A British veterinarian sparked debate after sharing five animals that he would never have as pets.
In a TikTok video, a content creator and a veterinarian, who goes by @ben.the.vet and boasts over 208,000 followers, shared his insights about the animal species.
In a recent video, he pointed out a list of these animals he wouldn't keep as pets.
In the video, a British veterinarian explained the reason why parrots are the top choice for animals he wouldn't keep as pets. He said that they emit toxic gases that are harmful to these birds.
He said that "it's heated, the coating releases a gas which can be fatal to parrots".
He also mentioned the challenge of meeting their complex needs, given their natural habitat and behavioral requirements. The owner finds it difficult to create the freedom to fly and explore a rainforest habitat for parrots.
He expressed his concern about the mouse's short lifespan. He pointed out, "The average mouse only lives for one to two years.". So, the emotional attachment owners develop makes their brief time together particularly difficult. It is too short a timeframe for him.
He added: 'I've had lots of guinea pigs over the years, and you grow very attached to them.'
A British veterinarian left several veterinarians stunned after revealing rabbits are a third of the animals he would never have as pets.
In the footage, he also explained his choice, as it is supposed that they often do not make suitable pets.
According to Ben, the rabbit is not as great a pet as people believed.
He highlighted that rabbits are prey species, so they're naturally very timid. Additionally, rabbits are too fragile to suffer negligent care from their owners.
"They kick and they fall out of your arms from a height onto the floor. Ben added, 'It's not unheard of for them to break limb bones and even their spines.'
Additionally, Ben explained that they are particularly vulnerable to gut stasis and dental problems, which can result in unexpected veterinary expenses.
He admitted that rabbits are excellent pets, but they have specific care needs, which many overlook.
In the footage, Ben also explained the unsuitability of keeping monkeys in domestic life.
He recounted encountering baby monkeys separated from their mothers, intended to be sold as pets, emphasizing the cruelty and impracticality of housing them in a home environment.
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.'
Lastly, ferrets were mentioned for their strong odor, tendency to bite, and need for ample interaction and space, which may not suit everyone's lifestyle.
In the comment section, the list of animals that Ben listed sparked debate on social media.
Below the video, several users expressed their arguments with Ben's explanation, while others suggested that they would still keep them in their house because they love them very much."