Stress Relief Solutions for Exotic Pets: From Birds to Reptiles

A veterinarian helping a smooth snake shed its skin
Dr.MYM/Shutterstock.com

Written by Kathryn Koehler

Published: January 16, 2025

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The market is flooded with calming aids for cats and dogs, but what about our more exotic pets? Stress manifests differently in our scaled, finned, feathered, and little furry (think rodents) friends. From feather plucking to Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), exotic pets express environmental stress in ways that can leave their people feeling anxious. Fear not! Calming aids for amphibians, birds, fish, reptiles, and rodents are readily available. Continue reading to learn more about stress relief for exotic pets!

Matricalm for Birds

This liquid supplement is easily added to your bird’s feed.

You’ve noticed the bare spots and the feathers at the bottom of the cage. Feather plucking in birds is a sign that they might be stressed. Screaming (who knew?) is another. NHV Natural Pet’s Matricalm is a dietary supplement for birds that is a natural blend of herbs that reduces aggression and anxiety, resulting in a calmer pet. (Matricalm is available for all sorts of pets, including the more traditional furry ones.) Customer reviews are encouraging. Macaw owners seem to be the most vocal, praising the supplement’s performance, as well as the excellent customer service provided by NHV. If your bird is plucking or screaming, head over to NHV for a dose of Matricalm. Find it for $44.95.

Exotic Nutrition Pet Supply Company Calming Glove

Tiny little fur friends will find the calming glove inviting.

The tiniest of fur friends can have big anxiety. From loud noises to bright lights, rodents and marsupials (think sugar gliders) are easily startled/stressed. Unlike birds who will pluck their feathers, or fish who shed scales, stress is not as evident in these little critters, which have evolved to mask their anxiety. Even handling these adorable little fur balls can be stressful to them. But Exotic Nutrition has got you covered. Literally. Their soft calming glove covers your hand, giving your little buddy a nice, soft place to curl up. This machine-washable fleece glove promotes stronger, faster bonding, too. See what other nifty products can be found at Exotic Nutrition, besides the must-have calming glove, which is $9.95 and one size fits all.

Fluker’s Liquid Vitamin

Reptiles and amphibians benefit from vitamins just like humans.

Fluker Farms is a family-owned breeding operation. The Flukers started out breeding crickets before expanding to mealworms, hissing cockroaches, and worms for feeding and baiting. They have since expanded to sell reptile products of all sorts. From feed to lamps, Fluker Farms has everything the reptile enthusiast needs, even a multi-vitamin! The farmers at Fluker’s understand that vitamin deficiencies can promote stress (which can manifest as disease) in reptiles and amphibians. Their liquid vitamin supplement provides essential support for bearded dragons, geckos, chameleons, boas, ball pythons, monitors, frogs, corn snakes, etc. Slither on over to Fluker Farms for their vitamin supplement, available for $14.33, and more.

VitaGlow

This food supplement acts as a calming aid, improving the overall health of all pets.

Proper nutrition is the foundation of a healthy, happy pet, and Exotic Nutrition’s VitaGlow will keep your exotic pet glowing from the inside out. VitaGlow is a multi-purpose vitamin-rich food supplement that promotes the overall well-being of small mammals (sugar gliders, hedgehogs, degus, squirrels, rats) and larger ones (chinchillas, guinea pigs, skunks, opossums, prairie dogs, rabbits). According to the overwhelmingly positive reviews, most pets like this apple-flavored supplement. Get your bottle of VitaGlow for $7.95 at Exotic Nutrition.

Vetericyn Plus® Antimicrobial Reptile Wound and Skin Care

Wound care for reptiles has never been easier, thanks to Vetericyn Reptile Care.

From heat-lamp burns to cuts and scratches from objects in their habitats, scaly reptiles sometimes suffer from skin ailments. Providing relief and healing, Vetericyn Plus® Reptile Wound & Skin Care cleans, debrides, irrigates, and moisturizes your reptile’s wounds. The non-toxic, non-stinging formula allows for use on all parts of your reptile, including eyes, nose, and mouth. Vetericyn Plus® Reptile Wound & Skin Care is suggested for minor wounds, lamp burns, abnormal shedding, scale rot, and for cleaning post-surgical incisions. The customer reviews are spectacular. For tree frogs, chameleons and even water dragons, owners praise the efficacy of Vetericyn Plus® Antimicrobial Reptile Wound and Skin Care, available for $15.99) here.

API Stress Coat +

This water detoxifier promotes healthy finned friends.

Anyone who has ever owned an aquarium or fish bowl understands that water quality is essential to the health of your swimmers. API Stress Coat + has a history of improving the quality of your tap water by removing chlorine and heavy metals. Stress Coat + also contains aloe vera, which aids in healing skin wounds. Stress Coat + is recommended for aquarium start-ups, regular water changes/cleaning, upon adding fish to an existing set-up, and when netting or handling are required. It’s also appropriate for both fresh and saltwater (marine) aquariums but is not compatible with protein skimmers. Available in sizes from one ounce ($2.28) to five gallons ($34.50), API Stress Coat is a clear winner.

Pet Remedy Reptile Calming Kit

Based in the United Kingdom, Pet Remedy gives your reptile a leg up in emotional and biological stability.

Including six wipes and a topical spray, the Pet Remedy Reptile Calming Kit’s active ingredients are valerian oil, vetiver, sweet basil, and clary sage. This plant-based remedy mimics gamma amino butyric acid, which is a naturally occurring agent present in birds, mammals, and reptiles.  The spray and wipes work through scent, giving your reptile immediate relief. Customers are thrilled by the results they are seeing in their reptiles (as well as more traditional pets including cats, dogs, rabbits, and horses). Discover more about Pet Remedy‘s reptile calming kit, available for $17.


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About the Author

Kathryn Koehler

Kathryn Koehler is a writer at A-Z-Animals where her focus is on unusual animals, places, and events. Kat has over 20 years of experience as a professional writer and educator. She holds a master's degree from Vanderbilt University. When she is not writing for A-Z-Animals, Kat enjoys puttering in her garden, baking deliciously healthful treats for her family, and playing with her two rescue mutts, Popcorn and Scooter. She resides in Tennessee.

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