Do Tigers Make Good Pets? What You Need to Know!
In 2011, a South Korean man named Park Jae-Ran killed his daughter’s boyfriend by throwing him off an 11th story apartment building after he raped her. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. After being released from jail, he was reported missing again. Two days later, police found his body decomposing in a nearby river. The last words he said were “I’m sorry.”
Park is now back at home with his wife and son thanks to an animal rights organization called Animal Hope & Peace (AH& P). They’ve been working hard to get him accustomed to living without tigers. This year, they even set up a small enclosure so he can see them through the glass. In 2014, AH&P also took care of two lions who had been raised as pets but turned out to be too dangerous to handle.
The group has taken on many more such cases since then. If you’re interested in helping someone like Park reclaim their life, it might be worth checking out. And if you’re looking for something fun and unique to put in your yard this summer, maybe consider adopting one of these cats yourself. But how do you go about doing that when you have no experience with big cats? Is it safe? And should people not just leave wild animals alone? We’ll take a look at all those questions below.
What Are Tiger Requirements As A Pet
Tigers require lots of space. You may think that because they’re only around 10 feet tall, they’d fit into most homes. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Tigers are very large and weigh anywhere between 400 and 800 pounds. That means they need plenty of room to stretch, walk around, sleep and play.
As far as food goes, tigers eat meat exclusively mainly deer, buffalo, water buffalo, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, pigs, poultry, rabbits, rodents, and occasionally dogs and other domesticated animals. So while you don’t necessarily need a special diet for them, make sure you can provide whatever type of meat they prefer.
They also need regular veterinary care. Like many cats, tigers tend to develop health problems over time. Sometimes these issues are simply hereditary, but sometimes they’re the result of poor nutrition. Regular vet checkups will keep you informed of any potential health risks.
Finally, depending on where you live, you may need to get rid of certain objects. For example, in my area, I needed to get rid of anything sharp, which meant getting rid of my knives. Luckily, tigers aren’t picky about their eating utensils. They’ll happily use rocks, sticks, branches, and anything else they find lying around. You may also need to remove things like plants with thorns or spiky leaves, as well as poisonous mushrooms. Keepers of captive tigers often use wire mesh barriers to protect themselves against thorny shrubs and plants.
How Do I Get My Hands On One Of These Animals?
If you have money, you could probably buy one online. Or you could wait until a zoo near you needs to make room for another tiger. There are several organizations throughout North America that allow private owners to adopt a tiger.
One good option is Animal Hope & Peace. Their website says they currently have four different species available for adoption. Tigers are $2,500 per month. Other options include snow leopards ($1,000/month), jaguars ($8,000/month) and cheetahs ($4,000/month).
Of course, buying one online won’t give you much insight into its temperament. Plus, you won’t be able to visit it first-hand. However, with that extra cost comes responsibility. You’ll have access to 24-hour support and training, plus the assurance that your new friend is healthy and happy.
Once you’ve decided to become a tiger owner, you’ll need to fill out an application. Then you’ll meet with an expert trainer to discuss your goals and expectations. They’ll help you understand the basics of tiger behavior and explain the differences between various types of tigers. Finally, you’ll work with your veterinarian to create a specific dietary plan for your tiger.
It’s important to note that tiger ownership requires specialized knowledge. Most people who try to own one end up making serious mistakes that cause harm to both animals and owners alike. Don’t let that happen to you.
Is It Safe To Own A Tiger As Your Pet?
Yes, it is possible to safely own a tiger as a domestic pet. American law allows it under certain conditions. For starters, you must have adequate fencing and enclosures. Even though tigers are predators, they still need safety measures similar to those used for other household pets.
Your tiger also needs enough exercise. Ideally, they’d spend at least part of each day outside. Since tigers naturally hunt during daylight hours, they shouldn’t be left in a cage all night long. Instead, they should be allowed to roam freely at least once every three to five days.
Lastly, they should never be kept in isolation. Although tigers are solitary creatures, they depend heavily on social interaction to maintain their mental wellbeing. Without friends, tigers get bored, lonely, and depressed.
However, as we mentioned earlier, tigers are notoriously difficult to tame and train. They also tend to learn bad habits easily. Because of this, it’s recommended that owners seek professional assistance from experts who specialize in taming and training these animals.
That’s why Animal Hope & Peace offers classes that teach people everything they need to know about caring for tigers properly. The basic class costs $400 for six weeks and includes tiger handling sessions, feeding, cleaning, leash walking, medical techniques, and more.
There are also advanced courses available for people who already own tigers. Prices vary based on the number of months you wish to pay for and whether you want additional services like tiger cuddling, nail trimming, etc.
Overall, tigers are generally peaceful, docile creatures. But like any other pet, there are times when they behave badly. Some owners report that their tigers growl, bite, scratch or nip at anyone who gets close to them. While this doesn’t always mean danger, it’s best to avoid approaching tigers whenever possible.
Will I Ever Be Able To Adopt One of these Predators?
No, not really. First of all, tigers are extremely expensive. Second, due to their unpredictable nature, it’s almost impossible to predict how a particular tiger will act with humans. Lastly, tigers are considered endangered across Asia. Only 4,000 exist today, which means they’re incredibly rare. So while you may love the idea of having a tiger, chances are you won’t ever actually be able to adopt one of these majestic creatures.
Should I Just Leave Them Alone and Let Nature Take Its Course?
Absolutely not. Just because tigers are wild animals does not mean we shouldn’t try to save them. Wildlife enthusiasts argue that the best way to preserve tigers is to simply leave them alone. People would eventually move away from places like national parks, allowing tigers to thrive once again. This approach has worked for other threatened species, including wolves and bears.
Other wildlife advocates say that letting the natural world take its course is impractical. Why not intervene and change the outcome instead? By rescuing and rehabilitating injured or orphaned tigers, we can ensure that they survive and thrive.
And unlike leaving them alone, we can also provide them with proper shelter, food, and medical care. When done right, this method helps tigers overcome their trauma and achieve happiness.
What About All Those Stories About Ownership Problems?
Unfortunately, there are stories of tigers turning violent or attacking their owners. While this happens less frequently than you might expect, it’s still worth keeping in mind. For example, in 2013, a pair of brothers in Louisiana shot and killed a tiger that attacked them. Later, a woman in Florida died after she attempted to rescue her dog from a tiger that broke free of its enclosure. Another Florida resident was mauled to death by a tiger that escaped from captivity.
These incidents usually occur when tigers turn aggressive for reasons unknown. Experts recommend avoiding contact with these animals altogether. With all that in mind, I personally believe that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Especially considering the fact that tigers are one of the largest and most feared mammals in the world.
