Vet Q&A

Show All

How should you care for your reptile during a power outage?

Here are some tips on how to care for pets who require continuous heat, such as reptiles and snakes: - Before a power outage, if possible, buy a generator. This will allow you to keep your reptiles warm during the outage. - Amphibians will do okay without heat for a period of time. Try to limit the number of times you open the habitat. - For a heat source, you can go to your local sporting goods store and purchase the heat packs used to warm feet and hands. These can be placed underneath the habitat (just like you would place an electric heating pad). This will allow your reptile to get heat. Do not put the pack into habitat with the reptile. - Another way to warm cold reptiles is to use a pillowcase. Place the reptile gently in the case and place the pillowcase next to your body under your shirt for warmth. - Pillow cases can also be used to transport reptiles if needed. - Do not feed your reptile as they need heat to digest their food. - You can save plastic milk containers and put warm water in them and place in the habitat for warmth. You can heat water on a BBQ grill or your hot water heater. Be careful not to use hot water, as it could burn your reptile. - Be advised that most reptiles will do fine with cooler temperatures; they go into a body slow down, so the temperature change won't hurt them for a short period of time: 24 - 48 hours. - Contact friends that have power and see if you can move your animals to their homes. - It is important to plan ahead of a power outage and have these items on hand to care for your reptiles. Additionally: Usually, IF a reptile needs to be kept warm during a short outage (few days or less), it is recommended that you place them into a small cooler (those little $5 styro ones can work) in a small container. A plastic shoebox or sandwich container can work, with some air holes. Hand warmers, hot water bottles, etc. can be placed into the cooler as well. This will form a very insulated area with a small amount of volume to heat. Be sure there is ventilation provided, though, as the hand warmers can suck oxygen from the air for the chemical reaction. This is a method that can be carried out for a relatively long period of time if necessary, and a digital thermometer with a probe can be placed in with the reptile and monitored from the outside, so you don't have to open the cooler and let out the warmth to check that the heat packs are still working. In all honesty, though, all but the most tropical reptiles can go a few days with temperatures into the 50's or 60's.

Read More

How often Should i spray my bearded dragon with water? How many crickets should I feed it a day?

You can mist him/her 2-4 times daily. Monitor the humidity in the tank though, as high humidity can promote bacterial or fungal growth. Feeding amounts depend on age. Juveniles will eat more and more frequently. Feed in 10 minute periods 2-3 times daily. It is very important to feed appropriately prey, no bigger than the space between your beardie's eyes. Adults can be fed less frequently and should be fed more vegetables and less prey.

Read More

My leopard gecko has dead skin over one eye

Leopard geckos don't shed their eyes like snakes, so it won't be a retained shed (eye cap). They do shed their eyelids and this skin can sometimes get stuck and cause irritation. Place him in a humid hide (make sure he can breath) for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, use a moistened cotton swab to GENTLY remove the skin. If it doesn't come, don't force it. Schedule an exam with a herp vet to remove it and to rule out infection or trauma.

Read More

My turtles shell is turning black, and I'm not sure if it is shell rot. I don't know what to do.

Shell rot is characterized by pitting, soft spots, foul odor or discharge or loss of scutes. It can be a serious condition and requires veterinary attention. Your turtle may have rot or the discoloration may be due to excess mold or algae. Clean the tank, do a water change and change the filter media. Confirm proper environmental conditions for your particular species of turtle. Try using a toothbrush and gently scrubbing the affected area of the shell. Make sure your turtle has a warm, dry basking area with proper UVB lighting. If your UVB bulb is older than 6 months, replace it. Do not place glass or plastic covers between the turtle and the UVB bulb. Feed an appropriate diet and dust food with a calcium supplement once a week.

Read More

Health & Wellbeing

Show All
Common Bacterial Infections in Turtles and Tortoises

Common Bacterial Infections in Turtles and Tortoises

Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
Causes of Iguana Color Changes

Causes of Iguana Color Changes

Petco's Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
Egg Binding (Dystocia) in Reptiles: Causes, Signs, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Egg Binding (Dystocia) in Reptiles: Causes, Signs, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

New Pet

Show All
Reptile Remodeling: Proper Habitat Setup

Reptile Remodeling: Proper Habitat Setup

Animal Care & Education Team
White's Tree Frog

White's Tree Frog

Animal Care & Education Team
Arboreal Tarantula

Arboreal Tarantula

Animal Care & Education Team

Food & Nutrition

Vitamin A Deficiencies in Chameleons: Signs, Treatment, and Prevention

Vitamin A Deficiencies in Chameleons: Signs, Treatment, and Prevention

Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
What Do Reptiles Eat?

What Do Reptiles Eat?

Petco’s Animal Care

Training & Behavior

Show All
Behavior of the Green Iguana

Behavior of the Green Iguana

Petco's Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
Bearded Dragon Behavior

Bearded Dragon Behavior

Dawn Burch
Snakes With Mouths Open  

Snakes With Mouths Open  

ACE Team

Seasonal Topics

Caring for Your Pet Reptiles During a Power Outage

Caring for Your Pet Reptiles During a Power Outage

Animal Care & Education Team

How-To Guides

Show All
Leopard Gecko Sexing

Leopard Gecko Sexing

Dawn Burch
How to Check Bearded Dragon Gender

How to Check Bearded Dragon Gender

Petco’s Animal Care
Can Snakes Hear?

Can Snakes Hear?

Petco’s Animal Care

Home & Habitat

Show All
Reptile Remodeling: Proper Habitat Setup

Reptile Remodeling: Proper Habitat Setup

Animal Care & Education Team
Bearded Dragon Lighting Requirements

Bearded Dragon Lighting Requirements

Petco’s Animal Care
Choosing the Right Reptile Heat Lamp

Choosing the Right Reptile Heat Lamp

Petco’s Animal Care

Product Guides

Leopard Gecko Substrate

Leopard Gecko Substrate

Petco’s Animal Care

Sponsored