Many people have dogs and cats as pets, but in today's world, some people are often limited by things such as space or time constraints, medical problems (allergies), etc. and cannot give a dog or cat the necessary care. In these situations people may find the answer to their pet ownership problems with an Exotic pet.
Exotic or unusual pets can be the perfect answer for people with limitations in time or space or with allergies to traditional pets. Some of the less ordinary pets require less labor intensive care, less space and can be economically better choices for those with limited funds. However, this is not always the case! So, how does one know which exotic pets would be best for their situation? The answer will come from discussing your situation with a veterinarian. The following guidelines may help steer you in the right direction.
For the least expensive and easily cared for pet, look to the "Pocket Pets". This includes such animals as gerbils, hamsters, mice, and rats. These pets are usually inexpensive to purchase, and their habitats are not large investments either. Maintenance of their environment takes only a small amount of time, and won't break the bank either. The disadvantages of these pets lie in the fact that they don't have a long live span (3-8 years for most, although rats can live longer), they are somewhat difficult to treat for illness, and some people have aversions to rodents in general. They aren't always what you would call a hands on pet, but they can be entertaining, and they do interact with people when handled properly. Often the biggest problem with these pets is their high level of reproductive ability. It isn't unusual to start with 2 and wind up with 6-8 in just a month's time! Be sure you know the sex of your pocket pet and keep the two separate!
For a little more care intesive, but more emotionally rewarding pet, think about rabbits or ferrets. These will need a little more attention to housing and diet, but can give more in terms of the human/animal relationship. Even though they require more time and a slightly higher investment/maintenance cost. these animals are a great solution for pet owners with limited resources. Medical costs are usually minimal if proper preventive care is given.
If your budget isn't so much an issue but space or time constraints prevent you from having a dog or cat, consider a bird. Birds, particularly the larger breeds, can be an expensive investment, and the proper environment can be costly too. However, once you have everything you need, maintenance costs are not high at all. Birds do require quite a bit of human interaction to maintain emotional stability, but this is partly what is so rewarding for bird owners. Medical costs for birds that become sick can be high, as they requre rather intesive care, but if you keep them healthy with a good diet and proper environment, they will usually live a long time. Some birds have been known to outlive their owners!
The one type of pet that suffers the most from misinformation is the reptile and amphibian. Many times people are given the impression that frogs, lizards and snakes are "easy keepers" and that there is little or no investment in the environment and upkeep of these animals. Nothing could be further from the truth! If you are considering an amphibian or reptile as a pet, you need to spend a month or two gathering information about the species you are thinking of getting. Most amphibians and reptiles require specific temperature and humidity ranges, as well as specific dietary needs. They have a very low level of adaptability. Many species of snakes and lizards will require only a small area for habitat initially, but when raised properly, may grow to need significant space in order to stay healthy. While reptiles are often visibly attractive, they often do not do well when handled frequently. Being a reptile/amphibian owner requires a lot of study and a commitment to maintaining specific environmental standards and acquiring the appropriate diet, which may be live "prey", at all times. You should consider this type of pet ONLY if you are willing to commit your time, and probably a significant area of your home to the care of this type of pet. Medical costs can be relatively low when kept properly, but can escalate quickly, as many reptile/amphibian illnesses require advanced diagnostics and prolonged medical therapy. Reptiles and amphibians are good choices for those who have allergies to the fur and dander associated with a more traditional pet, but they are not suited for those who's time is either limited or who's schedules vary greatly. Unfortunately, they make poor choices for children, unless the parents are committed to being fully involved.
You may or may not have dogs or cats as pets, but if you are considering an exotic pet of any kind, you should talk at length with a veterinarian who is experienced in treating these pets before you make your decision. Once you know which type is the best for you, your experience as a pet owner will be greatly enhanced!
Exotic or unusual pets can be the perfect answer for people with limitations in time or space or with allergies to traditional pets. Some of the less ordinary pets require less labor intensive care, less space and can be economically better choices for those with limited funds. However, this is not always the case! So, how does one know which exotic pets would be best for their situation? The answer will come from discussing your situation with a veterinarian. The following guidelines may help steer you in the right direction.
For the least expensive and easily cared for pet, look to the "Pocket Pets". This includes such animals as gerbils, hamsters, mice, and rats. These pets are usually inexpensive to purchase, and their habitats are not large investments either. Maintenance of their environment takes only a small amount of time, and won't break the bank either. The disadvantages of these pets lie in the fact that they don't have a long live span (3-8 years for most, although rats can live longer), they are somewhat difficult to treat for illness, and some people have aversions to rodents in general. They aren't always what you would call a hands on pet, but they can be entertaining, and they do interact with people when handled properly. Often the biggest problem with these pets is their high level of reproductive ability. It isn't unusual to start with 2 and wind up with 6-8 in just a month's time! Be sure you know the sex of your pocket pet and keep the two separate!
For a little more care intesive, but more emotionally rewarding pet, think about rabbits or ferrets. These will need a little more attention to housing and diet, but can give more in terms of the human/animal relationship. Even though they require more time and a slightly higher investment/maintenance cost. these animals are a great solution for pet owners with limited resources. Medical costs are usually minimal if proper preventive care is given.
If your budget isn't so much an issue but space or time constraints prevent you from having a dog or cat, consider a bird. Birds, particularly the larger breeds, can be an expensive investment, and the proper environment can be costly too. However, once you have everything you need, maintenance costs are not high at all. Birds do require quite a bit of human interaction to maintain emotional stability, but this is partly what is so rewarding for bird owners. Medical costs for birds that become sick can be high, as they requre rather intesive care, but if you keep them healthy with a good diet and proper environment, they will usually live a long time. Some birds have been known to outlive their owners!
The one type of pet that suffers the most from misinformation is the reptile and amphibian. Many times people are given the impression that frogs, lizards and snakes are "easy keepers" and that there is little or no investment in the environment and upkeep of these animals. Nothing could be further from the truth! If you are considering an amphibian or reptile as a pet, you need to spend a month or two gathering information about the species you are thinking of getting. Most amphibians and reptiles require specific temperature and humidity ranges, as well as specific dietary needs. They have a very low level of adaptability. Many species of snakes and lizards will require only a small area for habitat initially, but when raised properly, may grow to need significant space in order to stay healthy. While reptiles are often visibly attractive, they often do not do well when handled frequently. Being a reptile/amphibian owner requires a lot of study and a commitment to maintaining specific environmental standards and acquiring the appropriate diet, which may be live "prey", at all times. You should consider this type of pet ONLY if you are willing to commit your time, and probably a significant area of your home to the care of this type of pet. Medical costs can be relatively low when kept properly, but can escalate quickly, as many reptile/amphibian illnesses require advanced diagnostics and prolonged medical therapy. Reptiles and amphibians are good choices for those who have allergies to the fur and dander associated with a more traditional pet, but they are not suited for those who's time is either limited or who's schedules vary greatly. Unfortunately, they make poor choices for children, unless the parents are committed to being fully involved.
You may or may not have dogs or cats as pets, but if you are considering an exotic pet of any kind, you should talk at length with a veterinarian who is experienced in treating these pets before you make your decision. Once you know which type is the best for you, your experience as a pet owner will be greatly enhanced!
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