Exotic and Domestic Pets

A Calming Influence in a Stressful Life…

by

Owen Jones

Published by

Megan Publishing Services

https://meganthemisconception.com

Copyright Owen Jones 2023 ©

Hello and thank you for buying this book called ‘Exotic and Domestic Pets’, in which we will explore some of the most popular and fascinating animals that people choose to keep as pets. People have spent years studying and researching the behaviour, biology, and ecology of various domestic and exotic animals, including cats, dogs, horses, spiders, snakes, and stick insects.

Cats and dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and are some of the most beloved pets worldwide. They are known for their loyalty, companionship, and playful nature. Horses, on the other hand, have a long history of working alongside humans in various activities, including transportation, agriculture, and sports.

When it comes to exotic pets, spiders, snakes, and stick insects are some of the most intriguing animals to keep. These creatures may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they have unique adaptations and behaviour patterns that make them fascinating to observe. Spiders, for example, have an intricate web-spinning ability that allows them to capture their prey with ease. Snakes, on the other hand, have a unique way of moving and hunting, which sets them apart from other animals. Lastly, stick insects, also known as phasmids, are masters of disguise, blending seamlessly into their surroundings to avoid predators.

In this book, we will delve into the world of these animals, exploring their characteristics, care requirements, and any potential risks associated with keeping them as pets. Whether you are a seasoned pet owner or considering getting your first pet, this book is an excellent resource to learn more about these fascinating creatures.

I hope that you will find the information helpful, useful and profitable.

The information in this ebook on various aspects of exotic pets and others is organised into 20 chapters of about 500-600 words each.

I hope that it will interest those who love animals.

As an added bonus, I am granting you permission to use the content on your own website or in your own blogs and newsletter, although it is better if you rewrite them in your own words first.

You may also split the book up and resell the articles. In fact, the only right that you do not have is to resell or give away the book as it was delivered to you.

If you have any feedback, please leave it with the company you bought this book from.

Thanks again for purchasing this ebook,

Regards,

Owen Jones

Table of Contents

Caring for a Pet Snake

The Copperhead Snake

Exotic Pet Spiders

Bedding For Your Dog

Arthritis And The Older Horse

Boarding Dogs In Temporary Kennels

Cat Allergies - Are You Allergic To Your Cat

Buying Your First Ferret

Basic Nutrition For Horses

Cat Behaviour

Cats Ringworm And Your Children

Equine Colic And Your Horse

Dangerous Dog Treats

Exotic Pets - Stick Insect

How Do Dogs Communicate?

Common Health Concerns Of Cats

Horse Blankets

Dog Grooming And Brushing Tips

Do Lizards Make Good Pets?

Training Pet Rats

Contact Details

Caring for a Pet Snake

Pet snakes are definitely not for the typical pet-lover, just as snakes are not for most people, as they have an irrational fear of them. If you usually think of cats and dogs when you think of pets, you really must think long and hard before buying a pet snake as much for the sake of the snake as for your own.

Having said that, if you are really interested in snakes - and why not? - they make very interesting pets, even if they cannot be taken for a walk or cuddled like a cat or a dog. Some snake-owners do say hat they feel some affection for and from their pet snakes though, surprising as that may seem to most people.

The main point is, if you have not had a snake before, not to take the decision lightly because they are a lot of work on a regular basis although this is not daily as with cats and dogs. They are more like a half=way house between tropical fish and furry, cuddly Western pets.

Once you have taken the decision to have a pet snake, you need to think even harder about which species you should buy, because some are dangerous, some have greater needs than others and some grow pretty large. The Reticulated Python of Thailand can grow to 10 metres! That is 33 feet and at that size, very, very few animals, including humans are safe from it if it is hungry.

Feeding snakes puts a lot of people off because they are all carnivores, some prefer fish, but they all eat meat of some sort. One general mistake that people make though, is that they think that snakes ea live mice and rats. They don’t. They either poison or crush them to death first, so you will not have to give your pet snake live prey, although we do not know, of course, whether the snake misses killing its own food.

Most pet shops that stock snakes breed mice and kill them before feeding them to their snakes or some buy frozen mice for the purpose. Snakes are very effective killers, but sometimes its prey might get a lucky bit in and injure the snake which may cost you a lot of money in veterinarian bills.

The good part of feeding a snake is that most shouldn’t be fed more often than once a week and some can go for several weeks between feedings. The reason is that they don’t have to expend any energy creating their own body heat. In fact, if the cage is not warm enough, a snake can’t even digest its food. Luckily for us though, pet snakes rarely need feeding more than once a week.

The vivarium, enclosure, or cage for the snake needs to be escape proof above all else because snakes are supreme escape artists, and don’t need a very big opening to find a way out. The vivarium also has to have a source of heat, because snakes are cold blooded creatures and so need to be able to use their environment to regulate their temperature.

Most people do not know, but snakes must have a variety of temperatures to choose from. Sometimes they like to bask in the heat and other times they prefer it cooler, but this should not be up to you, the owner. The snake knows what it needs. Therefore, for best results, the enclosure should be heated on one side only but thermometers placed at both ends.

Each snake species has specific needs in terms of heat, and you should find out these needs before getting a snake, but they need different temperatures in order to perform different bodily functions like digestion and sleeping.

Most snakes appreciate a bowl of water, a few places to hide and a floor covering. You can buy this, or you could just you could just use grass, straw and leaves; newspaper works well for most species too. Newspaper is unsightly because it is unnatural, but it can easily be replaced when soiled. The water should be kept clean, too. Any faeces or uneaten food should be removed quickly and the vivarium must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected about once a month.

Keeping a pet snake is a big responsibility, but it can also be an adventure. If you are a beginner, you should start with one of the easier snakes to keep. Do a lot of research and talk to snake-owners and you will find out that pet snake breeds are generally rated according to how hard they are to keep. In time, you will learn the ways of keeping pet snakes. After a long while you may feel confident enough to expand your collection to include some of the more exotic, harder to look after species.

The Copperhead Snake

Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The Copperhead snake can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern make classification a lot easier as well.

The Copperhead snake has a pale belly, which makes it look very very similar to its background, but its colourisation is also whitish sometimes. There are obvious spots or pits on the head of the Copperhead snake that look like tiny dark specks. There is also a rather vague stripe on its head behind its eyes, less prominent on the top, the stripe gets a lot darker towards the sides of the snake’s head.

The Copperhead snake lives in a wide variety of habitats. They can be found under rocks, in woods and on river banks or in pond areas. Their choice of abode is dictated by the presence of prey, as the Copperhead snake lives on frogs, small rodents, cicadas, lizards, caterpillars and anything else that is no match for its size.

Of the typical hiding-holes for the Copperhead snake, wood piles, stone slabs, walls, debris and abandoned or ruined buildings are the most common, which explains why people come across the Copperhead so often in such areas.

The active months of the year for copperhead snakes are the spring and summer or as long as the weather stays warm. After that they go into hibernation until it warms up again.

The Copperhead snake uses the dens in which they spend the winter year after year and usually there are large numbers of other individuals in hibernation together. In summer time when it is too hot outside, the Copperhead snake will stay in the shade during the day and hunt at night.

On lovely warm days, this snake will lie in the sun on rocks or wood debris. The young of Copperhead snakes are born live and so are not hatched; their number ranges between one and fourteen, with the mating period extending ‘till mid autumn.

Bites of the Copperhead snake require immediate medical care since they are not only very painful but they may also lead to permanent scarring and tissue loss. Avoid Copperhead snakes when you come across them. Many people get bitten when trying to kill them or pick them up.

Exotic Pet Spiders

You may already know that spiders are one of the most fascinating creatures in the animal kingdom. These eight-legged creatures have survived for over 400 million years and have adapted to a variety of environments. While most people have a fear of spiders, there are many who find them to be intriguing and even keep them as pets. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the world of exotic pet spiders.

Types of Pet Spiders

When it comes to exotic pet spiders, there are many different species to choose from. One popular species is the Tarantula. These large, hairy spiders can be found in a variety of colors and patterns, and are known for their docile nature. Other popular species include the Jumping Spider, the Trapdoor Spider, and the Golden Orb Spider. Each species has its own unique appearance and temperament, so it’s important to do your research before choosing a spider for a pet.

Housing and Care

When it comes to housing exotic pet spiders, it’s important to provide them with a comfortable and secure environment. In general, most spiders are kept in glass terrariums with a secure lid. The terrarium should be large enough to allow the spider to move around comfortably, and should be filled with a substrate such as vermiculite or coconut fibre. It’s also important to provide your spider with a water dish, as well as a hiding place such as a rock or piece of bark. While spiders don’t require special lighting, they do thrive in a warm and humid environment. To achieve this, you may need to use a heat lamp or mist the terrarium with water.

Feeding

Feeding exotic pet spiders can be a bit tricky, as they require live prey. Depending on the size of the spider, you may need to feed them crickets, mealworms, or even larger insects such as mice or rats. It’s important to never feed your spider anything that is too large or could potentially harm them. Most spiders only need to be fed once or twice a week, and it’s important to remove any uneaten prey from the terrarium to prevent it from harming the spider.

Potential Health Issues

Like all pets, exotic pet spiders can develop health issues over time. One common issue is dehydration, as spiders require a humid environment to thrive. It’s important to provide your spider with a water dish and mist the terrarium regularly to prevent dehydration. Another common issue is mites, which can infest the spider’s terrarium and cause irritation and even death. To prevent mites, it’s important to keep the terrarium clean and free of any dead prey or faeces.

Exotic pet spiders can make fascinating and unique pets for those who are interested in the world of arachnids. However, it’s important to do your research and provide your spider with proper housing, care, and feeding to ensure they thrive. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the company of your exotic pet spider for years to come.

Bedding For Your Dog

Bedding is very important for a dog, particularly a puppy which has just been taken away from its mother. In fact, if you can arrange it, it is a good idea to leave a blanket with your puppy whilst it is still with its mother and siblings, that way the blanket will remind him of home, which will be a great consolation to it in its early days of loneliness.

The best material to use for your blanket is wool. Wool is absorbent and so holds some moisture and smells, which will help the animal feel at more home. Wool is also pretty tough and warm, not that warmth is really a priority for a dog that lives in the house.

There is no need to purchase a purpose-made blanket for your dog. You can cut down an old blanket of your own, a metre square is roughly correct. This is big enough for any dog, will fit in a dog basket comfortably and is yet not too big to go in the washing machine every few of months. If you do not want to run to the expense of using a blanket of wool, you could make use of an old towel, as towels are also absorbent.

Most dog owners permit their pets to sleep in the house and some even allow their dog to sleep on the bed. If you allow your dog to sleep in the house, it is best not to feed him after around six or seven oâ€™clock or you will have to let him out or take him out late at night.

It is better to feed your dog twice a day than merely once and be careful of leaving food down all day, particularly if there is no-one at home during the day to let him out.

If you choose to leave your dog in the garden all day and night, you will have to provide even more shelter for him. A kennel or dog house is the best way of doing this. A kennel ought to have a wooden floor which is a few inches above the ground.

You could put a couple of inches of straw in the kennel for your dog to make his bed and you can put a blanket or two in there as well. Do not worry about what you think it should look like, your dog knows best in these matters. If you can not run to either blankets or towels, believe it or not your dog will be just as happy with crumpled up sheets of newspaper for bedding. Newspaper