* Learn everything you can about the type of animal you want to get.
* Know where you will live and what your income will be for the entire life span of your pet.
* Think about what you want to do with your pet and how much time can you honestly spend with it every day?
*Visit someone who already has the type of pet you are interested in and spend some time with that pet.
* Be tested for animal allergies.
* Consider adopting an animal from a shelter or individual
* Know where you will live and what your income will be for the entire life span of your pet.
* Think about what you want to do with your pet and how much time can you honestly spend with it every day?
*Visit someone who already has the type of pet you are interested in and spend some time with that pet.
* Be tested for animal allergies.
* Consider adopting an animal from a shelter or individual
Rabbits
Rabbits come in a variety of sizes. They can be as large as 11 to 15 pounds to as small as 2 pounds with the average rabbit being 6 to 9 pounds. With this information in mind, a cage for a rabbit must be large enough for the well being of the rabbit, and easy for you to clean as well as to get the rabbit in and out. The rabbit will need lots of out of the cage exercise and social time. Rabbits are curious, playful and active, so a variety of toys will help to stimulate and entertain. Rabbits can be litter trained and can easily be trained for other things like redirecting digging and chewing behaviors. Rabbits are generally clean animals and typically do not require baths, but regular brushing keeps their coat healthy. Nail trimming is a must for rabbits. And their teeth must be checked on a regular basis for lack of proper wear.. Even the best pelleted food is not complete for a rabbit's diet. Fresh grass hay should be provided as well as fresh vegetables.
HAMSTERS
Hamsters are a popular pets. There are as many as 25 species of hamsters. Hamster comes from a German word that means to hoard. Hamsters hoard their food. They have elongated cheek pouches, where they can stuff lots of food and carry back to their den for consumption later.
Hamsters need a good sturdy cage with plenty of air flow, so aquarium do not make great cages for these animals. Bedding of wood shavings or paper are great, and they like plenty of it, so they can make a deep sleeping spot. A hut or cardboard box will give them the safe place to make a nest. Other things like paper tubes, a exercise wheel and climbing structures are great for them to explore. Hamsters are mostly nocturnal and do most of their activity at night, so if you wake them from a deep sleep, give them a minute to wake up before you handle them. They eat seeds, fruit, and some vegetation. Most pet stores carry good quality premixed foods.
Hamsters need a good sturdy cage with plenty of air flow, so aquarium do not make great cages for these animals. Bedding of wood shavings or paper are great, and they like plenty of it, so they can make a deep sleeping spot. A hut or cardboard box will give them the safe place to make a nest. Other things like paper tubes, a exercise wheel and climbing structures are great for them to explore. Hamsters are mostly nocturnal and do most of their activity at night, so if you wake them from a deep sleep, give them a minute to wake up before you handle them. They eat seeds, fruit, and some vegetation. Most pet stores carry good quality premixed foods.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea Pigs are known for for making a variety of different sounds for communication. For instance, once they know what the refrigerator door opening sounds like they will squeal really loud and want food. They are also known to jump in the air when they are happy. Guinea Pigs are happier in pairs or more and require daily interaction and they make great companion pets. A guinea pig cage should be large enough for exercise, sleep and play. Fish tanks are not recommended due to lack of proper ventilation.
Cages need clean bedding or litter with food dish and water bottle, which will help keep the guinea pig safe and healthy. To prevent boredom offer them a variety of toys to interact with.
A proper diet will help promote good mental and physical health over the guinea pig's life span. Choose a high quality food and be sure to offer fruits and vegetables in small amounts daily. Also, offer the guinea pigs a good quality grass hay like timothy hay for keeping their teeth healthy.
Cages need clean bedding or litter with food dish and water bottle, which will help keep the guinea pig safe and healthy. To prevent boredom offer them a variety of toys to interact with.
A proper diet will help promote good mental and physical health over the guinea pig's life span. Choose a high quality food and be sure to offer fruits and vegetables in small amounts daily. Also, offer the guinea pigs a good quality grass hay like timothy hay for keeping their teeth healthy.
mice
The domestic moue has been kept as a pet for centuries, and they make great first pets.
A mouse measures in at about 3 1/2 inches, not including tail, and weighs just 1/2 to one ounce. The white, typically an albino, mice are the most common type found in pet stores,but there are plenty of fancy mice that come in a wide variety of coat colors and types, from curly and shiny. If well cared for, mice typically live one to three years.
Mice are curious, charming pets, and will be active at various times throughout the day. Getting more than one can provide lots of entertainment. They love to run and ride a pet wheel, run through tubes and climb about. Mice are also very social with members of their own kin. Females will do well in a group, and males will, if introduced at a young age. Males can be kept together if introduced at a young age—if introduced when adults, they will fight. Do not house males and females together, since mice can breed quickly and ofte, and the litters can have up to 15 in them. A ten-gallon aquarium with a wire cover is a large enough for a couple of mice. There should be several inches of bedding, almost any kind of bedding is safe to use except cedar. Add a small wheel to run in and plenty of things to chew and climb on. Cardboard boxes and paper tubes are perfect toys.Section under construction.
A mouse measures in at about 3 1/2 inches, not including tail, and weighs just 1/2 to one ounce. The white, typically an albino, mice are the most common type found in pet stores,but there are plenty of fancy mice that come in a wide variety of coat colors and types, from curly and shiny. If well cared for, mice typically live one to three years.
Mice are curious, charming pets, and will be active at various times throughout the day. Getting more than one can provide lots of entertainment. They love to run and ride a pet wheel, run through tubes and climb about. Mice are also very social with members of their own kin. Females will do well in a group, and males will, if introduced at a young age. Males can be kept together if introduced at a young age—if introduced when adults, they will fight. Do not house males and females together, since mice can breed quickly and ofte, and the litters can have up to 15 in them. A ten-gallon aquarium with a wire cover is a large enough for a couple of mice. There should be several inches of bedding, almost any kind of bedding is safe to use except cedar. Add a small wheel to run in and plenty of things to chew and climb on. Cardboard boxes and paper tubes are perfect toys.Section under construction.
Rats
Rats don't require large amounts of housing space but they often do better in pairs or groups. They like to climb and play so a tall cage with horizontal bars works best. Aquariums are okay for rats, but with inadequate ventilation the cage will need to be cleaned more often. Try to avoid cages with wire bottoms due to possible foot problems. Also make sure the wire openings are small and tight. Rats can get through some tight spaces. Rats eat just about anything, so providing them with a good quality pelleted or block food as their food base, and also provide small amounts of good quality vegetables, fruits, seeds, dog food or biscuits, whole wheat breads and nuts.
Rats love to play so provide the cage with toys and furniture, particularly those safe and strong enough for large birds or ferrets; like hammocks, chew toys, ladders, ropes, and platforms. Paper tubes, paper sacks, and boxes make simple toys.
Rats love to play so provide the cage with toys and furniture, particularly those safe and strong enough for large birds or ferrets; like hammocks, chew toys, ladders, ropes, and platforms. Paper tubes, paper sacks, and boxes make simple toys.
Frogs and toads
Frogs and toads are fascinating animals, but they have some specific needs when keeping them at home. Frogs and toads come in all shapes and sizes, and their basic needs vary significantly from species to species.
Regardless of the species, you will need a tank with a lid with a substrate safe for the frog or toad. A good substrate is coco husk or sphagnum moss. There are other substrates but check first with a breeder to make sure it is safe for the frogs.
You will need to keep the environment moist and they will need a non-spill container for water. They love to soak.
Frogs and toads will need to have a variety of live feeder insects, such as crickets, meal worms or roaches. You will also need to dust the food with a calcium supplement.
Regardless of the species, you will need a tank with a lid with a substrate safe for the frog or toad. A good substrate is coco husk or sphagnum moss. There are other substrates but check first with a breeder to make sure it is safe for the frogs.
You will need to keep the environment moist and they will need a non-spill container for water. They love to soak.
Frogs and toads will need to have a variety of live feeder insects, such as crickets, meal worms or roaches. You will also need to dust the food with a calcium supplement.
Turtles
Let’s start with a quick explanation on the difference between a turtle and a tortoise. FOR THE MOST PART: Turtles spend most of the time in the water, while tortoises live on the land. Terrapins are also turtles, but generally split their time evenly between land and fresh water, semi aquatic.
Turtle, (order Testudines), any reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises and terrapins.
That being said, most turtles that are purchased or caught out of a pond are terrapins.....like red earred slider or yellow bellied slider (pictured below). They can spend time out of water to bask in sun or to eat.
Turtle, (order Testudines), any reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises and terrapins.
That being said, most turtles that are purchased or caught out of a pond are terrapins.....like red earred slider or yellow bellied slider (pictured below). They can spend time out of water to bask in sun or to eat.
The smallest of turtles NEED A 29 gallon tank at the minimum, and as they grow need a much larger space in order to live healthy, happy and long lives. These animals will grow large up to 12 inches and live a long time - 30 to 40 years. They also need a ramp and dock to get out an bask. The basking area needs to have lamps that have heat bulb and UVB , and be at least 80 degrees. Without heat and a UVB the turtle will not grow and develop properly and can develop metabolic bone disease (MBD). They require UVB light in order to synthesize vitamin D, (in particular D3) into healthy bones and shells. Also, the tank must maintain a water temperature of 75 to 80 degrees and have a proper filter system to keep water clean and healthy.
Diet consists of live fish, greens, pelleted commercial foods, crickets, meal worms and more.
Diet consists of live fish, greens, pelleted commercial foods, crickets, meal worms and more.
tortoises
Tortoises are land animals. Smaller species of tortoises can be housed indoors in large plastic bins, stock tanks or small plastic pools or even young large species can be housed that way for a while. Some tortoises get extremely large and must have adequate space to thrive. They also do better in enclosures that have solid walls not a glass tank.
Most tortoises live over 40 years.
Tortoises need lots of greens, hays, vegetables and some fruit as
Most tortoises live over 40 years.
Tortoises need lots of greens, hays, vegetables and some fruit as
Box turtles are superficially tortoises, but they belong to the pond turtle family. They should be cared for just like tortoises
for the most part. box turtles are omnivores that will eat lot of different things. Their main food source is invertebrates, such as insects and worms, but they also eat a lot of vegetable matter, including leaves, fruits and berries. It is important to give them an equally varied diet in captivity to ensure proper nutrition.
Proper lighting is also a must...heat, UVB, just as most reptiles.
for the most part. box turtles are omnivores that will eat lot of different things. Their main food source is invertebrates, such as insects and worms, but they also eat a lot of vegetable matter, including leaves, fruits and berries. It is important to give them an equally varied diet in captivity to ensure proper nutrition.
Proper lighting is also a must...heat, UVB, just as most reptiles.
Salamanders
Salamanders like to live in moist, cool and dark environments. They resemble lizards but do not have scales. They are carnivores, which means they like to eat insects, fish, slugs, worms, and tadpoles. Housing should be an aquarium and the water to ground ratio should be determined by the type of salamander. For example, the axolotl (shown) is completely aquatic and requires no ground to crawl on. Some types of salamanders in adult form can be kept in a terrestrial tank set up with a substrate suitable for burrowing, along with an area with water for soaking. Many owners use potting soil (no vermiculite), peat, and bark chips, or sphagnum moss. Anything that can be kept moist and will allow burrowing is fine, so gravel is not appropriate. A salamanders' skin is very sensitive and therefore they should not be handled.
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are unique and fascinating animals. They need an adequately sized cage to get proper exercise. A 24" X 24" cage is a great size to provide room for a hedgehog and furniture. Hedgehogs need a house to hide in, a wheel to run in and a few toys to entertain themselves with. Aquariums do not make good cages due to the lack of proper ventilation. An open cage with a solid bottom and wire sides and top is a good cage. Hedgehogs are pretty good climbers so the cage must have a top or lid. The bedding can be cloth, shavings or other small animal bedding. Cedar shavings should not be used, but all others are safe for the hedgehog. The food bowl should be a non-spill type or heavy enough so the hedgehog cannot spill it because they love playing with their food dishes. There are commercially produced hedgehog diets you can use to feed, but a good dry cat or kitten kibble is equally as good. Hedgehogs must be offered insects 3 or 4 times a week, and occasionally some vegetables, fruits or boiled eggs. Hedgehogs anoint themselves when encountering new or strange smells. They froth at the mouth some and then lick their quills. The saliva has a mild toxin in it, and it usually causes irritation to their enemies. It bothers some people's skin by causing a mild itchy sensation, but it to others it does not bother their skin.
Lizards
Lizards come in a wide variety of sizes and types. Generally lizards need a safe substrate, a heat source, a basking spot, clean water source, and a fresh food source. Some lizards do okay in an open aquarium, but most need an enclosure with a tight fitting lid. Since most lizards are sold as babies, make sure the enclosure is big enough for the lizard after it has grown up. Some lizards like to burrow, while others like to hide high on a branch, but all lizards need a great heat source. Lizards are cold blooded and they need to warm themselves up to function properly on a daily basis. A UVB bulb is necessary for all lizards. This bulb simulates the sunlight and is needed for vitamin D production for proper bone development.
Some lizards strictly eat meat, such as insects, worms and rodents, and others are omnivorous, so they will eat fruits, vegetables and meat. Insects and worms should be sprayed or dusted with a vitamin supplement and a calcium supplement. Asking an expert or someone with experience with the lizard you are interested in will help determine what you need to get started.
Some lizards strictly eat meat, such as insects, worms and rodents, and others are omnivorous, so they will eat fruits, vegetables and meat. Insects and worms should be sprayed or dusted with a vitamin supplement and a calcium supplement. Asking an expert or someone with experience with the lizard you are interested in will help determine what you need to get started.
Chinchillas
Chinchillas need a multi-leveled cage, bedding, furniture and toys. Chinchillas love to jump and a cage with solid shelves and a solid bottom is required to protect their feet.
Houses, boxes and hammocks are great furniture for chinchillas for play and to relieve boredom. And they love to chew, so they will need plenty of safe toys and things to chew on to keep their teeth in good condition. Chinchillas are highly active and very playful.
Chinchillas need a high quality diet, plus a small quantity of vegetables. It is very essential to provide a good quality grass hay to their diet for their overall health, especially the health and maintenance of their teeth.
Dust baths should be provided often and it is absolutely necessary for the health of their skin and coat. Always use commercially produced Chinchillas dust bath products.
Houses, boxes and hammocks are great furniture for chinchillas for play and to relieve boredom. And they love to chew, so they will need plenty of safe toys and things to chew on to keep their teeth in good condition. Chinchillas are highly active and very playful.
Chinchillas need a high quality diet, plus a small quantity of vegetables. It is very essential to provide a good quality grass hay to their diet for their overall health, especially the health and maintenance of their teeth.
Dust baths should be provided often and it is absolutely necessary for the health of their skin and coat. Always use commercially produced Chinchillas dust bath products.
Ferrets
Ferrets are active and very playful animals. They need adequate space for proper exercise and play. The cage needs to big enough to house a litter box, toys, a sleeping bag or hammock, and plenty of places to climb and play. They sleep often and sometimes up to 18 hours a day.
Ferrets are highly social animals and are infinitely happier and therefore healthier and better pets when kept in groups of 2 or more. They will need a bath occasionally, nail clipping frequently and brushing on a regular basis. Their ears and teeth need to be cleaned also on a regular basis.
Ferrets do have a rather strong scent but ferrets are normally de-scented and neutered at a very young age before being sold. Even after de-scenting, there can still be a mild musky odor.
They need a high quality ferret diet mix along with treats. They eat every few hours so fresh food must be available all of the time in a spill proof bowl. They love to knock over their food dishes. Ferrets need a complete diet with at least 36% protein, so read labels.
As far as types of litter, pellets are the most highly recommended. The cheapest source for pellet litter is to use home heating wood pellets. Availability in the summer can be a problem, however. As a back up, Yesterdays News type cat litter works well, and there is actual ferret litter made too but it is expensive. Clumping or clay cat litter is not recommended as it can harm the pads of their feet and be ingested with their food, causing blockages.
Ferrets are often illegal to own in certain cities, so be sure to check before purchasing one. They are also required to have rabies shots.
Ferrets are highly social animals and are infinitely happier and therefore healthier and better pets when kept in groups of 2 or more. They will need a bath occasionally, nail clipping frequently and brushing on a regular basis. Their ears and teeth need to be cleaned also on a regular basis.
Ferrets do have a rather strong scent but ferrets are normally de-scented and neutered at a very young age before being sold. Even after de-scenting, there can still be a mild musky odor.
They need a high quality ferret diet mix along with treats. They eat every few hours so fresh food must be available all of the time in a spill proof bowl. They love to knock over their food dishes. Ferrets need a complete diet with at least 36% protein, so read labels.
As far as types of litter, pellets are the most highly recommended. The cheapest source for pellet litter is to use home heating wood pellets. Availability in the summer can be a problem, however. As a back up, Yesterdays News type cat litter works well, and there is actual ferret litter made too but it is expensive. Clumping or clay cat litter is not recommended as it can harm the pads of their feet and be ingested with their food, causing blockages.
Ferrets are often illegal to own in certain cities, so be sure to check before purchasing one. They are also required to have rabies shots.
Snakes
Snakes have special needs, particularly a heat source. Snakes rely on external heat to regulate their body temperatures and it is very important to provide them with an adequate heat source. But it is also important to provide a space in the tank to allow the snake to be able to get away from the heat source.
Aquarium tanks are the most common way to house snakes. Tanks come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but always use a secure lid, because snakes are great escape artists.
Always provide a place for the snake to hide so they feel secure. A box, log, pvc pipe or anything without sharp or rough edges that a snake can crawl into or under.
Most snakes eat mice, rats or other small animals. Some will eat crickets and other insects. Most snakes have learned to eat once frozen but thoroughly thawed mice, but be prepared to feed live food.
Aquarium tanks are the most common way to house snakes. Tanks come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but always use a secure lid, because snakes are great escape artists.
Always provide a place for the snake to hide so they feel secure. A box, log, pvc pipe or anything without sharp or rough edges that a snake can crawl into or under.
Most snakes eat mice, rats or other small animals. Some will eat crickets and other insects. Most snakes have learned to eat once frozen but thoroughly thawed mice, but be prepared to feed live food.
Madagascar Hissing roaches
Section Under Construction
Degus
Under construction
Sugar Glider
Under constriction
