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 consticting 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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National Heartworm Awareness Month Focuses Attention on a Potentially Deadly Disease
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Heartworm disease can have a devastating effect on your pet's health. National Heartworm Awareness Month, observed annually in April, reminds pet owners about the health dangers this preventable disease poses for pets.
What Are Heartworms?
Thin, white heartworms look like cooked pieces of spaghetti.
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What You Need to Know About Antibiotics
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Using antibiotics incorrectly may harm, rather than help, your pet.
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Becoming a Service Dog: Training and Temperament Are Key Factors
Category:
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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Is Your Cat's Personality Influenced by Coat Color?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Are orange cats friendlier than black ones? Coat color may play a role in personality.
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Keep Your Pets Calm During the Holiday Season with These Tips
Category:
Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Although the holidays may be an exciting time of the year for you, your pets may find the festivities a little overwhelming. Even normally well-behaved pets can experience a little anxiety when their usual routines are disrupted. These tips will help you ensure that your furry friends truly enjoy the
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Is a Cat Enclosure Right for Your Cat?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
A cat enclosure offers the perfect way for your favorite feline to enjoy a little outdoor time without being subjected to the dangers of the real world. Before you make the decision about adding an enclosure to your property, consider these facts.
Free Access to the Outdoors Can Decrease a Cat's Lifespan
Free
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Diabetes in Cats: Prevention and Treatment
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Diabetes in cats, also known as feline diabetes mellitus, is an increasingly common disease affecting 1 out of every 400 cats. Obesity is the leading risk factor for diabetes.
"Overweight or obese cats are two to four times more likely to develop diabetes than cats with a healthy body weight," says board-certified
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Pet Hearing Loss
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Many of the same health problems that affect us, including hearing loss, also affect our pets. Fortunately, most pets adapt very well to the disability with a little help from their owners.
What Causes Hearing Loss in Pets?
Some pets are born deaf or hard of hearing, while others develop hearing loss
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5 Common Myths About Pets
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Do cats really have nine lives? Find out if these and other pet myths are true.
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3 Reasons Why Your Pet Could Be Coughing
Category:
Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
Wondering why your pet is coughing? Check out three common reasons.
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How Safe is Your Dog’s Food?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food
Over the last several years, numerous dog food brands and treats have been recalled for chemical contamination or Salmonella. This last summer many dog food brands were recalled due to Salmonella; all were manufactured in a Diamond Pet Foods plant in Gaston, South Carolina, USA. This plant makes many
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Secondhand Smoke Affects Pets Too
Category:
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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Bred Specific Rescue Groups
Category:
Video Newsroom, Other Interests
Many dog owners admire the unique looks and personalities of purebreds, but also worry about the fate of millions of pets euthanized each year. What many people don't realize is that there are specific breed rescue organizations for almost every breed of dog, placing dogs in need to new homes. Dogs aren't
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Caring for Senior Cats
Category:
Feline
Thanks to advancements in veterinary care, today’s cats can live well into their teen years. It is not uncommon for cats to live to be 18 or even older. However, in order for cats to live a long full life, they need proactive veterinary care to stay healthy.
As cats age, they are at greater risk for
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Cat Backpacks: The New Trend in Feline Transportation
Category:
Newsletter Library
Wearing your cat is all the rage these days. Find out why more cat lovers are making the switch to cat backpacks.
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Should You Declaw Your Cat?
Category:
Newsletter Library
Do you know what really happens when cats are declawed?
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