Which Reptiles Make Good Pets?

Thinking about getting a pet reptile in Telford? They can be great companions, but only if you choose the right species. Some reptiles are notoriously hard to care for and really aren’t suitable for beginners. If you’re wondering which reptiles make good pets or what kind of reptile supplies you’ll need, this post is for you.

Reptiles That Make Great Pets

First, let’s look at some of the best types of reptiles that make great pets for both kids and adults.

Bearded Dragons

These are incredibly popular because they make such great pets. They’re easy for kids to handle and are resilient, which means they’ll be able to handle young kids being a little too rough.

They’re usually friendly and outgoing and very much enjoy interacting with their keepers. You’ve probably even seen some owners taking them out for walks on mini lizard leads.

Leopard Geckos

These are simple to look after and also handle very well. Since they’re small, they are easy to house and look beautiful. They come in a huge range of colours and make a great first lizard, especially if you have a child who is interested in reptiles.

Corns Snakes

Corn snakes only grow to about four feet long, so you won’t have to worry about it getting too large for its enclosure. They are very gentle and don’t require much attention. They feed well and also come in a beautiful variety of colours and patterns, so they look gorgeous in their tanks.

Crested Gecko

Who doesn’t love a gecko? These require less heating than most reptiles, so they’re usually happy in your average centrally heated home. Although they are very happy with bugs, they can also thrive on fruit-based meal replacements, so they’re a great option if you don’t like having live bugs in your home.

Royal Python

Compared to other types of pythons, the royal python is calm and gentle and stays relatively small. This means their housing doesn’t have to be huge, and they won’t outgrow their enclosure quickly. They’re usually good feeders and come in a lovely range of colours and patterns.

4 Reptiles That are Difficult Pets

Now, let’s quickly look at some reptiles that don’t make great pets for beginners.

• Yellow-bellied sliders: these have great personalities but grow very large and need a lot of water to be healthy in an enclosure.
• Burmese pythons: these will grow up to around nine feet within a year of hatching and need to be fed live prey – not great for beginners!
• Bosc monitors: these are inquisitive with great personalities, but they require massive zoo-like enclosures to be happy.
• Iguanas: these are a popular type of lizard to keep as a pet, but they require a very specific diet and exacting environmental conditions. Not to mention the males can reach about six feet in length.

Speak to Our Experts About Lizard Supplies

If you’re buying a new lizard or reptile as a pet, we have a huge range of enclosures, foods, and accessories to help make your new pet feel at home. For free advice, call our team today, and we’ll talk you through everything you need: 01952 505 327

What’s the Best Type of Dog Food for Your Pet?

Whether you’ve bought a new puppy or you’ve adopted an older rescue, it’s important to get the best quality dog food for your new pet. A nutritionally balanced dog food has a specific mix of carbs, fats, minerals, proteins, water, and vitamins. But with so many dog food brands on the market, it can be hard to get it right. In this post, we’ll show you what to look for when buying dog food in Telford.

Your vet’s recommendations

The best person to ask about food recommendations is your vet. If your dog has any underlying health issues or concerns, they’ll usually advise a specific type of medical dog food to keep your pet as healthy as possible.

If your dog has been on the same type of food for a while and you want to switch to something new, it’s always worth consulting your vet to make sure you’re making the correct choice for your dog.

Freshness

Dog food is made shelf-stable by adding preservatives, just like some human food. Fresh food with a shorter life span usually means a higher nutritional value and fewer preservatives, which is a bonus for your dog’s health.

Of course, fresh food is significantly more expensive than dried dog food. If you’re on a budget, look for dried food brands with the least amount of additives and preservatives.

Nutritional Analysis

All dog food brands have a nutritional analysis on the packaging, so you can see what’s included in the food. If the brand offers a “nutritionally complete” food, this means it should have all the minerals and vitamins a dog needs in their diet. However, it’s always best to look for foods with high protein levels and added minerals and vitamins to make sure they’re staying as healthy as possible.

If the food is mainly corn, ash, or other starches, it’s not as healthy as dog food which is mainly animal protein.

Breed- and weight-specific food

A German Shepherd has completely different nutritional requirements than a Jack Russell. So, just because a dog food is great for your friend’s dog doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Make sure you look for a brand that is weight-specific. Some brands offer breed-specific foods, but these are far less common.

Age-appropriate food

Puppies need different food to mature and older dogs, so it’s also important to get age-appropriate food. Puppy food tends to be more calorie-dense since they’re still growing. On the other hand, senior food usually offers additional support for things like joint pain, which younger dogs don’t need.

Order Dog Food in Telford At Our Pet Store

If you’re looking for the best dog food for your dog, our team can help. We stock a huge range of dog food at great prices, and we can give you our professional advice on the best type of food for your dog. We also offer free delivery in Telford! Call us today for assistance: 01952 505 327

How to Look After Your Tropical Fish

Would you love to have a tropical fish tank, but you’re not sure how to look after them? They make a wonderful addition to a home, but they do have some specific requirements. In this quick guide, our pet experts in Telford will show you how to look after tropical fish and how you should set up your new aquarium.

Aquarium Location

Before you do anything else, you should make sure you have an appropriate location for your new aquarium. The location of the tank can have a huge impact on the health of the fish, so give this some careful thought. It should be in a quiet spot, away from the TV, radio, or other loud appliances, and not too close to any windows to avoid glare and unwanted noise.

Water Temperature

Different tropical fish require different water temperatures to survive. When you’re researching the type of tropical fish you want, make sure they’re all happy with the same water temperature. You’ll then need to get a water thermometer to make sure the water is at the correct temperature at all times. Even a couple of degrees off is enough to harm and even kill a tropical fish, so make sure you get this right.

Equipment Needed To Care For Your Tropical Fish

We always recommend getting the biggest tank possible for tropical fish to swim around. There are minimum space requirements for different types of tropical fish, but the bigger, the better.

You’ll also need an aquarium light, specific tropical fish gravel, an appropriately-sized filter, a thermometer, and a heater. If you want expert advice, our team at Dawley Pet Supplies will be happy to ensure you have all the appropriate equipment for your new tropical aquarium.

Feeding Your Fish

Some tropical fish prefer to eat pellets, while others do better with flakes. Our team can advise you on the best type of food for the type of fish you’re looking to buy, but make sure to do some research so your fish is happy and healthy.

Adding New Fish

Only certain types of tropical fish can be kept together in a tank. Some species just don’t gel well and can end up attacking and eating each other. It’s best to start with one type of fish and get them acclimated to the tank. Once they’re happy, you can look into adding new species as tank buddies – but only after getting advice on the types of fish.

Cleaning Your Fish Tank

Tropical fish tanks need to be kept immaculately clean for the fish to stay healthy. Once a month, you’ll need to clean the tank to wash out the filter, remove any algae, and make sure all the accessories are clean. It can be a long task, but it’s worth doing to keep your fish happy and healthy.

Speak to Our Team About Tropical Fish

If you’re in the market for tropical fish in Telford and need some help choosing the right tank, food, and accessories, call us today. Our team are knowledgeable on tropical fish and will happily give you their professional advice: 01952 505 327