Should I buy a small pet from a pet store?

Originally, pet stores and their personnel were the main source of information on small pets and their care. Pet stores can still be valuable sources of information, but they can also be sources of viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases. Most pet owners are aware that buyers sometimes take home unhealthy animals from pet stores because symptoms don't occur until several days later. This doesn't mean pet stores shouldn't be considered as sources of pets. It just means that potential owners should find out everything they can about the reputation and policies of the store and never buy from a store with a questionable reputation. It's always a good idea to take new small pets to a qualified vet as soon as the animal is acquired.

Types of Small Pets at Pet Stores

You can almost always find the most common and the most popular small pets at pet stores. Hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits are generally easy to find, although certain breeds can sometimes be harder to locate. Chinchillas are gaining popularity and are sometimes available in stores, but buying from breeders is still the most common choice for this animal. Most pet stores will also have a large variety of more exotic small pets, such as snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, tarantulas, hermit crabs, ferrets, and birds.