Do you need a lizard vet or a doctor for your tortoise? Exotic pets require veterinary care just like any other species. At Heights Hospital for Animals in, we look forward to caring for all kinds of pets, not just dogs and cats! If you need a vet for your gecko or ferret, we’re here to help!
What To Consider Before Getting An Exotic Pet
Having an exotic pet is a significant commitment but can be very rewarding. There are many factors to be considered before taking on an exotic pet.
What Pets Are Legal In My Area?
Believe it or not, certain types of exotic animals are illegal to keep in general, or illegal to keep without specific licensure (i.e. animals legally considered “wildlife,” or illegal to import into the country).
How Much Available Space Is In My Home?
It’s not just the size of the animal you have to think about, you have to think about the size of their enclosure too. A crested gecko may only be 6 inches long itself, but it requires a terrarium that is at least 24 to 36 inches tall. For other pets like chinchillas or rabbits, there needs to be enough room for them to properly move around and exhibit their normal behaviors.
What Other Supplies Will I Need?
Supplies for exotic pets goes beyond food and water bowls. Exotic pet owners are responsible for providing a captive set-up that provides for their pet’s needs, usually replicating their pet’s natural environment as closely as possible. For most reptiles, supplemental lighting (heat and UVB) is necessary to keep them alive and healthy. Providing fake caves/hides/cover helps certain animals feel more secure in their environment. For burrowing species like hamsters, several inches of an appropriate bedding is necessary. For animals like rodents or rabbits, it’s vital for them to have toys or chews available to wear down their teeth. Some exotic animals also require supplements (vitamins, minerals, etc) in order to be healthy.
What Type Of Foods Am I Comfortable Handling Or Managing?
Some exotic pets have commercial diets available while others require live or killed prey items like insects or rodents. Are you comfortable thawing mice or rats for your snake, or having frozen rodents in your freezer? If your pet needs greens or veggies, do you have the time to constantly buy, store, and prepare fresh foods? If your pet needs feeder insects (crickets, mealworms, etc), it’s important that these insects be gut-loaded. Gut loading is when feeder animals are fed a nutritious diet for a few days (or more) before being fed to your pet.
How Much Time Am I Able To Dedicate To My Pet?
Some exotic pets are perfectly happy being “display” animals, while others need interaction with others of their species and/or you in order to be happy. It’s important to think about how much time you’ll be able to regularly give your pet and their care.
Cleaning enclosures regularly, inspecting chews/toys, handling your pet, preparing their meals etc all take time. Some species are more “labor-intensive” than others.
How Accessible Is Veterinary Care In My Area?
Unfortunately, it can be more difficult to access veterinary care for exotic pets than their more common, domesticated counterparts. Exotic pets require specialized care and not every veterinarian is equipped to see all exotic pet species.
Do you need a vet for your rat or guinea pig? Need a doctor’s advice about your bearded dragon or hedgehog? Give our team a call at (914) 962-5579 or stop by our office at 1865 Commerce Street, Yorktown NY 10598 to set up an appointment with Dr. Aparna Modi!