How to Recognize the Challenges of Owning a Tiger

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(4 Ratings)

Tiger care is expensive. Feeding, housing and medical expenses can add up quickly. Your tiger may live for 20 years or more and will require your constant love and attention. Tigers can also be destructive, even when they're just playing around and can become dangerous without warning. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Recognize the Financial Challenges of Owning a Pet Tiger

Step 1

Know that an adult tiger can eat 2 tons of raw meat per year, not including vitamins and supplements.
Step 2

Be prepared for unplanned medical expenses. Know that tigers are susceptible to serious medical complications, such as intestinal blockage and diet-related calcium deficiencies which can lead to bone disease.
Step 3

Always carry adequate liability insurance in case your tiger escapes or injures someone on your property.
Step 4

Maintain your tiger's housing and perimeter fencing by monitoring locks and door hinges and replacing parts that are failing.

Recognize the Day-to-Day Challenges of Owning a Tiger

Step 1

Cancel those vacation plans. It's difficult, if not impossible, to board a tiger or leave it in the care of someone else for any length of time, outside of extreme emergencies.
Step 2

Be prepared to clean your tiger's cage and water source daily.
Step 3

Keep your tiger's habitat well-stocked with toys to keep it entertained and well-exercised. Bored tigers who have no outlet for energy will pace and can become aggressive.
Step 4

Stay up-to-date on changing city ordinances and state and federal laws. Tiger ownership is heavily regulated by various agencies on many levels and failing to comply with current regulations can lead to confiscation of your pet and prosecution.
Step 5

Know that training and bonding with a young tiger requires 24-hour devotion.

Recognize the Long-Term Challenges of Owning a Tiger

Step 1

Have a contingency plan so that your tiger will be cared for if something happens to you, both for the short and long term. This includes having a backup person who is specifically trained to work with your tiger to feed your pet if you are unable to for any reason, such as a sudden illness, hospital stay or death.
Step 2

Make long-term provisions for your tiger in your will spelling out who will care for your pet and where it will live. It is very important that your arrangement be made ahead of time as a grown tiger is very hard to place.
Step 3

Have an emergency plan ready and arrange for a place to take your pet tiger should you have to evacuate your premises in the event of a natural disaster.
Step 4

Know that a tiger is never really tame, even if it is trained.