Every pet should have the best life its owners can provide. Some take cats or dogs home to be treated like royalties. Some prefer small pocket pets or exotic mammals like rabbits, ferrets, and hedgehogs.
It is easy for family pet owners to look for veterinarian hospitals dealing with typical domestic animals; however, exotics also need their health checked. To be sure that your exotic pet is healthy and getting its needs, you may continue reading for tips.
How to Raise an Exotic Mammal
To start with, you should do your research. If you are yet to get your exotic, do not be impulsive. Know what it requires to raise the particular species you are interested in. If you have your pet already, make sure you can offer the following.
Health and Wellness
Find a great vet that can handle such animals. Most often, these small pets are prey in the wild. That means they are great at concealing any sign of pain or disease. Sometimes illnesses in these pets only show when they are at an advanced stage. Regular checkups are needed so they can be assessed because preventive veterinary care is necessary. You may check online to find help by typing searches like “dog oncologist near me” or “exotic pet wellness.” If you have questions about your pet’s health, you need to go directly to the vet.
Proper and Balanced Nutrition
Always ask your exotic pet vet and do proper research to offer your pets the right diet plan. Pocket pets, such as rodents, can be given pellets but also require fresh fruits, nuts, and twigs. The food they forage in nature can be easy enough for the pet owners to supply.
A “Natural” Habitat
Don’t just lock your cuties in store-bought tanks or cages. The bigger their accommodations are, the better. Ensure their housing can imitate a little bit of their way of life in the wild to guarantee they are stimulated.
Give them toys to keep them busy and still have the ability to practice foraging and outdoor skills. If you need to offer lighting and heating devices, do so. Such a setup can help prevent depression in pets.
Regular Grooming
Know how to groom your pet. Some exotics dislike being touched, like chinchillas, while ferrets love it. Discover their nature and understand the regimens they have to live with. Some rodents need claw cutting, and some require trimming of teeth. Ask your trusted vet about grooming and dental services for your exotics.
Spaying and Neutering
Pocket pets mature sexually rather early, and if not addressed, you might be welcoming babies– a chock-full, maybe. If you are not planning to raise a lot, think about these procedures. These likewise can protect your pets from developing health problems connected to their reproductive system. Check with vet hospitals like Oak Grove Animal Hospital if you need to know more about these procedures.
The Takeaway
As simple as it seems to raise something so small, exotic pocket pets require love, care, and attention in numerous ways. The best way to keep them well is to search for a reliable vet to handle these cuties. Listen to the vet’s recommendations and do your own research if possible. Provide a well-balanced diet in addition to a stimulating environment. A few of them have brief lifespans, so let them get all the love they deserve.