What You Should Know Before Getting An Exotic Pet
Plenty of pets you can keep in your home, it’d be more exciting if you owned an exotic one. Having exotic pet can be an enriching experience.
Having pets around the house can help bring new life to your home. Apart from keeping you company, they’ll give you more reasons to come home each time. While there are plenty of pets you can keep in your home, it’d be more exciting if you owned an exotic one. Having a one-of-a-kind pet can be an enriching experience.
However, you don’t apply the same principles to caring for an exotic pet as you would for a regular pet. You can’t just take your exotic pet out for a walk, bathe them, and feed them with anything you like. Exotic pets require more delicate care, which you should be prepared for.
Things You Should Know before Getting an Exotic Pet
Moreover, below are some things you should know before getting an exotic pet:
They Might Have A Special Diet
Just like with any other pet, an exotic pet may have a special diet. You should know the foods they can and cannot eat. For example, if you’re caring for a bearded dragon, you should see what kind of foods might be toxic to them. According to KeepingExoticPets.com, foods like cucumber can only be given to them in limited amounts as it can cause more harm than good in the future, even if it’s healthy and hydrating.
Moreover, some exotic pets will require you to catch insects, such as roaches and flies, as these are mainly what they eat to survive. You need to check your options about which stores you can possibly purchase them and also consider if they’re something you’re comfortable keeping inside your home. Not everyone welcomes insects inside their property, even if they’re solely for feeding purposes.
They Require Special Housing
Since an exotic animal usually lives out in the wild, you need to recreate their natural habitat or environment for them to live comfortably. While an aquarium would be a great way to keep your exotic pet to prevent them from escaping, you also need to consider the level of temperature and humidity their body requires. Some might prefer to live in warmer climates, and some like to live in colder areas.
Moreover, you also need to consider what their preferences are or what kind of physical activities they like to engage in. Can they fly? Climb trees? Do they burrow? Or use a small litter box? With these in mind, check if you have enough space inside your property while also determining if you can accommodate their lifestyle.
You’ll Need A Different Vet
While it’s true that vets specialize in taking care of all kinds of animals, not all might have enough actual experience in handling exotic pets. Like other animals, you’ll need to bring your exotic pet to the vet to keep them in their best health.
However, your local vet might be unable to accommodate them as they require special attention and skills. You can ask for recommendations from your current vet about veterinary specialists who specialize in exotic animals. Alternatively, you can always search online.
The number of vets who can handle exotic breeds might be limited. You need to consider this, especially if the nearest vet will be hours away from your home.
They Have Different Behavior
An exotic pet thrives best in the wild, wherein they can fully exercise their animal instincts. But since they’re now under your care, they might have difficulty adjusting to your environment and show aggressive behavior, which can be risky and inconvenient inside your home. However, there are plenty of exotic animal breeders who have successfully tamed their pets. With the proper research and focus, you should be able to handle your exotic pet’s unique behavior and temperament.
Their Size And Lifespan
There are some pets that have an extended lifespan. While that might seem like a great idea, you have to consider who’ll take care of your pet when you no longer can. Will your family be willing to care for them?
Moreover, some pets also grow to a large size, which your home might not be able to accommodate in the future. While a baby tortoise or hatchling wouldn’t be too much of a bother inside your home, a full-grown tortoise can reach up to 3 feet in length and can weigh more than 500 pounds. You need to consider these before bringing an exotic pet into your home.
It Might Not Be Legal
There are some states where keeping certain exotic animals as pets isn’t legal. Before you land in hot water, you should confirm if taking care of one is legal in your state.
They Might Be Carrying A Disease
Since an exotic pet has their own natural habitat, they might be carrying a disease, which can also pose health risks to your family. Take reptiles, for example. Some species have salmonella in their gut. If you’re living with children and the elderly, it’s best to avoid these kinds of exotic pets to guarantee your family’s safety. While you can avoid risks by practicing proper hygiene, prevention would be a much better choice.
They Might Not Get Along Well With Other Pets
If you have existing pets at home, you need to consider if they’ll get along with your exotic pets. Even if they’re inside a cage, if your existing pet feels aggressive toward them or anxious about their presence, they might not be the best option for your home.
Moreover, if you have a cat or dog who usually knocks over things, they might accidentally free your exotic pet, which might pose a risk to your household. Before adopting one, check if they’re compatible with your existing pets.
Takeaway
Caring for an exotic pet might bring a sense of wonder and excitement to your home. But before you adopt one, ensure that you have the full capacity to support their needs, as they require a special diet and environment to thrive. You also need to consider their vet and health and see if they’re completely safe around your home.
With the proper research and planning, you should be able to determine if they’ll be the best option for your family, or if it’s legal for you to adopt one in the first place.
