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Be Pet Smart

Experts answer reader questions

Epidemiologist and veterinarian Stephen Waring answers a few reader questions about gifts that come in fur and feathers:

  1. What are the hot new pets? And what are the pitfalls?

    Generally, there are always trendy pets on the market, such as ferrets, certain exotic rodents, or tortoises. But dogs and cats–pure-bred or mixed–are still the most popular pets.

    Certain breeds, such as the Labrador for dogs and the Persian for cats will always be near the top of the popularity charts. Others gain popularity from recent events or movies, such as the case with pugs (from the movie Men in Black).

    Sometimes, new 'breeds' result from cross-breeding two or more popular breeds: the Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle) or the Leonburger (St. Bernard, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland).


    However, the extent to which this amplifies the desirable traits of the individual breeds, is uncertain.

    "Ragdoll" cats are large, loveable, and laid back.  They are very people-oriented, low maintenance, and get along with children and dogs. They are truly lap-cats and are
    gaining in popularity.

  2. What pets should we stay away from?

    Pets to be avoided depend on the owner and the owner's intent for having the pet. Considerations are:

    1. Size
    2. Temperament
    3. Breed-related health concerns
    4. Housing/feeding needs
    5. Your schedule
    6. Presence of young children
    7. And its ability to stay safe and get along with other household pets

    Consult your veterinarian to help you make that decision before you make a purchase.

  3. What are the best birds to have as pets?

    My bird of choice would be the African Grey Parrot-one of the most intelligent birds, that also adapts easily to its surroundings. They are very people oriented, particularly when raised from young. 

    Another popular breed would be the engaging and entertaining Cockatoo, but they are demanding of your attention and can be destructive: cell phones and remote controls don't stand a chance!

    Birds can carry and transmit psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci) which can cause severe pneumonia in some people. Bacterial gastroenteritis (from salmonella) is a possibility with exposure to pet birds, regardless of size.

    The larger the bird, the more powerful the mandibles (jaws). Couple that with the razor sharp beaks and one can sustain serious wounds. Caution and education about handling large birds is imperative for household safety.

  4. Will that baby squirrel you raised by hand ever really love you?

    Squirrels raised by hand will eventually grow up to be adults, and by nature, prefer your backyard trees rather than a cage. They will still provide hours of entertainment, and will likely still come up for a handout from time to time. 

    Children (and grown-ups) should be educated that just because a squirrel, or any other animal, approaches for a handout, doesn't mean they want to be picked up or held.

    (Editor's Note: Any abandoned or wounded wild bird or animal that you adopt should be brought to your veterinarian before frequent handling or housing.)

  5. What about monkeys?

    The National Geographic recently featured "The Perils of Keeping Monkeys as Pets" on their website.)  Also, the Simian Society of America, a non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of captive primates has some good information on the subject. (http://www.simiansociety.org/).

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UPDATED: 1-03-2006