You may have heard stories of people who have kept tigers as pets, this is not entirely false as tigers do not make good pets. Aside from being a wild animal, It is expensive to have a tiger as a pet. if you want to know the cost of keeping tigers and how much a tiger costs, this article will help.
Cost of Getting An Adult Tiger and A Cub
The initial cost of getting your tiger is around $25,000. That includes buying the tiger itself (an endangered species) as well as buying the cage and paying for vet bills and vaccinations. Also, If you want to keep this animal as a pet, you will have to pay $200 per year for the permit.
The price of a tiger cub can vary greatly depending on its age, gender, quality, and the breeder that will sell you the pet. The average price of a male and female tiger cub is $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. A male cub will cost more than a female tiger cub due to its larger size at maturity.
A white Bengal tiger cub is more expensive; it costs about $4,000 because of its appearance. White Bengal Tigers are rare and hard to find so they cost more than other species of tigers like orange or black ones.
People rent tigers for films, photoshoots, and other aesthetic events at a cost that ranges between $3,500 to $10,000. Of course, I am talking about the tamed tigers here. The price varies based on the size of the tiger and the nature of the event.
Cost Of Healthcare For A Pet Tiger
Tigers, like many other animals, are susceptible to several illnesses and diseases. The most common diseases that affect tigers are distemper, anthrax, foot and mouth disease, and rinderpest.
The cost of healthcare for a pet tiger is not just the price of their annual vaccines, it’s also the cost of their de-worming, flea prevention, and other preventative care.
Every year, tigers need annual vaccination shots; this costs around $127 to $250 depending on the size of your tiger. Tigers need to be vaccinated every year against rabies and all the regular cat diseases, so make sure you budget accordingly.
De-worming and flea prevention are important for keeping your tiger healthy and happy. We suggest de-worming monthly for $145 to $160 per month (depending on size), with monthly flea prevention costing around $450 per year per tiger (again, depending on size).
Cost Of Housing For A Pet Tiger
Tigers are one of the biggest cats in the world and need a lot of space for their daily activities. For example, they like to climb trees and jump from place to place. A cage sufficient to house a full-grown tiger will run between $10,000 and $20,000 with a large acreage of land.
The high cost of tiger housing or cage is a result of the kind of material used for the construction. Remember tigers are very big cats; the quality and quantity of the materials must be certified by a trained and experienced engineer.
Cost of Feeding A Tiger
Feeding a tiger is not an inexpensive endeavor. Tigers are carnivores, their diet consists of only meat. A full-grown, healthy tiger eats approximately 20–25 pounds of meat every day. This will cost about $200 per week.
Remember the tiger is now in captivity; it is deprived of hunting as it usually does, hence, feeding tigers is not just about filling their bellies, it’s about making sure they have a healthy, balanced diet.
Where to Adopt a Tiger as a Pet
The best way to keep a tiger as a pet is by adopting one from a zoo like the San Diego Zoo. The zoo has a program for people who are interested in adopting an adult tiger, which can be very expensive and time-consuming.
You are required to fill out an application and submit it to the zoo. Once your application has been approved, you will be contacted about next steps.
But always remember that keeping a tiger as a pet is not the best idea. Tigers are very dangerous and can hurt you or your family members. Also, tigers are very expensive to take care of. They need special food, so it can be very expensive to keep one as a pet.
Tiger lovers can design tiger elements into special handicrafts, such as customized keychains, which are both practical and good decorations. Keychains Co. can realize any design you want, just upload your favorite picture of the little tiger.
Related:
- How Long Do Tigers Sleep: Timing & Sleeping Habit
- The Dietary Habits of the Critically Endangered Sunda Tiger
- Differences Between Tiger, Cheetah, Leopard & Jaguar