Please note: Media Relations is unable to answer questions about pet health problems. Contact your veterinarian.  

Source: James Carpenter, 785-532-5690
News release prepared by: James Hurla, 785-532-6415

Tuesday, April 9, 2002

EXOTIC PETS GAINING INCREASING POPULARITY

MANHATTAN — Snakes, lizards and birds might not fit the description of the average American pets, but veterinarian Dr. James Carpenter, professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State University, said exotic animals have been growing in popularity.

Carpenter said that because many apartment buildings and residence halls have restrictions on keeping dogs and cats as pets, many people have turned to exotic, nontraditional pets.

He suggested rodents such as chinchillas, hedgehogs and guinea pigs; birds such as cockatiels, canaries and budgerigars; and reptiles such as bearded dragons, ball pythons and red-eared sliders as exotic animals that generally would make good pets. Carpenter stressed that all pets should be acquired as captive-reared animals.

Fad pets cans be a risky acquisition, Carpenter said. Iguanas were very popular in the late 1980s, but have decreased in popularity because of their space requirements and the special care needed to keep them healthy. Carpenter also cited prairie dogs, primates, large constrictors, lions and tigers as exotic animals people get without realizing the long-term consequences.

"They'll get small tiger or lion cubs that look cute, not knowing that these cats may weigh up to 400 pounds when they're full grown. They can't be managed well and they're potentially dangerous. Some folks will buy a small python, maybe three or four feet long because they think it looks kind of neat. But some of these snakes can get to be 20 feet long. They're very dangerous and unpredictable. It doesn't take much to set them off, and if they wrap around you, you can't uncoil them by yourself because they're so powerful."

Despite the possible danger of getting the wrong pet, people continue to adopt new species of animals as pets. Carpenter said one important aspect is whether the animal is domesticated. He said ferrets and rabbits have been bred in captivity for hundreds or even thousands of years. Selective breeding has made them docile and compatible with humans. However, fad pets such as prairie dogs might be wild or only a few generations removed from the wild, which can spell trouble for pet owners.

He said problems with many wild animals include their unpredictable, aggressive nature and potentially unknown diseases.

The veterinary field has been making strides to keep up with the new trends, Carpenter said. He said veterinary schools such as K-State's have adjusted their curriculum to cover exotic animals, although there still is more focus on traditional animal care.

"Because this is a new field, there's been a real explosive interest by veterinarians to learn more about exotic animal medicine. In some cases, though, veterinarians who have been out quite a while and who have a certain comfort level with dogs and cats might not be looking at exotic animals as something they're interested in."

This comfort level has created more opportunities for recent graduates, Carpenter said. Because some of the older veterinarians are not as interested in exotic animals, they are hiring younger doctors who do have an interest and who are looking at exotic animal medicine as an exciting and challenging component of a veterinary practice.

Many people get exotic pets for the wrong reasons, Carpenter said. Some people get exotic animals because they think it will be cool or because they saw one on "Animal Planet." But Carpenter said the most important thing in owning an exotic pet is the willingness to make the commitment to give the animal the proper care it needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including proper veterinary care.

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