Caring for your reptiles, amphibians and tarantulas is rather simple. Usually their diet does not need any alteration. Crickets, meals worms, wax worms or any other type of worms are acceptable, but be careful about the food you feed the insects as many of them contain grains. Most containers that worms come in are not a problem since the insects are usually placed in wood shavings. Some distributers do use wheat flakes, bran or oatmeal, so be sure to check with your local pet store. For those unique pet owners with more exotic pets, there are solutions for you as well. I personally own a hedgehog who is a lovely part of my family. He is fed cat food during the year and, therefore, I use approved for Passover cat food year round. Snake owners can continue to feed their pets mice or rats as long as there are no additives.

The iguana owners should be aware that their pet is an herbivore and should not have a problem finding them food. Ask an iguana breeder or pet store which vegetables are suitable for your iguana. “Floating sticks,” which are generally fed to turtles, may not be acceptable. In exchange, feeder fish may be fed to the turtle for the duration of the eight days.

A rather new unique pet on the market is the sugar glider. Sugar glider foods do contain chametz. However, your sugar glider can be fed vegetables such as apples, pears and sweet potatoes. Sugar gliders must get protein in their diet that can easily be substituted with crickets or mealworms.

Wishing you and your pets a very happy v’kasher Pesach!