Is your child completely obsessed with dinosaurs? This is actually pretty common! Many of us were mesmerized by giant lizards when we were little. However, if your youngster is also begging for a pet, you may want to consider getting them a reptile. Though they aren’t for everyone, reptiles can make great kids’ pets! A local Galena, MD veterinarian offers some advice on getting your child their first pet in this article.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Getting Reptiles For Children?

Reptiles do have some pretty unique charms. In fact, you may be surprised at some of the ‘pluses’ of having one as a pet.

Let’s go over a few of those perks:

They Don’t Need Toys: You will need to to make your pet’s habitat fun and interesting for them, by adding things for them to climb and explore. However, you won’t have to buy actual toys.

No Smells: While the fact that cats will use a litterbox makes it easy to care for them, we could probably all do without the task of cleaning them. With reptiles, as long as their habitat is clean, you shouldn’t have to deal with any smells.

Minimal Daily Care: Reptiles are actually pretty easy keepers. They usually just spend their time basking and lounging about. Some don’t even eat every day! Of course, you’ll need to get specific care instructions from your Galena, MD vet.

No Bad Habits: You won’t come home to find a mess on the floor or realize that your pet ate your shoes or left a hairball on the carpet.

Pretty Habitats: A properly decorated reptile habitat can actually be very attractive and interesting. The plants, rocks, and backdrop can make a quite fascinating decorative piece.

They’re Really Cute: Okay, to be fair, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder here. Many reptiles actually are adorable, though!

They Don’t Make Noise: We love our canine and feline patients, but Fluffy and Fido can be a bit loud. Dogs, in particular, may make enough noise to cause conflict with neighbors. This isn’t something you’d need to worry about with reptiles!

No Training Required: Dogs need a pretty decent amount of petucation to learn the do’s and don’ts of being a good pet. Cats tend to train their humans, but that’s another topic. Reptiles don’t really need to learn anything: they’re perfectly content just being themselves.

Easy On Allergies: Although no animal is completely hypoallergenic, reptiles can be a great choice for a child with allergies. They don’t have fur and don’t produce dander, plus they are contained in a habitat.

How Do You Pick A Reptile For A Child? 

If you do decide that a reptile is a good fit, you’ll have a few things to consider. This is the fun part! Many reptiles actually are quite cute to watch. Some, such as bearded dragons, are even cuddly. You’ll also want to look at longevity, size, habitat, diet, and temperament. 

Be sure to ask your Galena, MD vet for more information. 

What Are Some Good Reptiles For Kids? 

Every type of reptile is a bit different. They all have different needs and charms. There are actually quite a few choices, but here are our recommendations. 

• Corn snakes
• Crested gecko
• Ball pythons
• Milk Snake
• Leopard gecko
• Bearded Dragon
• King snakes
• Blue-tongued skinks
• White’s Tree Frog

Be sure to find a great vet that handles reptiles. You’ll also need to be sure to go through a reputable store or breeder. 

Make An Appointment At Our Galena, MD  Veterinary Clinic

Do you have questions about reptiles? Contact us, your Galena, MD pet clinic, anytime.