Wallabies as Pets

The wallaby is fast becoming a popular and affectionate pet. A member of the macropods, the wallaby has the appearance of a miniature kangaroo. Highly intelligent, they have the ability to co-exist as a loving house pet if raised from a baby. Fully grown they weigh approximately 40 pound and stand around 3 feet tall. They have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

Bottle raised babies bond closely with their human ‘parents’. They have the capability of being housebroke or paper trained. They delight in having time outdoors to languish and play in the sunshine but they also enjoy snuggling next to their owner on the couch during the nighttime hours. A wallaby can easily coexist in a normal household with a relatively small yard of only 50 x 50. They do require a relatively high fence of at least 6 feet to safely enclose them since they have the ability to jump a standard fence.

Wallabies graze predominately as their primary diet. A pelleted horse feed will suffice for their daily feed ration. Commercial wallaby diets are also available which provide all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that the animal will require.

Despite the appeal of owning a small kangaroo type animal, the common pet owner must take many things into considerations. Is it legal to own a wallaby in your area? Cities often do not allow wallabies and they are classified as livestock. Owners may also require a permit to own such an exotic pet. Prior to making a wallaby purchase make sure you have a good veterinarian who is willing to care for the wallaby. The veterinarian should have a basic knowledge of the animal and its care requirements.

Young wallabies benefit from being carried in a human baby pouch close to its new owners body. Most wallabies are ready for purchase at 6 to 7 months old from breeders. Numerous online pet suppliers now market specialized wallaby pouches that are specifically designed for the wallaby to comfortably ride against its human owners body. Wallabies will require regular bottle feedings until they reach one year of age.

The wallaby requires warm housing during the winter. It cannot subsist within an unheated barn in the height of a cold snap. The small animal will easily become sick and could catch pneumonia if exposed to adverse elements. Care must be taken to keep the wallaby warm at all times.

Despite being cute, the wallaby is a powerful animal for its size and can kick while playing. The wallaby must always be discouraged from this natural behavior because as it grows it size a powerful kick can deliver a bruising and painful blow that may even pose a danger to a child.

The wallaby will require basic house training at an early age to teach it to stay off counter tops and other undesirable behavior. Remember that the wallaby can jump high and will easily jump onto surfaced it should not reside upon.

Choosing an exotic pet is a big responsibility that should never be undertaken lightly. A young wallaby is irresistible but as the animal grows it will require rules and discipline to make sure it grows into an acceptable animal companion.

Sources:

http://www.petplace.com/small-mammals/choosing-a-wallaby/page1.aspx

http://www.petplace.com/small-mammals/unusual-pets-wallabies/page1.aspx