10 Tips for Having a Pet Lynx
Have you thought about how much fun it would be to have a pet lynx? The lynx is a feline that is larger than a cat, yet not as large as a tiger or a cougar. Although they can still get pretty big depending on the subspecies, they are still manageable in size and can be a lot of fun to have around. Still, there are some things to consider when owning a pet lynx.
1. First of all, you need to make sure that it is legal in your area to have a pet lynx. Check with both state and local laws before you go out and get one.
2. Remember that some subspecies can get to as much as 66 pounds, so you must ensure that you have the space and area to keep one in your home. While most are around the 15 pound mark, you want to know that you have the space to keep one that might just keep growing on you.
3. Because the lynx can be very cunning, it's important to make sure that you provide a safe environment for them. They are very curious and intelligent creatures and you might need to stay one step ahead of them.
4. You might have trouble finding someone to keep your pet lynx when you travel. Most "pet hotels" will not house exotic animals. In addition, friends might be leery of watching after your beloved companion as well. Keep this in mind when getting one, especially if you do a lot of traveling.
5. Even if you have your lynx declawed or de-fanged, their natural instincts will still kick in from time to time and they can bite. Usually, they will feel remorse afterwards, but this might be after they have already caused harm. This is important to know if you have small children or other animals nearby.
6. If you get a lynx kitten, heat its bed with a heating pad set to "low." As babies, they like to be kept warm, especially at night; although if you live in a very humid climate you might also want to keep an ice pack nearby to make sure that your baby doesn’t get too hot, either.
7. Both newspaper and regular kitty litter can be used in the litter box. You don't need any special kind of material. If your lynx is very large, instead of using a regular litter box, you might want to consider using a low plastic container that is easy to clean. You can typically litter train the lynx at around 4 weeks old.
8. Because their claws can get very large and dangerous, you should start cutting them at a very early age in order to get them used to having them clipped.
9. When socializing, it's important to start early with your pet lynx. Letting your lynx have supervised interactions with other animals is ideal in order to get your lynx comfortable with them. Avoid introducing your lynx to any new animals after it is 6 months old because at that point its natural instincts will really start playing out.
10. Having a separate room for your lynx, as well as a cage, is ideal. The lynx needs room to explore and move around. Ideally, you want something that is topless, as well as something that has a top, too. You also want something that can be taken outside so that your lynx can move around in the fresh air from time to time. Many people also use leads or leashes with their lynx and start training them early on so that they can take them out for walks.