Things to Consider Before Buying An Exotic Pet

Exotic animals can be a very attractive option. They are something different and exciting. However, there is another side to this.

When it comes to the welfare needs of exotic pets, these are much the same as those for the more conventional pets. However, the differences can be seen in how challenging meeting those needs can be. Below is not an exhaustive list of things I believe should be considered, but they are the ones that I feel are the most pertinent:

Climate/Environment

Exotic pets often require environments that can only be replicated artificially in the UK. This can make it more expensive right from the start as there will be other equipment on top of a cage or enclosure. Some examples are heat lamps, larger tanks and gravel.

Legislation

In the UK, you require a licence to keep certain animals. This includes some exotic animals. You have to check and apply through your local council. You must have the licence before you purchase the animal. You can also be fined, sent to prison for up to 6 months or banned from keeping animals if you fail to look after an animal properly. Though this is not exclusive to exotic pets, it is something to be mindful of when deciding if you can provide everything an animal needs. You also need to ensure that any legal paperwork is kept up-to-date.

Food/Nutrition

You can feed an animal but not meet its nutritional needs. The food that exotic pets need is often specialist and can be pricey. It may also include live food, such as insects. It would be best if you were sure that you could handle the live food itself and are comfortable (physically and morally) with giving your pet a live creature to eat.

Healthcare

Not all vets deal with exotic animals. Is there one near you that does? Can you register with them? You’ll also need to learn the signs of a health problem in your chosen pet.

Time Commitment

I’m not just talking about it daily but over the years. For some, this can be more than 50 years, such as turtles and African grey parrots. You should consider what will happen to your pet if it outlives you. Is there someone or somewhere that is willing and able to take it on?

What Will You Do if it Doesn’t Work Out?

You can do all the homework, buy all the equipment and put in all the time and effort to no avail. This can be for several reasons, such as a change of financial or personal circumstances. It would be unfair on both you and the animal to keep going if it is no longer viable to do so. You may even end up causing harm. It is a good idea, especially with exotic animals, to already have a plan of what you will do if this happens. Exotic pets are not as easy to rehome. Not all animal shelters are equipped to take them in.

The opinion that is expressed in this post is my own and not that of Kelp Social.

The websites I used while researching this are below:

https://www.gov.uk/caring-for-pets

https://www.gov.uk/licence-wild-animal

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/other

https://pethelpful.com/pet-ownership/pets-longest-life-span

The image used is by stormmillagirl and can be found on Pixabay.