Anole lizard

My husband wants a lizard.  Why, I don’t know.  I think he just wants one to torment the cats.   Living in the desert Southwest, we see lizards all the time.  I had no idea there were so many species of lizards, especially here in Arizona.

We see lizards in our driveway, racing across the rocks in our front yard, and climbing the trees.  I have no idea what type, or types, they are, just that they are small, fast, and kind of cute.  I told my husband if he can catch one, he can keep it for a pet.  Luckily, they are faster than he is.

Wild lizards are generally harder to tame, and are more apt to have parasites than lizards that are bred in captivity. However, according to the Center for Disease Control, up to 90 percent of reptiles, whether wild or tame, carry the Salmonella bacteria.  Therefore, lizards and other reptiles are not recommended as pets for young children.  You can prevent salmonella poisoning from reptiles by thoroughly washing your hands after contact with your reptiles.  You also should not wash their cage or dishes anywhere there is food preparation, such as the kitchen.

If you decide to get a lizard, you should do your research.  Read up on the type of lizard you are interested in to see how big it’s going to get, what it eats, and whether or not it needs special lighting.  Lizards may be cold-blooded, but they like to bask in the sun.

Make sure the tank you use is large enough for your lizard.  If you don’t get a tank initially that is large enough for your lizard’s adult size, you may be purchasing new tanks as your lizard grows.

Make sure there are plenty of rocks and branches for your lizard to climb, as well as a place for it to hide.  A plant, a rock, or a large tree branch placed on the bottom of the tank will allow your lizard to climb, play and hide as needed.

If you’ve never had a lizard as a pet, it’s best to start out with one that is easy to maintain.  Some types of geckos are good starter lizards.  A common lizard sold in pet stores is the green anole, which is very small and won’t take up much space.

Photo credit: Motley Pixel on Flickr

When it comes to pet food, there are a number of ways you can save on your best pal’s cuisine. The first way to save big on pet food is to check out warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club. You can save up to 10 percent on pet food by purchasing your animal’s chow at one of these stores. Even if you don’t have a membership, the savings may make it worth the investment and actually pay for itself! Don’t like dealing with 10-mile-long warehouse stores and the droves of people who flock there? Big discount stores like Target and Wal-Mart also offer pet food at lower costs than pet chains. If your pet has a particular palette, make sure to clip coupons in order to save on gourmet pet food at specialty chains like Petco and Petsmart. You can also check online for lower prices on pet food and supplies.

Want to save on items like leashes, bones, chew toys, cat toys and more? Check out your local dollar store! Many of these establishments have a whole isle dedicated to pet products and at just a buck or two a piece, you can get the same products at a fraction of the price.

Later this week, I’ll have tips on saving cash on pet health care, grooming and recreation!

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For example, pet owners must be sure that they understand the line between owner and pet. As the relationship with a pet matures, owners get comfortable with their pet and begin to view them as a real family member. This is great, and important to do to some capacity, but can also lead to problems. No matter how long you’ve had your pet, make sure that pets and children are always supervised. Because your pet is not human, he cannot verbally tell your child that they’ve had enough roughhousing. As a result, pets can end up snapping on a child because they’ve been pushed over the edge and naturally reacted in the manner of whatever animal they happen to be.

On the flip side, don’t try to humanize your pet by attempting to rationalize their behavior in the manner in which you would a friend. If your dog flips out and chews up your shoes, it’s not because he is mad at you and knows your weakness is your Jimmy Choos. It’s because he is a dog and thinks its fun or may possibly be teething. React accordingly and provide him with alternatives like raw hide and chew toys. When it comes to discipline, focus on the good, not the bad. What that means is put the attention on rewarding good behavior as opposed to punishing bad behavior.

Animal experts say it is more important to put the attention on managing behavior with supervision and confinement in a pet-proof room or crate. This will teach your pet what good behaviors are and will inhibit the formation of bad habits. Pet experts also warn that negative discipline can hurt your relationship with your animal in the long run.

And lastly, when thinking of getting a new pet, do not go to a pet store! Please adopt. If you purchase a pet at a store, you increase the chance that the owners will get more animals from dangerous mills where animals are subjected to incessant breeding and abuse. If you really want to save an animal, experts say you should visit your local shelter or rescue group. Want a special breed of dog? Check out a dog at a reputable breeder or rescue a dog from a shelter that takes specific breeds. For example, visit The Greyhound Project’s Web site to find a Greyhound to rescue and adoption. The Humane Society of the United States offers information on finding a good breeder as well.

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