Oh, so you think your pet isn’t human? You think humans are the only ones that can feel the loss of a loved one?

While we obviously don’t know for sure - think about it. If pets eat like we do, sleep like we do, have the same body make up (within) like we do, cry when in pain like we do, then why won’t they too feel the pain of a loved one like humans do?

It is sad that many humans think they are the only ones that are qualified to feel sad, happy or grieve when the loss a loved one.

If your pet can feel happy when there is the cause to, then why do you think it can’t feel sad and grieve when there is cause to?

Why won’t your pet moan when the closest pet to it has just died. Now it has to stay alone, play alone, sit alone, eat alone, etc. It will definitely feel the loss of the other and this will be manifest in its behavior.

Or you think because your pet can’t speak to you and tell you how it feels, then it doesn’t mourn?

Fact is this - when one of your pet dies and the other starts behaving in ways such as - eating less; loss of interest in things that it used to feel interest in staying aloof from you and others; not sleeping where it used to sleep, staying silent most of the time, etc.

All these are signs that your pet is silently grieving the loss of the other pet. If the pet isn’t really sure whether the other one died or not, it could be hoping that the other pet will return.

What should you do when this happens?

Nothing much than to wait for time to heal the heart of this grieving pet.

Like humans, pets also feel the loss of a fellow pet, but get over this loss after some time. Time, they say, heals all wounds - in humans and even in pets.

So, when one of your pet dies and the other feels the loss so much, don’t fret too much about it - this pet will get over it in due time. Some pets heal within a few weeks, while some last for many weeks and even months before they forget about the loss of their fellow pals.

What you can do is to give your pet all the necessary support, care and tenderness it needs to get over the loss in good time.

In other words, do everything you can to take the mind of your pet away from her object of worry. Engage her in those activities that she normally loves to do. If your pet is one that loves to have other pets to play with, then invite your friend over and have them bring their pets.

Best of all, you can buy another pet to keep your pet from feeling too lonely. With time she will eventually forget about the loss of the previous one.

Do all these and your pet can feel better despite the loss of its previous pal.

For more information please visit www.five95ebooks.com/Pet_Loss.html and see how you can learn more about dealing with the loss of your pet. To see our growing list of other $5.95 eBooks, please visit www.Five95eBooks.com

I know there are differing opinions on the subject of well-bird check ups. Some people believe in having your apparently healthy parrot checked out once a year by a qualified avian vet, while others claim that taking a health bird into a vet office exposes them to “germies” they might not otherwise be exposed to. I am not going to lecture you on either. That is your choice. I am lucky enough to have a mobile avian vet that visits my house and I do have my parrots checked out once a year. But, you do what you think is right.

If you do take your bird in for a well bird check-up, here are some things that should be included:

Visual check: Looking at the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. and making sure things appear as they should.

The touchy feely test: Feeling the bird to see if there are any lumps or other abnormalities the vet can feel.

Weight: Weight should be taken, in grams, every time.

Grooming: Wing and Nail trims, if needed.

Gram stain: The poop test - to make sure there are no bad things in the poopie.

Blood Work: Maybe. Possibly a chlamydia blood test and a complete blood panel. You don’t have to have these done every time. Ask your vet their opinion. Sometimes the vet may recommend more specific tests. And, just for the record, the bird does not have to be given anesthesia or “put under” to take a simple blood sample.

Ask Questions: Be sure to discuss any changes in behavior, health or diet related issues.

If your bird is not acting right, is tired a lot, lethargic, isn’t eating like normal, has a nasal or eye discharge, or just sits there all “poofed” out, you need to get to an avian vet as fast as you can. I mean today - not tomorrow. Better to be safe than sorry. So, repeat after me, “If my bird looks or acts sick, I will RUN not walk to my avian veterinarian.” Birds generally do not look or act sick until they are REALLY sick. They can take a turn for the worst very quickly.

Finding a vet
If you do not already have an avian vet, look in your local phone directory. Give them a call and see how many birds they treat. I know of several that advertise that they treat birds but only see a few per year.

You can also use these site to find an avian vet in your area.

The Association of Avian Veterinarians - Searchable
http://www.aav.org/vet-lookup/

The Association of Avian Veterinarians - more complete listing
http://www.aav.org/activemembers.html

or

The directory at Birds n Ways
American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Certified in Avian Practice: http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/abvpvets.htm

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Photographing pets can often be a difficult proposition. Add
water, glass reflections and the low lighting of an aquarium
environment, and you’ve got the recipe for one extremely
difficult photo shoot.

But it doesn’t have to be that hard. Armed with the following
tips, you can get great photos of your fish in just about any
situation.

1: Get a tripod.

Tripods are usually used for non-moving subjects. But they can
be immensely helpful when photographing fish, even ones that are
constantly moving. Low light levels lead to slow shutter speeds.
So anything you can do to stabilize the camera will be of
tremendous help. The best way to photograph moving fish with
your camera on a tripod is to loosen the levers on the tripod so
you can move the camera freely left, right, up and down but the
camera will remain in position if left alone.

2: Get your fish acquainted with the camera.

Now that you have a tripod (since you faithfully followed the
first tip), set it up in front of your aquarium with the camera
mounted on the tripod. Now leave it. For as long as possible…
several days would be ideal. The purpose of this exercise is to
get the fish used to seeing the “thing” you’re constantly moving
around, pointing it at them and making noises. When they’re
comfortable with the sight of the camera, they’ll be more
relaxed and less prone to dart around the tank or hide.

3: Use a digital camera.

Digital cameras allow us to “just take the picture” without
worrying about whether we’re wasting the film and processing
money on a shot that won’t be good. When you can focus on
getting the best shot possible, no matter how many tries it
takes, you’re on the right track to get the shot you want.

4: Turn off the lights in the room.

Ambient light causes reflections on the tank glass that may ruin
a perfectly good fish photograph. Eliminate all sources of
ambient light that you can, and be very aware of any reflections
as you shoot. If there are some reflections you can’t get rid
of, try putting your body between the light source and the glass
to shield the tank from the light.

5: Clean the glass, cut the pumps.

Turning off the aquarium pumps before you shoot is an excellent
way to clean up your shots of particles and bubbles in the water
column. and if you happen to have a planted freshwater tank or
reef aquarium, this will also prevent the plants or corals from
swaying in your picture, turning into a blurry mess.

Cleaning the glass is probably the most overlooked step to
aquarium photography, and quite possible is responsible for more
ruined photos than any other issue. Remember, just because you
don’t see it now, doesn’t mean you won’t see it in the picture.
Amazing how that happens. So clean the glass well, every time,
before you pick up the camera.

6: A Bonus!

Have fun. Aquarium photography can become an interesting and
challenging hobby all its own. Have fun with it, experiment
freely, and be sure to share your pictures online!

The time has come. You have stopped by the pet shop every day on
the way home from work to dote on the cute puppies in the
window. Normally you return home with the thoughts of a cute
puppy scampering down your hallways. Well, today you did it. You
decided to purchase your very own puppy. However, before you
bring your puppy home you need to be prepared. You need to
purchase various dog supplies so that you can provide a
welcoming home to your new dog.

What types of dog supplies do you need? There is a bounty of dog
supplies available on the market today. The dog supplies range
from basic necessities such as dog food to cute dog costumes.
Dog supplies have become such a hot market today that numerous
pet supply companies have popped up to meet any needs you have
for dog supplies. This competition in the market place is a
benefit to you because often times you can find great prices on
dog supplies by doing a little market research.

Let’s first take a look at the basic dog supplies that you will
want to have when your pooch arrives home. Basic dog supplies
include: dog food, dog bowls, collar, leash, kennel/crate, and
dog bed. Dog food is number one on the list because you
shouldn’t feed your canine table scraps or your own dinner. You
can place their food in regular bowls, but it is fun to search
for a cute dog bowl. You can find dog bowls that even have their
name on it.

Dogs have specific nutritional needs to need to be met so they
grow up strong and have a healthy life. Proper dog supplies
include the dog food that is geared towards their age,
weight/size, and activity level. It is vital to maintain the
proper weight for your dog’s size and breed. Table scraps and
human food can lead to excess weight that is a detriment to your
dog’s overall health. Not to mention they might have some
unsightly waste products as a result of the human food.

When searching for dog food from your dog supplies list it is
crucial that you find the right dog food. Check with a
veterinarian, breeder, or dog shop owner for recommendations on
the proper food. Dogs also will become used to their specific
brand and type of dog food and if you suddenly change it they
may suffer from upset stomach. Since they will be on the dog
food for a long time it is a great idea to spend time finding
the proper dog food for your pooch.

A dog collar and a dog leash should be next on your list of dog
supplies. Many states require that you register your pet with
the state. In addition you may need to demonstrate that your dog
has had the required vaccines, such as rabies shots, and they
must wear a tag on their collar regarding this. Also create a
dog tag that has your dog’s name on it, your name, and phone
number in case your dog ever gets lost.

Most cities require that your dog be on a leash through various
leash laws. Keeping your dog on a leash is a smart idea
especially when you head out to parks or walk along the road.
You don’t want your pooch to bother other people or run out in
front of an oncoming car. These scary situations can be avoided
by using a leash to control your dog’s movement. Leashes are
also a training tool which you can use to teach your dog the
proper behavior for their daily walk.

Dog supplies have improved over the years especially regarding
different types of leashes. Does your dog constantly pull away
from you on the leash causing them to cough? If so, you can buy
a least that doesn’t connect to just their collar, but is
instead a harness that wraps around their entire body. You slip
their legs through it. This type of leash can be much more
comfortable for your dog, so consider it when looking for dog
supplies.

If you leave your dog outside at all, whether you are home or
not, you need to make sure that your dog is in a secure area.
Therefore, you can keep them on a leash that is connected to a
runner cord so they have a great area to run. Or you can provide
a fenced in area for them to play in. Special things to note
when looking for these types of dog supplies is that the leash
should be a chest harness leash because you don’t want the dog
to constantly run after passersbys and hurt their throat. If you
have a fence then make sure that it is in line with your dog’s
jumping ability. You don’t want your dog jumping over the fence
the second you turn your head.

Next on your dog supplies list should be a dog kennel/crate
and/or dog bed. Your dog needs a place they can call their own
in your home. A dog kennel/crate helps a dog to feel safe,
especially when you are gone. Refrain from using the dog kennel
as a discipline retreat. You want them to look forward to their
own space in your home.

These are the basic dog supplies you need to purchase before you
pick up your new pooch. Later on, you can spend hours finding
fun toys, dog chews, and dog costumes for your new best canine
friend.

Your dog is lost. You are worried and clueless on how to get started to bring your lost dog home. Follow these tips here and I’m sure it will increase your chances of finding your lost dog.

1. Make sure that your dog is actually lost - Search your house and back yard completely first. Your dog might just be too distracted by his new found toy in the yard.

2. Search around your neighborhood. Most dogs don’t usually wander off far from their house.

3. Use your voice - Call out his name when finding your lost dog. It is a more useful searching tool than your eyes. Dogs can hear a lot better than we do and the distance from which dogs can hear things is four times further than man.

4. Ask around during the search - Talk to people especially people walking their dog, because they are the group to be most concern and take notice with a wandering dog.

5. Alert your neighbors and people in your neighborhood that your dog is missing. You can put up poster at eye level and in areas where people frequent. You can also E-mail your friends to keep a “lookout” for your dog.

6. Put up or distribute useful information. A poster with a large “Lost Dog” and “Reward” heading might be most eyes catching. Also remember to include your dog’s name, breed, color, distinct features (if any) and ways to contact you like your phone number.

7. Call local shelters and pet related places within a 100 miles radius of your house. Leave your contactable number with them so that they can reach you if your dog turns up. Visit these places if possible to pass them a poster of your lost dog so that it can reach out to more people.

8. Post lost dog ads on the internet - With the ever increase use of the net. A lot of people have found their pets through this avenue. You can start off with FidoFinder.com and TerrificPets.com. Find more lost pet ads posting site on the search engine - Key in ‘find lost dog’ or ‘lost dog ads’.

9. Beware of money scams. There are people who are out to cheat you out of your money. Knowing that you are worried, it’s easy for these people to take advantage of you in many different ways. Think logically and ask for advice if necessary before you give someone money to return your dog.

10. Don’t give up easily. Dogs have been known to find their way back home after being lost for several months. Your dog might be just one of them!

Before you lost your beloved dog, it’s good to take measures to ensure that YOU can be located if your lost dog is found - An ID dog tag would usually be the most efficient and important form of ID for your dog.

About the
Author:
Moses Chia is a dog lover and owner of
DogCustomer.com - Positively the best-looking personalized dog tags and pet I.D. tags your money can get - Guaranteed.

Regular ear care for your dog
Routine ear care is very important to the health of your dog. Perform regular checks and cleaning between visits to your veterinarian, it will help keep your dog’s ears healthy and pain free. This is extremely important to do. I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years, and they are well known for ear conditions. But remember, no matter how efficient you are in caring for your dog’s ears, serious conditions may still arise. Also, beware when your dog flaps its ears too much. This can cause a hematoma, which I will discuss a little further on. My Golden had to be operated for this.
Regular inspection of your dog’s Ears
By performing ear inspections you will be able to detect problems early. Use both your eyes and your nose. A small flashlight will assist you in seeing problems. I have “smelled out” more serious problems using my nose.
This method can detect ear infections early. Normally a dog’s ears shouldn’t smell foul in any way. A dark waxy discharge this may be a sign of ear mites. A pus-like discharge along with a foul smell this is a sign of a bacterial infection. Allergies are also known to cause a foul smell in your dog’s ears. My Golden had very sensitive ears. If something feels wrong, make sure you have your Veterinarian check it right away. Have your Vet show you what to look for, and how to look for potential problems! My Vet is an amazing teacher and he is always willing to show me things.
What dogs are more susceptible to ear problems?
Dogs with floppy ears, like spaniels and bloodhounds, are very prone to ear infections because very little air flows into their ear canals. There are also breeds, like the Lhasa Apso, that have a heavy growth of hair inside their ears. Dogs that frequently swim are more susceptible to ear problems. And, Goldens can be very susceptible to ear problems.
If you suspect that excess ear hair is a problem, you may need to remove the hair that grows inside your dog’s ears. This is not very difficult and if you have a problem, find a good groomer to do it for you.
How to clean your dog’s ears:
Your dog’s eardrum is better protected than a human’s, but you should still proceed with caution when cleaning the ear canal. Do not insert anything into your dog’s ear. Use only the small square cleaning pads, or cotton balls. Use anything that is very soft, but has no tips. Ask your groomer or Vet to show you the best way to clean YOUR dog’s ears…
Checking your dog’s ears only takes a few minutes so make it a part of your dog grooming routine. And when your dog’s ears need a cleaning don’t put it off. Remember regular cleanings can prevent many common ear problems. If you think a problem may be developing that is beyond the scope of your home dog ear care routine, take your dog to the vet for a check up immediately. An infection, if left untreated, can be very painful.

Hematomas
My Golden had one once, a big one, from shaking her head because of her ear condition. My Vet says a hematoma can turn into a very serious condition if not treated. My golden had to have an operation for it.
Hematomas are collections of blood. They are common in ears because there doesn’t seem to be anything in the ear to generate enough pressure to stop bleeding until
the ear swells enough with blood. Ear infections, ear mites, fly bite irritation, mosquito bites, allergies and immune mediated diseases have all been implicated as underlying causes for this problem. Anything that causes the dog to flap its ears can make this happen and it appears to occur spontaneously in a number of dogs. Large hematomas should be treated surgically or medically.
Surgery usually involves making an incision on the inner aspect of the ear and draining the blood, removing any blood clots that are left and then suturing the two sides of the ear together by putting sutures all the way through it, in a “mattress” pattern. Sometimes it is possible just to place a drain and massage the blood out of the ear daily until it heals.
If you use a commercial ear product please make sure it is of good quality and please make sure it is the proper product for the condition. So many dogs have had tremendous ear pain and complications because of the wrong product, or the wrong use of a product.
An educated dog owner is the best kind of dog owner.

About the Author

My name is Ruth Bird, and I am the owner of 3 dogs, 2 are Registered Therapy Visiting Dogs, my third dog is blind. My passions are health for people and pets and promoting a happy, healthy and wealthy lifestyle. http://www.mimfreedom.com
http://www.happypetstop.com

“How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Cat Feeding Explained”

Cats have a reputation for being finicky eaters, but that is usually a distortion of the truth. Cats have a very keen sense of taste and smell, and they know what they like. If you have fed your cat the same food for years, then change brands, she may boycott the new menu. If you must change her diet, do it over time, mixing just a bit of the new food with plenty of the old favorite. Slowly increase the amount of new food and decrease the old.

Cats are creatures of habit. Your feline friend will feel more calm and comfortable if you feed her at the same time each day. If more than one cat shares your home, be sure that each has a food and water bowl of its own. This lessens competition, territoriality, and ensures that everyone is getting their fair share of nutrition.

Cats have unusual nutritional needs and you should check the labelling of your chosen cat foods to ensure they are included, or consider nutritional supplements. These include:

* Vitamin A
* Niacin
* Essential Fatty Acids
* Taurine

The amount and frequency of food you put out depends on the age, health, and activity level of your cat. Kittens under 12 weeks of age usually need to eat about four times each day. Adult cats benefit from twice-a-day feedings. Read packaging labels or ask your veterinarian for guidelines on how much food your cat should eat each day. Don’t panic if your cat skips a meal, but if she doesn’t eat for more 48 hours, contact your vet. But, keep in mind that if your cat is allowed to roam outdoors, she may be ruining her appetite at a neighbor’s house. Never feed your cat table scraps. They are unhealthy for her, and create annoying begging behaviors.

I would always pick a meat-based cat food over a vegetable-based one. Despite the fact that you will pay more for the meat food, if you are concerned about the health of your cat, this will be a cost worth paying. And because meat-based products are generally of better quality, your cat will be satisfied with less of the quality cat food that she would be with a lesser quality product.

Moist, or canned food is usually a favorite - the moisture amplifies the scent-but make sure your cat also eats dry food regularly. Leave a bowl of dry kibble out for your cat to snack on throughout the day; the crunchy food helps clean her teeth. If you do feed “wet” food, make it available for about 30 minutes, and throw away the uneaten portion. This teaches your cat to “get it while the getting is good.” Never leave canned food in a dish all day long; it attracts ants, cockroaches, and creates a bad habit in your cat.

In addition to a bowl of dry kibble, make sure your cat has plenty of fresh water in a clean bowl. If your home is large, or has multiple levels, consider putting out more than one water bowl so that she always has access to water and won’t need to try quenching her thirst via an “unsafe” supply.

Most people know that cats are carnivores, or meat eaters, and are puzzled when their cats begin eating houseplants. This could be dangerous - some plants are toxic. A plant-snacking cat may be trying to get required minerals that might be lacking from the commercial food she eats. Give her access to a planter pot of “cat grass” (available at pet supply stores and garden centers), and she’ll leave your other plants alone.

About the Author

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The Boston terrier, one of the few breeds that can claim to be truly American, is a lively, curious and smart companion that’s always ready to play. At one time, Boston terriers were actually the most popular breed in the US. Today, they’re still a clear favorite among the thousands of dog lovers who want a medium-sized, intelligent pet.

Because of its Bull terrier or Bulldog background, the Boston (classed with the non-sporting breeds by the AKC) is alert and keen to learn new tricks and jobs. Bostons like children and will play games with them for hours on end. A well-bred Boston isn’t vicious, but pretty able to take care of himself. Boston fanciers like to call this breed the “American Gentleman,” obviously because of his formal, tux-like markings, but also because his personality is gentlemanly and even as well. The Boston’s friendliness, alertness and courage make him an ideal pet and companion dog. Always alert, he’ll also let you know of any strange sounds in the night.

For many families, the Boston terrier is a terrific choice not only because of his compact size and pleasant temperament, but because of his low-maintenance coat. Smooth and short-coated, the Boston goes easy on your carpets and furniture and does well in smaller spaces. It’s good to remember, though, that Bostons don’t take well to extremes in temperature. They’re inside dogs, as their coat affords little protection. On cold days, you may want to get out some warm booties or a coat for your Boston.

A well-bred Boston terrier will look like the active, intelligent, short-headed and short-tailed dog that he is. The ones that conform to type will have symmetrical white markings, ideally against a brindle color. Black with white markings are also conforming, although brindle is preferred.

Bostons come in a variety of sizes. Naturally, some owners prefer the small ones, while others like a more romping, substantial-sized dog. Either one will make a great pet with very little grooming required, all of which can be done at home. If you think you want a Boston but aren’t quite ready to make the commitment, you can get a hilarious Boston Terrier screensaver from Must Love Dogs at Warner Brothers.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo, your source for dog clothes. Stop by for small dog couture and home decor, designer dog collars and luxury dog beds.

Summer is coming and more and more people are putting the tops down on their convertibles, letting their dogs get fresh air out of an open automobile window, or letting the dear dog ride in the back of an open pickup truck.

This seems like a great idea and dogs do love the wind in their fur; but! It can be a very dangerous thing to allow your dog to do.

Cigarettes thrown out of windows, rocks falling from construction trucks, stones being kicked up by cars and blowing sand can all be very harmful to your dogs well being. Your poor pup can land at the vet due to sand or rocks in the eye, or debris in their nose.

Dogs in open pick up trucks seldom jump out but could be thrown from a vehicle if it turned suddenly to miss something in the road or if the brakes were to be jammed on quickly. If left in the vehicle when parked, passersby could antagonize your dog and provoke him/her to be nasty or to jump out of the vehicle.

Next time you are inclined to let your dog hang out of a window or ride loose in the truck, please think twice. Take your dog to the park to play if s/he needs fresh air!

About the Author

J.R. Mercier is a freelance writer and is co-owner of Abby’s Dog Gift Baskets and Abby’s Bakery. Abby’s is web-based business founded on a healthy, happy, dog and dog owner. Found on the web at http://www.gift-basket4you.com

Now that my services have expanded into the “matchmaking” business, it dawned on me that we need to talk about the transition of a bird moving to a new home, whether a hand fed baby just adopted to a new home or an older bird going to a second home. This is a stressful time for any bird, but you can help lessen the strife and make the move easier for both your new bird and the rest of the family.

Good planning ahead of time is essential. A pet parrot should NEVER be an impulse buy. Adopting a companion parrot is just that - ADOPTING a new family member - they’re not used cars to be traded in when you get bored! They are living, feeling, sensitive beings who should always be considered PERMANENT additions to the family.

I’ll never forget the first local bird expo I went to after moving to the Northwest. It was winter - cold and rainy, and I saw a person after person exiting the expo, each with a tiny baby African Grey tucked under their coats. There was a vendor inside with lots of cute baby Grays and a cheap price - apparently, many folks couldn’t resist. Since no one seemed to have brought a carrier, it didn’t seem to me that these were “planned” purchases, but rather spur of the moment purchases.

I wonder how many went home to a nice cage, all set up with new toys and the proper diet? Not many, I’ll bet. It’s a deadly combo - cute, cheap, and baby! I’ll bet not too many folks had done their homework either, studying up on African Greys and bird care in general.

The other common scenario is the “petshop rescue” - the pitiful bird at some pet store that knows nothing about birds - there he is, in a tiny cage, eating sunflower seeds, no toys, tucked in between the hamsters and the snakes, while the resident shop cat climbs freely through the store. So, on a whim, you take him home.

So, whether it’s the irresistible baby, the sad ill cared for rescue, or an actual well thought out carefully chosen new addition - there he is, coming in your front door, hoping to spend the rest of his life with you, his ever loving devoted family!! So how do we transition from scared outsider to contented feathered child?

First, be prepared. Have the cage, toys, and food all set up prior to his arrival so he can slide right in and not have to stand by while everyone scrambles around, frantically searching for bird stuff. Normally, we advise putting a bird’s cage in the busiest part of the house, where he can be the center of attention.

But new birds need some space, quiet and privacy during the settling in process, so find him a comfortable safe corner where he can observe, but at a distance. Of course, he should have made a trip to the vet first thing and quarantining him for at least one month away from any other birds is always recommended. So this may not be his permanent location, but rather serve as a “pit-stop” in the beginning. You may want to partially cover his cage, draping a towel over the back and one side to help him feel safe. If possible, have some of his previous diet to mix in with the new (wonderful) cuisine you’ll be serving.

Find out as much as possible about, not only his diet, but preference in toys, play time, bed time, and daily routine. Keeping some consistency helps for a smoother transitional time. Radical changes don’t agree with many parrots, so go slow. Introduce him to every family member, but avoid anyone doing too much “hands on” stuff in the beginning. Rather, spend time just sitting by him, talking to him and offering some treats by hand. Don’t force him or expect instant love. Work on building trust with “step-ups”. Play “The Towel Game” to have interactive fun, as well as aiding future needs for handling by a vet or groomer.

Put your new guy on a regular schedule. Feed him lots of fresh veggies and nice warm cooked grains and legumes. Warm food is “comfort food” and helps strengthen the bond when fed by hand. Share some family dinner with him, preferably on a stand by the dining table.

Watch TV together and preen his head feathers for him while you hang out on the couch. Include him in lots of family activities to help him feel a part of the flock. If everyone is gone to work or school during the day, leave a radio or TV on and make sure he’s got plenty of interesting toys that provide both chewing exercise and mental stimulation. Talk to him before leaving, tell him he’s okay and reassure him that you’ll be back. When you do return give him a warm hello and a big hug. If you do have other birds, try to maintain the flock order. It won’t help him relax if the other birds are resentful of all the attention the new guy gets.

Always address your primary bird first - first one out, first one kissed, first one fed, etc. Don’t allow the birds to get together until you’re sure everyone gets along. First time together, it’s helpful if it’s on a neutral new stand that no one is territorial about. If you expect the two to ultimately share a cage, remember that will take time and patience - you don’t want the new guy intimidated by an overbearing dominant “resident” who thinks he runs the place.

An important point to remember - don’t make the mistake of totally doting on the bird at first, then ignoring him after the novelty wears off. He’ll definitely need extra attention in the beginning, but try to maintain a balance from the start, to avoid rebound problems down the road. So be prepared, go slow, build trust, and have fun getting to know each other. This is the beginning of a beautiful lifelong friendship.

Your Parrot Place
Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Consultant, (503) 771-BIRD.
Marilu is a regular contributor to the Your Parrot Place Newsletter.
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