Exotic Pet Care: Ferrets, Arowanas, & Iguanas

If you’re interested in exotic animals like rodents or reptiles and have contemplated getting one as a pet, knowing how to properly care for them is a must so they live a long and healthy life. Exotics, just like the common domestic cat or dog, require constant veterinary care, a rich diet, a stimulating lifestyle, and of course, lots of love. Just as important are the tools you use when caring for your exotic pets, which is why having a wide selection of disposable gloves from 1st Choice is recommended. Need to build a suitable nest for your unusual critters? We have the 1st Choice line of disposable industrial gloves for that. Want to prepare them a well-curated meal? Simply use 1st Choice clear vinyl exam gloves to avoid food contamination. Are they in dire need of a warm bath? Carefully handle exotic pets using quality disposable exam gloves from 1st Choice. There’s nothing the 1st Choice brand of disposable gloves can’t handle.

How to Care for Ferrets

Ferrets are members of the weasel family, and their mischievous personalities make them amusing and interesting pets. Mandee Schafer, our eCommerce Content Manager who happens to own ferrets, can attest to their fun and colorful nature. It’s no surprise they’re very social animals and are recommended to be kept in bonded pairs or groups (also known as businesses). Similarly, neutering or spaying your pet ferret is vital. This is particularly important for female ferrets, who remain in heat until they mate. To avoid complications such as anemia or ovarian cancer, it’s suggested to spay or neuter your ferret while still young, having an age range from four to six months old. Ferrets are strict carnivores, which means a high-protein diet that’s low in carbohydrates and fiber is a must. For an easily accessible protein source, try feeding them with high-quality commercial ferret food or high-quality commercial dry kitten food. To help clean their teeth and provide behavioral enrichment, try giving them a weekly interval of human-grade raw meaty bones to chew on. Just make sure to wear 1st Choice clear vinyl exam gloves when preparing their diet to avoid any type of food contamination. As a bonus tip: Bones should always be raw and large enough to not fit inside their mouths. This is to avoid accidents, most especially when they swallow whole the torn pieces of meat from chewed bones.

How to Care for Arowanas

The arowana, also known as the dragon fish or monkey fish, is a popular South American species of freshwater fish that has garnered itself quite a reputation in the hobby. Renowned for its hunting ability and large size, it’s an iconic, expensive, and sought-after fish in the aquarium trade. Many Asian cultures believe that having an arowana for a pet brings luck, fortune, and good tidings to its owner. Sometimes mistaken for a mermaid, its body is unusually long and streamlined when compared to other ornamental fish. It has a distinct scale pattern that comes in an array of luminescent colors, including silver, gold, green, and red. To add, its temperament or disposition is usually aggressive, so carefully selecting its tankmates is a must. Anything smaller than the arowana may eventually end up inside its mouth—yikes! They have the potential to grow rapidly, up to two inches per month. Thus, it’s important to house them in a substantially large aquarium, so the arowana has enough room to swim in. That said, make sure to use 1st Choice 6-mil black nitrile disposable industrial gloves when cleaning its home. Wearing the right kind of PPE helps keep your hands protected while scrubbing away the dirt and grime off the glass.

How to Care for Iguanas

Iguanas are never truly domesticated, and many of them will try to escape their enclosures even when already inside your home. Captive iguanas need to be picked up and held routinely for taming purposes, so they learn to trust their owners and get more comfortable in their environment. This may prove to be a challenge because they often resist human contact and find it unnatural. Therefore, it’s important to handle your pet iguana with care and patience. Young iguanas are nimble and agile, a contrast to adult iguanas which are often passive and docile—or at least when they don’t feel threatened. When out of their cage, some iguanas prefer to climb on their owners. They do have sharp claws, so wearing protective clothing is a must if your pet iguana likes to do this. Handling them can be made easier by using a thick glove from the 1st Choice line of disposable industrial gloves. Aside from their claws, an iguana’s powerful tail is one terrifying thing to watch out for. An adult iguana’s tail is strong enough to break a human bone—ouch! While this is a relatively rare scenario, iguanas are never to be underestimated. Be sure to pay attention to any struggling or aggression when handling them, especially if children or other animals are within reach.