subject: Your Guide To Care For Pet Porcupines [print this page] When people think of a family pet, they often think of a fish, a cat, or a dog. Some may even go as far as to think about other animals, such as goats, sheep, cows, horses, or rabbits. Most people do not think about porcupines as pets.
Porcupines can actually be the perfect home pets for those who are looking for a new and unique pet for their family. Porcupines can be calm around humans, and can be a safe pet. If you think about caring for a pet porcupine you need to think about shelter, food, and general care.
How to Shelter Porcupines
It is important to consider shelter when caring for a pet porcupine. You want to make sure that your pet is comfortable; but that you can also keep it contained and controlled. Many rely on cat-carriers or small dog cages to house their porcupines. It is important to let your pet roam the house with you during the day. With that being said, you should make sure that you contain the pet during the night to keep it from getting into trouble.
How to Feed Porcupines
Porcupines enjoy fresh and natural foods. Considering the fact that there are no real commercial products for porcupine food, most owners have no other choices for pet food. Provide your porcupine with various fruits and vegetables. You will be able to gauge what types of food they like. You can then choose the foods that they enjoy on a regular basis.
How to Pet Porcupines
It can be incredibly difficult to pet a porcupine soon after you introduce it to your home. The porcupine will be scared, and will not be used to its surroundings. You need to slowly bring your porcupine into the home setting, and slowly work to get it used to human contact. Many recommend wearing gloves the first few times that you pet your porcupine.
You should also make sure that you do not sneak up on the porcupine; this is likely to scare the porcupine, bringing out the painful quills that most try to avoid. Make eye contact with the porcupine, start with its head, and work toward its body. Porcupines that are used to their surroundings will not be upset or startled when you pet them.
It is important for you to make sure that you care for your porcupine properly. This means that you need to attempt to find a veterinarian that will help you to take care of your pet. While some vets will understand how to care for this animal, others will not.
When you are sure that you can take care of the shelter, food, and general care of a porcupine, you can keep one as a pet. These loyal and docile animals can easily be the best pet for you and your family.
