Welcoming a new pet into the family is always exciting! But it definitely comes with undeniable challenges, especially when that new pet is considered “exotic.” Basically anything besides a cat or dog can easily claim that title these days! But not to worry, whether you have a reptile, ferret, rabbit, or a guinea pig, we’ve got you covered with our exotic pet sitting service!
Our care providers are trained in a variety of pets individual care needs. It’s never easy to take a trip away from your pets, but when you have a pet with specialized care needs this can make it incredibly difficult to feel “guilt-free” while you’re away. It’s unnerving to some the thought of being so dependent on another person and knowing that in your case, it’s not just a situation of throwing down some cat food so them to munch on and scooping a litter box. Exotic pets have a wide variety of special care needs ranging from having unlimited access to fresh hay to getting dust baths to keep their coats healthy. At the end of the day, it’s very similar to having a kid with specialized needs.
The Main Principles
As pet parents, we of course always want the best for our little ones. That’s why it’s so critical to make sure that while you’re away, you have someone you can 100% trust will know and understand how to provide the absolute best care. It’s also helpful if you’re able to find someone with a history of medical problems associated with your animal. Especially if they’ve had past medical problems. But in particular, it’s important to be able to spot if an animal is unwell in these cases because these specific species have very unique signs of illness. For example, with a cat or dog it’s usually pretty easy to notice if they’re not feeling well by their overall demeanor, unusual changes in bathroom habits, or appetite fluctuations. These are all signs that other species are unwell also but they may be displayed differently and harder to pick up on to someone without a past knowledge of common illnesses or conditions. Changes in behavior for these animals may also be more subtle or hard to spot for someone who’s unaware of what the normal behavior for this particular animal is.
What to Look For in a Sitter
We also want to point out that due to the various care factors that go into proper treatment, there are simply more factors to go wrong during their care time. For instance, some reptiles require a specific amount of light in their tanks to provide them with adequate warmth. If these warmth or lighting needs are not adequately met, you may see a decline in appetite and energy. Some reptiles may appear lethargic or just not as interested in their meals as they usually are. These small changes are hard to notice when you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for. This is why it’s so crucial to go over your specific animals typical behavior versus some of the warning signs that they may be experiencing some type of stress with your care provider prior to your travel plans. Most pet owners are really great at knowing what their animals normal behavior is compared to what behaviors they may display in time of stress, so it’s just a matter of communicating those to your sitter.