How To Care For Your Turtle

You should be a responsible pet owner if you intend on having exotic pets. You should personally consider your lifestyle in finding the perfect exotic pet. You should be committed as a owner in providing the needs of your exotic pet in order to survive.

There are exotic pets that may need special treatment. You may find exotic pets that may be required to eat large amounts of meat and could be a threat to your kids when they are fully-grown. Large exotic pets can be really challenging to care for compared to a parrot or a turtle which are easier to grow and breed. If you consider owning a turtle, here are some tips on how you can properly take care of your turtle.

1. Turtles need the right temperature in order to live. You should maintain a 77 to 96 degrees F temperature on the aquarium. You may install an aquarium heater to provide the needed temperature for your turtle. Turtles tend to become sluggish and lose their appetite when the temperature is low.


2. You should keep your aquarium clean. Prevent the aquarium from becoming too soiled. In this way, you will keep your turtle away from health problems. You may use a filtration system to maintain clear and clean water.

3. Supply your turtle with sufficient food such as algae, crustaceans, mouse pups, and small fishes. You may also provide food sources like fruits and green vegetables that are best for terrapins.

4. You may feed turtles two to three times a week. You may use a small holding container that will separate the left over from the normal enclosure of the aquarium.


5. You should always clean the whole aquarium and its filtration system at least twice a month. Remove the dirt from the ponds where in most of the time serves as the resting place of your turtle.

6. Allot 75 percent of water in the aquarium for swimming and the remaining space for your turtle's basking. Basking is essential for turtles because it prevents shell dryness.

7. You may schedule a regular check up with your community veterinarian who specializes in turtles and other reptiles.

Being an exotic pet owner requires a lot of responsibility. You should always assess yourself if you can really provide care for an exotic pet. You should plan very well so that you can prepare properly once you have decided to own exotic.



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About the Author: Want to find out about pet lizards and basilisk lizard? Get tips from the Lizard Care website.

Ferret Care And The Best Way To Keep Them Healthy And Happy

Ferrets are available to purchase at your local pet store or breeder, also you may be able to find one at a animal shelter. Because they live a long life just like a cat or dog, it is important that you know how to care for them and keep them healthy, happy pets.


Ferrets are nocturnal animals that like to sleep during the day. When they wake up, it is best to let them out so they can play and exercise. When you do let your pet out, it is best to make sure all electrical cords are secure, any small item are put away and all small spaces are blocked so they can not squeeze in to them. Doing this will stop your ferret from getting lost or inuring themselves.

These mammals are carnivores and need a strict diet. What this means is they is they should only be fed meat or poultry products as they need a high protein diet to keep them healthy. There are many ferret food products available for you to purchase on the internet. But never make the mistake of feeding your pet cat food.

Besides from food, your ferret will obviously need water. It is advisable to put this in a water bottle, this will stop them spilling the contents.


Your ferret must never be left unattended while in your home. If you do have to pop out then use a cage, that is what they are there for. The ideal cage size is one that measures 18" x 18" x 30" or a little bigger. The main thing here is for you to make sure that it is big enough for them to move around in.

Ferrets are curious creatures and love toys, purchasing some is useful if you have to come home late from work so they will have something to do until you return. The toys you buy will have to be robust, as they will need to be able to withstand their sharp teeth. Again these are readily available to you on the internet.

You need to house train your pet, this way you will keep your home clean. A good way to do this is with a litter box, start by putting some of there waste inside the box and carrying them when you see that they are about to do it.

You should reward them with a light snack, if they do this correctly. Giving them a treat can also be done when you teach them how to do some neat tricks.

Some people will tell you its best to buy a ferret while it is still at a very young age, this is because they are easier to train while still young, than an older one. But despite the age, they still make a good pet and can still be trained at an older age, with a bit more effort.

Ferret care is not difficult, all it takes is a bit of common sense and you will be able to handle it ok. You are sure to enjoy the company of your furry friend for many years to come and might even decide to add another one so your pet has company.



This article was written by G D Williams, an up and coming expert on pets. Did you find this article on Ferrets As Pets useful? You can find out a lot more free information about Ferrets by visiting my site Ferret Help.

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PET SAFETY IN SUMMER

By Alana Cunningham

Hot weather can take its toll on your four-legged pals. Here are some simple precautions you can take to keep cats and dogs safe:

1. Keep pets hydrated and protect them from the sun.
High temperatures can cause your pets to suffer dehydration and heatstroke. Here are a few ways to keep them cool:

• Never leave your animals in the car — not even if you leave the windows rolled down. According to a Stanford University School of Medicine study the temperature inside of a parked car can soar by 40°F in just an hour, even on a mild day. Eighty per cent of that rise in temperature occurs within the first half hour. The best option is to leave your pet at home while you drive to do errands.

• Make sure animals have easy access to bowls of water and refill them throughout the day.

• Always have a few shaded areas in your backyard where pets can hide out from the sun’s scorching rays. Remember to keep them indoors during the sunniest hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• If your pet is suffering from heatstroke (see “10 Signs Your Pet Has Heatstroke”), take her into a shaded or air-conditioned area. Soak her with cool (not cold!) water, preferably from a hose. Or, apply ice packs and let her lick ice cubes if she’s able. Then take her to your vet immediately.

• Even though pets are protected by fur, they are still prone to sunburn. This is especially true for pets with lighter hair and skin, or thin or shaved coats. Using animal-specific sunscreen is a good idea, especially if your pet is likely to lick it. Nutri-Vet and Epi-Pet have pet sunscreen sprays. Apply sunscreen on the ears, paws, tip of the nose, lips, and the belly if your pet likes to lie on his back.


2. Practise water safety with your pet.
Not every cat or dog instinctively knows how to swim; some have to learn. Also, it may be difficult for your pets to stay afloat in the water if they have health conditions such as obesity or heart disease. So pay attention to them around water.

• Never leave your pet unattended around pools, lakes, rivers or streams.

• Spot your animal as she learns to swim in the pool or lake. (It’s a good idea to clip cats’ claws before introducing them to water so you don’t get a nasty scratch.)

• If you have a pool, consider placing a safety fence around it.

• Install an emergency dog ramp in your pool and boat so your dog can easily get out of the water.


3. Ward off West Nile virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in general, the risk of cats and dogs contracting West Nile Virus is very low. Also, these pets do not suffer severe illness when infected with the virus.

However, young, elderly, or immune-deficient cats and dogs are more at risk. Symptoms include low appetite, problems walking, circling, tremors, convulsions, depression and abnormal head posture. There is no West Nile virus vaccine for cats and dogs currently, so try a little prevention:

• Keep your pets inside during the early morning and evening hours to reduce exposure to mosquitoes and their pesky bites.

• Keep your animals away from dead birds and squirrels that may carry the virus.

• Remove all standing water from around your home to keep mosquitoes away.

• If you’re very concerned about your pet contracting the virus, you can buy animal-specific mosquito repellent.


10 Signs Your Pet Has Heatstroke
1. Heavy panting an excessive thirst
2. Restlessness
3. Fever
4. Dizziness and/or lack of coordination
5. Excessive salivation
6. Vomiting
7. Lethargy or excessive fatigue
8. A fast heartbeat
9. A purple or dark red tongue
10. Unconsciousness

Alana Cunningham has written articles on pet care, college student finance and budgeting. Find more articles like this one by her at http://www.corecontentmedia.com.