Pros and Cons of Having a Frog as a Pet
Do frogs make good pets? Yes, they do, but not for everyone. And if you are planning to own one, you should know its pros and cons.
Frogs are calm but can become aggressive when under stress or threat. Frogs can be pets too, but not all of them. Also, you can hold frogs, but for the most part, they should be left within their boundaries, especially the toads.
You can have a frog as a pet, but as pets for display.
If you are considering getting a frog as a pet, you should be knowledgeable about them. You should know which frog is the best species for new owners, or frogs you can’t have as a pet. Also, you know about their ideal habitat, their temperament, how to handle them (safety measures for the frog and the handler), and the pros and cons of getting one.
To understand frogs as pets, here is a list of pros and cons about owning a pet as a frog:
PROS
#1: They are fun to observe
There are several types of frogs that you can keep as a pet. These frogs come in different sizes, colors, and features.
Some frogs have weird-looking features; some have horns, others have red eyes, some have interesting patterns, and others have a unique personality. Despite their oddness, they are fun to watch when they move around in their enclosure.
#2: They are low maintenance pets
Frogs are relatively low maintenance. You do not need to feed the frog too often or clean their enclosure regularly.
The frog’s diet is not similar to most domesticated pets such as dogs, cats, and more. Adult frogs are fed every two to three days, depending on their size. Small-sized adult frogs should be fed every two days, while the large-sized adult frogs are fed every three days. Meanwhile, baby frogs must be fed twice a day, anywhere 5 to 10 insects per feeding.
Generally, frog’s diet includes crickets (pinhead crickets for baby frogs), mealworms, grasshoppers, mealworms, locusts, or minnows. Avoid feeding your frog with dead insects or anything larger than the width of their eyes.
Another reason why frogs are low-maintenance pets is you do not need to clean their enclosure too often. Ideally, the frog’s entire cage must be cleaned and sanitized once or twice per month to prevent bacterial infection to the frog, as well as the handler.
Moreover, in a natural setting, frogs do not like human interaction. It does not need petting or handling, unlike fur pets do.
#3: They are a peaceful option
Frogs have a calm demeanor; they do not make a sound unless they feel threatened, sick, and under stress.
If you are looking for pets that will give you peace and amusement, at the same time, frogs are the perfect option.
CONS
#1: They are not for holding
Most frog pets, especially exotic frog species, should never be handled with bare hands. While they have highly sensitive skin, they also excrete toxins off of their body as a part of their defense mechanism. For these reasons, it is highly recommended to use gloves when you need to handle them.
#2: They can be noisy at night
Frogs are nocturnal; they are active at night. Since they produce natural cricketing sounds, it can be annoying for people who aren’t accustomed to hearing them at night.
#3: Feeding them can be challenging
Frogs may not require feeding more than three times per day, feeding them can still be challenging. You have to feed them with live insects without touching them. This means you need to use forceps when feeding them.
Final Thoughts
A frog can make a good pet, but not for holding. Nevertheless, they are worth having too.
