There are over 3,800 different species of lizards, so there are many types to choose from if you are looking to get a lizard as a pet. Lizards come in all shapes and sizes. And each has its own specific needs and requirements to stay healthy. Besides scheduling your pet’s first visit with our Bayview veterinarians, Dr. Howard Covant, Dr. Peter Bell and Dr. Victoria Tong, here Lizardare some other things to consider:
Choosing the Proper Home
Your lizard should have an aquarium that offers enough room for it to comfortably move around. You’ll also want to make the aquarium more like its natural environment by furnishing it with dirt, logs and plants and making sure that the aquarium offers ample humidity. You’ll also want to mist the inside of the aquarium for about 10 seconds two to three times a day. Here are some other things to consider before buying your pet’s new home:
- Proper lighting
- Proper heating
- Disinfecting and keeping the aquarium and the furnishings clean
Deciding on the Best Food for Your Lizard
Some lizards eat small bugs like crickets, wax worms and earthworms. Other lizards may eat spider, plants, or other small animals. If you aren’t sure about what your lizard should be eating, than it’s time to ask your Bayview, ON veterinarians. Diurnal lizards are best fed during the day, while nocturnal lizards should eat in the evening or night.
Keeping your pet healthy
As with any pet you have it’s important to make sure that your lizard stays healthy and free from disease. There are a lot of different things to consider in order to properly assess your reptile’s health and stress levels:
- Changes to your lizard’s skin color
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in bowel movements or urine output
- Changes in behavior (e.g. more lethargic; hiding more often)
- Shedding changes
- Physical signs of illness or injury (e.g. limping; tremors; swelling; increased saliva)
If you are noticing any changes in your lizards’s health it’s time to bring them in for a checkup.
If you have any questions or concerns about caring for your new pet, call your veterinarians at Bayview Seven Animal Hospital. We are here to provide quality, compassionate care to pets around the Bayview, ON area.
