Proper Exotic Pet Husbandry: The Key to Avoiding Expensive Veterinary Bills

by | Jul 3, 2025 | Blogs, Pet Safety, Surgery, Veterinary Urgent Care

When people think about pets, the first thing that comes to mind is a dog or a cat. But owning a bearded dragon, sugar glider, hedgehog, guinea pig, snake, or any other form of exotic animal can be a uniquely rewarding experience.

It’s important to know that they require specific care that differs significantly from that of dogs and cats.

Watch the video here to learn more from Megan, our Hospital Manager in Plymouth:

Poor husbandry is one of the top reasons exotic pets end up in urgent care, often with preventable issues that are both costly and can lead to serious consequences. Understanding the appropriate needs of your pet is incredibly important to ensure they are living in the proper environment and getting the appropriate enriching diet to keep these pets healthy and thriving in a home.

So what can you do:

  • Research Your Exotic Pet’s Natural Habitat: Speak to a breeder, a veterinarian, or use social media to understand the true needs of your pet and replicate the environment as closely as possible in your home.

     

  • Invest in Quality Equipment: Use digital thermometers, hygrometers, UVB lighting, and species-specific enclosures. Especially ensure that your enclosure is big enough for your pet!

     

  • Feed a Species-Appropriate Diet: Avoid generic pet food and consult with a veterinarian trained in exotic animal medicine. Some species need to eat frozen bugs and/or rodents to get the proper nutrition to keep them healthy. Understand the diet needs so you are not overfeeding or underfeeding your pet.

     

  • Maintain a Clean Environment: Regular cleaning prevents bacterial and fungal infections. Plus who doesn’t love a tidy home!

It’s also important to know that not every veterinarian can see exotic pets. Research the exotic pet vets in your area and know that just because a veterinarian sees exotic, they may not see your species of pet. At Veterinary Urgent Care Center you can call ahead to any of our 8 veterinary urgent care hospitals in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to see if our team has a veterinarian who sees exotics on staff. Learn more about our locations at veturgentcare.com in Braintree, Dedham, East Providence, Easton, Narragansett, Plymouth, Saugus and Worcester.

Proper husbandry is more than just good pet ownership…it’s a financial lifesaver. By taking the time to set up a safe, enriching, and species-appropriate environment, you’re not only improving your exotic pet’s quality of life but also dramatically reducing the likelihood of costly, preventable health issues.

 

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At Veterinary Urgent Care Center, we understand your busy schedule. As much as we love our pets, sometimes life gets in the way and prevents us from booking that last-minute kennel cough vaccine or routine check-up. That’s why we are here for your furry friends – and you – when you need us.

We offer a variety of treatments for both dogs and cats to get your pet caught up on all their routine wellness needs, today. With on our state-of-the-art in-house diagnostic laboratory and our expert staff, your pet will be well attended to whether they are a canine or a feline!

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  • Tick-Born Disease Testing
  • Heartworm Testing
  • Routine Blood Work
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Stay Patient… Please note, as an urgent care facility, we will prioritize the sickest patients first. We ask for your patience if a sicker pet needing immediate care comes to our facility while you are here for your wellness visit.

Visit Any of Our Convenient Locations

VUCC Braintree

27 Commerical St., Braintree, MA 02184
617-481-5197 | braintree@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Dedham

926 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA 
781-373-8080 | dedham@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Easton

25 Washington Street (a.k.a. 3 Roche Bros. Way), North Easton, MA 02356
508-817-5088 | easton@veturgentcare.com

VUCC East Providence

73 Highland Ave., East Providence, RI 02914
401-354-1099eastprovidence@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Narragansett

91 Point Judith Rd., Narragansett, RI 02882
401-244-8298 | narragansett@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Plymouth

34 Long Pond Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360
774-608-7016 | plymouth@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Saugus

880 Broadway, Saugus, MA
339-204-4990 | saugus@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Worcester

70 Gold Star Blvd, Worcester, MA 01606
857-416-9009 | worcester@veturgentcare.com

Do I need an appointment for routine services or do you take walk-ins?

Yes, we recommend registering and booking online before visiting the clinic. Scheduling your appointment ahead of time will help us serve you and your pet more efficiently.

Please note, as an urgent care facility, we do prioritize the most critical cases. While we aim to minimize wait times, please be prepared for potential delays if emergency cases arise during your visit.

Can I bring my pet in just for vaccines or testing?

Absolutely! Our team is here to help get your pet up to date on vaccines, lab tests, and other routine wellness services—no annual exam required.

What should I bring to my pet’s appointment?

Please bring any prior medical records if available, along with a list of current medications and your pet’s most recent vaccine history. This helps us provide the best possible care.

Are routine services covered by pet insurance?

Coverage depends on your provider and plan. We recommend checking directly with your pet insurance company to confirm which routine services are included.

If my pet looks fine, does it really need routine blood work or other testing?

Definitely. Pets are masters at hiding discomfort and illness, and even healthy, young pets can develop hidden conditions that routine blood, urine, or fecal testing can catch early.

Regular wellness screenings establish a baseline for your pet’s health, making it easier to detect changes as they age—or even before symptoms appear. Early treatment is the most effective and least expensive in the long run.

Does my pet still need annual check-ups if their already vaccinated?

Vaccinations are just one part of preventive care. Annual visits allow you to monitor your pet’s weight, dental health, and internal organ function.

We can also update vaccines based on lifestyle changes and new health risks—vaccines are not a one-and-done solution.

Do I need to bring my indoor cat to the vet?

Many owners assume that their “indoor only” cats cannot develop disease, but this is simply a myth. Don’t forget about your feline friends. The most common diseases we see in cats include thyroid disease, kidney disease and diabetes. Early detection through simple, inexpensive blood testing can help your cat live a longer, happier, and healthier life. Don’t let your cat be one of the 60% of cats that go without consistent veterinary care!

Can I skip a fecal test if I don’t see worms?

Not necessarily. Many intestinal parasites aren't visible to the naked eye and may not cause obvious symptoms right away. Fecal testing helps ensure your pet stays protected, as well as keeping your human family members safe since some parasites are transmissible to humans (zoonotic).

Do small dogs and cats need heartworm prevention?

Yes! Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes, which can easily enter your home can affect furry friends of all sizes. Preventive care is much easier and less expensive than treating heartworm disease, which can be severe and—in the worst cases—even fatal.

If Lyme disease is spread by ticks, can my pet still get Lyme if I live in the city?

Ticks aren’t just in suburban and rural areas. Urban areas have ticks, too. Ticks can be picked up in the park, on a walk around the block, or anywhere else your pet interacts with the outside environment.

It’s a myth that your pet doesn’t need testing or prevention if you live in an urban area. Annual tick-borne disease testing is recommended, especially if you live in a region where tick exposure is common.