Birds, Reptiles, Fish and Small Pets: Care While You're Away

Birds, reptiles, fish, rabbits and small mammals are not harder to care for than dogs or cats, but their needs are specific. Many need precise temperatures, lighting and diets, and the right sitter should be comfortable with your species.

Ask about experience first

Do not assume a dog sitter is comfortable with a snake or a macaw. Ask directly, and have the sitter handle or feed the animal while you watch at the meet & greet.

Birds

• Routine: Birds like predictable cycles of light, food and social time. Keep the same sleep schedule.
• Diet: Provide the exact mix of pellets, vegetables and any supplements, and remove fresh food that spoils.
• Safety: Non-stick cookware coated with PTFE (Teflon) can release fumes that are dangerous to birds. Avoid aerosols, scented candles and smoke.
• Cage care: Fresh water daily and a clean cage floor.
• Interaction: Many birds need daily social contact. Leave toys and foraging items.

Reptiles and amphibians

• Heat and light: Temperature gradients and UVB lighting are essential. Write down the target temperatures and check that the timer and heat lamps work before you leave.
• Feeding: Provide the schedule, the prey or food type and quantity, and storage instructions for live or frozen food.
• Water and humidity: Misting, soaking or humidity levels matter for many species.
• Handling: Tell the sitter how much handling is appropriate.
• Hygiene: Reptiles and amphibians can carry salmonella. Hand washing after contact is important, and children, older adults and pregnant women should take extra care.

Fish

• Healthy adult fish can usually go several days without food, and overfeeding is a more common cause of problems than skipping a meal.
• Pre-portioned feeding containers help prevent overfeeding.
• Automatic feeders should be tested for a week before your trip.
• Leave instructions for water tests, filter checks and a heater.
• Show the sitter what a normal tank looks like, and what signs of a problem look like, such as cloudy water or gasping fish.

Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals

• Unlimited hay and fresh water every day
• Measured pellets and fresh greens
• Daily exercise outside the enclosure, where safe
• Clean bedding and litter areas
• A note on appetite: In rabbits and guinea pigs, not eating can be an emergency. A sitter should call a vet promptly.

Plan for an exotic vet

Not every clinic treats exotic pets. Identify an exotic-savvy veterinarian and an emergency option in advance, and give your sitter the details.

Handling instructions

Write down:

1. Feeding schedule and amounts
2. Lighting, heating and humidity settings
3. How to clean the enclosure
4. Normal behavior, and signs that mean "call someone"
5. Emergency contacts

With clear instructions and the right sitter, even your most unusual family members can be cared for confidently while you are away.