How to Care for Your Exotic Pet

If you have any kind of pet other than a dog or cat, you may be surprised to learn that you are the proud owner of an exotic pet! Many different species of animals are considered exotic pets, from those that have been domesticated for hundreds of years to those that are newly domesticated. Paws & Claws Pet Medical Center provides vet services for exotic pets of all kinds in Troutdale and Gresham. 

Your Gresham & Troutdale Veterinarian for Exotic Pet Care

Just like cats and dogs, exotic pets have their own special needs. Your exotic pet's care needs will depend on his species, so you should speak to our Gresham & Troutdale veterinarian as soon as possible after obtaining your pet to make sure his needs are met. Lizards, for example, need heat sources that can help them maintain a certain body temperature during the day -- and many lizard species need a slightly cooler area to retreat to at night. Tortoises typically need to hibernate in the winter, and require a diet rich in leafy green vegetables. Parrots and other exotic birds often need a nutritionally complete diet rich in fruits and nuts. Rabbits need to be spayed or neutered, to protect them from reproductive cancers as well as to protect your household from the birth of additional rabbits!

If you are considering getting an exotic pet, we recommend that you research your specific exotic pet's dietary, habitat, and medical needs before obtaining him. Once you have obtained your pet, bring him in as soon as possible for a wellness visit and to ask the vet any questions you may have about his proper care and feeding. Our veterinarian treats birds of all kinds, including chickens, as well as reptiles, rabbits, pocket pets, and other small mammals. Whether your exotic pet is a hamster, a rabbit, a chinchilla, a bearded dragon, a ball python, or an African grey parrot, our veterinarian can keep him healthy and happy.

Do you have any exotic pets? Tell us about them in the comments!