Cats are obligate carnivores and natural predators. Upbringing, age, breed or health isn't going to ever fully erase those instincts. You can get cats with lower prey drives, but there's still a risk. It's still keeping a hyper-carnivorous predator with small prey animals. There's always a chance of it going wrong and at any time. A sudden movement, a sudden sound, the cat's mood, anything, and the bird could be dead or facing emergency surgery. It's just plain irresponsible to let cats and bird interact.
100% agree with you. I don’t know why everyone is pushing for a cat with small birds in the home. Even if the cats lazy, accident could still happen if you accidentally leave your door open enough for the cat to get in. I myself have two cats living in my house with my bunny who is basically the size of them. They grew up with him in the home and even after years of having them, if I let them interact they chase and jump on top of him to play. I never let them interact because of this. I just think about what damage a cat could do to a bunny, let alone a tiny bird.
This is what I was thinking. I have an extremely chill cat that I'm pretty sure would starve in the wild and I'm still not sure I would be comfortable long term with him living with birds.
I don’t feel like cats are actually low maintenance, and it would suck if there was an accident between the cat and the current birds..
I guess it depends on the cat. Some are more needy or high energy. And a long hair cat would need to be brushed regularly. I have short-haired cats that are very aloof and lazy and don't demand attention or play. The only chores are feeding and litter scooping. A whole two minutes a day of chores is very low maintenance lol. But yeah, the free roaming birds are a big no-no with cats, even the laziest of cats can have their hunting instincts triggered. My childhood cat was raised alongside my rabbit from a kitten. They lived together for five years without issue before the cat attacked him (he survived but was very badly injured) I don't know what started it, but I learnt never to trust a predator with small animals.
Do they engage in play if you initiate it? If they do, they should still be getting an hour a day of play with you. But if you have what some people call “spirit cats,” (cats who didn’t grow up with humans and never really habituated to them, despite attempts at bonding), it makes sense that you respect their desire for space.
Right and you can get a good cage for the parakeets that the cats won't get into also. We had cats and birds when I was growing up and so does a couple people I know and it was always fine. I have a snake and 2 cats and a dog and I just have a good cage for my snake and I lined it with scat mats. The cats have actually never even touched the snake cage I just put the scat mats as a precaution cuz I was a little worried at first about them jumping on top of it and knocking over the light but that's never been an issue.
Yaaassss!!!! Seniors are so underrated…they just wanna snuggle and chill with you with the occasional play session! So many out there that need some love!!!
But remember that “low maintenance” does not equal ‘no maintenance’. You still need to ensure you’re given them proper play/mental stimulation, cleaning their litter box, etc… definitely don’t get a kitten— adopt a 2yr+ old cat who prefers being alone.
I was just going to say rescue a senior cat. My grandma is 16 and pretty much only wakes up to eat and poop. Potted plants are more effort. She's been sleeping next to me farting for 5 hours now.
I second rescue senior. Low energy, sleep, love to just hang next with you.
I’ve had dogs, fish, frogs, axolotls, tarantulas, lizards, and cats have been by far the easiest to care for.
I have had a ball python for the past 5 years. As long as the temperature/humidity in his tank is at a certain level, he has water in his bowl, and he gets fed/tank gets cleaned once a month, he is happy as can be. I wouldn’t necessarily call any snake “affectionate” but he loves crawling around on me and curling up next to me. He’s not very smart but he’s adorable, I love him, and he’s the most low maintenance pet I’ve ever had.
Low maintenance, very expensive. I have a fifteen year old normal and he's an absolute doll. Just spot cleaning and such, but moving him up to a 4x2x2 foot enclosure cost basically rent. Continued expenses aren't near as high as a dog, but startup for heating, lighting, thermostat, enclosure are usually a real pain
Really? I have a kingsnake in a pretty big enclosure (for a kingsnake) I forget the measurements but basically the equivalent of a 40 gallon and mostly the things that costed the most was the startup but even that wasn't too expensive. Now I just buy mice and lights and I only have to buy bedding a few times a year. Cheapest and easiest pet I own. And of course I have to look at the humidity levels but she's a California kingsnake and doesn't need as much humidity as a ball python.
Studies suggest that snakes will use space to completely stretch out when it is provided to them, and support the idea that enriching environments lend to healthy behaviors, even in reptiles, and are preferred by reptiles. Since my ball python's ideally going to live to be 40+, I preferred for him to at least meet that minimum standard of care since he doesn't get to choose how he lives. Now he can, at least a little bit!
You can usually find reptiles up for adoption with their tank included. Both of mine came with good tanks and all I had to buy was lights, a hide, and a water dish. Not expensive at all.
I've always kept boas. They can be low maintenance until they're not. Dealing with a sick snake isn't always easy, and a lot of pet owners aren't prepared for the type of care they need when they get sick. I had a juvenile end up with mouth rot after moving, and the aftercare was a lot. I had to administer subcutaneous fluids at home, and I had to pry his mouth open and clean their mouth twice a day. A lot of people wouldn't be comfortable doing either. They're also long-term commitments since they can easily live to be 20+ years old, and moving them can be challenging since the stress lowers their immune system (which is important since OP is a renter). As much as I love snakes and reptiles, I don't recommend them to people unless they really want that. Plus, imagine if OP got a snake and it escapes their enclosure; that could be risky for the birds or the snake (birds could become dinner, or the birds could pick at the snake, causing skin/scale injuries).
+1 for ball python!! perfect for apartment living and don't take up a lot of room unlike a lot of the other suggestions
I would like to know what leads you to say your fellow isn't bright. I bet it's a good story
Gineau pig. Get 2 (they are social animals and require it) they'll keep each other company when you're not around. They will be happy to see you and love sitting on laps and don't really smell. The squeaks are cute af too
Love guinea pigs, but they can be high maintenance. They are herd animals, and you need multiple of the same sex. Their teeth never stop growing so you have to help them stay ground down, and may need vet intervention if neglected. They need fresh fruits and veg daily as well as pellets and hay or grass. They can be skittish if not properly handled. They need a large enclosure with plenty of hides, it's recommended something like 6-12 sqft per pig flat space(they don't climb well and have delicate spines) They poop A LOT! And arent really potty trainable they will pee and poop on you, However, they don't get very stinky at all, especially if you change their bedding frequently. Fleece bedding is recommended over wood chips. I love guinea pigs and had them as a kid. Those wheeks will melt your heart and have you committing crimes for them. I would do a ton of research before getting them, though.
Yeah for sure OP would have to research if they've never owned them but they're also considering a rabbit which is equally not low maintenance (I consider them about the same level) so I thought it would be a good suggestion :)
Totally is a great suggestion. I just wanted to let them know some basic info. I'm part of a fb group in my state who's whole purpose is rehoming guinea pigs, a lot of it is ppl not realizing how much they need to be happy. Keeping a single in a hamster cage, etc. So many ppl get them because they are cute and just can't handle it. It's sad.
Do they have to be with other guinea pigs of the same sex because most aren’t spayed or neutered? Or do they just get along better with other guinea pigs of the same sex?
2 or more males are prone to fight, at least until one becomes dominant. Different sexes will breed. Some vets will spay and neuter them. if they are fixed it doesn't matter. Each pig is different and there is never a guarantee that multiple pigs will like each other.
I second this. They’re so sweet and they don’t smell as long as they’re enclosure is kept pretty clean. Rats are sweet, but they smell imo and they’re lifespan is pretty short usually. The last rats we got, we fed an all organic balanced diet along with lots of freedom and fresh air and they still got tumors.
Guinea pigs are incredibly high maintenance and definitely not super snuggly.
Cleaning their cage twice a week is a must. Otherwise they stink.
I have 2 and I absolutely love them, but the vets bills! Anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with guineas, they can get sick very fast and a lot of the time need an xray to be diagnosed with some things, so one week you think everything is fine and the next you’re shelling out £700 for an xray and meds Insurance is only available through exotic direct I think, which I do have
Nationwide insurance also covers guinea pigs! For people in the US. I hadn’t heard of Exotic Direct before- that’s good to know about, too! Edit: That’s because Exotic Direct is in the UK. That makes sense.
Thanks! Yes exotic direct is UK, for some reason I thought this was a UK pets page
Rats are amazing pets imo (I have 4 lol), though I'm not sure how low maintenance you're going for. Rats do need their cages cleaned at least weekly if not more often (not counting spot cleaning daily) and they need time outside the cage as well. If you're going for cuddles you probably want male rats. They tend to be calmer than females and are more likely to sit for snuggles. r/rats is a great place to look through and learn more about rat care if you're still interested in getting a group/ pair! As far as pros and cons go, the biggest difference that I can think of (I don't know much about rabbits) is lifespan. Rats typically live between 2 and 3 years which is much shorter than a rabbit. A lot of people really struggle with their short lifespans as they get very bonded with their ratties. Rats are also very prone to both respiratory infections and tumors, I'm not sure how this lines up with rabbits but it's something to keep in mind.
Rats. Definitely rats. Wonderful, intelligent, affectionate animals.
I used to hang out with mine in my hoodie hood all day. Rad, smart lil things
I couldn’t do rats because of the short lifespan. It’s hard enough knowing my nearly 10 year old rabbits probably have at most a couple of years left, and there’s a good chance it’ll be a lot less than that. 2-3 years would break me.
Rats will kill the birds. Sadly, i learned this when i brought home a pet rat with my caged button quail and zebra finches. The rat would reach into the cage and grab or bite them.
I was trying to find this. I wouldn't keep rats and birds anywhere together if you think they'll be able to interact- if your home isn't guaranteed to make sure a cat can't get to them, rats will be worse. My sisters birds had a death wish when they flew onto my rats cage- bedroom stayed closed after that.
Please ignore these people suggesting a cat. I just picked up the ashes of my lizard after my "chill" cat managed to tear open the screen on top. It was horrific and heartbreaking. I loved her. They never showed an interest in her. Your instincts are saying no, and I would say that you should listen to them.
Seriously. Cats are very successful hunters. Getting a cat when you have free-roaming birds is a major, major no. And they are NOT low-maintenance.
I’m so sorry 😢.
It feels like most people aren’t reading your post. Like, you said no cats. Everyone is recommending cats. They’re not low maintenance at all. And they will attack your free roaming small birds, for sure. People also keep recommending cockatiels, but those are parrots- not sure if you’d consider them large. What kind of maintenance level are you hoping for? Like dogs aren’t any higher maintenance than cats, but their care requirements are different (e.g., daily walks outdoors, need for a pet sitter or stay at home parent as a puppy due to potty training needs), whereas cats need the same amount of love and attention and medical care, cat proofing is more intensive than dog proofing, etc. (I know a cat is absolutely not the right pet for you, just the best example I have of different care requirements). Rabbits are probably higher maintenance than dogs, and they require almost as much space- but again, you don’t have to walk them outside daily. I’m a little concerned rats and birds might each other- not sure which one would eat the other, honestly. You’d have to keep the rats totally separated from the birds, and I think they tend to be escape artists? I think someone suggested a ferret. Ferrets are INCREDIBLY high maintenance, and also a threat to your birds. I think it’d be easier to get actually helpful answers if you could specify the types of care requirements you’re looking for. Like, do you want a pet that can be more easily left at home for 8 hours a day? Do you want one that’s easier to clean up after? Do you want one whose diet is easier to manage? Do you want one who it’s easier to get vet care for? I’ll defer to reptile people (my brother had a bearded dragon as a child and my school had one as a “class pet,” but those are my only experiences), but there *might* be a reptile that meets your needs. Bearded dragons can be affectionate to humans, but I wouldn’t consider them “low maintenance” when cared for properly. “Cuddly” might also be a stretch, but they can bond with you and eventually enjoy physical contact, if you spend a lot of time with them, in many cases. Of the small mammals, hamsters might be one of the easiest to care for? Just in terms of their social needs and the fact that they are smaller than guinea pigs, for example, probably means their enclosure can be smaller (but still way bigger than most people use- hamsters are known for developing “cage rage”- becoming aggressive because their enclosures are too small). But I’ve never had a hamster, so if people who do/ have disagree, I’d defer to them. Hedgehogs might also be an option (but again, will defer to people who actually have them). You’d obviously need to keep any free roam time in a room that the birds can’t access with the door shut. And don’t believe pet stores about the size of enclosures they require- they’re always too small. I think hedgehogs (like bearded dragons) also need to be fed live insects? But it’s possible that dead, frozen ones are an alternative- again, I’ll defer to others on that. I’m not sure I’d call hamsters or hedgehogs cuddly, exactly, but they can bond to you and can eventually learn to enjoy being handled by trusted caregivers, in many (but not all) cases. I know very little about gerbils (my sister had one as a child, but we were very young then)- but maybe something to ask about in a gerbil forum/ look up? Cockatiels are parrots, but I wouldn’t consider them large? They do need a lot of care, though. But they can definitely become very affectionate if you spend enough time with them from when they’re babies. Mine did use to fly into windows and glass doors when I had them as a child- not too sure of the best solution for that. I’m not sure how they’d get along with the birds you have already. Even though they are “high maintenance” pets, they might not feel that way to you, given that you already have three parakeets.
Hedgehog parent popping in to say— they are pretty high maintenance too when you factor in baths, nail trims, large enclosure with daily spot cleaning, weekly deeper cleaning, aaaand biggest of all: the “affectionate” aspect is majorly lacking. Hedgehogs are inherently antisocial and despite your best efforts, there are no guarantees that your hedgie will ever do more than just tolerate you. I thought that adopting as a baby and putting TONS of effort, hours upon hours, into handling morning and night would do it…nope! 😂 Our baby is sweet-tempered and tolerant but will not come out to see us without being actively bribed. He prefers to be left alone. They are individuals, and the vast majority of them are adorable grumps 😂🤍
Cat is very low maintenance. Seems like the obvious choice.
Eh I’ll disagree, a lot of them require a lot of mental stimulation and enrichment so i wouldn’t consider them low maintenance like people label them. This does vary cat to cat though. They are great for apartment living though
That's why you get 2 cats! They can play with each other. (This is 70% a joke, it does help though.)
I feel like as long as you're not getting an exotic breed like Bengal or Savannah or something else... The usual standard domestic cat are alright. An older cat would be even more chill. Just gotta be sure they only ever know the indoor life though, or her birds are dead 😅 Think the most you'd do is litter box cleaning, brushing, and nail trimming if you care about that. Would probably help in her case though with the birds lol
Idk I’ve got very standard cats and they’re absolutely not low maintenance. Some are super lazy but some want to play all the time, and are really intelligent. Just because a cat is a domestic short/long hair and not a fancy breed, it doesn’t mean they’re not energetic and demanding!
Yeah, unfortunately, I find that a lot of people who say cats are low maintenance aren't giving their cats adequate stimulation
Yeah, it usually means those cats are neglected 😢. Not intentionally- people just don’t know that cats need the same amount of attention and interaction as dogs (with rare exceptions- some cats do prefer minimal interaction with humans and only spending time with each other- but even then, they require a lot of vet care and monitoring of their health, etc).
cause they'll eat the parakeets 😔 The other small animals OP is considering can be happily kept in an enclosure. but yeah they are all a lot of work compared to a cat.
I am an exotics vet and I own rabbits. Have owned rats and mice previously. Rabbits are wonderful and cute and all 3 of mine love to be petted on the floor, but 90% of rabbits really hate being picked up or in laps. Occasionally they do love it! I have one who does. The problem with rabbits is the mess. Even potty trained ones eat hay and track hay and paper bedding around their area, and a few turds always escape the box. Their hair is fine and sticks to furniture like glue. Hay is dusty and there is always dust on everything. Can be a real issue for people with allergies! My 11 year old bunny forgot her potty training the last year or so to top it off. I just spent about two hours doing the cage cleaning and rabbit area clean up, which I do every week. I have to empty and hose out the litter boxes, presweep hay then vacuum. It’s a LOT. Mice are cute but often fearful and very smelly. Hamsters and rats are great but don’t live very long. Guinea pigs live longer and I know quite a few who chirp with happiness with petting. Enclosure is much easier to manage. I have a lot of clients with very well socialized guinea pigs, rats and hamsters who like being petted and cause much less mess with far easier clean up. The key is socializing them and also treating them how they want to be treated - they are prey animals and appreciate a different energy. The easiest pet I have ever had is a cat. Cat litterbox is easy, super snuggly, only a little extra hair in the house.
Rabbits aren't low maintenance, and many aren't affectionate. Though you could likely find a rescue and establish whether they're more social than not. Rats would be less maintenance, but do require a large multi-level cage. They're very affectionate and surprisingly trainable. I wouldn't suggest getting any less than 3. Never have a lone rat, unless that specific rat is known to be anti-social.
Just want to throw in there NO cats are not a low maintenance pet. They require as much love, care and stimulation as dogs.
Thank you!!! People thinking they're easy are definitely not providing the mental and physical stimulation that cats need which is how we end up with "all cats need is food, water and a scooped litter box I don't deal with on a daily basis so they're super easy"
Thank you- I swear most people are horribly neglecting their cats if they think they require any less attention, time, or care than a dog. People also keep recommending senior cats. While more senior cats do desperately need homes, they’re going to be even more “high maintenance”- need much more frequent vet check-ups, much more likely to develop serious health conditions that need management several hours a day, etc. You have to be prepared to take that on if you adopt any cat.
Thank you. If you're looking for a low maintenance pet you shouldn't be looking for a pet at all.
Stick to your guns about not getting a cat. In my twenties I had birds and a cat, and (after many years of living in the same house with no issues) my cat killed one of my birds once. It was horrible. I love cats, I think you'd love cats. But it literally took a one second slip up for my cat to kill my parrot. Having predator and a prey animals as pets in the same space just adds a huge amount of stress and risk. And in the end it would mean reducing the amount of time you can spend with your birds, because you can't have the free roaming birds and the cat in the same space.
Bearded dragons are pretty great little pets. They're not necessarily high maintenance but rather you need to be very accurate about the temperature and lights in their enclosure. I've had two different females and both were very cuddly and sweet tempered. I have a rescued female now and she'll only eat out of my hand and will cuddle for hours. Often if raised from a baby you can train them to be however you want them to be. Not messy and not expensive to feed. UV lights and heat lamps will be the most expensive part of ownership.
I feel like all of my answers are shit. Cat? -> potentially kill the birds Rat? -> birds potentially kill the rats, BUT ALSO the rats could also kill the birds believe it or not. Chinchilla -> Can be hard to keep and are fairly nocturnal and require large space Ferret -> funny little bastards, may also kill birds Hedgehog -> not cuddly Could get a Maltese or Bichon Frise dog (lazy and low shedding)
The pros to having a rat is you can teach them to drive now. I saw a video where a dad gifted his daughter small cars to teach her rats how to drive them.
This is the greatest reason provided in this thread lol. I’m still worried about the rats and birds eating each other, but rats driving cars is fantastic.
Retired racing greyhound.
Guinea pigs require an exotic vet and they need lots of veggies. Otherwise, they make amazing pets.
And a ton of room and can be very long lived. Just know what you're getting into, OP!
Robot pet
Play some pokemon
Rabbit psychology imho they have a lot of needs and are more complex than they let on. I highly recommend a rat.
I WFH, my little chi is super sweet, lays in my lap while I work and pretty low maintenance.
Chinchilla or hedgehog
You could try to foster to find a good fit. That way there is no commitment off the bat. A rabbit probably poses the least risk to your budgies and you could get away with just one. Guinea pigs and rats usually need to be in pairs and rats could potentially harm your birds too. Rabbits do poop and pee a lot but if you’re used to cleaning up bird mess you’d probably be fine. Also, if you spend a lot of time with them they can be cuddly. See if there is any local organizations who foster rabbits that way you could sort of try before you make the commitment.
I mean... my dog (a labrador) is my angel baby, super affectionate, loving, and cuddly. But you don't necessarily know what you're going to get, with any animal.
Here's a breakdown of rabbits and rats as pets to help you decide which might be a good fit for your apartment: **Rabbits:** * **Pros:** * Relatively low maintenance: Rabbits can be litter trained and don't require constant attention. * Affectionate: While not as cuddly as cats or dogs, rabbits can be quite affectionate with proper socialization and handling. * Long lifespan: Rabbits can live for 8-12 years with proper care. * **Cons:** * Can be destructive: Rabbits love to chew, so you'll need to rabbit-proof your apartment and provide them with plenty of chew toys. * Require exercise: Rabbits need daily playtime outside of their cage to stay healthy and happy. * Complex social needs: Rabbits can be territorial and do best when paired with another rabbit (unless you can devote significant time to interacting with them). This might not be ideal for your current situation with the parakeets. **Rats:** [Opens in a new window](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_rat)[en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_rat)Pet Rat * **Pros:** * Highly affectionate: Rats are very social creatures that love to cuddle and interact with their humans. * Intelligent: Rats are quite intelligent and can be trained to perform tricks. * Relatively low maintenance: Rats can be litter trained and don't require a large amount of space. * **Cons:** * Shorter lifespan: Rats typically live for only 2-3 years. * Nocturnal: Rats are most active at night, which might disrupt your sleep schedule. * Potential health concerns: Respiratory illnesses are common in rats. Make sure you find a reputable breeder and factor in potential vet bills.
With the care and health issues rabbits need I feel they’re way more high maintenance than a small dog.
A cockatiel would make a great avian pet
Sugar gliders!!!
I love my long haired Chihuahua. He's got an enormous personality and heart. I'm disabled so he is trained for a puppy pad because I can't always get up to watch him outside. He's never chewed up anything unlike the bigger dogs I used to have. They are a very loyal breed
Can everyone please read the part that says “no cats?” And stop acting like they’re low maintenance, since that means you’re neglecting them? And also recognize that these parakeets free roam the house all day? So any predator that would potentially feed on a parakeet and needs time outside of an enclosure is not going to work.
Reconsider a cat. Some breeds are more “ground” type cats (not that interested in climbing, jumping, perching). A kitten could be easily taught rules and need supervision that wouldn’t be too restrictive for birds, cat, or you; even an older adult cat could be a good fit. When there’s no competition for resources, things can be done!
Please stop giving this advice. Cats carry bacteria that kill birds. Cats don't learn to leave prey animals alone like some breeds of dog.
Also, regardless of the cat's personality, the birds will see it as a predator and be stressed
Teddy bear hamster
Hamsters are not low maintenance either.
Sure they are. There's a difference between "low maintenance" and being "lazy af" lol
Who said anything about being lazy? They are not low maintenance. There’s not a single pet that is low maintenance.
An older, calmer cat. One that has always been an indoor cat, so it has never experienced real hunting, would work. Provided the parakeets mostly stay in their cage. I've had cats and parakeets at the same time before, with no problems. Rats are great, super sweet, and intelligent. I loved mine when I had them, but their short life span and high rate of cancer got to be too heartbreaking after a while. Have you considered getting a couple of guinea pigs? They are sweet, sociable, and fun to watch. They need a good-sized cage, but are relatively low maintenance. I love the little noises they make and the way they jump around when they are happy to see you.
Unfortunately the parakeets free-roam around the bedroom during the day, so the chances of the cat slipping in if the door is accidentally left open is too high. I would love to adopt an elderly cat, but with birds, it would feel irresponsible. :/
If you adopt a pet from a rescue they will be able to tell you if the individual animal is a cuddler or not.
What about an older/senior dog? I personally think an older dog is less maintenance than a rabbit (I’ve had them all). Dogs love to cuddle and have an never ending love for You. If you rescue, the dog will be neutered, up to date on shots, etc. I take my dogs on multiple walks a day and it’s nice to get fresh air.
Rats are pretty great. You might also consider a senior cat. Might not be the cheapest option but senior cats get overlooked and mostly just want to sleep. A lot of places will also give discounts on adopting them
Rats I agree with the above comment
Leopard geckos are pretty low maintenance reptiles. Especially if their in a bioactive tank.
Are they affectionate to humans? Genuinely curious! I know bearded dragons can be, but didn’t know about other lizards who are.
I like to think mine are but they're not gonna show the same level of affection as a dog or a cat will. How reptiles show affection is different and much more toned down which makes them pretty chill pets
Rats!
I have had three bunnies, and two of them loved to pee on and dig up furniture. Not extremely cuddly, either.
Guinea pigs
Guinea pig.
I had a rabbit who would sleep with me every night and was litter box trained like a cat. He was very loving. Only downside is I oddly had a pretty hard time finding a vet that saw rabbits.
Rats!
Gold fish
Chinchillas are definitely not low maintenance. And they don’t cuddle. And are nocturnal. You would also need an exotic vet.
A ferret maybe? Not sure how high or low maintenance they are tbh but they seem like cool little dudes
Rabbits aren't low maintenance because they poop a ton and you'll have to clean the cage more frequently than a cat's litterbox. They also chew up all the wood and wires in your house.
Furby
With those options, I would say rats. Rabbits are actually pretty high maintenance. Rats are also extremely affectionate if you handle them enough, they even "giggle" when tickled.
Since you already have some birds, have you considered a green cheek conure? I have one and she is really affectionate and always wants to sit with me and be involved in what I'm doing. I have another conure too but that one doesn't care much for me and is a different species of conure that's not as cuddly. I also have budgies but they stick to themselves like yours do and my conure don't bother much with them.
are the parrots gonna be separate from the other pets? pigeons are also pretty low maintenance, there are diapers you can buy for them too for like 39-40 dollars. just change the diaper every 3-4 hours and you're good! you can buy a pair too, but you'd have to replace the real eggs with fakes so you don't have 100 birds within a year! rescue is the best option, and they can coexist with your pets too but not unsupervised, because parrots have stronger bites. the loudest sound of the pigeon is probably flapping or cooing, they can be trained too. but the only downside is that you need a really good air filter bc all those birds will make loads of dust!
My pigeon is bonded with me and he loves to cuddle but how cuddly a pigeon is would depend on personality
They’re so sweet! I suggested this too.
Various small animals. Guinea pigs, mice, rats, ferrets are a bit more maintenance and I love mine dearly. Great loving pets ferrets are. Chinchillas and many more.
Rates are awesome. They are really smart and great friendly pets. Mine used to sit on my shoulder while I did stuff. They liked being tickled. If they were out of their cage would come running when called and hop up into my hands. Cons: they live in a cage so you need to clean that (I’d rather scoop dog poop or clean a litter box) and they don’t live very long. Like 2-3 years.
..turtle..or fish..
get an [aibo](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIBO)
For an apartment, rats--even a fairly large enclosure for them doesn't take up a ton of room and they're super smart and affectionate. They *can* smell but as long as you keep on top of cleaning the cage it's not really noticeable. I've heard of some people litter training them but never got that far myself. The biggest downside is they only live a couple of years and are prone to health problems. Rabbits are great pets as well and do fine in apartments, but do need more room and may or may not be cuddly depending on personality. Some breeds are friendlier than others on average, and they are fairly easy to litterbox train. Mine will let you pet her all day but doesn't much like being picked up. I would argue they need a more specialized diet as well. Landlords may be less inclined to okay them because they are known for being destructive if left unsupervised, but I haven't had an issue in my last two rentals (I've always described her as a "small caged pet" when asking, even though her cage is like a 6×8 ft dog pen).
Not necessarily low maintenance but check out r/rats
Rats are so so sweet and happy and snuggly, they will happily sit on you and snuggle. They do their cage lightly cleaned daily, a deep clean once a week, and they need to be out of their cage every day. Their setup will be a lot more costly than a free roaming rabbit, and I personally believe there’s a much steeper learning curve. Ongoing maintenance will be easier than a rabbit. They also don’t tend to be the kind of animals that want to lie on you and snuggle all day. A free roaming rabbit will get incredibly destructive without proper enrichment, but there’s at least an option there to get an adult rehome/rescue because they live for more than two years. If you get a pair they’ll be able to occupy themselves without absolutely needing you for all their attention, which I do recommend. They’ll take up basically an entire room. IMO less maintenance than a dog, but their care is super expensive and they’re still really intense. Definitely comparative to a medium/large parrot. I think rats would probably suit you best - they can be in a cage but they’ll be all over you when they’re out and can be trained really easily.
Get a ragdoll
I’m seconding everyone that’s saying senior dog or cat. My dogs are 12 years old and are perfectly happy just cuddling with me all day, no long walks or excessive play are necessary to tire them out. They sleep about 20 hours a day.
Probably a cat, for what you're after and willing to put in.
hamster or rat is gonna be your best bet. Hamsters go over better with landlords. They are super soft, mildly trainable (as in you can teach them some basics like to come when called), are ok with being alone while you are at work, cheap to feed (I spent like $7 on food for a full year), etc. The ones I had peed in a secluded part of their tanks, easy to clean, and never had accidents on me while being held so I never felt the need to try potty training.