![lizards on a log](//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/cimg/www.curatedcontent.smb/730x400_85/320/reptile-main-628320.jpg)
People with limited living quarters may find that reptiles such as lizards or turtles fit perfectly into their lifestyles. Before deciding on a reptile, learn as much as possible about them and their needs. Poisonous snakes and certain reptiles should never be kept as pets. Ask your veterinarian about the suitability of a particular animal before you make your decision. There are many things to consider before committing to a reptile as a pet.
Finding out if a Pet is Legal Where You Live
Many areas have enacted laws pertaining to keeping reptiles. Some are general and some are quite specific; in many places any reptiles that are considered dangerous (venomous snakes, alligators, etc.) are illegal but some places are even more restrictive (for example, in some states all constricting snakes including ball pythons are illegal).
Salmonella Risks and Prevention
All reptile owners need to be informed about Salmonella infections. While the risks shouldn't keep most people from keeping reptiles since with the proper management the risks are minimal. Still, owners should be aware of the risks, and the US Centers for Disease Control recommends that certain risk groups should be careful about contact with reptiles and amphibians.
The Importance of Light and Heat
Many problems with keeping reptiles can be traced back to not providing the proper environmental conditions, particularly heat. Proper lighting is also important for many reptiles. The equipment to provide the proper heat and light to captive reptiles is often quite expensive, but is absolutely essential to keeping pet reptiles healthy. It is important to find out exactly what conditions your reptile needs and never cut corners when it comes to meeting those conditions!
Why Choose Captive Bred Reptiles
There are numerous reasons why you should pick a captive bred reptile if at all possible, as explained here.
How to Pick a Healthy Reptile
It is important to keep in mind that depending on where you get a reptile, it may be very stressed, dehydrated, and prone to illness. Here are some items to look for when buying your reptile to increase the chances of picking out a healthy pet reptile.
While there are many types of reptiles that could be good pets, here we cover a few you could consider.
-
New Pets Help Families in a Changing World
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
There is no doubt that we find the little round heads and big eyes of young puppies and kittens irresistible. Millions of new pets find their ways into our hearts and homes each year. Studies show pets are a very positive addition to families or singles and even empty nesters! Pets relieve stress, add
Read more
-
Nothing Heartwarming about Heartworm
Category:
Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
Heartworm is a long, string-like parasitic worm that has the scientific name Dirofilaria immitis. It earns its common name by living in the host’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Heartworm can cause severe lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and death. It is transmitted only through mosquitoes
Read more
-
November Newsletter: How arthritis can affect your pet
Category:
Newsletter Library
Could your pet have arthritis?
Read more
-
November Newsletter: How to Celebrate National Senior Pet Month
Category:
Newsletter Library
Don't have plans for National Senior Pet Month yet? Try these suggestions.
Read more
-
November Newsletter: National animal shelter appreciation week
Category:
Newsletter Library
Looking for ways to support your local animal shelter?
Read more
-
November Newsletter: What Causes Cataracts in Cats and How Are They Treated?
Category:
Newsletter Library
Think cataracts only happen to people? Your cat could also develop this eye problem.
Read more
-
Nutrition Terms
Category:
Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food
As pets have become more important to their owners, what the pets are fed has become more important as well. Most pet owners are concerned about the quality and nutrition level of the food they are feeding their furry family members. There are now hundreds of pet foods available to the consumer. How
Read more
-
Obedience and Training
Category:
Living With Your Pet, Bringing Your Pet Home
Obedience training helps prevent negative encounters between family members and the dog. It reinforces the bond between the handler(s) and pet.
Obedience Training
A MUST for every good family dog, regardless of size or breed! Puppies may start classes when they are as young as 8 weeks old. Obedience
Read more
-
Obesity and Diabetes in Pets
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Think diabetes only affect people? Overweight pets may be at risk too.
Read more
-
Obesity in Dogs
Category:
Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food
Obesity is on the rise, and not just for humans. Dogs are increasingly overweight and even obese. In the United States, an estimated 43 million dogs are overweight or obese - that’s over half of all dogs! And it is not just dogs in the United States that need to lose a few pounds - canine obesity is
Read more
-
October Newsletter: How to Care for Your Pets When They Are Teething
Category:
Newsletter Library
Wondering what you can do to help your teething pet?
Read more
-
October Newsletter: The Importance of Daily Dog Walks
Category:
Newsletter Library
This simple form of exercise could make your dog one happy pup.
Read more
-
Online Pet Pharmacies - Saving Money or Risk to Your Pets?
Category:
Video Newsroom, Other Interests
Their ads promise to save you lots of money and even "a stressful trip to the veterinarian". You are encouraged by slick video and professional announcers to purchase flea medications, pain relief drugs and even heartworm prevention all from the comfort of your living room and laptop computer. But, are
Read more
-
Orthopedic Care for Dogs
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Joint problems plague dogs just as commonly as they do humans. That's why orthopedic care can improve your beloved friend's quality of life.
Common Orthopedic Issues
A dog's joint problems may result from a variety of orthopedic injuries and illnesses. In some cases, these vulnerabilities are partly
Read more
-
Overweight Pets
Category:
Video Newsroom, Health Topics
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 43% of all dogs and 53% of all cats are classified as overweight. What's worse is that an additional 10% of all dogs and 19% of all cats are considered obese! Therefore, more than half of our dogs and cats are overweight or obese. So, should
Read more
-
Pain Management in Pets
Category:
Video Newsroom, Health Topics
Arthritis and chronic pain are not purely human conditions. Dogs and cats feel pain too and arthritis causes long term pain that can affect your their behavior and activity level. Modern veterinary diagnostics and therapies can offer some hope.
Pain has many causes. When it happens to your pet friends,
Read more