Health Care Tips for Your Exotic Pet

Having your exotic pet on a regular check up with a veterinarian is an important part on your exotic pet’s health. There could be important things that you would like to know in order to maintain the quality of health of your exotic pet.

Make sure that you develop good communication with your veterinarian so that it would be easier for you to contact him in case your pet needs a check up or treatment. You may find your exotic pets having problems with their health.

The most common illness for most exotic pets like snakes is anorexia. This is caused by factors like the husbandry where low temperature may cause exotic pets to lose their appetite. Snakes have the tendency to lessen metabolism when it is fall.

Anorexia among snakes is also caused by the low quality of food fed to them. Another reason could be the wrong way you present food to the pet. It is important that you should know the right way on how to serve the right food for your pets to make them eat well.

If anorexia isn't properly treated, this may lead to other diseases for your exotic pet. It is important that you should have knowledge on how to give your pet good health. Here are some tips in order to keep your exotic pet healthy.

1. Make sure that you bring your snake to your community veterinarian if symptoms of lost appetite is seen.

2. Observe the snake whether there are changes in his eating habits and if it can eat the same amount of food that you usually give.

3. Make sure that you supply heat in its cage by setting up a heating system that will provide the needed temperature for its body metabolism. Low temperature is the common reason why snakes lose their appetite. Their body metabolism tends to fall.

4. You should know the proper manner of serving food to your exotic pet. You should also pay attention to the quality of food that you serve.

5. Make sure that your husbandry is properly maintained and you have to keep it clean.

Exotic pets like snakes should be examined if there is no progress in its appetite. Your veterinarian may reevaluate his findings and make new clinical diagnosis to check if there are parasites affecting the health of your exotic pet. If necessary, x-rays and ultrasounds may be conducted to determine the real health problem of your exotic pet.

Read More

Tips to Domesticate an Exotic Pet

Loving an exotic animal will come naturally to those who are attracted to the wild. These creatures have their unique charm and traits that make them very desirable to be owned.

Still, keeping an exotic pet doesn't have to entail making a jungle out of the household. It doesn't mean that the whole household shall conspire to give the animal everything. At this point, domesticating the exotic animal is a big necessity.

How to Domesticate an Exotic Pet?

Owning an exotic pet can entail wild encounters and hardships in maintenance. This is so because exotic pets, by their very nature, aren't accustomed to living with people, even more in the urban setting. They aren't like dogs and cats that have been tamed to live with people for thousands of years already.

This makes domesticating the exotic pets an imperative consideration. Here are some tips to properly domesticate the animal:

1. Research

If keeping a trained animal is important for you, better research first on the type of exotic creature to bring in the household. Some are high maintenance. Some are easy to tame. The ferret, for example, isn't a common household pet but it is easy to tame and very predictable.

There are also specific behavior patterns that can be learned. These can very well make the animal more predictable. Even fierce snakes and big cats can be appeased and kept from their wild nature by understanding peculiar traits.

Just know everything about the exotic animal and things will go smoothly.

2. Tamed Breeds

There are exotic pets that are already bred and raised by humans. They are more familiar with people. Thus, domesticating them isn't difficult. Most of them too are trained already. They can be acquired through the proper pet trade.

3. Young Animals

Some animals too become tame to people who raised them. There can be some sort of familiarity and some amount of domestication when the exotic pet grows with the actual owners.

This can be done by bonding with the pet. Sometimes, even the behavior of the exotic pets will depend on how they are raised and cared for by the owners.

Read More

How to Deal with Exotic Pet Behavior

Many people are drawn by the desire to own exotic pets.

Some say it is to answer the need to be different and unique. Some have this obsession for anything exotic. Others are simply called into the wild.

No matter what the reasons may be, anybody who wants to own an exotic pet will definitely do everything to do so.

Basic Requirements in Owning an Exotic Pet

There are many things to consider in owning a pet. However, there are basic considerations before bringing home the exotic animal.

The household must have the physical structures needed to support the movement and ‘lifestyle’ of the pet. For example, there must be enough room for the big pet.

Financial considerations should also be factored in. Most exotic pets require unusual diet. The food alone can sometimes be burdensome.

There are also specific exotic pets that may be restricted or regulated by the local and federal laws like monkeys and tigers. Make sure no law is violated by bringing home the exotic creature.

Consent of everyone in the household must be acquired first. This is to avoid any problems or fights in the family and to maintain harmonious existence. Support or help in the household may also come in handy in caring for the pet.

Finally, one must also know how to properly deal with the behavior of the pet. In this regard, the following tips may be considered:

1. Research First

Before bringing home the exotic pet, be sure that the type will suit the needs and demands in the household. There could also be peculiar behaviors that may irritate the household.

Will it fit in the house? Should it stay indoor or outdoor? What are its toilet habits? Does it ever get noisy? Does it need a mate or can it live alone?

2. Consult the Veterinarian

Exotic pets behave differently than household pets. They may have needs that are beyond what the house can provide and only a veterinarian can answer.

However, not all veterinarians will accommodate a wild pet. Find a willing one that you can turn to when things get a bit complicated.

3. Get a Professional Trainer

There are behaviors in exotic pets that can be trained. Get a professional trainer that can teach this to them to make life with the pet easier and if possible, more fun.

4. Know the Limitations

Owners must know the limitations in the behavior of exotic pets. There are those that can be played with but be alert always of the limitations.

Read More

Food for Exotic Pets

Some people consider having an exotic pet as a companion in the home. This can be a bird, a snake, a spider or even a scorpion. Though some of these are venomous, proper care must be enforced to make sure such incidents don't happen.

Aside from making the home similar to the habitat of the pet, the most important thing is giving the right diet. If the animal is a frog, insects such as mosquitoes or flies, which are difficult to breed at home, can be purchased from the store.

Those who decide to have a snake at home will make the creature happy by feeding it a live mouse. If watching how the rodent dies sickens the individual, it can be killed and frozen then just warmed in hot water before giving it to the pet.

The reason the mouse should be placed in warm water first is because snakes won't eat anything cold. This is considered to be a waste of money since the creature will just spit it out after.

If the owner finds buying insects or mice expensive, it will be a good idea to raise them at home. This is very challenging but with proper care, this will surely save money in the long term.

The only risk this poses is the possibility that these might escape and do damage to the home. Some people who wanted to raise crickets gave up after realizing how inconvenient it was because of the noise.

The best advice is to perhaps only buy a sufficient number so that there wouldn’t be any problems caused by raising the exotic animal in the comforts of home. The animal lover can compare the price of the pet store and those offered online before making an order. The customer should keep in mind that some retailers give discounts for bulk orders.

Some exotic animals are herbivores. Instead of buying this from the supermarket or the pet store, the person can try planting these in the backyard. There might be too much for the pet to consume so some can also be used when preparing dishes at home.

There are many things needed to make sure the pet is well treated at home. Aside from taking this to the vet or providing adequate shelter, the best is still maintaining a proper diet to make sure it is always healthy and strong.

Read More

Tips to Domesticate an Exotic Pet

Loving an exotic animal will come naturally to those who are attracted to the wild. These creatures have their unique charm and traits that make them very desirable to be owned.

Still, keeping an exotic pet doesn't have to entail making a jungle out of the household. It doesn't mean that the whole household shall conspire to give the animal everything. At this point, domesticating the exotic animal is a big necessity.

How to Domesticate an Exotic Pet?

Owning an exotic pet can entail wild encounters and hardships in maintenance. This is so because exotic pets, by their very nature, aren't accustomed to living with people, even more in the urban setting. They aren't like dogs and cats that have been tamed to live with people for thousands of years already.

This makes domesticating the exotic pets an imperative consideration. Here are some tips to properly domesticate the animal:

1. Research

If keeping a trained animal is important for you, better research first on the type of exotic creature to bring in the household. Some are high maintenance. Some are easy to tame. The ferret, for example, isn't a common household pet but it is easy to tame and very predictable.

There are also specific behavior patterns that can be learned. These can very well make the animal more predictable. Even fierce snakes and big cats can be appeased and kept from their wild nature by understanding peculiar traits.

Just know everything about the exotic animal and things will go smoothly.

2. Tamed Breeds

There are exotic pets that are already bred and raised by humans. They are more familiar with people. Thus, domesticating them isn't difficult. Most of them too are trained already. They can be acquired through the proper pet trade.

3. Young Animals

Some animals too become tame to people who raised them. There can be some sort of familiarity and some amount of domestication when the exotic pet grows with the actual owners.

This can be done by bonding with the pet. Sometimes, even the behavior of the exotic pets will depend on how they are raised and cared for by the owners.

Read More

How To Name Your Exotic Pet ?

Having a pet is just like having a baby. Pet owners take much time and effort in giving names to their pets much like they would do with their own children. Getting the right name for an ordinary or an exotic pet would give more distinction and personality to the pet.

It is hard enough to choose an ordinary pet and choosing an exotic pet makes the choice doubly difficult. It is always important to think twice before choosing an exotic pet because they are more difficult to take care of than ordinary pets.

The first thing to consider when choosing an exotic pet is your degree of commitment to the pet. Owning and taking care of an exotic pet is no joke and one should always be prepared for challenges. Exotic pets are also more expensive to take care of since they have special needs and requirements.

Once you have chosen an exotic pet, the next part is to decide on its name. Like most people, your exotic pet will be known for its name for as long as its life span, so be careful when giving your exotic pet a name.

Choosing a proper name for an exotic pet can be quite hard but every exotic pet owner can do that with proper research and a little creativity. Make sure the name you choose for your exotic pet is appropriate and can easily be recognized by the pet. The purpose for naming the pet is to have something to call him by which will make him respond so don't give the exotic pet difficult names.

The name given to an exotic pet will distinguish it from the other household pets. Giving short and easy to recall names can be an important factor in making the exotic pet conscious and responsive to the owner’s training and commands.

Pet experts believe that a pet that is given a wrong and inappropriate name can lead to difficulties in training and behavioral patterns. The pet will also have a difficult time recognizing his own name and won't be as responsive to the owner had he been given the proper name.

Names with one syllable are ideal because they are easily recognized by pets. Remember that you are naming an exotic pet and not a person. Even people will have a problem when they are given difficult sounding names so keep the name of your exotic pet as simple as possible.

Choosing one-syllable names that sounds the same with training commands like sit, talk and come will make the exotic pet easier to train. Also avoid giving your exotic pet a name that can cause embarrassment to both of you and even your neighbors.

Today, it is common and acceptable to name pets after humans. Words of caution though; never give identical names to your child and your pet or else, both of them may come at the same time when you call them. Worse, this may cause embarrassment to your child.

Read More

Choosing the Best Cage for Your Exotic Pet

When owning an exotic pet, the first thing you should consider is the cage. You should find the right materials when making a cage for your exotic pet. You may also find ready-made cages that have installed housing systems.

If you prefer buying a snake as your pet, you should prepare a cage that can suit the size and shape of your snake. The size of the cage may depend on the age of the snake. You should also consider the environmental living conditions of the snake.

You may also consider using aquarium tanks as your extra cage for snakes that are less than six to seven feet in length and are required to have swim breaks. For desert snakes, you may prepare a screen top cage to provide ventilation. Tropical snakes may need a cage that has a top raise cover screen to sustain average temperature.

Make sure that your cage has glass-based screens so that you can view your pet clearly. You won't have a hard time in cleaning glass aquariums. However, they are heavy since they are solid and should be placed on a steel stand. You may put solid round castors so that you can move it easily.

You may also find melamine cages that are easier to clean. They are perfect for bigger snakes since they are usually made with large space. It is designed to resist moisture. You can also find plastic-made rubber tubs that are used as breeding cages. This will also serve as your secondary cage in case you need to clean or repair your primary cage.

If you can't afford these kinds of cages, you may have the option of using plywood made cages that are cheaper and easier to find. You can create your own design using good grades of plywood, which can give you a nice finish to your snake cage.

For those snake owners who make their own cages, they always prefer using plywood and melamine crafts since they provide the cage with good insulating properties.

Cages made from glass may have the tendency to lose heat fast especially on its front portion. You may also find a hard time working on glass cages since you will need special tools for cutting edges and portions of the glass.

Always keep in mind that your cage should provide security for your snake as well as to smaller kids. Make sure that you find the right place in your house where you will place the cage. Your cage should provide the same environmental conditions that your exotic pet needs in order to survive.

Read More

Best Places to Look for Exotic Pets

Exotic pets are special pets. You can't buy it in common pet shop or similar place. You can only find these in equally special places. These animals grow in the wild and the jungles, mostly.

If you are really bent on getting an exotic pet, maybe as a gift or as your personal preference, then you have to go to these places to find one.

1. Check out the internet. The internet is an online store for many things, exotic pets included. Specialty pet shops put their store online to get more customers. If you want to know where to get exotic pets fast and easy, check out your computer. The pet you wanted could be delivered with just a click of a button.

2. Local specialty pet shops. If you can’t find just the right one you are looking for online, you can scout the specialty pet shops within your area. They are sure to have an exotic pet or two. If, unfortunately, there are none like that in there, you can ask for references from them because for sure, they know of somebody, a competitor or otherwise, that are selling exotic species.

3. Veterinarians. Although not all veterinarians sell pets, but if you try to look hard enough, you can find one that has an exotic animal for a pet and is willing to sell it to you. Maybe he acquired it from his last trip to the Caribbean or to South America. Either the case, if he is willing to sell it, you are sure to have a good deal.

4. Rescues and Shelters. Rescues and pet shelter houses would likely have animals placed in their institution. Just in the U.S., there are many places where exotic and not so exotic animals need homes. They would be willing to screen you out and give you the pet that you wanted. These are mostly coming from other people who could have abandoned these pets or didn't know how to take care of them properly.

These are the common places where you can see some exotic animals. Of course you can also go to an entirely different country to get one. But that shouldn't be necessary. Common exotic pets such as guinea pigs, iguanas, and turtles should be easy to find. But if you go for snakes, spiders, and skunks, you might just find it a little harder to look for these.

Read More

How To Look Exotic Pet Stores

Having a pet in the house can provide enjoyment to everyone in the family. However, pets can also keep everyone on their toes especially when they are very active and require extra care. Owners of exotic pets may find that they have to work double time in caring for their pets as compared to those who have ordinary pets like dogs or cats.

While most people would prefer to own dogs, cats or birds that are commonly found in every household, there are those who enjoy the challenge of caring for an exotic pet. Some people are interested in exotic pets because of their uniqueness and maybe because they have gotten tired of their ordinary pets.

A person who wants to have an exotic pet can purchase it in an exotic pet shop, adopt one or wish for a lucky star and wait for someone to gift him with an exotic pet. Exotic pets are rare and most are found only in the wild. Knowing this, how can prospective exotic pet owners get their exotic pets?

The popularity of exotic pets has encouraged pet shop owners to come up with their own collection of exotic pets. There are even several pet shops that sell exotic pets online.

Before deciding on purchasing or adopting an exotic pet, it is wise to evaluate the motivation behind such decision. Exotic pets aren't easy to care for like the ordinary pets and the future owner should be more attentive and more committed in taking care of his exotic pet.

Scout around for pet shops selling exotic pets in your area and make sure the exotic pet you want to own and purchase is legal in your jurisdiction. The law prohibits the selling of certain exotic pets and being in possession of one can get you in trouble later on.

This is one of the most common questions I get. Unfortunately it is one of the most difficult for me to answer. So much of this question depends on which sort of pet is involved, where a person lives, and what resources are available in the area.

Make sure to visit pet shops that are reputable and have valid licenses when scouting for your exotic pet. Also do some research on the exotic pet and ask the right questions from the seller like how old the animal is, how safe to keep the exotic pet, its habitat, eating habits and the potential dangers it may pose to your household or the neighborhood.

Before buying the exotic pet, check out the condition of their homes in the pet shop. There are pet shops that take safety and the health of exotic pets in general and this may have a negative result on the exotic pet you are planning to buy. Also ask the pet store if there are vaccines available for the type of exotic pet you want and if such pet has already been given such vaccines if they are applicable.

Read More