>>37317511This.
Caring for pokemon would really only be difficult if you chose a pokemon with a very troublesome temperament, like a Deino or something, a pokemon with an inherently hazardous body, like Slugma, a pokemon with esoteric and/or expensive tastes and/or habits, like Aron, or just really large pokemon with large space and dietary requirements, like an Onix or a Snorlax.
The vast majority of non-third form pokemon are just like dogs, except they can more easily be taught complex things, utilize unique talents, and demand a bit more personal respect, which isn't as difficult as it sounds, given that they are intelligent and actively seek it out.
Heck, some of them might be easier to keep than an average dog. Many can feed themselves, or at least heavily supplement their diet by themselves, like many Grass types via the sun, or many Bug types via hunting other bugs, or a ton others who eat dirt and rocks, or grass and other leafage, and so on.
You could probably even keep some pretty interesting pokemon on a budget, assuming you have even a little extra space, like Tropius, or Galvantula, or a ghost-type like Dusclops or Mismagius.
Some of your pokemon might even be able to reduce your other bills, or bring in a little extra income. Tropius can grow fruit and transport you, something like an Ariados or Mareep can produce silks and wool that might be worth selling on the side, and any lithivorous pokemon could probably be trained to not eat and bring back any valuable ores it finds.
They probably won't pay your rent, unless you happen to live over a literal gold mine, but still more than any dog would do for you.
You realistically won't be able to care for nearly any final evolution that isn't exceptionally easy to care for, but then, since you won't be battling, and I'd assume things like Everstones wouldn't be that hard to get ahold of, evolution really wouldn't even be a big deal.
