Asked which pet is ‘low maintenance,’ everyone gave the same answer — but vets strongly disagree

A majority of commenters recommended adopting a cat, likely from a kill shelter or a senior cat.

PUBLISHED 6 HOURS AGO

(L) Cat and dog lying side by side in pet bed, (R) Veterinarian checking to do list. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) GK Hart/Vikki Hart, (R)Nastasic)

The company of pets is greatly cherished, but not everyone wants to invest their time and energy into their upkeep. A Reddit thread posted by a now-deleted user (u/greasydoor) highlighted this dilemma, asking for opinions on the “best ‘low maintenance’ pet.” The user, reportedly a college student struggling with time management, sought advice from the platform. Among the many suggestions, one answer was recurring and marked as the preferred choice of pets with minimal care. A veterinarian later shared her expert take on the discussion while revealing the true low-effort pet.

A brown cat sitting on a chair beside a woman (Representative Image Source: Pexels | cottonbro studio) — A brown cat sitting on a chair beside a woman. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | cottonbro studio)

The college student’s post quickly went viral with 138 votes and a flood of comments about the best pet for minimal effort. “Best ‘low maintenance’ pet?” was all it took to spark a heated debate online. Though the post has been deleted, the creator had previously updated it after it went viral. “Maybe I picked a bad title. But I am just looking for something that would work with someone not being home all the time every day,” as reported by Newsweek. The user clarified that they were juggling school, a part-time job at a pet store, and caring for a pet betta fish.

A furry cat is resting. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Té De Gatos)

A majority of commenters recommended adopting a cat, likely from a kill shelter or a senior cat. “Consider adopting the oldest cat at the shelter. It will sleep all day and appreciate not dying in a cage,” wrote u/Face_with_a_View in the most popular comment with 797 votes. This sparked further discussion about whether older cats truly make low-maintenance pets. “Cats are honestly so easy. As long as you clean their litter and give them food and water, they basically take care of themselves,” added u/Askfslfjrv. Several other users shared their experiences of owning senior cats.

Dog and Cat | (Image Source: Pexels Alexander Grey) — A Dog and Cat. | (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Alexander Grey)

Cats tend to self-groom, are instinctively litter-trained, can adjust in small spaces, and spend long periods alone. They also do not need daily walks or constant entertainment. However, independence does not equal low-maintenance. Compared to dogs, cats may seem easier, but they still need consistent care and attention to stay healthy, per Karing Vet Hospital.

A cat with an injured front leg. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by myibean)

While many users agreed, some argued that cats can incur high veterinary costs and require careful health monitoring for their longevity. Dr. Shannon Barrett, a veterinarian with over 10 years of expertise, explained, “Cats are masters at hiding pain. Arthritis, dental disease, and kidney issues often go unnoticed until they are advanced.” 40% of older cats develop chronic kidney disease, while 90% are prone to osteoarthritis. They also face the risk of hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and dental disease, all of which are hard to detect because of cats’ ability to mask pain and suffering.

Representative image of a boy holding his pet guinea pig in hands (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Irina Shpiller) — Representative image of a boy holding his pet guinea pigs in his hands. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Irina Shpiller)

According to the vet, betta fish and guinea pigs are among the pets that need minimal effort from owners to thrive. Betta fish are solitary and barely require large tanks, while guinea pigs make for great companions as pets with simple daily routines. However, the latter are best kept in pairs and also need Vitamin C to prevent scurvy. Other quirky suggestions from the Reddit thread included plants, exotic pets like tarantulas, and even rats.