Content
- domestic meerkats
- House preparation for meerkats
- Meerkat habits
- Feeding of domestic meerkats
- The meerkats at the veterinarian
- Interaction with other animals
- Interaction with humans
Many people to meet the meerkat wonder if it's possible for this to be a pet since it's a wild animal. The truth is that meerkats are small carnivorous mammals that live in semi-desert areas that surround the Kalahari and Namibian deserts.
They belong to the same family as the mongooses, the Herpestidae and they live in very socialized colonies of various individuals, so we can see that they like to live in community.
As it is not an endangered mammal, it is normal to ask yourself if you can have a meerkat as a pet. At PeritoAnimal we will give you the answer to this question in this article about meerkat as a pet.
domestic meerkats
The truth is that meerkats due to their sociable character can adopt themselves as domestic animals, but if that happens, it must be under strict and specific conditions.
Since they live in colonies, you should never adopt just one meerkat, it is necessary that at least adopt a couple of them. If you adopt only one specimen, although at first it may seem friendly when you are young, when you grow up it can become aggressive and can bite very painfully.
They are very territorial animals, so you should adopt two at once and not bring another home after some time, as it is likely that later they will fight and attack each other in a serious way.
House preparation for meerkats
meerkats are very sensitive to low temperatures and humidity, as they come from typical desert climates, thus not supporting either the cold or excessive humidity. Therefore, meerkats will only be able to live comfortably with people who have a large, moisture-free garden. In addition, you must surround the perimeter with metal mesh. A dry habitat is more ideal than a wet one.
It is unacceptable to permanently lock a meerkat in a cage, never think of having a meerkat as a pet if your intention is to permanently close it. People who think about adopting this animal should do so out of love for the animals and to allow them to live freely, thus enjoying their natural behavior.
Now if you put the cage or big doghouse in the garden, always with the door open so that the meerkats can come and go at will and make it their hiding place, that's different and no problem. You should put food, water and sand in the ground in your house for the meerkats to sleep at night.
If you have the necessary resources, you can even create a nest that looks natural, so that the animals feel really comfortable in their new habitat.
Meerkat habits
Meerkats like to sunbathe for a long time. They are very active beings who like to drill, so there is always the possibility of escaping under the fence.
If anyone is thinking about having two meerkats loose in their apartment, they should be aware that it is the same thing as having crazy demolition equipment in your house, it is something terrible for the animal that should not be done in any case. The debris from furniture caused by cats with their nails will be nothing compared to the total destruction that closed meerkats can cause.
As we have already mentioned, it is an animal that should only be adopted in certain situations, if we have a suitable habitat and if we think first of its personal benefit. You shouldn't be selfish and adopt an animal if you can't take care of it properly.
Feeding of domestic meerkats
About 80% of the meerkats' food can be the highest quality food intended for cats. You should alternate between dry and wet food.
10% should be fresh fruits and vegetables: tomatoes, apples, pears, lettuce, green beans and pumpkin. The remaining 10% of your food should be live insects, eggs, rats and 1 day old chicks.
Must not give you citrus
In addition, meerkats need fresh water every day served in two types of container: the first should be a drinking fountain or bowl as usual for cats. The second will be a bottle-like device like the one used for rabbits.
The meerkats at the veterinarian
Meerkats need to be given the rabies and distemper vaccine, identical to that of ferrets. If the veterinarian specializing in exotics deems it convenient, later on he will indicate if it is necessary to administer any more vaccines.
It is also worth mentioning that, as responsible owners of the animal's life, it is essential to put them the chip just like in ferrets.
The average life in captivity of meerkats ranges between 7 and 15 years, depending on the treatment these small and beautiful mammals receive.
Interaction with other animals
Talking about relationships in the case of meerkats is a little difficult. As we have already mentioned, meerkats are extremely territorial, so they can get along with our dogs and cats, or they can kill them. If the dog or cat are already at home before the meerkats arrive, it will be more viable for both species to coexist.
Meerkats are very active and playful, if they get along with other pets you can enjoy a lot of fun watching them playing. However, if they go wrong, remember that the meerkat is a small mongoose, which means that it is not afraid of anything and that it will not back away in the presence of a Mastiff or any other dog, however large it may be. Meerkats in the wild face venomous snakes and scorpions, winning most of the time.
Interaction with humans
It is essential that you adopt your meerkats from approved breeders, refuges or animal centers from circuses or zoos. It is essential to mention that should never adopt wild meerkats, they would suffer a lot (and could even die) and they would never be able to domesticate them and get their affection.
That said, you should always choose very young specimens that will fit you and your pets better.
If you do everything and well and if their habitat is ideal, they are very playful and lovely animals that will want to play with you, who will scratch your belly until they fall asleep in your arms. Also, the fact that they are daytime animals means that they will be sleeping at night, just like other pets.
A final piece of advice for anyone wishing to adopt a meerkat is to be well informed and give your new family member the attention they deserve and need. You shouldn't be selfish and want to have a cute animal to close you off or make you spend a bad life with you.
