Multiple exotic pets: twice as nice or double trouble?

Let’s face it, pets can be addictive. This is especially true of exotic pets. Who can have just one parakeet or just one ferret? Perhaps more than dog and cat owners, exotic pet owners tend to have multiples of the same pet species and often more than one species. While it may seem like a good idea to pick up two guinea pigs at the pet store because they’re both so cute, who could possibly decide which one to take home? They’ll probably much happier if they’re not alone, right? Still, it should be noted that having multiple pets may not always be the best decision. While in some instances, it is true that having more than one of the same pet species (a small flock of birds, a herd of rabbits, a colony of chinchillas, etc.)  may seem to provide companionship and comfort to the animal, it is not always best for their human caretakers and may not actually be best for the animals, either. Here are a few points to think about if you’re considering purchasing or adopting more than one exotic pet of any species:

1. SPACE – Do you have the room to house more than exotic pet?

Many exotic pets have very specific requirements for housing, lighting, heat, and food that take up more space than that of the average cat or dog. The requirements for varying species can be radically different. Plus, different exotic species cannot usually be housed together because of the potential for fighting, injury, etc. Before you run out and purchase more than one exotic pet, be sure that you have the space to properly care for all these animals.

2. TIME – Do you have time to dedicate to more than one exotic animal?

To be properly socialized, many exotic pets (birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, and rodents, alike) need to be handled and worked with daily, not only when they are first purchased or adopted, but also on an ongoing basis. Before you consider having more than one pet that will require socialization, be sure you have time available to dedicate to each of them. While some people think that getting a “playmate” for an exotic pet is the answer, not all pets necessarily want friends or roommates. Plus, the kind of socialization an exotic pet gets from being handled by a human cannot be substituted for by interaction with another un-socialized pet. To get a well-behaved, interactive animal, there is no substitution for regular human contact.

3. FINANCES – Do you have the money to care for more than one exotic pet?

Many people forget the fact that all pets (even exotic ones) need regular medical care, and veterinary care, especially on an emergency basis, can be costly. If you double the number of pets you own, you double the cost of care. And if one gets sick with something infectious (parasites, a virus, etc.), the likelihood is that both may get sick and require treatment. So, unless you are independently wealthy, you might want to think twice about doubling up on the number of exotic pets you have, or you may find yourself scrimping on basic medical care for each of them.

4. BREEDING CONTROL – How will you control unwanted breeding among your same-species pets?

There are 3 ways to ensure your same-species pets do not inbreed:

Separate them by sex, and house them separatelyOwn all only all males or all femalesSpay/neuter opposite sex pairs before housing them together

The problem is that not even same sex animals housed together are guaranteed to get along. Some same sex species will actually kill each other over territory, food, etc., when housed together. Be sure you think about this before buying that extra-large cage.

5. SPREAD OF DISEASE – Are the different exotic species suited to live in close quarters?

Even if you don’t house your different species of exotic pets together, there are some species that can potentially spread disease to each other if they are living in the same air space. Take guinea pigs and rabbits, for example. Each one carries a respiratory tract bacterium that does not affect the species that carries it but that can be spread to the other species through the air. Good reason not to house guinea pigs and rabbits in close proximity, don’t you think? Many pet owners aren’t aware of these little known facts until their pets are ill.

The point is, before you decide that since one exotic pet is fun, more than one will be even more fun, there are a lot of factors to consider. While we may like company, many exotic pets may not. And even if they are found in large groups in the wild, the same groupings may not be appropriate in captivity, because these pets have not necessarily been raised together. So, before you buy twice, be smart, and think twice.

Photo credit: tennesseeanimals.org, myhouserabbit.com

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