Tarantula health and wellness: Care tips for pet tarantulas

One important fact for any prospective tarantula owner in the UK is that veterinary treatment for tarantulas can be challenging to locate. Unlike more common pets such as cats and dogs, most veterinary practices do not specialise in exotic animals like spiders, so you may need to plan ahead to find the right expertise.

Standard veterinary training in the UK tends to focus on domesticated mammals, meaning that if your tarantula becomes unwell, you might have to travel some distance to find a specialist vet. Alternatively, experienced arachnid keepers or zoo professionals can often provide valuable support and advice.

This makes it all the more necessary to create the ideal habitat and care routine for your tarantula, to help it remain healthy and happy without frequent veterinary intervention.

Common causes of illness in pet tarantulas

Despite their delicate appearance, tarantulas are generally hardy creatures if kept correctly. The main health risks they face include injuries from falls or escapes, and dehydration due to inadequate environmental humidity.

Preventing and treating dehydration

Tarantulas usually obtain much of their water from their prey and may rarely be seen drinking. However, it is vital to provide a clean, shallow water dish that is refilled regularly to maintain hydration. The water also helps maintain humidity inside the enclosure, which is crucial for your tarantula's wellbeing.

To keep the humidity suitable, lightly misting the substrate and monitoring ventilation are helpful. If you notice your tarantula hovering over its water dish without drinking, this is a sign it may be too dry and attempting to absorb moisture from the water.

Signs of dehydration include a shrunken abdomen, lethargy, curled legs, and a hunched posture. Immediate action is necessary to prevent worsening of the condition.

You can create a simple humidifying environment by placing your tarantula in a small ventilated container with water-saturated paper towels, somewhere warm but not hot. Within 24 hours, the condition should improve, while you adjust the main enclosure’s humidity and water availability.

Injury management: Handling blood loss and damage

If your tarantula has an injury that causes bleeding, such as a fall or snag, even small blood loss can be dangerous as they have limited blood volume. You can treat external wounds using a specialist skin adhesive or, in emergencies, superglue to stop bleeding and allow healing.

Dealing with lost legs

Losing a leg can happen due to injury or moulting complications but is not normally fatal as tarantulas have eight legs. If bleeding occurs from the wound, apply skin adhesive immediately. The lost leg will often regenerate during the next moult, although the new limb may look smaller or less hairy initially.

Safe handling of sick or injured tarantulas

Remember that any pain or illness can make your tarantula defensive and more prone to biting. They also become more fragile and at risk of further injury.

Always handle your tarantula with extreme care, wearing gloves for protection. A helpful technique is to place your spider in a small, ventilated container in the fridge for a short period, making it lethargic and easier to manage safely.

By consistently providing optimal environmental conditions and cautious handling, you can greatly reduce health risks for your tarantula, ensuring it leads a long, healthy life.

For more information on finding tarantulas for sale or acquiring pet tarantulas responsibly, and advice on care, always seek reputable sources and experienced breeders or keepers.