Exotic Pet Education

At Passionate Paws, we enjoy the unique and the different. Many of the staff that work here have some of the not so usual pets and enjoy having different experiences with exotic animals. Exotic animals as pets are rapidly growing amongst Australians with many people discovering how these unusual creatures can provide just as much enjoyment as regular pets.

Here at Passionate Paws, we treat:

• Guinea pigs
• Rats and mice
• Reptiles
• Birds

Whilst these animals are becoming more popular to share our lives with, they do come with some unique and different needs in comparison to a dog or cat. It can become an expensive hobby to provide them with the required housing and food to ensure they are kept at their optimum and continue to have a not only healthy life but also a stimulated one.

We encourage people who are enticed by these curious creatures to talk with experienced exotic enthusiasts to ensure they are providing all the care they need.

We will be providing basic care information on this page and updating it regularly so keep an eye out for useful tips and advice.

Guinea pigs

We offer a range of services for guinea pigs including:

• Health check-ups including dietary and housing requirements
• Desexing
• Medical problems
• Breeding advice
• Surgery and hospital care
• Dental work

Guinea pigs are very social animals and should always be kept with at least one other guinea pig so they don’t get lonely. They are curious and affectionate little pets that require a level of commitment that many may not be aware of.

Rats and mice

To the casual eye, these two classes of rodent look particularly alike. So, what is the difference between rats and mice?

• Adult mice are much smaller than adult rats. In some cases, adult mice may be smaller than infant rats
• Behaviourally speaking, mice are generally the bolder of the two being curious, whilst rats are craftier choosing to be cautious.

Both rats and mice are very social animals and neither species should be kept as a single animal. They can become very lonely and scared when they don’t have a friend to give them the support they need.

Likewise, rats and mice should never be kept together in the same cage. Whilst most of the time they may appear to get along together, they are not known to live a harmonious life together and this may result in some serious injuries and even death.

In general, both rats and mice are fairly easy to keep, take up a minimal amount of space and require relatively straightforward care. Both species of rodent are intelligent and have an appetite for just about anything.
One of the most important and often overlooked aspects of rat and mice care is their enclosure. They are extremely intelligent animals and even better escape artists. Having an enclosure that will securely house them in is just as important as food. Finding the right enclosure can take some research.

We are happy to discuss with you, rat and mouse care details to ensure they are happy and healthy. We can offer information on the best practice for:

• General rat and mouse care
• Food, diet and nutrition
• Housing preparation
• Hygiene
• Rodent behaviour

We provide a range of services to help care for your rodents including:

• Health check ups
• Respiratory disease management
• Desexing
• Surgery and hospital care
• Dentistry

Reptiles

Snakes, lizards and turtles are common pets here in Australia for people seeking something a little bit different. To remain happy and healthy, each species have their own specific heat, UV lighting and nutritional needs, but with the right knowledge and equipment, they can be interesting, relatively low maintenance pets.

Birds

Birds can make great pets for someone wanting a pet that is intelligent, charismatic and a great companion. In Australia, we have many available varieties, from the small budgie or canary, right through to the exotic alexandrines or macaws, each with their own nutrition and socialisation requirement