A British vet has revealed five species of animals that he would not have as pets – and explained the reasons why.
Content creator @ben.the.vet shared the list in a video on TikTok, where he has more than 208,000 followers.
In the video, he noted that by listing these animals, it could sound like he doesn’t like them.
However, he noted, it is more that being a vet ‘exposes you to all the pitfalls of having particular pets as well as the rewarding side of things’.
Listing the number one pet he would not get, the vet said: ‘Number one, parrots.
‘Firstly, having a parrot means never having a nonstick saucepan again – no joke, when it’s heated, the coating releases a gas which can be fatal to parrots.’
He added that he ‘doesn’t doubt’ that the birds can ‘make highly rewarding pets’, and that it would ‘be cool to have an animal that can talk back to you’.
However, he continued: ‘However, I think it’s just extremely difficult to provide enough space and stimulation for a species that would normally have the freedom to fly and explore a very rainforest habitat.
‘A bored parrot easily becomes a stressed parrot manifesting in destructive behaviours being very vocal and abnormal behaviours…they’re just not for me.’
Moving on, he said: ‘Number two for me is the mouse. Although they can live longer if they’re well cared for and lucky, the average mouse only lives for one to two years.
‘I’ve had lots of guinea pigs over the years, and you grow very attached to them.’
He added that it is difficult enough to ‘say goodbye after four or five years’, but that developing a bond then losing a pet after a year is too short a timeframe for him.
The third pet Ben mentioned may surprise some – rabbits. But he explained why they often do not make suitable pets.
He said: ‘Contrary to what many people assume, they [rabbits] really don’t make great children’s pets. They’re a prey species, so they’re naturally very timid.
‘They don’t always enjoy being held and they’re very fragile. They kick and they fall out your arms from a height onto the floor.
‘It’s not unheard of for them to break limb bones and even their spines.’
He added that they have strict needs in terms of their diet, cleaning out schedule, and socialisation.
According to Ben: ‘They’re also quite vulnerable to gut stasis and dental problems, which can lead to some unexpected vet bills.
‘They can be great pets if you invest time in them, but too many people get them put them in the hutch and forget about them.’
The fourth animal Ben mentions is one he has talked about before and is very passionate about in terms of them not being suitable as pets – monkeys.
He said: ‘Number four is any kind of monkey. Now, you may be thinking “why is he talking about monkeys? Nobody has a monkey as a pet”.
‘Actually, it’s estimated [there are] 5,000 primates kept as pets in the UK.’
He added: ‘I talked in another video about how a few years ago, I volunteered at a wildlife charity in Ecuador.
‘Many of the monkeys that were there were baby monkeys whose mothers had been shot and the baby snatched with the intention to be sold as pets to people who just want monkeys as a pet because they’re cute.’
Speaking about monkeys, he concluded: ‘A monkey is an extremely intelligent, wild animal, not a domesticated species, like dogs or cats… [it] is extremely difficult to meet their complexities in your home. Don’t do it.’
When it came to the final animal he wouldn’t have as a pet, Ben said: ‘Lastly, number five are ferrets.
‘They are cheeky, funny, entertaining pets, but they are an acquired taste. They really do stink and they have nasty bites if they lock onto your hand.
‘They are highly intelligent…[and] need lots of interaction and a lot of space. That is really not for everyone.’