About.com Exotic Pets

Litter Training Rabbits

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:18:45 +0000

From Lianne McLeod DVM: Did you know that most rabbits take pretty well to litter training? Litter training not only helps keep the cage cleaner but makes it possible to have them out and about with less mess.

My rabbit Specky had a decent track record with litter training, though I didn't work as hard at it as I could have (that's him on the right sitting in his empty box at cleaning time).

In general, it's best not to expect perfection from your bunny in this department, but if you put in the effort, you and your bunny should be able to get close. Big exception: if your rabbit isn't spayed or neutered , retaining litter training beyond puberty will be much more difficult. The process of litter training does take a bit of patience as explained in "Litter Training Rabbits."

More: Top Ten Alternatives to Cedar and Pine Shavings - this list provides some ideas for what to use in your rabbit's litter box.

Photo � Lianne McLeod DVM

Litter Training Rabbits originally appeared on About.com Exotic Pets on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 11:18:45.

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Proper Heat and Temperature Gradient is Vital for Reptiles

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:03:18 +0000

Many reptiles have very specific need when it comes to heat and light. Meeting these needs is essential to keeping these pets healthy, so it is important to understand why heat and light are so important.

Heat: Being ectothermic ("cold-blooded" - although they need warm temperatures) they rely on external temperatures to regulate their body temperature.

Light: Ultraviolet light (UV) is important in the production of vitamin D3, which is necessary for calcium metabolism. Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin with exposure to UV light (from sunlight).

While vitamin D3 can be supplemented in the diet, it appears some reptiles, such as iguanas, make better use of vitamin D3 produced within their bodies than that provided in vitamin supplements.

Learn more: heat and light needs for reptiles

Photo: Veiled Chameleon by Lianne McLeod DVM

Proper Heat and Temperature Gradient is Vital for Reptiles originally appeared on About.com Exotic Pets on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 21:03:18.

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Ferret dies from H1N1 infection in Nebraska

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:54:22 +0000

From the About.com Veterinary Medicine site: A news station in Hastings, Nebraska (KHAS) has reported that Stormy the ferret, one of four ferrets in a family of humans sick with the flu, has died from the H1N1 virus.
Read full post

This is Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM, the Guide to Veterinary Medicine at About.com. I am guest blogging on this site as we search for a new Exotic Pets Guide.

Are you a veterinary professional who has what it takes? Please see our Be A Guide Page under "exotic pets" to see if you qualify.

Photo: Burt the Ferret by GenGlo on Flickr. Used with permission.

Ferret dies from H1N1 infection in Nebraska originally appeared on About.com Exotic Pets on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 14:54:22.

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Tip: Don't Feed Fireflies to Your Reptiles or Amphibians

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:05:35 +0000

Fireflies (lightning bugs) are such neat insects. However, feeding them to reptiles and amphibians is not recommended -- they are known to be very toxic to bearded dragons and toxicity has been seen in other reptiles and amphibians, too.

Also avoid feeding the larval forms (sometimes called glow worms). The chemical that gives these bugs the ability to glow so wonderfully is apparently what makes them toxic. Read more...

Tip: Don't Feed Fireflies to Your Reptiles or Amphibians originally appeared on About.com Exotic Pets on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 12:05:35.

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Cages for Guinea Pigs

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:44:25 +0000

Many cages marketed for guinea pigs are really much too small, especially considering guinea pigs are social and do best if kept in pairs or groups. The proper cage size and other items you'll need to house guinea pigs are covered in "Cages for Guinea Pigs."

The great thing about guinea pigs is that they are not escape artists, so it is easy to make a homemade cage that is safe and very roomy.

Also see: Guinea Pig Care Guide

Photo: Guinea Pig by Lianne McLeod DVM

Cages for Guinea Pigs originally appeared on About.com Exotic Pets on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 16:44:25.

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Lizards as Pets

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:53:50 +0000

There is a wide variety of lizards available in the pet trade, but it is very important to know what you are getting into. Sadly, many people end up with pet lizards without being given proper instructions about their care, or an idea of how complicated and expensive the proper care can be. Read more...

Lizards as Pets originally appeared on About.com Exotic Pets on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 16:53:50.

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H1N1 (Swine Flu) News - Ferret Tests Positive in Oregon

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:13:24 +0000

Hello from the About.com Veterinary Medicine Guide. My name is Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM and I will be helping out on the Exotic Pets blog until we find a new person for the job.

Are you a veterinary professional with expertise in exotic pets? Please visit our Be A Guide page, find Exotic Pets in the list, and check out the Guide qualifications for the Exotic Pets site and information about applying.

Ferrets in the News
The first case of H1N1 infection, formerly called swine flu, in a ferret has been reported by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).

Read the full post on this story and see related news articles about ferrets and other species susceptible to the H1N1 flu.

Photo: Burt the Ferret � Julianne at FURSrescue

H1N1 (Swine Flu) News - Ferret Tests Positive in Oregon originally appeared on About.com Exotic Pets on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 01:13:24.

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Time to Say Goodbye

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:57:46 +0000

I've been About.com's Guide to Exotic Pets for eleven years, and what a fun ride it has been! I have learned so much about exotic pets in this time, and have tremendously enjoyed learning about your pets and being part of a community that has supported each other through the highs and lows of being exotic pet "parents." However, the time has come for me to move onto another stage in my life -- it has been a very difficult decision, and I'd like to thank everyone for their support over the years. I know soon a new exotic pet expert will join the other excellent pet Guides at About.com, and I look forward to being a regular visitor myself. I wish you and your pets all the best!

Time to Say Goodbye originally appeared on About.com Exotic Pets on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 11:57:46.

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Common House Geckos

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:16:35 +0000

The other day at the pet store I was admiring the house geckos. They are small little lizards that have a propensity for hanging out on walls and ceilings of homes (not surprisingly, this is how they got their name!). As a side note, they have been a successful invasive species in many warm climates, mostly from hitchhiking on ships and other modes of transportation (though pet owners should never let these or any other pets go into the wild). Because of their small size and undemanding needs, they can make pretty good pets too - but unless you can find captive bred house geckos, you might want to think twice. Find out how to care for them in Common House Geckos.

Common House Geckos originally appeared on About.com Exotic Pets on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 03:16:35.

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Degus as Pets

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:23:07 +0000

The Degu (pronounced "Day-goo") is a fairly large rodent (10-12 inches including the tail) native to Chile. They are pretty new in the pet trade but they are quite good pets. They are very social, which means they should ideally live another degu, but their social nature makes them fairly easy to tame and handle too. Unlike some other rodents, they are not nocturnal, which makes them a bit easier to live with. With their friendly nature I imagine they will continue to increase in popularity as pets.
Also See: Choosing a Rodent Pet

Degus as Pets originally appeared on About.com Exotic Pets on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 01:23:07.

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