Behavior and Health of Exotic Pets
From About.com
Sometimes it can be tricky to understand the behavior of our exotic pets. it is important to realize that most behaviors we perceive as problematic have a basic in the inherent characteristics and needs of of our pets. Once we understand the reason behind a behavior we can help manage that behavior. Closely intertwined with behavior is health, and often a change in behavior is the first sign that a health problem is brewing. Resources on both behavioral and health concerns can be found here.
Taming and Handling
Many exotic pets need a bit of "training" to get them used to handling as they are soemtimes fearful of their human caretakers at first. With a bit of patience and time, is is possible to earn the trust of exotic pets so that they become much easier to handle. However, this depends a bit on the animal involved, as some exotic pets are much better off when not handled.
- Taming and Handling Pet Hamsters
- Taming and Handling Gerbils
- Taming and Handling Pet Mice
- How to Tame a Chinchilla
Biting
Unfortunately, this can be a serious problems with some exotic pets. Though it can be intimidating to owners, biting does not indicate that your pet has a mean streak; more likely there is some sort of need behind the biting, such as fear, territoriality, or fluctuating hormones. Understanding the reasons why your pet is biting is the first step to overcoming the problem.
Litter Training
Some exotic pets can be litter trained quite well. Most are not quite as good about it as cats, but even an imperfect use of the litter box will make cage hygiene and cleaning a lot easier, as well as being helpful during playtime outside of the cage. It may take a bit of time and patience to get your pet to use a litter box, but it is worth the effort.
- Litter Training Pet Rabbits
- Litter Training Ferrets
- Litter Training Pet Mice
- Litter Training Pet Rats
- House Training Pot Bellied Pigs
Chewing and Digging
Chewing and digging are pretty natural behaviors for some exotic pets. Here's advice on managing this behavior so that your pets chew on or dig in appropriate items, rather than destroying your belongings.
Exotic Pet Safety
Keeping exotic pets safe requires lots of planning and pet-proofing. The best way to make your home safe for your pet is to put yourself in your pet's place for a bit, including getting down on the floor and looking around. Try and think about what might look good to chew on or play with, and what might look like a cozy place to hide away, and make these items safe for your pet. These guides to pet-proofing will give you a good starting point. In addition, holiday decorations and temperature extremes pose additional safety challenges.
- Holiday Hazards
- Halloween Safety for Exotic Pets
- Keeping Exotic Pets Cool
- How to Find an Escaped Pet in the House
Health Problems
Finding a vet to deal with your exotic pet can be a bit tricky, but it is an essential part of being an exotic pet owner. Exotic pets can suffer from a wide range of medical problems and it takes a vet visit to properly treat and diagnose health concerns. However, for each species there are some conditions which crop up more frequently, and it is wise be familiar with the signs of these common problems and keep an out for them so any health problems can be caught and treated as early as possible.