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.
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Gastroenteritis in Pets
Category:
Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
Lengthy bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can be a sign that your pet has gastroenteritis, a common condition that occurs when the lining of the stomach and intestines becomes irritated. Since frequent diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if you notice
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Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Using antibiotics incorrectly may harm, rather than help, your pet.
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World Rabies Day
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Has your pet's rabies vaccine expired? Update it during World Rabies Day on September 28.
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Why A Vet Is Your Best Defense During A Zombie Apocalypse
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Could your veterinarian help you survive a zombie apocalypse?
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8 Common Reasons Why Your Dog is Snoring
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Do you know why your dog snores?
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Becoming a Service Dog: Training and Temperament Are Key Factors
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Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Service dogs help thousands of disabled Americans become more independent. The first service dogs guided visually impaired people, but today, the dogs assist people who have a variety of disabilities, ranging from hearing loss to seizures to cerebral palsy. Before a dog can become a service animal, it
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How to Make Vet Visits a More Pleasant Experience for Your Pet
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Should Your Dog Wear a Backpack?
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Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Thinking about buying a backpack for your dog? Consider these factors before you visit the pet store.
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Secondhand Smoke Affects Pets Too
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Newsletter Library, Pet Dangers
The effects of secondhand smoke on people are well-documented. Exposure to tobacco smoke causes a variety of serious health problems, including stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not surprisingly, secondhand smoke also increases the risk
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Identifying Dementia in Senior Dogs
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Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Have you noticed changes in your older dog's behavior?
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Could Those Sniffles Be a Symptom of the Feline Flu?
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Can you spot the signs of feline flu?
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How to Help Your Cat Get More Exercise
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When's the last time your cat worked out? Daily exercise can help keep your furry friend healthy.
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9 Reasons Your Cat May Be Losing Weight
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Newsletter Library, Cats
Does your cat look thinner than usual? One of these nine reasons may explain why your cat is losing weight.
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The Canine Genome and DNA Testing
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Newsletter Library, Visiting the Vet
Have you ever looked at your adopted dog with its short legs, shaggy hair and brown spot encircling one eye, and wondered what dog breeds are in there? Now that science has decoded the DNA of dogs, science can tell us many things. Harvard and MIT programs unraveled the canine DNA sequence in 2006, which
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What to Do If Your Pet Eats Grass
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Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
Wondering what to do if your pet eats grass? Take a look at a few ideas.
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