The alternatives for having furry, feathery, and scaly pets go far beyond the traditional cats and dogs. Even though many people have a particular place in their hearts for these traditional pets, there are some people who find happiness and friendship in animals that could be viewed as less traditional.
Here are some common pet kinds, along with the reasons behind their popularity and general information that should be known.
Birds
Due to their evolutionary past, parrots, canaries, and finches are frequently referred to as “mini dinosaurs” and are prized pets because of their vibrant feathers. Raising poultry outside, such as hens, is also gaining popularity. Anyone up for some fresh eggs?
However, birds can also contract the highly contagious avian flu, which has spread over the world and killed large numbers of chickens. An import permit is necessary when importing a bird into Canada from a nation other than the United States in order to assist stop the spread of foreign animal illnesses like avian flu.
Wild birds can infect outdoor birds, such as chickens, with the avian flu virus. If you raise chickens in your backyard, you should keep them away from wild birds and take precautions to keep their water and food clean.
Reptiles
Reptiles are quite appealing, and their quiet and dander-free nature makes them a great alternative to more traditional pets. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that they are fundamentally wild creatures without the lengthy history of human domestication as cats and dogs do. They may potentially harbor salmonella, which could be harmful to people’s health. Avoid direct contact, wash your hands completely after handling them, and keep your hands out of the kitchen to reduce this danger. For their welfare, it is essential to provide a special enclosure with closely watched temperature and humidity levels.
Pigs
Pigs are becoming more and more popular because people like their pleasant, lively attitudes, cute snouts, and curly tails. They can also solve puzzles and learn tricks, making them extraordinarily intelligent. However, pigs require a lot of care, much like birds and reptiles do.
They eat copiously and require an open area to root around in addition to being incredibly destructive and stubborn (imagine a 200-pound toddler). In order to safeguard them from illnesses like African swine fever (ASF), pigs also need to be kept under strict biosecurity protocols. Although this virus is not dangerous to people and poses no concern to food safety, it frequently results in death for pigs.
Despite the fact that Canada is free of ASF, it’s still crucial to keep livestock or pet pigs away from wild ones. If shoes come into contact with their excretions, the virus may spread and contaminate them. Furthermore, never feed leftover meat to pigs because even a tiny amount of tainted meat can transmit ASF.
Pets bring a lot of happiness and purpose to our lives, but before getting any kind of pet, make sure you fully grasp their requirements so you can determine whether they’ll be a suitable fit.
Learn more about these pets at https://newscanada.com/en/3-semi-unusual-pets-and-why-people-love-them-138816
Reference: https://newscanada.com
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