The most important area to be aware of when buying a snake is the health of the animal. When purchasing the snake be sure to thoroughly inspect its living environment. Unhygienic living quarters for snake can often mean that they will e unhealthy and you as the new owner will suffer the consequences and vet bills. A key indicator for an unhealthy snake is the way in which it sits in its natural rest position. A normal and healthy snake will rest with its head and eyes in line and parallel to the floor. A snake that rests on its side is a clear sign that the snake has some health issues and should be avoided at all opportunities.

Check snakes age and breed. Some snakes that are for sale may seem like good pets but some can grow from very small to several yards long. These are clearly not safe to keep as pets in a home and should be avoided. Look for green snakes and small grass snakes. These two breeds of snakes only ever grow to a few feet at most and are therefore manageable in a home.

1. Rats – rats actually make great pets.  They are clean and like to cuddle.  They are also very smart and rarely bite.
2. Guinea Pigs – these animals are timid but very social.  They don’t often bite and are easy to tame.  They do like to live in pairs and require a bit of space to play.
3. Gerbils – These little guys are lots of fun.  They like to live in pairs and are very social, friendly and curious animals and they rarely bite.  You do need to be careful with their tails.
4. Leopard Geckos – If your child is less interested in a cuddly, furry friend and more into cool reptiles this is a great choice.  These geckos are fairly easy to tame and live happily in a small habitat.

Whatever choice you make be sure to learn how to properly care for your new pet and supervise children as they play and care for their new friends.

We love our pets.  They are a regular member of the family.  Unfortunately the cost of taking care of a pet can often be quite high.  Here are some tips to help you take care of your pets without breaking the bank.

• Shop Around.  We all want the best care for our pets but not all vets charge the same rates.  Do your research and look for a pet Dr. that has the combination of services and facilities that you need at a rate you can afford.
• Set a Budget. Pets are a member of the family and we have a tendency to spoil them but let’s face it those luxury pet items can really add up.  Make sure you are allocating your money properly to be sure you can cover healthcare needs before you spend extra on toys or fancy foods.
• Keep your pets healthy.  This seems like a no-brainer but when life gets busy we sometimes miss things that should be taken care of.  Feed them well, make sure they have plenty of clean water and exercise and always follow the recommendations of your veterinarian.  Stay up to date with all pet vaccinations.
• Get cheaper prescriptions.  Vets often have a huge markup on the cost of prescriptions for your pet.  You can almost always find them cheaper via mail-order or online.
• Look for alternative treatment providers.  Sometimes your local animal shelter will offer vaccinations and services like spay or neutering at a discount.
• Get pet insurance. If your pet is eligible to be covered with pet insurance it is a good idea to check it out.  If you have a breed of dog that requires higher-maintenance, having insurance can really make a big difference even when factor in co-pays and deductibles.

Exotic pets are those animals that are rather unusual to have as pets but are not wild in nature like Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Parrots and Iguanas. The exotic pets are covered by certain laws due to its adaptability to environment unlike cats and dogs that can easily adapt to the home environment. Wild Animals are extremely prohibited and considered illegal to be used as pets due to its domestication issues and also problem in adaptability and may also threatens their survival.

Here are some reasons why you should not consider having Wild Animals as pet from HumaneSociety.org:

Caring for wild animals is difficult or impossible

Despite what animal sellers may say, appropriate care for wild animals requires considerable expertise, specialized facilities, and lifelong dedication to the animals.  Wild animals also pose a danger to human health and safety through disease and parasites.

Baby animals grow up

Baby animals can be irresistibly adorable—until the cuddly baby becomes bigger and stronger than the owner ever imagined. The instinctive behavior of the adult animal replaces the dependent behavior of the juvenile, resulting in biting, scratching, or displaying destructive behaviors without provocation or warning.

Wild animals spread disease

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discourages direct contact with wild animals for a simple reason: They can carry diseases that are dangerous to people, such as rabies, herpes B virus, and Salmonella. The herpes B virus commonly found among macaque monkeys can be fatal to humans.  Tens of thousands of people get Salmonella infections each year from reptiles or amphibians, causing the CDC to recommend that these animals be kept out of homes with children under five. A 2003 outbreak of monkeypox was set in motion when African rodents carrying the disease were imported for the pet trade and infected native prairie dogs, who were also sold as pets.

Domestication takes centuries

Wild animals are not domesticated simply by being captive born or hand-raised. It’s a different story with dogs and cats, who have been domesticated by selective breeding for desired traits over thousands of years. These special animal companions depend on humans for food, shelter, veterinary care, and affection. Wild animals, by nature, are self-sufficient and fare best without our interference. The instinctive behavior of these animals makes them unsuitable as pets.

Capturing wild animals threatens their survival

The global wildlife trade threatens the very existence of some species in their native habitats.  Often, they become sick or die because their owners are unable to care for them properly. Captive breeding is no solution. It does not take the wild out of wildlife.

Wild Animals are not meant as home pets and also when choosing Exotic pets consider always the risks to human health and safety, animal welfare, and the environment for some exotic pets may not also be domesticated enough or not suitable for your home and environment.

If you’ve used a GoDaddy coupon code to make your own pet website, consider adding a warning about exotic pets to your site as well.

• Make sure your pet enclosures are secure and big enough. A pet likes nothing more than free space to move around and being closed up too tightly can be unhealthy. Also, you wouldn’t want a pet that needs to be closed up exploiting a weakness in the enclosure!

• If it’s storming outside, don’t forget to bring your pets inside. Some pets may not understand weather the same way that humans do, so it can be quite a scare for them.

• Make sure your pets are tagged or collared if they are going to be out of the house. You wouldn’t want someone picking up your pet to call their own. They also run the risk of being taken to the pound if they’re not collared and/or tagged.

• Keep your pets healthy! This is a big one. Keeping your pet healthy is one of the most important things you can do. Make sure you keep your pets free of parasites and common diseases. Be positive that your pets’ vaccinations are up-to-date.

Following these simple steps can assure that your pet remains safe and out of harms way. Keeping a safe, healthy environment is very important for your pet!

]]> http://freepettips.com/2008/10/keep-pets-safe/feed/ 0 http://freepettips.com/2008/07/your-reptile-can-kill-you-the-dangers-of-salmonella/ http://freepettips.com/2008/07/your-reptile-can-kill-you-the-dangers-of-salmonella/#comments Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:03:48 +0000 admin http://freepettips.com/?p=37 While snakes, turtles and lizards can make wonderful pets, you need to follow some rules to keep your family safe.

Reptiles carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract and intermittently or continuously shed these bacteria in their feces. Salmonella bacteria usually do not cause any illness in reptiles, but can cause serious illness in people. Most Salmonella infections in humans result in a mild, self-limiting illness characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. However, the infection can spread to the bloodstream, bone marrow or nervous system, leading to severe, and sometimes fatal, illness.

Fortunately the spread of Salmonella bacteria from reptiles to humans can be easily prevented by using the following routine precautions:

• Always wash your hands with hot, soapy water after handling reptiles, reptile cages and equipment, and the stool of reptiles.
• Do not allow reptiles to have access to the kitchen, dining room, or any other area in which food is prepared. Also, do not allow reptiles to have access to bathroom sinks and tubs or to any area where infants are bathed. Consider keeping your reptiles caged or limiting the parts of the house where reptiles are allowed to roam free. Always wash your hands after coming into contact with any area where reptiles are allowed to roam free.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling reptiles, reptiles cages, or reptile equipment. Do not kiss reptiles or share food or drink with them.
• Do not use the kitchen sink, kitchen counters, bathroom sinks or bathtubs to bathe reptiles or to wash reptile cages, dishes or aquariums. Reptile owners may wish to purchase a plastic basin or tub in which to bathe or swim their reptiles. Waste water and fecal material should be disposed of in the toilet instead of the bathtub or household sink.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children less than five years of age avoid contact with reptiles and that households with children less than one year of age not own reptiles. The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians encourages reptile owners with young children to discuss steps to minimize risks associated with owning reptiles with their reptiles’ veterinarian and their physician. Children should be supervised when they are handling reptiles to ensure that they do not place their hands or objects that a reptile has contacted in their mouths. Reptiles should not be kept in child care centers.
• Pregnant women, children, elderly or frail adults, or immunosuppressed people are particularly at risk of infection or serious complications of salmonellosis. At a minimum, they need to take extra precautions; ideally, they should avoid contact with reptiles.
• Follow instructions from your reptile’s veterinarian concerning proper diet and environment for your reptile. Healthy reptiles living in proper environments are less likely to shed Salmonella bacteria.

While this information can be scary..  it should not discourage reptile ownership.  If you follow these simple rules, you can keep your familiy safe. Does your reptile have a webiste? You can build one for them with a Network Solutions offer code. What will you call your pet’s site?