Caring for your exotic pet

They both need hay and plenty of it. It is a food that they must consume in large quantities and at will. It is absolutely essential for their health. The same goes for vegetables, such as carrots. Yet many people provide nothing but animal feed for their rabbits and guinea pigs, when in fact, they should only have a little. If your pet refuses hay, it might simply be because they don’t like it! But don’t worry… you don’t have to trek to the country to find a kind they like! Your vet can provide you with an excellent quality product.

Contrary to popular belief, birds don’t just eat seeds! “People will often go to the pet store, buy a bird, a cage, a drinking trough, and a bag of seeds, and then head home, thinking they’ve got everything they need.”, says D^r. Joubert. But she reminds us that in nature, birds spend 80% of their time looking for a variety of food. Sometimes, birds like parrots will pluck the feathers from their chests or develop other quirks. The reason could be medical, but it could also be behavioural. In fact, it may be a sign of chronic boredom. “This could be a bird that isn’t stimulated enough with toys or activities that force it to search for its food!”.

Your small lizard loves heat. They won’t “bake” in the sun, but they will need a lot of hydration. According to D^r. Joubert, dehydration and supervision mistakes probably represent 95% of the problems faced by reptiles in captivity. Terrarium temperature and humidity conditions are often inadequate. “Every reptile has its preferred temperature, Dr. Joubert continues, “We need to ensure that the owner keeps the temperature and humidity of the terrarium at levels suitable for the species. Some reptiles live in desert environments, other in tropical areas. All of this has to be taken into account.” What’s more, bad nutrition often gets added to the mix and can cause problems such as immunosuppression that can lead to infections. And then the domino effect takes over!