Are you considering getting a frog as your next pet? While frogs can be excellent pets and can bring years of joy into your life, there are several things you need to take into consideration before you buy a frog. By carefully examining the pros and cons of owning a pet frog, you can more effectively determine whether or not it is the right type of pet for you.
The Drawbacks to Owning a Pet Frog
Perhaps the largest drawback to owning a pet frog is the fact that many types of wild frogs are facing problems with extinction and general decline in population. Since this decline is largely due to human activities such as the pet trade, it is essential that you only purchase those frogs that are not experiencing population issues. This way, you can be certain you are not contributing to the decline of that particular frog breed’s demise.
Another drawback to owning a pet frog is the fact that their habitats can be quite difficult to keep clean and healthy. While the humidity, temperature and lighting requirements are simple for most frogs, many are very sensitive to waste and other contaminants in their habitats. Therefore, you have to be particularly careful about keeping the area clean. It is also important to keep these special captivity needs in mind if you are someone who enjoys traveling on a regular basis, as it can be difficult to find someone to care for your frog while you are away.
Feeding your pet frog can also be a difficult endeavor. In most cases, you will need to handle insects to feed your frog. If you are squeamish, you might not enjoy this part of frog ownership. If you have a larger frog, you may even need to feed it pinky mice, which can be a disturbing process if you are an animal lover.
Another potential drawback to owning a frog is its long lifespan. While it is nice to know that your pet will likely be around for 4 to 15 years, or perhaps even longer, it is important to note that you are taking on a very long commitment when you bring home a pet frog. Therefore, before you purchase one at the pet store, make certain you are prepared to take care of it for many years to come.
Special Considerations When Buying a Pet Frog
In addition to considering the potential drawbacks of frog ownership, there are several other things you should keep in mind before bringing one home. First of all, you should make sure to do plenty of research on the particular species you are buying. This way, you can be certain you are setting the habitat up properly and you can get everything set up before you bring your new pet home.
You should also consider the size of the frog. Just because the frog is small now, it doesn’t mean it will stay small for long. Be sure to purchase the right sized habitat and equipment to accommodate the size of your frog now as well as in the future
