PETS Info Blog

We hear so much about adopting a dog or cat but rarely hear about adopting a bird. Birds are wonderful pets that provide comfort, companionship and entertainment.

In 2002, ASPCA declared that January would be dedicated to finding happy homes for the thousands of companion birds that are abandoned annually. These precious feathered friends will fly into your home and capture your heart.

There are countless breeds of birds to adopt. Do your research to learn which type would fit into your lifestyle for a long and rewarding relationship with your feathered friend. Some of the things to consider before adopting are cost, noise level, space and commitment. We have written a little about the five most popular breeds to get you started.

Parakeets/Budgies

Parakeets are the most popular pet birds, they offer the companionship without the burden of a 50 year plus commitment. If you have never before owned a bird or have children the parakeet would be a good choice for you. They require less space and maintenance than larger bird species. These little beautifully colored birds are quite intelligent and affectionate. Most are content to sing and whistle but don’t be surprised if they learn to say a word or two. With time and patients they will love to be stroked, held and talked to. They will require around thirty minutes a day of interaction with you. Parakeets are drawn to shiny things (a mirror is a must), things that make noise, and objects they can move around with their beaks or feet. The average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.

Cockatiels

These Australian natives are colorful medium sized and members of the parrot family. Their advanced whistling and singing abilities are remarkable. They are capable of talking but prefer to whistle and mimic sounds. Cockatiels can be very vocal when they wake up, before they go to sleep and if you have been out for a while and come home to them. They can get spoiled and learn now to control you with their excessive screaming. This behavior occurs because they are extremely social birds. Males are a bit more vocal where the females are fairly quiet. A single bird will be more attached to their owner and will be more demanding of your attention. Getting two birds will help give them the socializing they require. The average life expectancy is 15 to 20 years.

Finches and Canaries

Finches and Canaries are good choices for a family with children or older adults since they require less maintenance and prefer to stay in a cage. Canaries are famous for their singing while Finches are known for their extraordinary colors and markings. They are not usually finger-tamed and need the largest cage you can afford so they have plenty of room. Most finches need to be in pairs one male, one female or large groups. Canaries on the other hand, have a reputation of needing to be housed alone. The male canary sings only to attract a mate, so there will be less singing if a female is present. If you must keep a single male make sure he has a large cage to fly around and several toys to entertain himself. These little birds thrive in small flocks and do not need much human interaction. They are perfect pets for those who love to watch birds. Finches and canaries tend to be messy eaters so it would be wise to place their cage in an area that can be easily cleaned up. They are charming, captivating, peaceful to watch and can live for up to 10 years.

Lovebirds

Some say the Lovebirds are the most preferred pet bird. Many people believe lovebirds must be kept in pairs but this is not true. A single lovebird bonds to you rather than to another lovebird making a better pet. If less interaction is what you want and you are away from home a lot then get two. Lovebirds will play endlessly and are quite the clowns. Lovebirds are a small parrot with the same intelligence and abilities of larger parrots. They need plenty of toys to keep them from getting bored. Be aware of their ability to escape their own cages to play around the house. And watch your buttons as they love to pull them off! They love to snuggle and preen. Lovebirds can learn to mimic sounds and have been know to speak on occasion. These birds are fairly quiet companions, making them ideal for those who live in apartments or condominiums. The Lovebird has a life expectancy of up to 20 years.

African Greys

African Greys have been said to be the most intelligent of birds but are not for everyone! A home with small children would not be recommended. They require a large commitment of your time, effort, patience and attention. For good mental health they need three hours out of their cage daily and 45 minutes of physical interaction. These birds are very strong and they can bite with their strong pointed beak. A lot of stimulating toys are needed due to their high intelligence and to avoid boredom. Have several toys so they can be switched and rotated regularly to keep them constantly stimulated. If your African Grey does not interact with different people regularly they will bond to one person and be shy around strangers. Most greys do not start speaking until 2 years old and have the capacity to have a vocabulary of over 2000 words. Do not choose an African Grey for their ability to speak since you will get no guarantee of that happening. It has been said that they can mimic well which is true but they can actually learn to speak in sentences and answer questions. Adequate space is required for a larger cage to accommodate your bird. They are full of character and are more human than some will admit. They are cautious birds but once you win the trust of an African Grey they will become your best friend. Greys typically live 50-70 years.

Be a responsible pet owner and take your bird to your vet for proper care. Remember birds can live for quite a while, but dirty cages and poor nutrition can shorten their life span.

Visit your local shelter or visit bird adoption to find your new forever friend.

Parrots make great pets because they’re beautifully colored and have the unique ability to imitate human voices. Importantly, parrots are intelligent, which makes them sociable and affectionate companions that require stimulation beyond a few toys or a couple of minutes’ playtime at the end of your workday.

So one of the most important things to consider before buying a parrot is how much time you can give to him or her. Parrots’ life spans, (particularly large parrots) rival human life spans, and so buying a parrot means gaining a companion for life.

Research suggests that a parrot’s time is divided up between eating, resting and playing. While you can diversify her diet by offering things like mineral chew stones and seed toys, you can really bond with your pet during play time. Try not to leave your parrot unattended or in silence for too many hours of the day as this can result in a bored or depressed bird. During work hours, turn on the radio softly, and try to look in on him during lunch times.

At the same time, parrots have adapted incredibly well to living in parrot cages (kind of like “her cage is her castle”), and even to having their wings clipped, in part because they live very well in company and bond easily with their owners. You can keep your parrot entertained with a wide range of toys, made from wood, leather and rope, and consider making your own from champagne corks, envelopes, string, toilet rolls or bells. Remember to ensure that there are no colorants or sharp items that can harm your bird.

It’s important to exercise your parrot. You can do this in your house or in the garden, depending on your set up. Get smooth, non-poisonous branches as perches for him, and offer him new experiences such as taking a bath, meeting insects in the garden or letting him climb a safe piece of furniture. You’ll find that your parrot will slot in with your routine – going to bed when you cover his cage at night, and waking up when you stir in the mornings – making him a cheerful, easy companion to live with and returning your affection tenfold.

 

Anyone who owns a pet rabbit knows that the animals need space to play and exercise in order to stay healthy. Exercise time can, to a certain extent, be provided by an outside run or letting the rabbit roam the house (supervised). It’s important to have a hutch that provides enough room for your rabbit to move around freely though, otherwise it may suffer both mentally and physically.

Despite this, many rabbit owners still used old fashioned hutches that were designed to be used when breeding rabbits for food. These hutches were designed to be small and relatively in order to “fatten up” the animal. It goes without saying that these don’t provide the space and comfort that a pet rabbit needs!

There is still some confusion about the size of rabbit hutch that a pet owner should be, and research is still ongoing. This can make it difficult for pet owners as there is a lot of conflicting information. It does depend on the size of the rabbit – a single dwarf doesn’t require as much room as larger breeds – but there are some general guidelines to follow. The following were recommended by the RSPCA, although they are currently undertaking more research into the “ideal” hutch:

Rabbits need to be able to stand up fully as well as move around freely. Many hutches have low roofs, so keep this in mind when choosing one.

Aside from standing up, the rabbit should be able to lie outstretched in all directions. It should also be able to take several hops in any direction, and turn around without bumping into something.

It’s important to keep in mind that these guidelines should apply when the rabbit is fully grown. The RSPCA recommends buying a hutch that will last the lifetime of the rabbit, rather than a “starter” home and a larger “adult” home.

Aside from the size of the hutch, there are a number of other considerations. The hutch should be made up of both a shelter and a living area. The living area is where the rabbit can hop around, eat, and play, while the shelter is a place where it can feel secure and rest. If you keep several rabbits in the same hutch, they should all be able to rest in the shelter at the same time. The shelter is particularly important for rabbits kept in outdoor hutches, as it provides shelter from the environment and a place to hide if there are any predators around.