When you have a reptile in your home, you need to make sure they have a clean and safe environment. Clean reptile enclosures keep your reptile comfortable and happy, protecting it from possible diseases.
Feces buildup, decaying food, and other dirt in the reptile tanks attracts germs, bacteria, and viruses. The reptile risks suffering diseases like leptospirosis, salmonella, and ulcerative dermatitis, among others. Cleaning and disinfecting your reptile space is the best way to eliminate the available bacteria and germs.
Cleaning promotes proper air circulation in the reptile tank. Adequate air circulation eliminates a strong, foul smell from the reptile’s cage. A clean and comfortable cage makes reptiles change strange behaviors like lethargy or aggression.
Cleaning an enclosure too often can cause your reptile to become uncomfortable and distressed. You need to know just how often you should be cleaning their enclosure. Proper timing makes the chore reasonable and can prevent the reptile from becoming aggressive.
Here is some information about beneficial cleaning schedules:
Daily Cleanings
Daily cleaning is key to keeping your reptile enclosure safe. The everyday cleaning work should take less time to avoid unnerving the reptile.
Daily cleanings of a reptile cage do not require using many cleaning supplies.
You should empty the food and water bowls used by the reptile each day. You should replace dirty, dented, and cracked dishes with new clean ones.
Cleaning your reptile food and water bowl does not have to be a demanding task. Use hot water to clean the accessories. Pour the water into the dishes or bowl, and allow it to sit for some time. The trick verifies that the bacteria and dirt inside the dishes loosen up quickly.
A scrub brush is the best tool to clean your reptile food and water dishes. Stiff bristles of the scrub brush make sure more efficient and thorough cleaning. Finish by rinsing your reptile’s bowl or dishes with warm water.
Other daily cleaning tasks include removing the reptile’s shed skin and fecal matter. The tasks also prevent more germs and bacteria from building up in the terrarium.
Weekly Cleanings
Weekly cleanings are more thorough and can take longer than daily cleanings. The weekly cleanings may require you to remove the reptile from the cage. Consider having an extra tank to accommodate your reptile during the cleaning process.
Disinfecting the surfaces in the enclosure should be part of the weekly cleanings. The method helps to eliminate stubborn bacteria, viruses, and germs much faster.
Organic matter accumulation can hinder smooth weekly cleaning activities. Getting rid of organic matter is beneficial for faster and more thorough weekly cleanings. Organic matter in your reptile cage can include:
- Decaying plants
- Shed skin
- Fecal matter
- Urinate
You can use detergents to clean the surfaces in your reptile’s enclosure. Finish by rinsing and drying the cleaned surfaces before returning the reptile to the tank.
Monthly Cleanings
Monthly cleanings of reptile enclosures involve deep cleaning. Deep cleaning goes beyond wiping the surfaces in the enclosure.
You will need to thoroughly scrub and disinfect all the surfaces in the tank. Deep cleaning removes all the stubborn dirt accumulated inside the enclosure.
Monthly cleanings require the reptile to be removed from the tank. Make sure that you use hot or warm water to clean the enclosure.
The terrarium can challenge you while doing a deep cleaning. Lifting the terrarium can cause it to break, leading to extra expenses. The best way to clean the terrarium easier and faster is to move it near the sink.
You can move a trash bin near the terrarium if you can’t move it near the sink. Using hot water and soap, scrub all the stuck dirt on the terrarium’s back.
You should get rid of the bedding and substrate in the terrarium. Once you scrub the enclosure, rinse it with warm and clean water, and allow it to dry.
Clean Reptile Enclosures For Your Pet
Cleaning reptile enclosures requires knowing the right timing. Daily, weekly, and monthly cleanings can keep your pet’s enclosure healthy.
Always have the right items to clean your reptile enclosure fast and efficiently. These items include an apron, face mask, sponges, a toothbrush with stiff bristles, detergents, and disposable gloves. Get your reptile enclosure supplies from a reputable store to provide the best care for your pet.
