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Friendly Pets

Friendly pets – Introduction

We are all aware that having a pet has a range of important advantages for humans. Pet ownership has many mental health benefits, including the reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression. Similarly, many scientifically established physical benefits include lowering blood pressure and even lowering the risk of a heart attack. When it comes to assisting their stressed-out owners, however, not all pets are created equal. Some species are more affectionate by nature than others.

Serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine, and prolactin are only a few of the pain relievers released through physical contact with our pets. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that humans enjoy pets who are affectionate and cuddly. What pets are the most affectionate is the question that immediately comes to mind. As you read on, you’ll discover some answers that can surprise you!

Most affectionate and loving pets

Here’s a short rundown, from unusual to the usual ones, of the sweetest and playful animals that will make excellent companions on your life’s journey:

Skunks
Sugar Gliders
Cockatoos
Horses
Guinea Pigs
Fancy Rats
Rabbits
Pot-Bellied Pigs
Cats
Dogs

Continue reading to learn more about each animal and what makes them such wonderful cuddling and caring companions!

Skunks as pets

The skunk is a species with a bad name. This is primarily due to their potent odor, which causes humans and other animals to flee in the reverse direction when skunks cross their paths. Skunks, on the other hand, are becoming increasingly popular as pets. They say that skunks make excellent pets once de-scented because they are incredibly loyal, caring, and lovable.

Skunks are usually familiar with children and other animals such as dogs and cats. Yet again, if properly cared for, a skunk can be an excellent friend. Make sure you don’t leave them alone for long periods, as they can become depressed and agitated.

How do they show affection:

rubbing up against you
demanding attention
playing games
licking
snuggling

Sugar Gliders as pets

This small Australian possum prefers to live in the treetops. They haven’t been through the domestication process in the same way as cats and dogs have. As a result, many people believe that sugar gliders should not be kept as pets at all. Despite this, these animals are ubiquitous exotic pets, and their owners believe that if they are adequately cared for, they will succeed. They’re sometimes referred to as “pocket pets” that develop a strong connection with their holders.

The sugar glider pet profile includes loyalty, playfulness, and outright displays of affection. Only make sure they have plenty of room to play in their cage and some time to glide around outside of it. This is another pet that necessitates a significant amount of time and effort on its owners, especially during the bonding. It is not a wise decision to take on ownership on a whim. On the other hand, the sugar glider will respond in kind if given time, attention, and affection.

How do they show affection:

following you around
rubbing up against you
playing games
licking
snuggling

Cockatoos as pets

Birds aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when people think of affectionate pets. They’re often considered stupid and jittery pets who aren’t likely to show any loyalty or affection. Anyone who makes such a claim, however, clearly does not own a cockatoo. This bird thrives on the attention, affection, and love it gets from its person.

They’re known for being playful, affectionate, and cuddly pets that form a strong bond with their owners, particularly if they’re young. Cockatoos crave attention and affection so much that they will experience behavioral problems if it isn’t offered regularly. They’re also the ideal pet for someone who wants to spend a lot of time with these animals and bond with them. (Conversely, having two at once may be a brilliant idea because they still have someone to keep them company.) And, depending on the species, cockatoos can live for 40–80 years so that you might end up with a lifetime companion.

How do they show affection:

letting you handle them
following your movements
demanding attention
kissing
snuggling

Horses as pets

A horse is not a pet that should be kept in the yard! They need a lot of room, stables, and their owners’ unwavering dedication. Few people have the means or money to keep a horse as a pet, and many contend that horses are magnificent animals that should never be considered pets in the first place. On the other hand, horses are very affectionate animals who thrive in the care of their human companions.

Horses are noted for understanding and sometimes mirroring the feelings and actions of the humans in their environment. In reality, they are also excellent at soothing difficult-to-reach children or recovering addicts, with the horses experiencing similar calming effects. They are magnificent animals devoted to owners who have taken the time to form a strong and enduring relationship with them.

How do they show affection:

rubbing their nose on you
leaning up against you
playing games
bickering
licking
hugging
snuggling

Guinea Pigs as pets

These are very gentle and loving with their human parents. Since they are natural “prey mice,” their instinct is to flee and hide rather than play and cuddle.

They can be extremely loyal and affectionate pets with their human owners once the crucial trust has been established. It’s always better to have at least two guinea pigs at a time so that they don’t get lonely.

Guinea pigs often have distinct personalities, and their likes and dislikes are usually expressed through various actions and sounds. They’re also excellent first pets for youngsters.

How do they show affection:

sitting on your shoulder
following you around
playing games
jumping up into the air
squealing
licking
snuggling

Fancy Rats as pets

There is no doubt that many people are terrified of rats. This animal has a dreadful reputation for being scary and nasty and has been linked to depictions of unthinkable death during the Black Plague period. Although rats can indeed be found in sewage systems, it is also true that these are not the types of animals we recommend keeping as a new snuggly pet.

Fancy rats are not sewer creatures at all but relatively clean and well-behaved self-groomers. They’re also incredibly intelligent, loyal, and affectionate creatures. Fancy rats are sociable creatures with a high level of empathy and playfulness, and they are very attached to their human owners. They enjoy hanging out on their owners’ backs, solving puzzles, and even just hanging out. Fancy rats will make excellent pets if they are correctly cared for.

How do they show affection:

sitting on your shoulder
following you around
playing games
squealing
nibbling or licking
snuggling

Rabbits as pets

The word “bunny rabbit” conjures up images of cuddly, furry, and affectionate little animals hopping and jumping from one location to the next. Rabbits make for entertaining, engaging, and loving pets, so this interpretation isn’t far off the mark. Rabbits, like dogs, can be very loyal and playful. They also come in various personalities to suit any owner, ranging from quiet and reserved to outgoing and active.

A rabbit and its owner may form an extremely close relationship. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that although rabbits are affectionate, they only react well to certain kinds of treatment. They dislike being picked up, for example, and prefer to be cuddled and petted while lying on the ground or in your lap.

If the rabbit is unhappy with the way its owner is treating it, a simple, instinctive nip or scratch can occur. As a result, it’s crucial to keep an eye on small children if they communicate with an unfamiliar rabbit. Nonetheless, when properly cared for, the bunny rabbit can be a rather affectionate friend.

How do they show affection:

following you around
jumping up into the air
running around your feet
demanding head rubs
playing games
squealing
licking
snuggling

Pot-bellied Pigs as pets

The pot-bellied pig is another easygoing animal that is often chosen as a companion. This is another species that is synonymous with a variety of negative stereotypes. We’ve all heard phrases like “filthy as a pigsty,” “sweat like a pig,” and “eat like a pig.” Pigs, on the other hand, are clean, friendly, and highly intelligent creatures.

Pot-bellied pigs are also known for being very affectionate. They have a strong desire for companionship and are responsive to touch. They enjoy playing and should be given regular access to open spaces where they can run around, preferably with plenty of shade to keep them cool. In reality, they are very curious and playful, and if not given enough activities and stimuli, they can quickly become bored.

As a result, “pig-proofing” your home is a smart idea if they become too curious or destructive. Pot-bellied pigs, on the other hand, will quickly become one of your dearest and most affectionate companions if you can provide them with a lovely home and plenty of care.

How do they show affection:

following you around
rubbing their nose on you
protecting you
playing games
squealing
licking
tail-wagging
snuggling

Cats as pets

Cats have a reputation for being cold, uninterested, and aloof. This is an inaccurate portrayal of cats, as they are generally very affectionate. Dogs and cats express affection in various ways, but cats are generally more loyal and affectionate to their human friends. There have been several recorded incidents in which cats have put their lives on the line to save a person they believed was in danger.

Cats have a reputation for being unlovable since they do not display affection in the same way that a pet dog does. Clear expressions of affection, such as pointing their tail up and rubbing up against owners, are often mistaken by human owners. Cats are obviously affectionate pets, despite their reputation of being cold and distant.

How do they show affection:

sitting on your lap
following you around
rubbing up against you
protecting you
playing games
purring
licking
hugging
snuggling
kneading

Dogs as pets

Dogs aren’t named “Man’s Best Friend” for no reason. They are not only intensely loyal, but they are also very gentle and loving. Dogs, like humans, are social creatures that want to be cherished, be accepted, and bond. The propensity of dogs to kiss their owners mercilessly is a prime example of their love. Although it is often just an attempt to lick the salt off the skin, it usually is a sign of a dog’s love and affection.

It is not undeniable that some breeds are more affectionate than others. However, this is largely due to upbringing, with the human owner bearing the majority of the blame. Also, violent breeds like pit bulls and Rottweilers can become the most affectionate and cuddly softies if they’re given a safe and caring home. Dogs are undeniably one of the most affectionate pets, from their relentless kissing to their willingness to practically tackle you with enthusiasm any time you return home.

How do they show affection:

following you around
leaning against you
jumping up into the air
protecting you
playing games
barking
licking
tail-wagging
hugging
snuggling

Other affectionate animals as pets:

Bearded Dragons

These gentle lizards, despite being reptiles, can be unexpectedly affectionate. They understand and answer to their owners, and they interact with other bearded dragons and humans regularly. They still like to cuddle now and then. They’re also a great alternative to furry or feathered pets, particularly for those who are allergic to animals.

Hamsters

These rodents, including guinea pigs and rats, have various personalities and sometimes take to some owners rather than others. They want to play games and cuddle with their favorite humans.

Chinchillas

Chinchillas are becoming more common among prospective pet owners, even though they haven’t always been the most popular option for companion animals. They have very fluffy fur and enjoy cuddling. Although they do require a significant amount of time to clean and care for, they can be an excellent, if unusual, candidate for the role of your new caring friend.

Raccoons as pets

What is a raccoon?

Raccoons are a species of omnivorous mammal that can weigh up to 28 pounds, with fur that can be gray, brown, or black. They also have very remarkable physical characteristics, such as the dark coloration of the skin around the eyes. In turn, they also present an alternate coloration on their tail that resembles dark rings on their fur.

Their natural habitat forests, whether mixed or deciduous, they can usually be found next to streams, rivers, or any watercourse. However, they have adapted well to the urban environment, being able to feed on garbage or even pet food.

One of the main causes of the spread of these animals is that they lack large predators that keep their population reduced in addition to being a nocturnal animal.

A raccoon resting on the tree branch — Photo by Alex Makarov on Unsplash

Are raccoons safe to domesticate?

They are usually animals that tend to stay on the sidelines, just observing human life with curiosity, but, despite their distant attitude, when these animals are harassed by humans or predators, they can present a very aggressive and defensive attitude.

In addition, these animals cause an imbalance in the ecosystem that they are found since they are very intelligent and capable of hunting. They also have the habit of predating nests that are unprotected. In other words, they can be a bit difficult to handle in the wrong hands.

Can you have a raccoon as a pet?

First, it is important to establish certain extremely important considerations, for example, the character of a raccoon is very different from that of other domestic animals such as a dog or a cat, because, even if it is raised domestically, it will still have its genes wild, this makes tame it not an easy task, especially if they are grown since the attitude of these animals varies a lot according to their age.

However, while these factors make it a challenge to keep them as pets, this is not an impossible task.

Also, what’s very important when it comes to raising a raccoon is to understand the fact that they are curious and intelligent animals that may often find themselves exhibiting behaviors that we can consider negative, thanks to this curiosity.

However, we should not under any circumstances use negative reinforcement to try to correct or punish this, but rather positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. Thanks to its intelligence, we have the ability to teach them routines, touches, and even to capture some commands as a domestic animal would, of course, presenting some limitations thanks to its wild nature.

The best thing is that if we want to have a pet raccoon, we welcome it as a child, and even when it comes to teaching and raising it with good behavior, we leave it in the hands of a professional in the field because if we do it ourselves and it goes wrong, it can result in a big mess.

A raccoon on the tree house — Photo by Jamez Picard on Unsplash

Caring for a pet raccoon

Housing

Thanks to their nature, raccoons have very specific and delicate cares that make them not suitable to be raised in any environment.

In the first place, since the natural habitat of these small animals is the forest, it is obvious that we cannot keep it in an environment like an apartment in the city, but we need to have a wide-open space like a garden, and, in addition to, Therefore, the raccoon will require its own space, and this could be a large cage in the garden.

Physical activity

During the day, it is necessary that we let the raccoon roam free in the garden; it is much better for its development if it has a tree so that it can climb. Yes, these activities should be done under surveillance so that it does not hurt itself or run away.

These animals should spend as much time as possible on the loose. It is not at all advisable to keep them locked up or chained since it can generate a lot of mistrust and can result in them feeling threatened and try to attack and escape.

Food

When it comes to food, since raccoons are omnivorous animals, they must have a complete diet to keep them healthy. A mixture of fruits, vegetables, and chicken can be ideal. It is advisable to avoid giving them red meat to eat.

When they go to consume their food, raccoons have a habit of soaking their food before consuming it, so it is good to keep a small container of water near their food so that you can do so. Although their metabolism allows them to eat a wide variety of food, we must still be careful with what we feed it to avoid any disease or weight problems like obesity.

Hygiene

In hygiene matters, raccoons do not require very extensive care, they only require a bath every couple of months, and after about a year, they usually take care of their hygiene alone. However, raccoons sometimes naturally give off a very strong and unpleasant smell, so we must take this into account when we want to spend a lot of time with our furry friend.

These also change their hair once a year. During this period, we must be very careful when brushing them, delicately using a wire brush to avoid stress and damage.

Precautions of a pet raccoon

Raccoons are curious animals by nature, and that only means one thing, they are hopelessly mischievous. When you want to have it as a pet, this translates into wanting to explore every corner of our house thoroughly. And not only do they stop at exploration, but if an object catches their attention, you will have to be very careful as they will be able to bite, scratch and even climb just to satisfy their curiosity.

We must take care of our pet raccoon as time goes by, as they can be quite harmless and playful when they are little, but, as they grow, especially when they reach adulthood, their natural wild instincts begin to They flourish and can become very aggressive if they feel threatened, even using nails and teeth to defend themselves if they consider themselves in danger.

Precautions with a pet like this go much further than just their behavior. For example, it is vital that these animals are thoroughly vaccinated against rabies without missing a single vaccine. Another consideration in this regard is that there is a parasite called “Baylisascaris procyonis” that is typical of this species, it is important to keep our raccoon protected from it.

Even when feeding it, we must be careful because if we overdo their diet, our little friend may develop obesity and may even end up in hip dysplasia, so we must offer them a balanced and carefully planned diet and check it regularly at the veterinarian as we would do it with any other pet.

Pocket pets

What are pocket pets?

The term “Pocket Pet” refers to animals that are small enough to fit comfortably in our pocket or in a small cage. Most of these are rodents or small breeds of dogs such as Chihuahuas. Some may have special care, so we must inform ourselves well before making the decision to acquire one of these.

It’s important to remember that some of the species shown below may be illegal in some territories, so we recommend that you inform us about the matter when looking for one of these little companions.

Person holding hedgehog — Photo by George Kendall on Unsplash

Where to keep a pocket pet?

When choosing, one of the most limiting factors we have when choosing a new pet is the space we have. However, pocket pets can be adapted to small spaces.

Many of the species of pocket pets, such as hamsters or other small rodents, only require that they be given the space of a cage which does not need to be very large in order to provide adequate comfort to our pet. Thanks to this, pocket pets are the ideal option to keep in small homes or small apartments.

What species are pocket pets?

Most of the species in which pocket pets are presented are rodents. There are also some birds and reptiles that meet the characteristics of pocket pets. However, despite their popularity, only a few canine breeds are considered as “pocket pets”.

How to take care of pocket pets?

Although many of the pocket pets that we can find out there are members of the rodent family, each of them is different, and we must know what their needs are and how to care for them properly.

Hamster

These are some of the most popular when selecting a pocket pet. They have an approximate lifetime of three years and are very easy to care for. They only need a cage with shredded paper to be able to make a good bed. The best thing is that these have wheels, tubes, and other toys inside their cage so they can exercise and keep fit.

Hamsters feel comfortable living alone, but if you want to have more than one, it is imperative to take into account that, if two of the same sex get together, they can develop aggressive behaviors with each other. Therefore, the most recommended is to join two of the opposite sex. They can live well and even procreate more hamsters in a simple way.

A little white hamster lying on the floor — Photo by Kim Green on Unsplash

Rabbit

Rabbits are animals that are as cute as they are delicate. These require medium care. A cage where it can move freely, we must always keep it clean to prevent our little friend from getting sick. When it comes to water and food, rabbits require a water change every two days at most to keep it fresh. In addition, they must be fed twice a day. They usually get along very well with a diet of hay and fresh leaves.

Despite common beliefs, it is not advisable to keep them on a diet of carrots as they can contain too much sugar for them and can even blind them. To keep our bunny active, we can take him for a walk using a harness that is his size; however, we must be careful since the sounds of hectic cities can stress them many, it is best to take him to quiet places such as parks or mountains.

A small rabbit in the grass — Photo by Waranya Mooldee on Unsplash

Hedgehogs

The first thing we have to bear in mind is that these animals are not the most suitable for children because they require special attention, they are delicate and stress easily. In addition, when stressed, they tend to roll up as a defense mechanism and, thanks to their hairs or quills, can sting, again, in self-defense.

Hedgehog’s care is varied, starting with their cage, which should be as wide as possible, with a firm base, preferably made of plastic and without bars since, thanks to its size, it can get stuck and suffocate. As for food and drink, they feel more comfortable taking from bottle containers, their food plate should be low, and their diet should not come under any

circumstances be a human diet.

They naturally feed on small insects such as crickets. However, there are to be careful with the amounts of protein they eat as they can easily gain weight.

Other additional cares include its temperature, which should be between 72 and 82 ° F. We can use a heating plate or heat source to keep the temperature in this range since if it drops, they can easily get sick, in addition, we must cut their nails regularly to prevent curling and damage.

Person holding a hedgehog in a hand — Photo by Siem van Woerkom on Unsplash

Ferret

Ferrets are very active and curious small carnivorous animals that, in turn, sleep a lot during the day. It also requires special care and attention. It can live up to 8 years and enter its adult stage after its first year. When kept at home, it can help control some insect pests as well as add an exotic touch to the home.

It is good that if we think about acquiring one, it is as young as possible so that it adapts to the home and develops friendly habits, but, thanks to its curiosity, it’s important to be very attentive to prevent any accident within our home.

The ideal cage of one of these small animals should be wide and have a soft bottom since they are lovers of digging. Also, since they sleep for much of the day, it requires a dark section to be able to do it comfortably. We must clean its cage a minimum of once a week since it is an animal that can easily develop a bad smell.

As for their diet, as they are carnivorous animals, the consumption of animal protein is important. Special food for ferrets or puppy cats should serve this purpose well.

Ferret standing on couch — Photo by Steve Tsang on Unsplash

Chinchilla

Although at first, they can be distrustful, chinchillas are calm and intelligent rodents that, when they get used to you, offer you a lot of affection. In addition, they are very expressive and tend to communicate a lot with their particular squeaks.

They may not need much care, but it is important to know the most specific ones to be able to give our pet a good life. For example, an important characteristic of these small animals is that they need to live with other chinchillas to feel good. Therefore, the best is to get a partner. It is also important to know that they are nocturnal animals, so we must respect their sleep hours so that they are always optimally.

For these curious and reckless animals, it is best to get a high cage so that they have enough space to climb, especially if we will have more than one at a time. It is best that this cage is made of metal but that the base is solid as the racks can be uncomfortable and hurt your legs.

Chinchillas’ diet, being herbivorous animals, is composed almost entirely of hay that can be mixed with small portions of vegetables and fruits. When it comes to providing water, we can use a bottle drinker for the animal’s comfort, and we must change the water regularly to keep it fresh.

Chinchilla sleeping on the ground — Photo by Iván C. Fajardo on Unsplash

Advantages of pocket pets

Acquiring pocket pets can be beneficial in several ways, not only because of space since these pets are ideal for places with limited space, such as apartments. They also provide many advantages in the case of having children.

One of these pets can help our child learn values such as responsibility, empathy, and respect for others. They can also help in reducing the risk of allergies easily and even reduce the risk of asthma.

In addition to this, it also helps them develop their social and affective skills with other people and reduces the aggressiveness of children.

Pocket Pet Precautions

Despite looking small and cute, from time to time, these animals can easily transmit diseases and infections. One of the most common is salmonella. These small pets can transmit this disease to their owners easily and can be infected even if they look healthy to the naked eye, so we must be vigilant.

A very useful tip when choosing your pet is to pay attention to whether it is lively or calm. In most cases, when they are calm or look tired or sick, they most likely are, so one that has a lively, alert and clean appearance is best.

Another indicator of the animal’s health can be its breathing. If it is breathing with difficulty, it surely has a health problem. We must be careful that it is breathing in a normal and controlled way.

Otters as pets

What are otters?

Otters are carnivorous mammals that tend to hunt for food and swim at night. When underwater, they perform graceful swimming movements, and these little animals are capable of speeds of up to 7 miles per hour. They tend to feed mainly on the fish they hunt, although their diet is made of crustaceans, frogs, and sea urchins.

They also tend to eat large amounts of invertebrates. When it comes to hunting and getting food, their intelligence is remarkable since they are one of the few species that use resources and tools when hunting. For example, they can dive up to 250 feet underwater to get shells and mollusks, and If they cannot open them with their claws, this is not a problem for them as they use their cunning to open them using rocks to break them.

These animals can reach a size of up to 15 inches and a weight of 60 lbs. Thanks to their peculiar anatomy, these animals can adapt to life on land or in water, preferring to stay in the water. These small animals are usually very social, active, and playful with each other and have adaptation and survival skills and communication skills. These animals perceive as the main threats not only their natural predators but also humans in most cases.

Otter lying on the wooden floor — Photo by Third Idea on Unsplash

Can otters be pets?

Wild animals can be easily kept at home and domesticated, but there are also animals. Limes should not be removed from their natural habitat for different reasons, either because of their attitude or their dependence on the conditions they are naturally found in.

Otters belong to this second group, and these are wild animals that are very difficult to keep as pets, thanks to their specific needs to stay comfortable, their aggressive attitude, and their tendency to bite. Also, this translates not only into property destruction but also they tend to bite their owner.

In addition to these behavioral factors, there are legal problems because this is a species considered in danger of extinction, and it is advisable to give up the idea of keeping one of these animals as a pet.

Is it legal to have a pet otter?

It is a matter that, even though in some countries of the world, such as Japan, having a pet otter has become a recent fad, the truth is that in most countries of the world, owning one of these animals is illegal.

In case of wanting to request it as a companion animal, a specific series of difficult requirements must be met, which makes having an otter as a pet an even more difficult task than it already is.

What needs does an otter have in the wild?

Environment

Otters are striking animals that feel very comfortable in the water. They have a thick coat that also turns out to be waterproof, which allows them to stay warm when they are underwater.

They have the natural need to be near rivers since this is their natural environment, where they can hunt their food. Also, these animals rarely leave their mothers before the first 18 months of age since, during that time, their mother teaches them all the skills they need to survive alone.

If we are determined to obtain one of these animals as a pet, we must consider having a space full of water since they spend a lot of time submerged, especially in cold water since they have a high metabolism that allows them to stay warm. Another ability these animals naturally possess is the ability to close their nostrils for up to 6 minutes underwater before needing to surface to breathe again.

Otter in the water environment — Photo by Daniel Tong on Unsplash

Food

Otters are animals that tend to eat a lot and very often. Their favorite food is fish, in any presentation, breed, or season. These carnivorous mammals are not selective at all when it comes to choosing their food.

When they are hungry, they can eat anything to survive, and many of these things do not excessively affect them, thanks to their metabolism. They can consume up to 16 pounds of food daily, and it represents about 20% of their body weight in a day.

Besides fish, other food sources for these animals are small birds, frogs, clams, and invertebrates. When on land, they can eat lizards and fruits, which quickly become part of their diet. Interestingly, these being intelligent and cunning animals, if they are in a specific ecosystem where there is an abundant species that they can eat, the otters will change their diet to consume almost only this species. At the same time, they find it available around them.

Precautions when having contact with an otter

In the event that permission is obtained to own one of these animals as a companion, we must be clear that having it as a pet is a difficult task since we should not only worry about its specific needs but also, thanks to its aggressive nature, they tend to bite with its very sharp teeth.

Another of the very unpleasant habits of this animal is a natural spray with an unpleasant smell that they tend to spray constantly on themselves

Thanks to its wild and not very homey nature, it is crucial that we provide the otter with outdoor spaces. These should preferably be near rivers or streams.

It is important that they spend most of the active time they have during the day near these environments since this species has the habit of spending around 5 hours a day hunting for food. They do not hunt exclusively in water or on land but can do so in both environments without problems.

A curious fact about their hunting is that, even though otters are nocturnal animals, they usually carry out their hunting periods during the first hours of the day or during the afternoon. They do not usually do it at night if not strictly necessary.

However, we must not only be careful to provide a good hunting space for these animals but we must also be attentive to what food they consume since most of these species die due to kidney and liver problems due to their careless habits.

Food. It is also essential to offer them clean water since the parasites that can be found in rivers and lakes can do them a lot of damage. There have even been cases where otters die of hunger after breaking their teeth when trying to consume tough food. Therefore, if we have it as a pet, we must closely monitor their habits and diets.

One of the biggest precautions that we must take when having them as pets is that these animals become especially aggressive when it is time for their heat, so it is recommended to stay as far away as possible from them during their heat period. The most dangerous thing about this fact is that the mating season of these animals can occur at any time of the year.