Just Say No To Big Cats For A Pet

If you are one of those people considering a big cat as your next pet purchase, you may want to think again. There is much to consider when it comes to purchasing a large cat. Besides the fact that it is a wild animal that will never be truly domesticated, there are some tremendous costs involved. If you think it is just the cost of the cat itself that will empty your wallet you have not done enough research.

Not to mention that most large cats die within the first two years, up to 98%. You will have to cover all the expense of your large cat’s diet, which can be extremely costly when your cat is eating 15 pounds of fresh meat per day. If you try to skimp on nutrition, the vet bills will be even more costly than they would be normally.

You can expect to get a large cat at several price ranges. Some cats can go for as little as $500 and as high as $15,000. The more rare and large cat you get, the more you can expect to pay. Even if you are willing to pay that price for that sweet furry baby, he or she will not stay small for long. Within a year a large, full sized cat that will be sexually mature will replace your fuzzy baby. Even if you decide to spay or neuter your big cat, both sexes will spray continuously on everything and everything that they assume belongs to them, including you! This is how they mark what belongs to them. This large tabby is not going to go in a giant litter box; it is a wild animal, not a domestic house cat.

The most difficult task is to find a vet who is even willing to take care of your large wild cat. This will be a chore, as most vets do not deal with exotic pets at all, let alone a giant wild cat. There is much in the way of liability that their staff will be placed in as well as their regular domestic clients. You can expect if you do find a vet willing, to have to purchase a stainless steel squeeze cage. This cage should hold your big cat at it’s full grown weight. A tiger can weigh as much as 800 pounds or more and average a length of 12 feet long from nose to tail tip. A squeeze cage for an animal this size can cost as much as $2000. Not to mention the forklift rental for $300 you will need to transfer the animal. Once on the forklift, what are you going to put your large cat in to transfer him or her to the vet? Your large cat will not fit into your car. You will need a large van that is in perfect running condition to transfer your cat. You will not want to be stranded on the side of a road with an angry wild cat. This is not something you can borrow either, emergencies happen and you must be prepared.

Another thing to think about when owning large cats is where are they going to live. Most states require you have a minimum of 5 acres of land to build an appropriate cage for your large cat. When you consider that an acre of land can cost any where between $10,000 - $75,000 plus, this could be a costly venture. Plus many states also require an eight foot fence be erected around the property, there goes another $8,000 - $20,000. Your fence cannot be used as part of your cage, so that too is a separate expense ranging from $2500 - $8000 plus. Your cage must have a roof to prevent escape as well. These numbers represent your start up costs and do not include the first year of your big cat’s life. You will also need to be able to provide your big cat with food and vitamin supplements as well as flea and parasite treatments. A large cat is not going to just let you treat them so you will want to be fast and inventive when applying. This does include all the governmental costs you be continuously spending out on as well or leisure items for the cats. Choosing a large cat as a pet can be a costly endeavor. If not done right, you could lose not only all your money, but also your life.

Getting to Know your Pot-bellied Pig

If you are thinking of investing in a pot-bellied pig to bring home as a pet, you will need to know what to expect. Knowing what you are getting yourself into when you adopt a pet pig includes a variety of aspects.

One part of getting to know your pig is to get to know its behavior. For example, even though a pig lives to be approximately 15 years old, its maturity level stays relatively the same. An adult pig has the mentality of a three-year-old child for pretty much its entire life. If you think you can handle this immaturity for over 15 years, then you may be ready to purchase one as a pet.

You also will want to know that your pig may start out small, but it often reaches a weight of over 100 pounds. Not only that, but you will need to have the patience to train your pig if you want to allow it to stay in your house. Even if you do allow your pig in the house, the best place to keep your pet pig would be on a farm or huge property that provides enough land area.

If you have enough land or farm area for your pig to run around in, you can set up a place where it can roll in the mud or take a dip in a small pool. This will help keep your pig cool during the summertime. Furthermore, it is a great way to let your pig burn off some energy, and to do what it is naturally prone to do-get dirty.

Many pigs, especially if they have grown up to be an only child, do not require a companion. However, providing for them a companion cannot hurt. They are somewhat social animals, but they are also comfortable being alone. If you are concerned about your pig being lonely then you can purchase another pig so it has some company while you are gone.

If you own pigs you will need to be aware that they have a tendency to try to raid household cupboards and refrigerators, so you will need to think of a way to lock these for your protection. They can also be quite aggressive and they can disrupt your landscaping in some cases.

The good news is, however, that these creatures are very easily and readily trained. You can encourage good behavior out of your pet pig by setting boundaries and saying “no” when you mean it. Furthermore, you can use positive reinforcement to praise your pig when your pig behaves according to the rules you have set for your home. It is best not to use physical punishment, because they will not respond well to it. They could possibly rebel even further.

The other bit of happy news about pigs is that they can be adorable and fun-loving creatures. Furthermore, they are more intelligent than people might think. Furthermore, you can find pigs that have been brought into the world by breeders who care about animals, and who do not exploit them.

If you want to invest in a pig you also will need to make sure you have enough money financially to take it to the doctor at least once or twice a year for checkups. It will also need to be spayed or neutered as soon as possible and will need the proper immunization shots. In fact, it may be wise to make sure you can find an animal doctor who lives close enough to you that can care for the animal.

If you want to be successful in raising a pig you need to study as much as you can about how to raise them. You also need to know what kind of diet they need and how to clean them after a mud bath if you intend on letting it back in your house. You will also need to keep up with new trends of animal care, which your vet can help you do.

The more you understand about how to take care of your pet pot-bellied big the more you will be able to provide for its needs. For more information about how to raise one of these animals you can read more articles just like this one or you can contact a professional who knows how to handle them.

FAQ’s of Hedgehog Care

When it comes to pets these days, many people look for something that will best compliment their personality. Some people opt for cats, while others look at getting a family dog, then there are some that just want to stray from the norm.

These people are the ones who look to be original and have a pet that no one else has. This is where the African hedgehog comes into the picture. These cute prickly little creatures are anything but normal when it comes to pets, yet more and more people today are looking into these wonderful little animals to introduce into their homes.

Like all pets there is a certain level of care that must be applied to the raising of hedgehogs, while it may not be litter boxes or leases there is still a regime that must be followed to keep your hedgehog happy and healthy.

There are many questions that are asked when someone is looking at buying and caring for hedgehogs. There really is no right or wrong question to ask when you are interested in a hedgehog as a pet. Considering the fact that hedgehogs have become a very popular pet over the last decade we will explore some of the most asked questions about these great little pets.

What are the laws in regards to hedgehogs and keeping them as pets?

Like all exotic animals, there may be laws governing their keeping in your area. It would be best to find out from your local authorities prior to purchase. This will keep you out of trouble should you not be allowed to own one and you get caught.

With breeding always an issue, when is it best to breed hedgehogs should you choose too?

African hedgehogs generally are ready to reproduce between 3-4 months, it would be best however to allow them to become at least 6 months of age before considering it. The average gestational period of the hedgehog is 34-37 days, and the litter will usually be somewhere in the 1-7 pup range. More often than not however, you will see a litter of 4 pups.

Should a new hedgehog mother be left alone after she gives birth?

A new hedgehog mother should definitely be left alone after she has given birth to her pups. Hedgehogs are naturally shy and skittish animals to begin with, should you attempt to handle your hedgehog shortly after she has given birth more than likely she will become stressed and she may eat her young. It is always best to leave her be until the pups are weaned from her and they can be moved into a separate environment.

What kind of housing should be appropriate for hedgehogs?

One thing that must be remembered about hedgehogs is that they are great climbers and swimmers. You will need a home that is smooth and high walled should you want to keep your hedgehog within its confines. Generally people will use a 20-gallon aquarium with a mesh lid. Placing an old plant pot or small cardboard box in the tank will give them the privacy that they need, as they are very shy.

What type of bedding should be used in a hedgehog home?

You will want to avoid any cedar or pine shavings for the bedding of a hedgehog, as the oils in the wood will introduce repertory tract infections as well as trouble with their feet and skin. It is always best to use shredded newspaper or paper pellets in the hedgehog home.

What temperature should the hedgehogs be held in?

The most ideal temperature to house hedgehogs would be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Should you go lower than 75 there is a chance that the hedgehog will go into hibernation. If you go above the 85-degree mark you will risk the hedgehog and could put them in heat stress. They could also become very sluggish and will not have very much energy.



What types of food should they eat?

It is possible for your hedgehog to eat small amounts of chopped fruits and vegetables, yet they will also eat bugs. They should not be given bugs that you find around your home; they should ideally be bugs like mealworms from your local pet store.

Fun Facts About Your Pet Ferret

There are lots of great things about ferrets. These are charming little sweeties that are very playful. Many people first get a glimpse of a ferret through a friend or a pet store. They can be almost irresistible to not take home. For many people, ferrets make extremely rewarding pets. There are many things to consider before just taking your wonderful ferret home with you. Depending on your life style, a ferret may not be the right pet for you, no matter how bad you want one or more. It is important to discover all the wonderful ferret facts prior to making your final decision. There is much in the way of responsibility when it come to ferret raising. Each ferret has his or her own specific needs, feelings, and personality.

Ferrets are magnificently social and need to be played with quite frequently. They strive for interaction and crave attention. Ferrets may be small, but they are not “hand pets” that are happy in the confines of a cage, no matter how large. They will want to come out and play with their owners and snoop all around the home. Ferrets require more out of cage time than they do inside. So be prepared to watch you sweet ferret explore the house with vigor and find things you forgot you even owned. For ferret lovers this is extremely amusing and entertaining. If you cannot provide the constant play time and interaction that your ferret friend needs, it is important to get him or her a companion. Ferrets enjoy each other and will play with each other often.

Ferrets are amazingly smart creatures, which can be very dangerous. They will get into things that once could never dream of. Ferrets have a special ability to get into what they are not supposed to and out of what they should be able to. They are little guys and can quickly dodge being seen by following along walls or hiding under furniture. Your ferret may even sneak past you when you open the door for a quick second. One must be very cautious with a loose ferret around the house in order to keep him or her safe. Everyone in the home should be trained on keep a watchful eye out for his or her smart ferret companions. It is also a good idea to ferret-proof your home. This will have to include some very ingenious maneuvers. Ferrets have very flexible bones to go with their wit. They can get into spaces that defy all rationality, so ferret proofing can be very tricky. Not to mention they are avid climbers and will manage to get into something you think is out of reach if so desired. With their smart nature you will find your ferret will drag other objects into position to make climbing to the desired location easier. You can also expect your ferret to explore any cabinet without a latch as well; they can open them with ease.

Ferrets can be litter trained. This is wonderful news for many free roaming ferret owners. Although they may not use it every single time, for the most part if trained properly they will. Ferrets metabolize food quickly and eliminate often, so having many litter boxes at your ferret’s disposal will encourage relief in an appropriate location. It is also a wise idea to have newspapers scattered through frequently traveled ferret areas. Your ferret will have at least one accident outside the litter box per day, so newspapers help provide a secondary place to relieve should the need arise.

Although there are so many fun things about ferrets that can make them great pets and companions, it takes time and consideration when deciding if they are for you. You do not want to buy a ferret on impulse to find out you cannot handle the responsibility and have to abandon him or her at a shelter. Make sure that you are informed about your ferret and know what to expect before bringing him or her into your home. It is far easier to make an error when getting a ferret than with other domestic animals because finding appropriate information can be harder. Always be sue to find out everything about ferret raising prior to purchasing so you can be sure that a ferret is compatible with your life style.

Food Facts and Care Tips for Sugar Gliders

Taking care of a sugar glider takes quite a bit of patience and dedication. You need to know how to properly care for this small animal, which is native to Australia and Guinea. Proper care of this exotic pet includes knowing what types of food this creature will eat and how to properly house it.

About 30 percent of a sugar glider’s overall food intake includes vegetables. Some sources suggest a little more than 30 percent while other sources suggest less. The point is that sugar gliders need healthy foods in their diet, and veggies contain one main source of nutrients that they need. Likewise, 25 to 50 percent of what nutrients a glider needs come from meat and the remaining 15 percent comes from breads and cereals.

Overall, the food that is fed to these animals should contain as low of fat as possible, with as little amount of sugar as possible. Of course, cutting these animals off from sweats will be a challenge since they naturally have a taste for it. However they will feel full and satisfied if you give them a proper diet. You can read more information about the exact diet that a sugar glider requires if you read more articles and search for more information online.

In addition to feeding your pet properly, you need to house it properly as well. They do not do well in cages that are less than 3 feet high. Therefore, even though they sell them in pet stores in some cases, you will have to use your better judgment and either find a larger cage or make one. If you choose to make a cage, you are better off using unexposed metal that is not galvanized.

Also, you will want to use coated metal to make the walls of the cage, because metal that is not vinyl or powder treated will irritate your pet. If you want to make your cage even more homelike for your sugar glider you will want to add tree branches or other climbing gear so they can enjoy their time in the cage.

The best type of materials to use for making climbing devices is non-toxic wooden structures and tree branches of different varieties. Plastics and other materials that give off harmful fumes are not recommended for your pet. You will also want to use a pillow or other small material to make a bed for your animal so it can sleep at night. In addition, you may want to provide for your animal a friend, such as another sugar glider, since they are social animals. In fact, the more the merrier for them, so you may want to invest in a few of them so they can hang out in a pack.

To further keep your sugar glider occupied, you will want to add some small toys to its cage. Examples of good toys to give your pet include swings, rings, ladders, and mirrors. All toys that you provide for your glider should be free of loose ends or fabric that they could possibly swallow. You can also add an exercise wheel that contains no cross bars or spaces in which the animal’s tale can get caught. Your glider will love running around in the wheel, and could possibly do so for hours.

One more fact about gliders that you should know is that they get bored fast. Therefore, you may need to rotate the types of toys that you include in the cage in order to keep their interest. You can also take them out and hold them. Usually they will be sleeping when you hold them if you do so during the day. You can also play with them if you are up when they are up.

Important things to remember about cleaning a glider’s cage, particularly a male sugar glider’s cage, is that you need to make sure you do not clean it too often. Otherwise, your male pet may increase his male territory marking, which leaves even more of a stench. If you cannot stand the stench of the male’s cage you may need to spray it with a baking soda and water mixture and then rinse/wipe it off. You will not have to clean the entire cage every single day.

If you are contemplating the purchase of a sugar glider the above tips can help you. If you have any further questions regarding these or other aspects of owning a sugar glider as a pet you will want to contact professionals trained to deal with them. You can get most of your questioned answered researching online.

Guinea Pig – Why these are Great Pets

Guinea pigs are cute, there’s no escaping that fact. If you want to get a couple of guinea pigs as pets, then you’ve made a good decision. They make great pets, especially if you’ve got young children in your household. Find out why a guinea pig is the best type of rodent pet you can buy, and a few other very interesting guinea pig facts.

A guinea pig pal is a good animal pal for everyone in the family. Children love them! An animal pet pal of this sort will live a long time, as compared to others in the rodent family. The guinea pig will live on average about eight to ten years, if you take very good care of their dietary needs. Some guinea pigs will live over ten years, and their long life gives children a chance to really bond with their animals. Plus, you don’t have to concern yourself with the sadness of younger children when they die after a few years; broken hearts are hard for even adults to take. Mature guinea pigs will grow to ten inches long, and weight close to four pounds.

The guinea pig family comes in a lot of different colors, from tan to white with brown circles on them. Their cute black noses and silky hair make them feel comfortable to hold, and plain adorable to look at. You’ll love the fact too that guinea pigs won’t bite unless under extreme stress. It’s not hard to train them if you want, but their natural curiosity will lead them to play on most toys that you place into their cage. You can find fun and sturdy guinea pig toys at your local pet shop, and they will use them a lot because guinea pigs will play even at night. Your children will be able to enjoy them after they get home from school, or watch them play at bedtime. They’re adaptable to your schedule when they’re used to it.

One drawback about owning a guinea pig is that you’ll have to buy two of them because they’re very social animals. They’ll become depressed if there’s not another one around to play with, or cuddle up against. If you don’t want any more, make sure to buy two females to live together, males usually don’t work well because they can be aggressive with each other. Cages are another drawback because guinea pigs need a larger than average one because of their size. Usually, two feet per guinea pig is all you’ll need per square foot. Make sure your cage is large enough because you don’t want a depressed guinea on your hands. One nice thing about the animal is that it they love their home, and won’t try to get out as much as other rodents. Also, they don’t have to have as much exercise as others either.

Feeding a guinea pig is a little more difficult than other pets from the rodent family, like rats. You’ll need to buy specialized pellets from a pet or feed store that has lots of vitamin C, and make sure it’s fresh because it can become stale and the necessary vitamin is degraded. The reason you have to supplement their diet is because like humans, the guinea can’t make its own vitamin C, they just aren’t born with the enzyme to do it. You can add a little extra supplement and make the guinea pig very happy, with fresh kitchen scraps of vegetables and small amounts of hay, too. If you don’t feed your little guinea pig their needed foods and supplements they will die, usually within 3 weeks after they symptoms appear of diarrhea and a runny nose. Scurvy will set in too and they will not walk around a lot due to inflamed joints.

Guinea pigs are great pets, and taking care of their nutritional needs is a little more work, but there are so many benefits it’s hard not to dote on them. Spend a little time researching all you can about the wonderful animal, and shop around for a pair. Take the children along and let them pick out a couple; they’ll love it when you say they can get two! Before you do though have their home in place, and all of your foods planned out for them. You want to start out right with a happy and snuggly pair of guinea pigs that are a lot of fun and love.

Hamsters and Gerbils – What's the Difference

A hamster is a hamster, but not necessarily a funny one, but still a cute one to look at. Gerbils and hamsters are both members of the rodent family, but they’re very different in personality, but a lot alike in needs. If you are not sure which one you would like to have then read on a little more, and learn about the personalities and care of hamsters and gerbils.

Socially gerbils and hamsters are two very different creatures. If you like to buy only one animal at a time, then you’ll want to look at the gerbil. A gerbil is content to either live by itself, or if introduced when pups they can live with other gerbils. Don’t be fooled by the gerbil’s intelligence because they will not accept another pup, or even the same pup back into its cage, even if it’s only been a few days since its brother or sister left. Hamsters on the other hand, want to be left alone and will fight with other hamsters, so if you want more than one you’ll need to buy a separate cage. Hamsters are smaller than gerbils on average, but not significantly though. Typical gerbils range in size from the tip of the nose to the end of its tail to eight inches, and hamsters are about seven inches long. The sizes of their cages are about the same, too, of 12x24 inches wide with a foot of height.

Gerbils have been reported to live a year or two longer, and some can live up to six years. Hamsters live about three years. During their lifetime you’ll find that gerbils love to play a lot, while hamsters will have periods of inactivity. Children love animals that really play and interact with them a lot. Another great thing about gerbils is that they’ll adapt to your schedule, and that’s good for kids. Also, your children will be able to pop in their rooms most anytime, and a gerbil will be up and about. Temperament is another thing that encourages people to buy a gerbil. They’re much easier to tame, and overall compared to other members of the rodent family, they’re docile and people friendly. Of course both the hamster and gerbil have to be tamed to get used to being handled. A hamster will bite if they are startled when awoken from a dead sleep, but the gerbil is not as skittish, and has to be provoked to bite, but it will bite if extremely frightened.

Hamsters just like most of its rodent cousins will urinate frequently. In their bedding it will become soggy from a high ammonia smell. It will need to be changed often, at least once every two weeks. The benefit of a gerbil is that because they originated from the deserts, they don’t urinate as often, and their bedding can be changed about once every two weeks. You’ll need to keep clean fresh water out in a non-toxic ceramic bow, or bottle on the side of their cage, but it won’t have to be filled up as much because they don’t drink as often as the hamster. Both the hamsters and gerbils dietary needs are about the same. A good way to know what they need is to talk with a veterinarian that works with exotic animals; they can tell you the best diet for either the hamster or gerbil.

Physically both species are prone to injuries because of neglect, or not enough knowledge about their bodies. One drawback to owning a gerbil is that its tail can be damaged very easily. A gerbil will bite if hurt, so know how to handle them. Don’t ever pick up a gerbil by its tail! The skin can dislodge from the base of its tail, and pull off exposing bone. Some gerbils have died, and others have to be sent to the vet for the tail to be amputated. Hamster have problems too because people leave them unattended and they fall to their death. The eyesight on a hamster is not good at all, and that’s part of the reason they will snap out and bite, even if putting a hand into their cage.

Finally, it might sound like the hamster has gotten a bad rap, but its important to know what type of animal you want, especially if you’ve children in the home. Its not that the hammy hamster is bad, their just different, and they might be more appropriate for older children.