by James Johnson

Created on: November 04, 2009

One of the universal truths about owning a tiger is that no one ever truly owns a tiger! They are large carnivores that get incredibly large and, while may live with a person and respond favorably to them, are there own creatures. If they decide to cause troubles or leave, they will do it. Some people just think they own a tiger!

Sure, one can buy a very large, orange striped ball of fur, a tiger cub, and keep it as it quickly grows up. You can play with it, rub its belly, and even feed it cat food, but at some point it will become bigger that you and then ownership slowly shifts. This giant cat will start to own you! Just like with a child, and no parent really owns their child, it will need to be fed and sheltered, and the tiger's needs become greater and more difficult to meet than your own. You no longer own the tiger, the tiger owns you!

This is not the same with dogs or normal cats. They have been raised as companions for thousands of years and also can work for their living. Dogs are useful for both hunting and protecting and most are not powerful enough to overwhelm their owner, the same cannot be said of a tiger. Cats keep down rodents and require small amounts of food, few tigers will chase mice and they will eat a lot more than probably any two members of the family!

As tigers get big, and they are the largest of cats, like ll felines they can become aggressive and territorial. They can also tend to scratch and claw up furniture sharpening their nails as well as marking their territory. You can get them de-clawed, but it is a painful process to put any animal through just so you can claim ownership. De-clawing an animal is similar to having the first joints of your fingers removed.

Tigers also are carnivores and have very sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Their canines rip and tear flesh, but can be removed. Their molars are for crushing bones and can also be removed. But by removing the teeth you hamper the animal's ability to eat and protect itself. You can always feed it mushed liver and milk, but is that really the best for the pet?

Tigers will also need lots of exercise, so you need to either give it constant attention or a very large place to roam with preferably a high fence. In zoos and circuses, some one is almost always training and working with them, you will need to do the same!

The truth about owning a tiger is they are great to look at and truly amazing creatures, but you never really own a tiger, it owns you!

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