The holidays aren’t very far off now. At this time of year, we tend to get lots of adorable photos of our furry friends against seasonal backdrops. What about reptiles? A vet offers a few tips on celebrating with your scaled friend in this article.
Gifts
Shopping for reptiles can get a bit tricky. After all, you don’t want to giftwrap live crickets! Look into giving your pet’s cage an upgrade. Perhaps you could add some new décor, or even a bathing pool. If you need to replace or upgrade heating or lighting equipment, this is a great time for that. A bigger tank or terrarium is also a great gift!
Photos
Who says reptiles can’t take cute photos? You never know: you may be able to balance a Santa hat on your snake long enough to get a shot. You can also try snapping a pic of your bearded dragon on a sleigh, or your turtle relaxing inside a gift bag. Of course, it isn’t always easy getting great photos of reptiles. Experiment with different settings. If you have a macro setting, use that. If you’re snapping your pet’s photo while they’re in their tank, angle the camera down. This can help reduce glare.
Decorations
There’s no reason you can’t add a little holiday cheer to your pet’s cage. If your animal companion lives in a terrarium, you can put things outside their cage. Try hanging string lights or tinsel below or above it. Just make sure they are well out of reach, and won’t get wet. You can also look for hidey-holes with seasonal themes. Some pets may enjoy having a gift box or bag, or even a tiny sleigh. Safety first, though: don’t add anything that could choke or injure your pet. You’ll also want to avoid anything that your reptilian friend may try to eat.
Travel
Traveling with reptiles can be tricky. Heat is of course one thing to consider. If you’re going somewhere cold, you’ll need to bring plenty of heating equipment, plus backups. Depending on your destination, you may also need to obtain a certificate of health for your scaled buddy. Generally, boarding or getting a pet sitter that knows reptiles is a better option. Ask your vet for recommendations.
Happy Holidays! Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your local vet clinic in North Miami, FL, we’re here to help!
