FAQ: Health for reptiles

Probiotics made for reptiles are sometimes used after illness, antibiotic treatment or stress to help restore the gut flora. They are not an essential daily supplement for a healthy animal, so use them according to the label and consult a vet.

No, products made for people and dairy products are not suitable for reptiles, as their digestion is different and they cannot digest milk. If probiotics are needed, choose ones made for reptiles and consult a vet.

Long-term stress weakens immunity, reduces appetite and can lead to illness. Common causes are too few hides, frequent handling, other animals nearby, noise or an enclosure that is too small.

Some reptiles get used to brief handling while others find it stressful, but all are better left alone after feeding, before shedding, when ill and in their first days in a new home. Always wash your hands before and after contact.

Yes, many reptiles are solitary, and when kept together they may bite, compete for heat and food or be constantly stressed. Bites can become infected, so discuss housing them together with a specialist and take an injured animal to a vet.

Some lizards, such as leopard geckos, can drop their tail in self-defence, especially if grabbed by it. The wound usually heals on its own if the enclosure is clean; use paper substrate for a while and see a vet if redness or pus appears.

A chameleon's colour changes with mood, temperature and light, but a constantly dark or pale colour may point to stress, cold or illness. Check the conditions and, if the colour does not return and the animal is lethargic, see a vet.

Chameleons are sensitive to both deficiency and excess of vitamin A and D3, so their supplement routine is often planned more carefully and together with UVB lighting. Discuss which supplements to use and how often with a vet who treats reptiles.

Leopard geckos commonly have problems with bad sheds, especially on the toes, metabolic bone disease, impaction and parasites. Most can be prevented with a humid hide, the right supplements, heating and cleanliness.

Bearded dragons often suffer from metabolic bone disease caused by a lack of UVB or calcium, obesity, parasites and impaction. A suitable UVB lamp, a varied diet with plenty of greens and regular weight checks are important.

Ball pythons often get respiratory infections, bad sheds from low humidity, mites and long periods of refusing food. A stable temperature, the right humidity, well-fitting hides and little stress help prevent most of them.

Water turtles commonly get eye and respiratory infections, shell rot, vitamin A deficiency and metabolic bone disease. Clean, filtered water, a dry basking area with UVB and a varied diet are the most important prevention.

Tortoises commonly have shell deformities and pyramiding, dehydration, parasites, respiratory infections and problems after poorly managed hibernation. UVB, calcium, a high-fibre diet, a water source and vet check-ups are important.

For snakes fed whole prey, UVB is often not considered essential, but more and more specialists recommend a low-level UVB source as a beneficial extra. It is important that the snake can hide from the light; the decision is worth discussing with a vet.

Some houseplants can be toxic or irritating to reptiles, especially to plant-eaters that eat them. Before planting a terrarium, make sure the species is safe and use plants grown without fertilisers or pesticides.

Look on the label for whether it contains vitamin D3, how much calcium and phosphorus it has, which vitamins are included, and how often and for which species it is meant. If the label is unclear or has no directions for use, choose another product or ask a vet.

Supplements come in very different pack sizes, so comparing the price per kilogram or litre is the easiest way. zoogidas.lt lets you compare products by that price too, and you buy on the shop's own website.

Prices in online shops change with promotions and discounts. zoogidas.lt collects prices about daily, shows for each product when its price was last checked, and the product page shows the price history.

No, zoogidas.lt sells nothing – the site only compares the prices of Lithuanian online pet shops. Once you have chosen a product, you complete the purchase on the shop's own website.

Digital thermometers with a probe and infrared thermometers, which measure the surface temperature at the basking spot, are the most practical. Measure both the warm and the cool side, because a reptile needs a temperature gradient.