Part of the fun of being a DINK couple is that you can be spontaneous. You don’t have kids’ schedules or routines to worry about, so if you feel like having a quick weekend getaway, you can as long as your schedule is clear. If you’d also like to be a pet owner, there are many low-maintenance pets for traveling couples. True, you might not be able to own a dog if you don’t want to have to arrange a pet sitter or kennel stay, but there are other pets you can choose that will allow you to maintain your carefree lifestyle.
Ideal Pets for Shorter Absences
If most of your getaways are only for a day or two, these pets are ideal for your lifestyle.
Cats
Cats are the most affectionate and interactive low-maintenance pets for traveling couples, especially if you’re only traveling for a day or two. Leave out enough food and water for your cat and make sure the cat litter is cleaned.
I often left my cat alone in college if I went away for the weekend. I made sure to leave a few bowls of water out for her in case she accidentally spilled any, and she was fine. When you do get home, give your cat extra attention because she’ll likely miss you when you’re gone.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs can also be left alone for a day or two. You’ll need to leave your guinea pig with plenty of hay and fresh vegetables. You may want to attach two water feeders to make sure he has access to enough water.
Gecko
Give a gecko enough mealies, water, and a reliable heat source, and you can also leave it alone over a weekend. Some pet owners have set up a camera they can access while they’re away so they can check on the reptile’s heat source. If it goes out, they call a friend who has a key to their house to resupply the heat source.
With all three of these animals, if you’re going to be gone longer than a weekend, you will want a friend to come in to check on them. We’ve left our cat alone for a week and a half but only because our neighbor came over every morning and night to check on her and give her fresh food, water, and attention.
Pets Ideal for Longer Absences
If you want to travel for longer periods without worrying about arranging care, consider having a turtle or a lizard as a pet.
Turtle
All turtles need are food, water, and a place to bask. If the food runs out, your turtle should be okay; they only eat every week or two normally. You can use a timed light for the basking area.
Snake
If you want to leave a snake alone for a week or two, feed the snake about two days before you plan to leave. That gives you enough time to clean up any feces before your trip. You will need to leave fresh water and make sure the tank has a reliable heat source.
Final Thoughts
Consider owning one of these low-maintenance pets for traveling couples if you live a busy lifestyle and like to leave town regularly. Turtles and snakes are the ultimate independent pets, but even cats, guinea pigs, and geckos can be good pets if you’re gone for short periods or arrange for care if you’ll be gone longer.
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Melissa Batai
Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her reading a good book, cooking, or traveling. She resides in New York where she loves the natural beauty of the area.
I love this topic. The one thing that didn’t make the list is…fish.