Tips When Using Paint for Your Reptile Enclosure

Whether it’s the smiley face of a Leopard Gecko or the quiet power of a ball python, a reptile can often be an underappreciated pet. But those who love them love spoiling them.

If you’re looking for a way to treat your reptile, the idea of creating a new, elaborate enclosure for them may have crossed your mind. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to paint your enclosure. You just need to follow these tips when using paint for your reptile enclosure.

Choose the Right Paint

Paint Type

Safety is the key consideration when using paint in a reptile enclosure. Avoid choosing paints loaded down with VOCs and opt for highly durable types instead. Higher-gloss products are usually preferred for their durability and washability. 

Paint Color

White

The primary benefit of white paint is that it shows messes more readily. This makes life easier when cleaning your enclosure because you can see where you need to focus your attention. However, from an aesthetic perspective, some prefer to downplay the messes of their pet enclosure rather than highlighting them.

Black

Black has the opposite effect because it makes messes less obvious. Additionally, it has the benefit of absorbing heat. This makes your pet’s space warmer without using as much electricity. However, it also makes the tank darker, which could be less than ideal for species that require more light, such as tortoises.

Natural Colors

Reptiles can see all the colors humans can and then some, and a reptile may respond to certain colors differently. These preferences will differ depending on the experiences of individual animals, but some will favor hues that reflect the environments they came from. For instance, you may choose beige paints to reflect desert sands or browns and greens to mimic a forest floor.

Protip

Before you pick a color for your enclosure, try exposing your reptile to different ones and watch their reactions. If certain hues seem to stress them out, lean toward other choices.

Prepare the Surface

Even with quality paint and sealer, the durability of your paint job will depend on how well you prepared the surface. Before you paint, make sure to thoroughly clean and dry out the enclosure. Then, apply a coat of a pet-friendly primer, allowing it to dry completely before painting.

Keep Your Reptile Out of the Way

Naturally, you don’t want your reptile to consume paints. Before you start the process, make sure you have a temporary enclosure in a different room where your pet can stay until its original home is ready. Even using pet-friendly paint, you don’t want to allow your pet back into the enclosure until the surfaces are completely dry.

From lizards to geckos, snakes to turtles, ECOS Paints wants you to have everything you need to give your reptile a happy home. That’s why we have high-gloss, pet-friendly paints in a variety of colors to appeal to every scaly friend.