Learn the facts about exotic furry friends!

So, you’re not a cat or a dog person? If your family is exploring adding an exotic pet to your household, know that this is not a decision that should be made lightly. While certain small caged pets are often great for homes or apartments and even younger family members, their care is not always as simple as one might think. There are many factors to be considered, including husbandry and socialization requirements, expected longevity, and possible financial constraints. Research your potential pet’s needs prior to purchasing! Getting advice from an experienced avian and exotic veterinarian can help in making the right decision for your family.

Care: Veterinary care can be provided for all species of birds; small mammals, such as mice, rats, hedgehogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and chinchillas; reptiles, such as iguanas, bearded dragons, geckos, and turtles; as well as amphibians. Most routine care for exotic animals may include (but is not limited to) annual examinations, preventative health and blood screenings, spay and neuter surgeries, wing and nail grooming, emergency care, and behavior consultation.

Diet and environment: Creating the best environment possible for your exotic pet is important in order to avoid common husbandry related diseases. It is necessary to be familiar with your pet’s enclosure to adequately convey to your veterinarian the size and type of space, type of substrate used, type of diet offered and eaten, lighting and heating sources, and cage furniture where appropriate.

Risks: As with any pet, there are diseases or parasites that some exotic pets may carry that could be transmissible to humans. Learn what those diseases are and how to avoid exposure. Again, due to these potential zoonotic diseases, research your exotic pet choice thoroughly prior to purchase.

What To Consider When Selecting An Exotic Pet:

Activity level: For proper health maintenance, some exotics are very active and require lots of exercise, while others will be quieter.

Compatibility with children: Some exotics are ill-suited to live with small children, as they may have sharp claws and teeth combined with an aggressive or overactive nature.  Some may be inclined to nip if frightened or handled roughly.  Contact with energetic kids can stress some timid or delicate species.  Consider whether the exotic could be hazardous to children, or vice versa.

Compatibility with other pets: Will the exotic get along with other pets living in the home, or will it be stressed out by sharing the same environment?

Cost: Examine your budget. After the initial outlay, consider the ongoing costs of food, bedding, accessories, and medical care.

Feeding requirements: Commercially prepared foods are available for some exotic pet species, but other species may require a variety of fresh foods daily, or even mice or insects as a dietary staple.  Be sure to research food supply requirements and availability.

Health concerns: Consider if family members have vulnerable immune systems (especially young children or elderly family members) since some exotics may carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans (e.g. HYPERLINK “http://www.petstation.com/repsalmo.html”reptiles and salmonella). Also ponder the potential for allergies.

Housing: Analyze the necessary size/type of housing and home pet-proofing needs. Do you have space for exotics that need an enclosure or large area to roam?

Legality: Find out which kinds of exotics are legal in your area!  Laws pertaining to exotic pets range from local city bylaws to federal regulations, including the number of pets, types of pets, and conditions under which certain animals can be kept.  Exotic species are prone to more restrictive laws and it is the obligation of the pet owner to be aware of such laws.

Social needs: Some need to have lots of attention, cuddling, and play-time with their owners; while others are not social (e.g. ferrets and potbellied pigs need lots of attention, whereas many amphibians and reptiles are perfectly happy not to be handled at all). Keep in mind that some exotics are too territorial to be kept in the same enclosure. Some are independent, while others prefer a companion of the same species.  If multiple exotics will be kept, consider same sex pairs (often female) to prevent unwanted reproduction.

Veterinarians: Locate a qualified avian and exotic pet veterinarian to care for your exotic beforehand.  Exotic pets usually require specialized care and knowledge, which can be difficult to find for some species.  Such veterinary care can be expensive, thus try to choose an exotic that is not prone to medical problems.

Bringing an exotic pet into your household can be both entertaining and educational! But getting information from an avian and exotic veterinarian can lead to the best choice of pet, followed by a longer and healthier relationship with your exotic. Remember, the key is to first invest in exotic pet education before investing in the pet itself.