Exotic Pet Care: Tips for Keeping Your Bird, Reptile, or Small Mammal Healthy
Owning an exotic pet can be fun and rewarding, but caring for these unique animals is significantly different than caring for a dog or cat. Birds, small mammals, and reptiles have specific dietary, habitat, and health care needs. Whether you’re a first-time exotic pet owner or looking to improve your current care routine, the Avets team is here to help.
Here are key housing and husbandry considerations for keeping your feathered, furry, or scaly friend happy and healthy.
Caring for pet birds
Birds are brilliant, interactive pets. However, they can also be quite sensitive to their environment and require ongoing mental stimulation to thrive. Here are some tips to help you create a bird-friendly home:
- Reduce reproductive stimuli — Pet owners should reduce reproductive stimuli in the environment to prevent hormone-driven behaviors. Avoid petting birds on the back or under the wings, providing dark spaces that encourage nesting, or offering diets that mimic breeding season conditions (high fat or all seed diets).
- Incorporate foraging — Foraging keeps your pet bird’s mind engaged and allows them to express natural behaviors, which can help prevent issues like feather-plucking. Try offering food items in puzzle feeders, sprinkled in a play area, or hidden in a toy.
- Provide sufficient UV light — Birds need at least 10 hours each day of UVB light to synthesize vitamin D3 and absorb calcium. Use an artificial UVB lightbulb and replace it every six months to maintain effectiveness.
- Balanced diet: Be sure to provide adequate nutrition to your bird. A diet of primarily pellets with some supplemental vegetables, plain pasta, and fruits is recommended.
Caring for pet reptiles
Reptiles are beautiful and fascinating pets with unique body systems. Proper lighting, temperature control, and humidity are critical to keep your reptile healthy and happy. Here are a few tips:
- Provide UV light — Like birds, reptiles need UVB light to process calcium and maintain strong bones. A lack of proper UV exposure can lead to metabolic bone disease, a painful and sometimes fatal condition. Provide reptiles 10 to 12 hours of UV light daily and replace bulbs every six months.
- Maintain a temperature gradient — Reptiles rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature. Create a variety of temperature zones, with a basking area around 95°F and a cool area around 75°F. Use a thermometer in the cage and ceramic heaters, heating pads, or basking lamps outside the cage to keep the temperature constant throughout the day and night.
- Weigh weekly — Weight loss is an early sign of illness in reptiles, so weighing your pet reptile once a week can help you detect problems early.
- Provide warm water soaks — If your reptile stops eating, a warm water soak can help. Place them in warm water for 15 minutes, twice daily, to help restore hydration and stimulate their appetite.
Caring for small mammals
Small mammals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets, are a bit lower maintenance than birds or reptiles, but still require specialized care. Here are some tips:
- Clean frequently — A clean habitat prevents respiratory issues and general discomfort. Remove soiled bedding, uneaten food, and waste daily and deep-clean weekly.
- Offer bedding variety — Small mammals are prone to foot sores that can develop from standing on hard surfaces. Provide soft bedding and a firm, wire-free cage floor.
- Monitor elimination — Changes in urine or feces can indicate health concerns in small mammals. Call us if your rabbit or guinea pig stops passing feces (which signals a serious issue) or if your small pet develops diarrhea or other stool changes.
- Vaccinate rabbits for RHDV — Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is deadly and highly contagious. Vaccinate all rabbits, whether they live indoors or outdoors, to protect them.
- Groom regularly — Frequent self-grooming can cause hairballs in long-haired small mammals, leading to dangerous blockages. Since small herbivores cannot vomit, brushing them to prevent hair ingestion is critical.
- Vaccinate ferrets — Ferrets need annual vaccinations against canine distemper and rabies, which can be fatal. Keeping up with vaccinations protects their health.
Caring for exotic pets requires research, dedication, and an understanding of their specific needs. The tips above can help you avoid common mistakes new pet owners make, but you should always collaborate with a knowledgeable veterinarian to formulate a complete care plan.
Exotic pets need regular check-ups to stay healthy, as they often hide signs of illness. Contact Avets Specialty and Emergency Trauma Center to schedule a visit with our avian and exotics team to ensure your exotic pet lives the longest, healthiest life possible.
