UTH and belly burns

[Jhill001]

Not to mention that most people working in pet stores probably think they know how to care for the animals because they clean the cages. Every pet store I've been to has the tall multi units they are all set up the same way. The bulbs are usually crap or have been going forever losing UVB ( lizards and such ). Basically it adds up to half of the animals being too cold and dry or two hot and humid or too humid and cold or some other combination. I had to tell the girl at petsmart to mist the ball pythons they have as they had lots of stuck shed. She had no clue what the heck was going on with them. Each care sheet they send home with people says they need a light and a heat pad along with the dirt substrate etc in order to sell as much stuff as they can.

[bcr229]

The point though, is that if the goal of the pet store is to sell as much stuff as they can, why not upsell a thermostat and IR thermometer with everyone who comes in to purchase their first snake or even just a UTH? That way the store makes more money and hopefully animals don't get burned.

[Painted]

The point though, is that if the goal of the pet store is to sell as much stuff as they can, why not upsell a thermostat and IR thermometer with everyone who comes in to purchase their first snake or even just a UTH? That way the store makes more money and hopefully animals don't get burned.

Yeah, you'd think the pet stores would have caught on by now. It would save the animals' bellies and make the store more money as people (at least in my back-road city) would be dropping whatever it took to purchase a thermostat. Maybe if we sent a letter to Petsmart or another corporate pet business, they'd include some into their inventory. It would have to be a convincing letter or we'd have to buy a ton upfront.

Sigh. Thank God for the internet and the ability to ship real supplies.

[PitOnTheProwl]

My petstart and pet co here in SA have thermostats, not the greatest and over priced Zillas.
They do have them though.

[Painted]

My petstart and pet co here in SA have thermostats, not the greatest and over priced Zillas.
They do have them though.

None of ours do here in Louisville or the surrounding area. They have heat lamp thermostats- or what they call thermostats, but none for an under tank heaters. It's depressing.
Maybe that means you could order them online from Petsmart? Well never mind, that defeats the entire purpose of not ordering online but local availability. Crap, haha.

[bluellies]

I completely agree about UTH needing a thermostat. I can't believe that they don't have one built in. If it's marketed for reptiles, and every reptile has different needs, why is it not built in? If it's not included for personalization why do the pet stores, and their care sheets not carry/note it? I live in the Kansas City area and called 12 pet stores. 2 had thermostats and neither of them were exact temps (low, med, high). Our family is new to snakes and I'm livid as to the horrible information pet stores give out.

[Eric Alan]

Maybe if we sent a letter to Petsmart or another corporate pet business, they'd include some into their inventory. It would have to be a convincing letter or we'd have to buy a ton upfront.

Exactly which thermostat or thermostats would you be petitioning for them to carry? One similar in quality to a Hydrofarm that many people say is too unsafe or one similar in quality to a Herpstat that many people say is too expensive? Just curious.

Also, here's a screenshot I just took of their website. Notice the first item that comes up when you go to the "Menu - Reptiles - Supplies - Humidity & Temperature Controls" page:


That particular one says it's online only. But, as Pit said, they do have at least one other one in some of their stores. It's not like they're clueless.

Thermostats are just a tough sell to the mass market - despite their importance. Unless the heat pad companies start recommending them in an obvious way on their packaging (and I don't see that happening), first time reptile owners will view them as just another added expense to their growing receipt total.

[Eric Alan]

Our family is new to snakes and I'm livid as to the horrible information pet stores give out.

You've done the right thing by coming here and trying to educate yourself. I wish more people would do the same before becoming pet owners.

Why rely on part-time retail sales people to be able to teach you everything you need to know about an animal that's going to rely on you for its care? Some can, and they are to be treasured - the rest may only know the basics. Don't learn the hard way which are which (and don't think for a second it has much to do with what store they work in - both kinds are found in big boxes and mom & pops alike).

[bluellies]

You've done the right thing by coming here and trying to educate yourself. I wish more people would do the same before becoming pet owners

This. When my daughter told me she wanted a snake I started researching. I let her know what the cost would be, that it was a lifetime commitment, etc. I then took her to buy supplies. This is when I found that many items were online only purchases. I'm very glad we live in the age of the internet and can double and triple check information.

[Painted]

Exactly which thermostat or thermostats would you be petitioning for them to carry? One similar in quality to a Hydrofarm that many people say is too unsafe or one similar in quality to a Herpstat that many people say is too expensive? Just curious.

Also, here's a screenshot I just took of their website. Notice the first item that comes up when you go to the "Menu - Reptiles - Supplies - Humidity & Temperature Controls" page:


That particular one says it's online only. But, as Pit said, they do have at least one other one in some of their stores. It's not like they're clueless.

Thermostats are just a tough sell to the mass market - despite their importance. Unless the heat pad companies start recommending them in an obvious way on their packaging (and I don't see that happening), first time reptile owners will view them as just another added expense to their growing receipt total.

Hello, sorry for the frighteningly late response, haha.

Hm, as for what I would ask for an in-store thermostat? I am honestly not sure, I'd actually prefer to take other's advice on that one. The only thermostat I've ever worked with is from Vivarium Electronics and it was a bit more expensive that what most people would look into at PetsMart. I'm kind of curious as to what cheaper thermostats are recommended in the hobby!