| Have you considered a pet, an exotic one, which are | | | | subjected to training involving basic commands like |
| not commonly thought of by others around you? | | | | any dog being trained - stand, steady, sit, etc. Hiring |
| Having an exotic cat like a lion, tiger, leopard, and | | | | a trainer would also be essential. It has been seen |
| jaguar could be very fascinating and suit people who | | | | that though over a long period, these cats do not |
| are very wealthy enough to own and provide a place | | | | cooperate with training but keeping at it would be |
| worth living. Debatable is the fact that people not | | | | advisable. |
| doing necessary research on these big exotic cats | | | | The diet should include protein, fat, vitamins, and the |
| are the reasons for rise in illegal hunting and | | | | quantity should at least be around 7-8% of their |
| endangering the lives of these beautiful creations. | | | | body weight to satiate their hunger. Taurine (amino |
| Despite the cost of buying an exotic cat (as a young | | | | acid) and Nicotinic acid are required to avoid vision |
| one) which is not readily available in a pet shop, many | | | | problems and growth and reproduction problems. |
| people have shown interest in owning one. These | | | | While using frozen meat, bones can be fed |
| cats or animals need huge and vast moving spaces | | | | periodically to avoid plaque, gum disease or tartar |
| and an environment to help them hunt for their feed. | | | | build up in their teeth. Fish meat may not be a good |
| Also bear in mind that even such creatures may not | | | | choice as it could be bad for their skin and if it is is |
| be very friendly at all times even if trained or | | | | the only option then a supplement of vitamin E |
| managed by a keeper right from being a young one. | | | | should be added to the diet. |
| Many such animals may find it next to impossible to | | | | Certain ground rules regarding storage of such meat |
| adapt themselves to new or foreign climatic | | | | that is being fed to these animals. Firstly the freezer |
| conditions or environment like cold weather or | | | | temperature should be maintained at zero to minus |
| extreme heat. | | | | 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because otherwise the |
| Since it is a major decision to own an exotic animal | | | | shelf life of such meat becomes halved. A daily |
| for a pet and after having considered very carefully | | | | recording of how much feed is given has to be kept |
| the advantages and disadvantages, one must learn | | | | and care should be taken not to over feed these |
| about the creature, their likes, dislikes, feeding habits, | | | | animals. Quantity of feed usually depends on whether |
| legal aspects of possessing such a creature etc. | | | | the animal is pregnant, what season it is, how old and |
| Training is an integral part for any pet animal. Hence it | | | | big the animal is and also if it has just given birth or is |
| is imperative that these exotic cats are also | | | | bearing young ones in the womb. |