exam done by a practitioner at least annually, and hooves trimmed (think pedicure) once every 6 to 8 weeks or so. Remember, the cheapest part of owning a horse is the initial purchase price. A horse is never FREE so don’t fall into that trap. Make sure you have done your research.
really in the best interest of your existing pack. Even wolf-hybrids, by far the most common and longest bred “exotic”, have their personality differences from traditional dogs. Another important thing to consider is state/ community law. Many of these pets are not allowed inside city limits and a large number of them require a permit to house and appropriate enclosures anywhere in the state. DO YOUR RESEARCH.
EXOTIC MAMMALS Having focused on horses, let’s chat just briefly about two of the more popular categories of pets people are buying What are the basics? lately. Exotic mammals, Food: Primarily meat diet. more specifically exotic Must be balanced. Some carnivores. Though there formulated kibble can be ok. are others for this purpose, Feed bills can become quite think hybrid and wild cats expensive to provide a balor dog species. anced carnivorous diet. You see the kittens on Space: Initially little but as somebodies Facebook they grow, more space and page. You see an advertiseenrichment is required. ment with a model walking a puma on a leash down the Good fencing: Fencing may require a secure dog fence city street. An ad on Craigslist advertises wolf-hybrids all the way to a covered large, strong enclosure. Depends 82% for within your budget. So tempting! Imagine if on the species and legalities of what is being housed. YOU had one of these cool species at your house! Oh, Other expenses: Medical care can be hard to come by how your friends would envy! Aren’t they soooo beautias many veterinarians will refuse service on animals listed ful? Let’s take a quick look at the realities of the carnias exotic. Otherwise, annual vaccinations, licensure and vores. Many of the hybrid and wild species still possess mostly traditional pet care. strong natural tendencies. Hunting is a compulsion, a There are many other classes of “exotic” pets! Always survival instinct. Animals raised in loving homes still do your research and be prepared for what it really takes contain within them the building blocks to be a killer. to own one of these unusual pets. Because their parents or grandparents needed that instinct to survive. Dr. Courtney Bridgeman attended This is key number one to why Texas A&M school of Veterinary these guys make difficult pets and Medicine (‘07) as well as College are NOT for beginner or hobby pet of Animal Sciences (‘02). She owners. Even a young animal raised joined the San Antonio Humane from birth can show tendencies Society as their first full-time that make them a challenge to live veterinarian 5 years ago and has around. Other pets in the household worked to create a healthy and and even young children can be at happy environment for all the risk from even play behavior. Doing animals there. Dr. Bridgeman your research, visiting the homes of enjoys her small ranch of race bred people or looking at CREDIBLE Quarter Horses and raising her expert sites is the least that should be DR. COURTNEY H. BRIDGEMAN, CHIEF 2yr old twin daughters, Evellyn done when deciding if one of these VETERINARIAN FOR SAN ANTONIO and Jaedyn. HUMANE SOCIETY, AND FRIEND bigger, less traditional carnivores is {July 2014}
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