How to Keep Kangaroos as Pets

Most people are not aware that kangaroos, in particular, wallabies (miniature kangaroos) can make lovable and wonderful pets! Should you choose to venture into the world of keeping a wallaby as a pet, here is some advice that you should follow.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wallaby (miniature kangaroo)
• Space for the wallaby
• Fencing for the wallaby (usually six feet high)
• Wallaby feed (vegetables, fruits, formula)

Caring for Your Pet Kangaroo

1. Buy your wallaby from a reputable breeder, and not from an auction (these tend to be stressful on wallabies). You need to make sure to purchase your wallaby from a responsible breeder that you will be able to call with any questions that you may have regarding your pet wallaby. Make sure that the breeder is willing to show you the breeding premises, so you can make sure that your wallaby was bred and born in a safe, stable environment.

2. Make sure before you receive your wallaby from the breeder that the wallaby has been neutered (if it is a male). This is not as necessary for female wallabies. This will add to the cost of the wallaby (but male wallabies tend to be cheaper than their female counterparts anyway).

3. Feed your wallaby vegetables, grass, wheat bread, pelleted horse feed and raw fruits (carrots, sweet potatoes, apples). You also need to give your wallaby a formulated wallaby food that supplies him with all the necessary vitamins and nutrition (including selenium and Vitamin E). Pet wallabies always have to be bottle-raised.

4. Give your wallaby a lot of space to run and run! Wallabies need to space to run and hide away if they feel frightened or threatened. However, some wallabies live quite comfortably in places as small as 50 feet by 50 feet. The average backyard can accommodate that size. City dwellers without backyards need not apply!

5. Carefully train and watch your young wallaby--you could catch her grazing on your carpet, eating all of your house plants and climbing on all of your furniture and drapery if you don't train her properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Wallabies prefer moderate temperatures. In the summer time, they tend to get stressed due to the heat, so make sure they have ample shade and water at all times.
• Male wallabies love play fighting when they are young, but it's probably not a good idea, because when they're older and weigh 30 or more pounds, it might not be so easy for you to play fight back with them anymore! If he jumps on you, you might very well end up with a concussion.
• Wallabies have sensitive digestive tracts. Make sure to avoid giving them feed with molasses as an ingredient. Also, avoid feeding them cabbage and broccoli, as these vegetables can cause them great aches and discomfort.

[kirstenwallaby]

on 8/26/2009 PLEASE do not keep wallabies as pets! I am a wallaby carer and have raised many orphaned wallabies. Wallabies need to be free and do not cope well with being a pet - you cannot just leave them for someone else to feed, and they are terrified of lawn mowers, wipper snippers and dogs and cats etc. These beautiful NATIVE animals die very easily of stress, and shold never be kept as a pet or desexed!