31 replies to this topic

[lil BIG dwarf]

Can you be more specific? Whats your max budget?

 

If you can go on the more pricey side, a blue tongue skink. You WILL need to find an ethical breeder, and just the animal itself will cost 200+ USD. You also need to pay for heating. The rest is mostly one time costs, minus food.

Crested geckos, gargoyle geckos, and chahoua geckos are options. For look dont touch pets, starry night reed frogs and neon day geckos. 

 

Gerbils are good choices.

[Iszie]

Hey and thanks can u send a care link for cocktails?

I can’t find a website explaining proper care yet, but I’d recommend watching a YouTube channel called ‘Elle and the Birds’. She has a lot of good factual videos on all kinds of birds - cockatiels, budgies, and green cheek conures. 

Edited by Aspien, 25 May 2021 - 05:51 AM.

[Tater]

I need ideas! Thank you

A cactus :3
But seriously, there isn't going to be the perfect easy cheap pet. Animals are work, commitment, and money. If you think you can handle one, then great~ But just make sure you can before deciding. There's never a need to get an animal. 

Others above gave good ideas, but I'm still standing by my plant suggestions
And not in a bad way, I was almost as excited to get some new plants as I was with my animals~ 

 

 

 

Maybe a reptile might be nice? Reptiles aren't exactly very social with humans, but compared to many other animals, they are cheap. 

I'm honestly not sure I can agree with this statement. Reptiles in general are pretty expensive... not to mention they live a lot longer than most small animals commonly seen as pets, making them a larger commitment over the years. A reptile that's social(ish with humans), diurnal, and handleable ain't so much of a cheap thing. Take beardies for example, they can live up to 10-15 years. You need to have correct UVB light that gets replaced every so often. Buy a source of fresh food for them to eat-salads and bugs. Adults need at least 4'2'2'(120gal) tanks, which can be expensive. Not to mention vet bills (with any animal really though) I can say firsthand my family has spent way more on our beardie than we have two hamsters in a less amount of time. Another example is a BTS, Blue Tongue Skink. They are generally pretty sociable. And while they are easier than some, they aren't 'easy' and they def ain't "cheap"

Edited by Tater, 25 May 2021 - 05:52 AM.

[oDrifted]

It’s not like that in all places. I’ve personally never seen males and females kept together around where I live. I’ve gotten a lot of mice from pet stores (which isn’t something I support anymore) and I’ve never gotten a pregnant one.

Apologies.

 

I didn't mean to make it sound like it's the entire US. I was speaking out of personal experience in my surrounding area. I'm glad to know that stores near you are much better, this was just stores in my area. /gen

[IsAnyoneThere]

Hey and thanks can u send a care link for cocktails?

 

Considering that your topic is literally titled "easy pets", then that's a hard NOPE for cockatiels.

 

For one, they're expensive. You need a large enclosure, you need regularly-replaced toys, they will absolutely NEED an exotic vet (if you don't already have one), they are loud, they need companionship - either YOU, or another bird (and having 2 will just make it more expensive and louder! With one on its own it's going to suffer mentally if you aren't around for most of the day)...... and you'll be stuck with it for 20 years. Where will you be in 20 years? I don't know how old you are now, but lets take some random teenager from the forum as an example - over the next 20 years they will possibly/probably go to college, move out of their parents home, go to university, move in with friends/rent a place, get a job, maybe get a house and get married, maybe have a kid, maybe move to a different state, etc. etc. 20 years is a LONG time, and it's something you have to plan for with a pet with a lifespan like that. You have to admit that no, it's not really your pet, it's your parents' (if you're a minor) or if you're over 18 then yeah, you might be having to look after this until you're 40. 

[♥~kitkat7♥]

I can’t find a website explaining proper care yet, but I’d recommend watching a YouTube channel called ‘Elle and the Birds’. She has a lot of good factual videos on all kinds of birds - cockatiels, budgies, and green cheek conures. 

thx

[♥~kitkat7♥]

A cactus :3
But seriously, there isn't going to be the perfect easy cheap pet. Animals are work, commitment, and money. If you think you can handle one, then great~ But just make sure you can before deciding. There's never a need to get an animal. 

Others above gave good ideas, but I'm still standing by my plant suggestions
And not in a bad way, I was almost as excited to get some new plants as I was with my animals~ 

 

 

 

I'm honestly not sure I can agree with this statement. Reptiles in general are pretty expensive... not to mention they live a lot longer than most small animals commonly seen as pets, making them a larger commitment over the years. A reptile that's social(ish with humans), diurnal, and handleable ain't so much of a cheap thing. Take beardies for example, they can live up to 10-15 years. You need to have correct UVB light that gets replaced every so often. Buy a source of fresh food for them to eat-salads and bugs. Adults need at least 4'2'2'(120gal) tanks, which can be expensive. Not to mention vet bills (with any animal really though) I can say firsthand my family has spent way more on our beardie than we have two hamsters in a less amount of time. Another example is a BTS, Blue Tongue Skink. They are generally pretty sociable. And while they are easier than some, they aren't 'easy' and they def ain't "cheap"

i agree with u about reptiles. I am thinking about a mouse

[~musical912]

I would honestly get a plant

 

But seriously, there is no such thing as a “cheap” or “easy” pet. There are pets that are easier to care for or cheaper than other pets, but all pets require time and money in order for them to live a happy and healthy life.  
 

Take hamsters for an example. When people think of a hamster, they think of an “easy” and “cheap” pet. Well, they’re wrong. Let’s say you’re starting off with decent care. Everything adds up; you’ll probably end up spending at least $200 just to start off. Every pet has continued costs.
 

If you’re not interested in getting a plant as I suggested above, there are animals I am willing to suggest for you provided that you have done enough research and you are prepared to be paying about $200 to start off and continuously buy bedding, hay and food.
 

Gerbils are extremely fun pets; I know from experience. It is necessary for them to live in pairs/small groups however for a beginner I would recommend only having a pair (decreases the risk of declanning). I advise you to do some research on what to do if your gerbils declan; although it’s not seen as much with pairs as it is with groups, pairs of gerbils certainly can declan.  
 

The minimum for 2 gerbils is a 20 gallon tank (with 20 gallons, a tank topper is very handy). I personally wouldn’t house a pair in anything less than a 40 gallon. Gerbils are very active animals and I believe that they require lots of space, similar to hamsters. Bedding depth is also important. I’d suggest putting at least 10 inches of substrate to allow them to make tunnels.  [edit] I forgot to mention that having a vet fund is necessary. My gerbil needed to see a vet and it cost me $150 just for him to get Baytril and for an exam. I’d aim to have around that much money saved up (at least!) [/edit]

 

These are just the basics; the gerbil forum has tons of useful information and it’s worth joining if you’re considering gerbils.

Edited by ~musical912, 25 May 2021 - 08:43 PM.

[4 Hamsters]

Hey and thanks can u send a care link for cocktails?

 

I'm currently also doing research on Cockatiels! They're very expensive pets, all cockatiels are expensive, their food (right diet is very important), cage, and toys especially are very expensive. And while adopting them can be a bit cheap, getting all the supplies they need aren't. Not to mention avain vets are EXPENSIVE, much more expensive than vets for hamsters. I'm currently waiting for my flight cage to arrive and that alone costs about $300. And that's just the cage alone. Natural toys are recommended and need to be replaced all the time not to mention the diet for these guys are NOT cheap. 

If you're really convinced you can afford one, a youtuber named ElleandtheBirds is a great one, she goes over the needs of a bird and if you can really take care of one. She also has a female cockatiel herself named Ducky.

[grungehammy27]

I'm currently also doing research on Cockatiels! They're very expensive pets, all cockatiels are expensive, their food (right diet is very important), cage, and toys especially are very expensive. And while adopting them can be a bit cheap, getting all the supplies they need aren't. Not to mention avain vets are EXPENSIVE, much more expensive than vets for hamsters. I'm currently waiting for my flight cage to arrive and that alone costs about $300. And that's just the cage alone. Natural toys are recommended and need to be replaced all the time not to mention the diet for these guys are NOT cheap. 

If you're really convinced you can afford one, a youtuber named ElleandtheBirds is a great one, she goes over the needs of a bird and if you can really take care of one. She also has a female cockatiel herself named Ducky.

I agree that Cockatiels are not an ¨easy¨ pet. My brother has 2 budgies, who until a few weeks ago lived in a small cage. I actually came across Elle and the Birds and that is where i found a HUGE flight cage and my brother and i bought it! They are VERY hard work, and my mom and i end up taking care of them most of the time. I can´t speak for Cockatiels in specific, but judging by that they live 20 years, i know that I would not be able to satisfy their needs and more for that long of a lifespan. I think that mice might be a better option for you (they still come with their cons too, like every other pet)

[dancinghammy447]

i agree with u about reptiles. I am thinking about a mouse

Like others before me have mentioned, there are no easy pets. I'm going to be a bit blunt here, but when you are getting a pet, it requires serious consideration and love for that animal. If you simply desire something because of it's cheap price, easy care, etc. then maybe you should reconsider why you want a pet. All animals require some level of care, and if you are not willing to put in that time, then a succulent might just be the thing for you. Also I suggest doing extensive research on the animal you plan on bringing into your home. For example, above you said you would likely go with a "mouse". Now I'm not very up to date on mouse care, but unless you are getting a male, you will likely be purchasing/adopting a group of them. Also take into consideration your parents opinion. If your mother does not like mice, how are you going to convince her to buy you the supplies? Or drive you to the vet?

[Zula]

i agree with u about reptiles. I am thinking about a mouse

Hi, I would just like to say that as oDrifted and dancinghammy447 pointed out, mice are social animals. Females must be kept in at least pairs (though from my experience I would aim for at least 3). Intact males must be housed alone due to being territorial, meaning you will have to give them a lot of extra attention. Neutered males can live with females, though as oDrifted also said, it is hard to find neutered males in the US.

If you are seriously considering mice, then a good YouTube channel is ‘Emiology’.

Edited by Zula, 25 May 2021 - 02:30 PM.

[Lillias]

A tamagotchi

[Iszie]

Reading back through this, I’ve found a pet which is perfect for you. In total, it’s not really expensive. They’re handleable, and are social to humans right from the start - you don’t need to even tame them. Not nocturnal, unless you want them to be. Not a fish either. And you can find ones which aren’t that big! Oh and a bonus, you don’t even have to clean up after them. Here it is! 

 

Spoiler

 
A stuffed animal toy! 

 

Sorry just had to make that joke. But talking seriously, I think you’re expecting too much of a pet. Every single animal is different, you can’t really label a domesticated species/breed with ‘social to humans’ or ‘easy’. Some may be more likely to be handleable or less expensive, but I wouldn’t necessarily think that all animals of that species/breed will be the same. 

[Lightning~]

I can’t find a website explaining proper care yet, but I’d recommend watching a YouTube channel called ‘Elle and the Birds’. She has a lot of good factual videos on all kinds of birds - cockatiels, budgies, and green cheek conures. 

i think flock talk is better   she has more care videos rathier than challenges ect.