Advice on how to take care of an exotic pet | Homestyle Gossip

As the popularity of keeping exotic pets increases evermore, people are becoming far better informed on how to care for their exotic pets.? There are more specialist pet shops that stock these creatures and staff are usually well-informed and can offer good advice on what you will need for your new pet, how to care for them, and what to do if you notice any problems such as a change in behaviour or apparent sickness.

Such advice can be rather self-interested on the part of the shopkeeper, since their advice may end in you buying more equipment, tonics and so on.? So to educate yourself, we have provided some advice on how to take care of your exotic pet, below.? If you feel that your pet is not well or is in any distress or discomfort, you should seek the advice of a specialist vet.

Before we start, though, you should be aware that you need some solid reasons for choosing an exotic pet and not just because it is a bit different.? You should have already had experience of caring for some kind of special-care pet (e.g. tropical fish), or at the very least have had a variety of well cared-for pets in the past; you need to be fascinated by exotic pets and enthusiastic about owning one (and not just for the novelty value ? that will wear off).? You also need a healthy respect for what some of these exotic pets are capable, and treat them carefully accordingly.? Think about who will care for your pet if you go away ? it?s not like having a neighbour pop in and feed the cat, you need someone who knows what they?re doing.?? Remember that you will need adequate space for your chosen pet ? both initially and when it gets older (and larger?.).?? And you need to be aware of all the costs relating to that pet, so that you can be sure that you can commit to caring for it in the long-term.

Once you have decided whether you can and should take on an exotic pet, you need to be aware of certain rules and regulations.? The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence to fail to care for an animal properly ? so if you don?t care for your exotic pet in the right way (including giving it suitable housing, diet and a natural environment), or neglect its needs, then you could end up with a fine (up to ?20,000), imprisonment (up to a year) and a criminal record.? The Act also says that you have to be at least 16 before you can buy a pet.

Specific to exotic animals is the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 makes it illegal to own creatures that are a danger to the public (this was at a time when you could buy a tiger from Harrods).? The Act contains a list of such animals, which is often revised and updated, so check it before you buy as otherwise you will need a special license if you inadvertently acquire an animal that is listed.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it illegal to release exotic creatures into the wild, so if you find that you can no longer care for your exotic pet you cannot simply set it free.

The sort of practical things you will need if you invest in an exotic pet and pet care are:

Adequate housing

-????????? Terrarium (a specialist tank made of glass or plastic) that is big enough to house your pet even when it is fully-grown.

-????????? Heating pad/lamp (to keep your creature warm, if it is from a hot climate) that goes at one end of the tank ? that way, your pet has the choice of where to sit, day and night, and may choose to sit in the cool end or the warm end depending on what it needs.? Any heat source that your pet can reach must be covered with a guard to protect against burns.

-????????? Thermostat to keep an eye on the temperature.

-????????? UV lamp (to give Vitamin D)

-????????? Water bottle with misting attachment, to keep the tank humid if appropriate (you?ll need to spray the tank regularly).

-????????? Bark/leaves/branches/sand ? whatever is recommended as being closest to your pet?s natural environment (and check for toxicity as some leaves may be poisonous to your pet).

-????????? Sterilising equipment ? to clean anything that is going to be put into the pet?s home.

Appropriate Feeding

-????????? Most exotic pets will need to eat live food. ?That might be locusts, worms, or small mammals like mice or chicks.? Read up on your chosen pet to discover its particular needs.

Careful Handling

-?????? Some exotic pets should be merely observed, whilst others can tolerate and even enjoy handling.? Read up on your chosen creature and check out advice on its behaviour and temperament and how it responds to handling.

-?????? Be aware that your pet may be nocturnal ? so having their tank in your bedroom may not be a good idea.

Cost

-????????? The initial outlay for housing can be quite expensive, but remember to budget for their long-term costs such as live food and any veterinary bills.

-????????? You may need to do some research to find a vet who specialises in exotic pets ? most vets will be unfamiliar with the ?norms? for exotic pets and could miss something vital.

-????????? Consider pet insurance ? this will avoid a situation where you have to choose between your money and your pet?s life.

Do your research, choose carefully, and enjoy a long relationship with your exotic pet!

VN:F [1.9.7_1111]

Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

VN:F [1.9.7_1111]

Leave a Reply

Source: http://www.homestyle-gossip.com/advice-on-how-to-take-care-of-an-exotic-pet/

oscar nominees the tree of life movie 2012 oscar nominations academy award nominees 2012 florida debate kyle williams mark kirk