Budget pets
Some people are put off by the cost of pets, here is a list of pets for those looking for something with a low start up and running cost. Remember to do research on the species you decide on, as this is not a care sheet, just a rough price guide. Prices will vary from place to place. Setup costs can be cut down by using second hand items or old tanks you have found right at the back of the messy garage during a tidy out. I would highly recommend buying things second hand (not decor as this this hard to disinfect) as a money-saving method. Always clean preowned items well.
You may find yourself encountering unplanned vet bills, so always keeps some money to one side in the unfortunate event a vet trip will be needed.
Insects and arachnids-
Start up costs- Low Running costs- Very low
Firstly, and quite possibly the cheapest, easiest and most interesting on this list- insects and arachnids. Before we get into this, I do have to say that not all species are easy to keep, or cheap, so it is important that you check this before committing to anything. Mantids are quite possibly the most interesting and entertaining of all insects. Their movements are fascinating. They care easy to care for and don't require a large amount of space. In fact, some species can be kept in critter keepers or repurposed aquariums. Small terrariums also work well for many species, but be sure to do research into the particular species you would like as some can get quite large. Most mantis species (UK) will cost you around £20-£25, with a simple setup costing about the same. There are kits available too, which will require a slightly larger budget. There is debate whether these are worth the price as well. Their diet mainly consist of fruit flies and small crickets, so upkeep costs are very low. Stick insects are similar in price too, and can cost as little as £3 each! These eat foliage, so are easy and cheap to maintain. These do all have short lifespans.
I have never had a beetle, but they always look so cool, coming in some many different shapes and colours. Their care is simple, with many species eating fruits and vegetables and enclosure sizes not being too large. Once again, do plenty of research on the species you are looking to get before buying as some will have different needs. Lots of beetles can be obtained cheaply, similar in price to mantises (around £20) however I have seen some for as much as £60. Setups could be old fish tanks or terrariums, so don't cost too much. Around £50 to £60 is what I would expect to pay.
Spiders and scorpions, certainly not for everybody (myself DEFINETLY included!) however they are enjoyable pets for many. Some tarantulas are for experienced keepers only, so beware of this when picking a species. Cost of spiders also fluctuates quite a bit, with commonly kept and beginner species starting at £15. More complex varieties can easily cost three figures. Some spiders are much smaller than others, so can live in smaller habitats. Like mantises, kits are available but can be quite expensive. A spider setup can cost around £60 when careful budget planning is carried out. Terrariums, old fish tanks and even plastic tubs can be used. This means that the set up cost is quite low. Arachnids are easy to feed, often taking easy to obtain live insects, like locusts and crickets. These also don't cost much, with a tub setting you back around £1.50. Onto the next category!
Small mammals-
Start up costs- medium to high (species dependant) Running costs- Low
Small mammals, such as hamsters, mice, gerbils and rats are without a doubt the most common first pet. My first ever pet was a hamster, followed by a trio of mice, before eventually getting more exotic species. They are cheap and easy to care for, which makes them the perfect budget pet. These rodents are often put down as pets for children, however it is important to remember that young children should be supervised around their pet to ensure both the child and the animal are safe. Hamsters are the go to pet for many people, hence their popularity but also their low price tag. A hamster will cost just £10 to £15 from most places, with housing costing around £30 and the rest of the setup about £20 depending on how well done your habitat will be. I am not a fan of the typical hamster cage, and would rather keep any of these in an appropriately sized tank. These can cost anywhere for £50 to £100 dependant on the size. Upkeep costs are low with the bulk of the diet consisting of dry hamster mix. Mice are also similar in cost.
Gerbils are also a very interesting and increasingly common rodent. Expect to pay about £20 per gerbil (but remember that they do best in pairs or groups). Setups are best when tanks are used as they like to burrow and make tunnels in the deep substrate that cannot be achieved by using a common small pet cage. Therefore, the total bill for buying and keeping is pretty much the same as a hamster, with an upkeep cost of just a few pounds each month.
Rats are the most expensive to setup in the first place as they need a large cage. Rats cost as much as £50. Purpose made rat cages can cost as much as £120 so require a larger budget. Maintenance costs for rats are also quite cheap, only really consisting of rat food and bedding. Toys and accessories for the cage can also be quite expensive, Furnishing a rats cage could cost in the region of £50 quite easily. Overall rats are probably the most expensive pet on this list. Those on a tighter budget would be best of with mice, hamsters or gerbils.
Small mammal food mix costs around £4 a bag depending on the type of animal and brand of food. These bags do last quite a long time and provide the majority of the diet. Diet mix can be supplemented with fresh foods and live insects to provide variety too, which are also easy and cheap to get hold of. Be aware of your species requirements before buying and always check foods are safe.
Fish and aquatics-
Start up costs- high Running costs- Low to medium
Fish and aquatics are quite easy to keep, and cheap to buy, however setup costs are usually very high. Aquariums in the UK are extremely expensive, with large tanks costing hundreds of pounds. Bundles with the tank, filter and heater are well worth the money, often cutting costs by a reasonable amount. These are still not cheap, compared to the setup required for an invertebrate. One commonly kept fish species is the betta. They come in various colours and shapes and are one of the most interesting and most beautiful freshwater fish available. Some keepers have even trained their betta fish to do tricks! Unfortunately, the betta is often associated with small, filter less tanks, even glass jars and vases. This amazing fish deserves so much more. I would say that a tank of at least 30 litres, but the larger the better. Despite popular belief, all fish species should have a filter to maintain healthy water. They are easy to keep, with a diet of mostly fish flake. A large tub of this, that will last a betta months, can be bought for about £20. We also supplement with frozen bloodworm, which is about a pound per pack. The fish itself costs about £10, however you can buy different varieties which come with larger price tags.
Another fish that deserves more credit is the goldfish. These do need massive tanks, so may not be good for a budget. A small pond in the back garden is likely to be cheaper to build than the price of an appropriately sized aquarium. This is a common misconception as many people see the goldfish in a bowl and immediately assume that is all they need. A 3 to 4ft tank is needed as a minimum for goldfish, which comes with a high price. Goldfish are also sold very cheaply, which contributes to the number of people buying them for tiny tanks. They often cost £5 or less.
There are so many species of fish so be sure to check the exact requirements, such as tank size and water temperature. Fish are perfect pets for those on a budget when it comes to the low upkeep costs (just food, water and a small amount of electricity) although the initial costs may stop some people from getting a fish.