How to care for frogs

Frogs can be great pets. They don't shed hair on the floor and they're confined to a relatively small part of the house. They don't pee on the carpet and if kept properly, they generally have a hard time running away.

There are many kinds of frogs that are available for you to keep as a pet.  If you’re keeping frogs or planning on keeping frogs, it is important to learn the proper practices of frog care.  From environment, diet, health, and more, you should know what to expect.  Here are some common ideas that you should follow for optimal outcome for your frogs.

Read on to learn how to care for frogs.

Aquarium for your frogs

To care for frogs properly, it is a good idea to contain your frogs in a tank that is all aquatic or a tank that is part aquatic and part land.  When you purchase your frogs, make sure you understand what type of aquarium is best for that particular kind of frog.  The breed of frog is very important when determining the type of environment in which it should be living.  

Whatever kind of frog you purchase, emember to cover the aquarium tightly so that the frogs don’t get out.  It is recommended to use a screen as a top for ventilation.

Conditions

Frogs should be kept in a spot that doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight.  Extreme temperatures should be avoided as well. The temperature should be regulated with heat lamps and water heaters.  The temperature ranges should be from room temperature to 80 degrees, depending on the type of frog living in the environment.

Remember to maintain the water when it is needed.  Change the water as it gets dirty.  Clean water with no chlorine should be present for the frogs on a regular basis.  It is ideal to change the water about ever three to four days.  Changing the water too often will disturb the frogs, but twice a week should be enough.

Your frog's diet

The food that a frog will require depends on the breed and size of the frog.  Crickets, mealworms, larvae, and other insects are a good choice for most frogs, but check with the store for proper diet solutions.  If you have a bigger frog, it may need to feed on baby mice.  Although frogs have a preference for food that is alive and moving, it can be supplemented with vitamins.  Remember that with most animals, you shouldn’t over feed your frogs.  For good measure, frogs normally eat all that they need to in about 15 minutes.

Illness

You should regularly monitor your frogs for illness.  A common disease that frogs can have is red leg disease.  Exactly as the name depicts, the underside and legs of a frog will become red.  If you notice this or anything else off with your frogs, please contact your vet for treatment.  Simple cuts or skin abnormalities can be treated by you if you get some tips from your vet on the proper treatment.

Frog behavior

There are a few interesting things about frogs that you should know.  Many frogs hibernate.  They simply stay still for long periods of time and will try to screen themselves.  If this is the case for your frogs, don’t disturb them during their hibernation period.  As long as your frogs are breathing as it is still, there is nothing for you to worry about.  Also remember that frogs can molt.  Don’t mistake this for a sign of illness as it is completely normal.  Before obtaining your frogs, inquire about typical behavior in that particular breed.  By doing this, it will be easier to know if something isn’t right with your frogs.

Handling frogs

If it can be avoided, handling your frogs shouldn’t happen regularly.  This can harm and shock the frogs.  Gloves should be worn if your frogs require handling.  The salt from bare hands can hurt a frog.  With or without gloves, you should always wash your hands before and after coming in contact with the frogs.  This will minimize any harm that can come to you or your frogs.

Keeping frogs can be fun and enjoyable if you give them the proper care and environment to engage in normal activity.  Frogs vary in breeds and you have the ability to choose the one(s) that you want.  Will all the different varieties to choose from, the basics on how to care for frogs is essentially the same.  Because properly kept frogs can live 4-15 years, you’ll be able to keep your pet for a long time!