Pets For You

Owning a bird is one thing and taking care of them is a different matter. This is why every responsible bird owner should understand that there are certain things that must never be feed to the pet bird.

First one the list happens to be chocolate. Yes this delightful treat is great to eat but did you know that this has a disastrous effect on your pet bird’s digestive system? Most often it will cause the bird to suffer from diarrhea or vomiting. The problem then spreads from the digestive system to the central nervous system first by causing the bird to have seizures until eventually death.

Certain fruits should never be given to birds. These include apples, apricots, cherries, peaches and pears because the seeds of these fruits have trace amounts of cyanide which as we know is harmful. Aside form cyanide, there could also be other harmful chemicals present in the fruit if pesticides were used in making it grow.

One special fruit that should be mentioned and never given to your pet bird is the avocado. This is because the skin and the pit of this fruit may cause cardiac distress and heart failure in certain bird species. Since it is better to be safe than sorry, don’t even bother letting them try it.

Certain vegetables are also harmful for birds. Onion which we know as a flavoring causes digestive problems for birds. Mushrooms that are a type of fungus are also harmful because it can lead to respiratory distress, kidney failure and then death.

While some veterinarians and pet owners are concerned and concerned about giving pet birds certain vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes and other nightshades, there are some who say that it can be given without any harmful effects as long as it is cleaned and slice before giving it away.

A few drinks we humans take for granted must never be given to birds especially products that have either alcohol or caffeine content in them. This is because caffeine causes cardiac malfunction in birds and in some cases, may cause arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, hyperactivity, and increased heartbeat. Alcohol on the other hand depresses the bird’s organ systems which in turn may prove fatal.

Aside from water, it is best to give your bird some pure fruit or vegetable juice which also provides your pet bird its nutritional requirements.

Salt or any products that contain it should never be given to birds. This is because this often leads to dehydration, kidney dysfunction, thirst and death.

Lastly, you must never give your pet bird dry or raw beans because it contains a poison called hemaglutin. If you want to give it, make sure this is cooked first.

There are certain things that your pet bird can and cannot eat. Knowing what these are will ensure that they will live for a very long time rather than only surviving a week or even less which is pretty bad especially when you spend a great amount of money buying this and other accessories.

So what should you feed your pet bird? To play it safe, it will be a good idea to give them a diet consisting of seeds and pellets. If after an hour there is still some left, it is best to remove it and throw it away.

Ever came home or work up in the morning and noticed something different about your pet bird? If you sense there is something wrong, don’t ignore it but rather take this matter seriously before it is too late.

But how can you tell that there is something wrong with your pet bird? Well, a thorough observation always works and here is what you should watch out for.

Birds have droppings and if these are color yellow, rusty brown or tarry black, they could already be suffering from internal bleeding or something worse. If there is no change in the color check if this is happening more or less frequent.

The feathers of the birds could also be an indicator if something is wrong especially if these are fluffed out. When this happens, it is possible that they are already suffering from respiratory problems or other disorders. If this has happened for a day, better bring in your pet bird to the vet.

You might notice that is something is wrong when you look at the bird’s nose. If it appears to be red or shows any sign of inflammation or discharge, they could be seriously ill and bringing them to the vet may be their only hope of survival.

Looking into the eyes of the bird can tell you if they have a problem especially if it is a cloudy or there is a discharge. It is possible that they have a muscular, nervous or respiratory disorder and you will know not the answer unless they are brought in to the clinic.

If your pet bird does not eat that much as before, it could be a sign of intestinal blockage of impaction. While looking at their plate is one way to tell you if their appetite has been reduced, you can also do the same by looking at the bottom of the cage especially the color of the droppings.

Of the many problems that can happen to your pet bird, respiratory problems are number one and you can tell immediately if they start breathing from their mouth.

Birds are very clean creatures similar to cats but if their wings look dirty, it may mean that something is already wrong.

Weight loss can also tell you there is something wrong with the bird. While their feathers may hide that, you can still check on it by taking them out of the package and weighing them on scale. You should already have an idea how much they weight in order for this to work.

Tail bobbing is another sign which can tell you if something is wrong with the bird. If you don’t know what this is, basically the tail of the bird moves up and down frequently and since this is not normal for birds, this can tell you a great deal on the physical health of your bird.

Lastly, any changes in your pet bird’s vocalization can be a good indicator something is wrong. You just have to listen to them so you know when something is different.

Your pet bird is a sensitive creature and since they cannot tell you they are sick, you have to pay attention to the signs so you can take care of the problem in its early stages.

Imagine what it is like living in a cage? Chances are, you will feel bored after just a few minutes so you can probably understand how your pet bird feels like being locked the whole day. That is why to prevent them from doing anything harmful to themselves, you should know how to choose the right toys for them.

When looking for a toy, make sure that this is the right size for your bird. Small toys are not good for large birds because they could break this, swallow and choke on it.

One safe toy for both small and big birds is the swing. This will allow them to sway back and forth to pass the time.

If you want to give your bird some exercise, it will be nice to put a ladder which will enable them to climb up or down.

Large birds like to play with puzzles and mazes. As an added incentive, see to it that there are nuts inside which they can get as a reward for being able to finish the game.

Let’s say your bird loves to pluck its feathers. Now this can be harmful to them so the best toy to get is the kind that preened. Most of the preened toys are made of cotton fabric. The downside to using this is that type of toy is that it will eventually fray due to wear and tear.

When this happens, remove it immediately and have it replaced with a new one because the threads could tangle around their neck or toe.

An option to the preened toy made of cotton is the one made from feathers that are considered to be safer since loose threads will never happen.

Other toys you can give your pet bird include children’s wooden blocks, paper towel tubes and tongue depressors.

If one or two of the toys interest you and having more is better than having one or two around, you can create a play gym for your pet bird by buying several of these, putting it together and placing this inside their cage.

You should just be sure there is sufficient room so the bird can rest and do some other stuff when they don’t feel like playing.

Now that we know what toys are nice for the bird, it is important to know what toys are not safe for birds. These include mirrors or anything that has a reflective surface because this may make the bird bond to its own reflection thus no longer being tame and friendly to people.

Toys with small parts should never be given because they could swallow it and there could be fatal consequences. It should also not have any bells or split rings.

Your pet bird needs time to unwind and providing them with toys is one way to keep them from bring unhappy and bored especially when you are not around to be with them.

Most of these toys can be purchased from the toy store or grocery so will not have a hard time finding a few things to keep them busy until you get home. If you want toys exclusive for pet birds, try looking online and in other specialty stores. Just remember, the best toys to give them are those that are solidly built.

Pet birds are very sensitive in moving or changing locations. Small changes in the rooms can make a big impact on birds and can even stress them out. But sometimes moving is inevitable and travelling is unavoidable. There would be times when you cannot afford not to move. How can you make moving and travelling easy on your pet birds?

To make changing addresses easier on your pets, here are some tips to lessen stress:

• Moving is extremely stressful not just for pet owners but also for the pets as well. The birds will sense that something is going on just by seeing you packing and getting busy. This would already start the stress, so you can talk to your bird and explain things. Seeing your assuring face will somehow ease the stress. Your pets may not understand you, but they can read and understand your body movements. If you are calm, they would also calm down. It would be better to move your bird in a quiet and secure place while finishing the rest of the packing.

• Your companionship with your bird will give you hints if your pet bird is more sensitive than other birds. You can identify if your bird is a nervous traveller. There are also some birds who find riding a vehicle very enjoyable.

• Once the movers are already in your house and picking up your things, put the bird away in a quiet and calm place. Your pet bird should be the last to leave and should be in travel cages. Upon arriving in the new home, put the bird in a quiet place first before bringing the boxes and the things inside your home. To relax and calm the bird, you can play some music. This would also lessen the sounds coming from the unpacking.

• If moving to a new place requires a long drive, the stops should be kept to minimum. You can just buy food at a drive-thru. If you prefer eating in a restaurant, consider the weather conditions when leaving your pet in the car. It may get too cold or too hot for them to be left inside.

• If you are moving from state to another state, it would require a very long move. You also have to check the state regulations about your pets. Sometimes, a certain state might have laws that could prohibit your bird, especially if you are taking care of an exotic bird.

• For long distance moves, check hotels or motels you would be sleeping in if they have pet regulations. They can charge additional for bringing pets. You do not want to leave your pet outside in the car at the mercy of predators.

• Also when moving, whether it s state to state or just to another city, make sure to have a health certificate from your veterinarian. You would find this handy when getting a new vet in the new location you have moved to.

When travelling with your pets, preparation is an important factor. If you are going to fly for instance, it would require a great deal of preparation. Make sure that the airlines you are flying with allow birds, if it is international flight birds are mostly placed in cargo area. You have to make sure that the birds are comfortable throughout the flight.

Actually, you can help your pet get used to travelling, you can take it out in short day trips. Just remember that when taking your bird out for a drive, do not put him in the front seat. If the air bag suddenly opens, the impact could result to severe, even fatal, injuries.

When taking your pet bird out in car, be sensitive. There are some birds who prefer to have the cage covered, while there are some birds who would like to know what is happening around him. Be careful with the noise inside the car like the music and also be careful of the fumes they can inhale like air fresheners or cigarette smoke.

When travelling or moving, it is important to make sure that your pet birds are comfortable throughout the travelling period.

You cannot always entertain your pet bird, that is why your pet bird should have accessories and toys to entertain them. Actually bird toys and other cage accessories are not just there for boredom, they are also mental stimuli which help in the development of our avian companion. Birds are intelligent animals, the need an active environment to keep them active and healthy.

Birds without enough stimuli in their environment can lead to depression and behavioural issues. This is typical to caged birds who have stayed inside their cages for a long time. This is why bird owners are recommended to provide their birds enough time outside their cage. But it is unavoidable, let us say that pet owners are working from eight to ten hours a day. That is a long time for a bird to stay in a cage without other people to socialize with. This is where accessories and toys come in handy.

Challenging toys are great to enhance your bird’s intellect. This would include puzzle toys and other accessories which encourage problem-solving skills. Also choose toys which are very engaging, in loud and vibrant colors, toys with different kinds of textures, and toys that have sounds like bells.

When choosing bird toys, consider the size of your bird. Big birds can break small things with their beaks. While smaller birds can get overwhelmed by the accessories bigger than them.

There are also some necessary precautions that you need to know when getting toys for your birds. These items can also pose some danger to your animals. Your bird can get toxic substance poisoning from the toys. There are toys which have high zinc and lead content which can lead to heavy metal poisoning. Dyes and paints can also be sources o toxic materials.

Birds can also get entangled in some toys, while birds can chew and swallow some parts of it. Some toys which can cause entanglement are rope toys or hanging chain toys. Aside from being entangled with it, they can also get seriously injured by trying to get out of it on their own. Not only should you watch for ropes, chains and links, there are instances where toys have holes in them and your bird can get trapped in it.

So, upon purchase of a new toy, it should only be tried with the complete supervision of the owner. This would ensure that the bird would not get tangled or swallow any part of the new toy. There are items which a bird can swallow some parts o it, like wood, plastic and fabric toys. Also, there are periods where a bird undergoes a “teething stage” and tends to bite and eat anything that comes in contact. So, pet owners should be cautious during this period.

Here are some toys and accessories best avoided:

• Concrete perches claim that they were able to trim the bird’s nails authomticcalh. But the sad thing is that this product harms the birds feet and can leave nasty wounds and scratches.

• Mite protectors are said to help in shielding birds from parasites. This protectors emits fumes which can be bad to your bird’s health. When attacked by parasites you can help out the bird by bringing the, to vet or an avian professor immediately.

• There are some pet owners who choose to put a cover on the floor of the cage. It is best to avoid styro-coverings or similar to this. This kind of flooring may get into the digestive system of the bird once it starts picking and eating it.

Getting your pet bird accessories and toys are not just a treat, it is necessary to make sure that they are developing mentally and physically. But it is also important to take necessary precautions when choosing. We just don’t pick the one in bright red or green, we pick something since it is beneficial and safe for our avian family members.