Is your child dinosaur-obsessed? This is by no means uncommon. Many of us were fascinated by enormous lizards as children. If your child is also asking about having a pet, you may be able to merge those two interests. Believe it or not, reptiles can make excellent companions for children! In this article, a local Burlington, ON veterinarian gives advice on obtaining your child their first pet.
Reptiles are not for everyone, and that’s okay. They do, however, have some interesting charms.
Let’s talk about a couple of them:
They’re Cute! To be fair, beauty is subjective here. Nonetheless, many reptiles are adorable! (In our book, at least!)
They Don’t Make Noise: While we adore our canine and feline pals, they can be noisy. Dogs, in particular, sometimes bark enough to provoke conflict with neighbors. This is not an issue for reptiles.
No Training Needed. Dogs require a significant deal of training to understand the do’s and don’ts of being a good pet. Cats, on the other hand, have a habit of training humans. Reptiles don’t need to learn anything at all! They are perfectly comfortable doing what comes naturally.
Easy To Entertain: Stimulation is important for all pets: you will need to make sure your pet’s environment is enjoyable and intriguing to them. With reptiles, this typically entails providing them with items such as pebbles and plants to explore. However, you won’t have to pick up balls or catnip mice on a regular basis.
No Smells: While the fact that cats use litterboxes to perform their business makes it easier to care for them, Fluffy’s powder room can get stinky. You shouldn’t have to worry about scents as long as you (or your child) keep your reptile friend’s habitat clean.
Easy Keepers: Many reptiles need minimal daily care. Some don’t even need to eat every day! Of course, you will need to keep their habitats clean and functioning.
No Mess: Another benefit of selecting a reptile? You won’t return home to find a mess on the floor or to discover that your pet has eaten your shoes or left a hairball on the carpet.
Attractive Habitats: This may not be the first thing that springs to mind, but a well-decorated reptile environment can be both attractive and interesting.
Allergy-Friendly: While no animal is totally hypoallergenic, reptiles can be an excellent option for a youngster with allergies. They lack fur and emit no dander, and they are housed in a specific environment.
Ask your Burlington, ON vet for more information.
It’s always fascinating to observe how different people react to different types of pets. What is good for one individual may be bad for another. It’s always important to do thorough research before adopting any animal.
Here are a few things that may be less appealing:
Squeamishness: Reptiles just naturally frighten or repel some people. If the mere concept of having a lizard or snake in your home makes you nervous, this may not be the best option for your family. This may not be a dealbreaker with a child that is mature and responsible enough to see to the animal’s care themselves, but it’s worth considering.
Their Diets: This is most likely the primary reason why more people do not own reptiles. Many reptiles consume insects, worms, or mice. If you’re uncomfortable with creepy crawlies or simply don’t want to deal with the reality that your pet’s food may still be moving when you offer it, you might want to reconsider.
This does not rule out reptiles completely. Many lizards, like iguanas, are vegetarians.
Size: Some reptiles stay quite small. Green anoles, for example, can only grow to be a few inches long. On the other end of the range, many reptiles grow very large.
Environmental Needs: Reptiles can’t sweat to cool off or put on a sweater to get warm; instead, they must control their body temperature by traveling between warmer and cooler spots. Precise temperature measurements requirements can vary depending on the animal, but for the most part, you’ll need to set up two separate temperature zones, one warmer than the other. Specific equipment is required for this task. Quality components should not need to be updated frequently, but bulbs and filters for amphibians will.
Power: Another factor to consider is the equipment’s electricity consumption. This is not only a cost consideration, but also something to consider in the event of a power outage. Investing in a modest generator is not a terrible idea.
Bacteria: Several reptiles carry salmonella. You and your child will need to be very careful to fully wash your hands before and after handling your reptile. Of course, this will be more of a problem for a five-year-old than for an older youngster.
Of course, no matter what kind of pet you pick, you’ll need a great veterinarian in Burlington, ON!
Do you have any queries about reptile health or treatment? Please contact us at your Burlington, ON pet clinic. We are here to help!