Geckos as pets

Buying a pet and looking after it is a huge responsibility. As a pet owner you must make sure that your pet has a suitable environment to live that allows it to express natural behaviors like they would in the wild. Correct nutrition is also important as well as lots of loving care and attention. Handling your gecko regularly will help  you to notice when your pet is not feeling well and may need to be taken to the veterinarian.

The most commonly kept pets are mammals such as dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters. Humans are mammals too, so we generally find it quite easy to relate to other mammals and to realize when they are unwell or in distress. If you stand on your dog’s paw he will yelp therefore showing signs of pain. If your dog is too cold you will notice that he is shivering and if he is too hot you will notice that he is panting. If he doesn’t eat his dinner you will realise that he is feeling unwell. Geckos cannot show us so easily.

Geckos are reptiles and reptiles are very different from mammals. Your gecko will not give you such obvious signals to let you know that he is feeling unwell, or too hot, or too cold, or in pain. His signs of distress are subtler so getting to know your gecko’s daily routine and behavior will help you pinpoint when something isn’t right. You will have to observe him very closely to make sure that he is healthy; otherwise his suffering will go unnoticed. You should weigh your gecko weekly as it might not be obvious just from looking at him that he is losing weight. A change in weight can indicate your gecko is unwell.

Many of the health problems which occur in geckos are related to some aspect of their environment or their diet. Geckos take a lot of special care and attention. There are lots of factors to consider when caring for them. Some include; temperature, humidity, diet, furniture etc. The set up required for a gecko can be costly, so this is something to consider before purchasing. Wherever possible buy a captive bred gecko. Geckos bought from wild stock are often exposed to, and can carry a wide range of different parasites, bacteria and viruses. Buying a wild caught gecko also encourages this unethical trade.

Reptiles carry many different bacteria, one of which is salmonella. Although not harmful to them, the bacteria can cause illness in humans. Therefore, it is essential to wash your hands thoroughly after handling all reptiles and before handling or consuming food.

Everybody needs a holiday! When going on holiday ensure the carer of your Gecko fully understands how to care for him, like minded gecko owners are a good port of call as they have the knowledge of care required.

Try to find a carer that is happy to come to your house to care for him rather than moving your gecko to a strange new environment. Unnecessary moving can cause stress. Alternatively, it’s worth considering if you can move your gecko’s whole vivarium to the carers house if they would prefer to care for your gecko in their own home.

Disease risk is also a factor to consider when choosing a carer. If your gecko is either living in isolation, or in an isolated group, suddenly placing him in an environment where there are other geckos is dangerous; there is a huge risk of disease spread. Wherever possible, arrange for your gecko to be cared for at your own home rather than letting the carer take your gecko to their own set up.

Please remember that gecko health care is specialised and if they become ill treatment can be expensive. Insurance is one way to protect your gecko and help towards the cost of veterinary care. Ensure to research companies that are exotic specific to ensure a good cover and policy for your reptile pet.
 

At some point you may need to take your gecko to see a veterinarian. Try to choose a veterinary practice who has a special interest in reptiles. Some veterinarians choose to specialize in exotics or zoo medicine so therefore they carry out extra qualifications in zoological or exotic medicine to adequately treat exotic pets. If your local veterinary practice are not reptile enthusiasts, they should be able to recommend a veterinarian who is. If you have difficulty finding a suitable veterinarian you could contact The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons – www.rcvs.org.uk.