20 Easiest Pets to Care For: Find Your Best Fit

Our list focuses on pets whose daily routines can be manageable once you have the right habitat, rather than pets that need no attention. Before you choose, consider the time and cost of setup, cleaning, feeding, veterinary care, and arranging care when you travel.

Our first eight are betta fish, guppies, platies, zebra danios, white cloud mountain minnows, cherry shrimp, nerite snails, and mystery snails. They can fit a relatively small space, but you’ll still need an appropriately sized, cycled aquarium, suitable water conditions, and regular maintenance; research compatibility before combining species.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating eight options for aquarium keepers.

Leopard geckos, crested geckos, corn snakes, jumping spiders, tarantulas, isopods, stick insects, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches bring our count to 16. Their feeding schedules may be simpler than a dog’s, but their needs differ substantially: reptiles require carefully controlled habitats, while invertebrates need species-appropriate humidity, ventilation, food, and secure enclosures.

Millipedes, hamsters, gerbils, and adult cats complete our 20; an adult cat may be a better fit than a kitten if you want to avoid the demands of raising a young animal. Hamsters need ample space and enrichment, gerbils generally need a compatible companion, and cats need daily attention, litter care, and veterinary visits, so choose based on the routine you can sustain—not size alone.

If you enjoy observing rather than handling a pet, start by comparing aquarium animals and invertebrates; if interaction matters more, consider an adult cat or a small mammal. Our guide to the easiest pets to care for and Low-Maintenance Pets | A Practical Guide to the Best Low Maintenance Pets for Busy Lives & Small Spaces can help you think through which routine fits your home.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating how to narrow your choice.