High-Maintenance, Exoxic Pets: What to Expect if You Take Home a Parrot, Cockatoo or Other Exotic Animal

Pets that teeter into the `exotic' or high-maintenance category - such as parrots and cockatoos - require more attention, more expensive cages or habitats, and specialized vet care.

And just try to find a sitter for them when you go on vacation.

Figure on spending upwards of an hour each day on care and feeding.

1 Large Birds

These are not usually a good choice for children. Often, they see children as something below them in the pecking order.

That is not good.

Now if you would like an exotic bird for yourself, that’s one thing. But don’t get one just for the kid.

Parrots and cockatoos make cool conversation pieces. They are fun, comical, and easy to train to do tricks.

They are very social birds that bond readily with people.

But they are also loud; in fact, they screech.

They are messy and destructive.

If you ignore or neglect them, they become self-destructive and pick their feathers out.

And they live 70 to 80 years.

Just think of signing on for a two-year-old who will never grow up. Ever.

2 Exotic Animals

Whew, if you’re looking to buy a llama, pot-belly pig, or other exotic animal you’ll have to search another Web site. You’re braver than me.

Next steps? Get the kids in on the care and feeding of the newest family member. But what exactly can a parent reasonably expect a child to help do? The answer to the chore question depends on a child's age.

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