A VET has revealed five animals that he would never have as a pet, including a popular choice which he said will leave your fearing for your bank account, due to expensive health issues.
TikToker Ben The Vet, (@ben.the.vet) explained that he would never advise anyone to get any of the pets on his list, not because he doesn’t like them, but because of the difficulties owning them pose.
First on Ben’s list is parrots, for an unusual reason your probably haven’t thought of.
“Having a parrot means never having a nonstick saucepan again – no joke, when it’s heated, the coating releases a gas which can be fatal to parrots,” he explained.
He added that parrots can be “extremely difficult” as they need lots of space and stimulation.
Ben revealed that mice only live for one or two years, so it can be difficult to get attached to them.
He shared: “I’ve had lots of guinea pigs over the years, and you grow very attached to them.
“It’s hard enough to say goodbye after four or five years, but for me, a year, as an amount of time to develop a bond with a pet and then have to say goodbye to them, is too short.”
Rabbits are a popular choice for pets for kids, but Ben said that they actually don’t cope well in houses with children.
He revealed that they are naturally very timid, so don’t enjoy being picked up.
He added: “They kick and they fall out your arms from a height onto the floor.
“It’s not unheard of for them to break limb bones and even their spines.”
The vet added that they are also susceptible to health issues, which can lead to expensive vet bills.
“They can be great pets if you invest time in them, but too many people get them put them in the hutch and forget about them,” he said.
Although you may think that nobody has a pet monkey, according to Ben, 5,000 people in the UK own a primate.
Ben revealed that he spent time volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary, and saw many baby monkeys who had been snatched from their mothers, so that they could be sold as pets.
The vet slammed these actions as “sick” and said: “A monkey is an extremely intelligent wild animal – not a domesticated species like cats or dogs.
He added that they have complex needs, and urged Brits not to get one.
Last on Ben’s list is the ferret, which he said are an aqquired taste.
He said: “They are cheeky, funny, entertaining pets, but they are an acquired taste.
“They really do stink and they have nasty bites if they lock onto your hand.”
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