Your pet bird is sick and you are completely at lost how could that possibly be.  Your pet bird spends most of the times inside your home and not exposed to any bad environmental conditions at all.  Here is some thought, your house may not be that safe as you think it is.

If there child unfriendly homes, then there are avian-unfriendly homes.  Actually, there are different kinds of dangers your bird can be exposed to even if you try to make it danger-free.  Birds have sensitive respiratory systems, can be very small in size and they also have fast metabolism.  These are also factors for bird dangers inside your home.

As a pet owner, you have to be vigilant and alert on anything that you notice in your house.  Here are some common dangers which you can easily avoid by being attentive and cautious.

• Poisoning

Birds can get poisoned by things that they have eaten or inhaled.  Inhaled poisonous materials can come from aerosol, insecticides and other cleaning products that you are using at home.  Even those air fresheners can be dangerous to your bird’s respiratory system.  Other common fumes which can be poisonous to birds are glues, nail polish remover, perfumes, and paint.  So, if you will be doing some cleaning, better move your bird away from the area.

Non-stick cookware when over-heated also emit fumes which are bad for your health.  If your bird is located near the kitchen, then move it out of there.  You are not just cooking your bird with the heat from the oven, but also slowly killing it.  Another thing you can avoid is using scented candles, there are some birds allergic to certain odours.

Another thing you have to be cautious with is cigarette smoke.  It is not only bad for the smoker and the people who inhale it, but also deeply affects your pet birds.

Inappropriate food can also kill your birds.  Avoid feeding your birds with food with high sugar, fat and salt.  This would certainly kill your birds, if not immediately, in the long run.  Avoid feeding avocado and chocolates to your birds. Prevent your bird in biting and eating the newspapers in the bottom of the cage, newspaper ink is poisonous for birds.

• Open water (like toilet)

Birds cannot swim.  It is easy for small birds to fall in cooking pots, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, buckets and other water containers and drown.  Make sure to put the lid down of toilet seats.  You can just close the bathroom door altogether.

• Ceiling fans, windows/doors and mirrors

Birds are easily stressed by things moving above them, it is better to relocate a bird’s cage if there are ceiling fans near it.  A bird can easily fly through a moving ceiling fan and cause serious damage.  Open windows and doors can give the birds a chance to fly away.  But if it is closed, the birds can fly and collide into it, creating serious physical injuries.  So if you are going to let your bird fly out of the cage for a while, it would be better to let the curtains down.

Birds think that they can get through glass, they do not know that it is a transparent solid.  But if the curtains are down, they know for sure that flying through the curtains is altogether, impossible.

Pet birds are very intelligent and are very curious about exploring and tasting.  Since their size can permit them to have access in every nook and corner of the house, it is important to watch over them and make sure that would not get injured by simple things in the house.

If you have been pondering about owning pet birds, you must think hard about the decision before you settle into anything final. There are many factors that you have to relate in your own situation to make sure that you will be able to give your pets the best kind of nurture and commitment that they truly deserve.

You may want to indulge first on some research to gather more information about what you want to get into before you choose the kinds of birds that you want to own. Each species vary in terms of talents, time requirements and other vital factors that you must be ready to face once you accept the role or being their master.

You can easily do your research at home. Engage some time browsing the Internet about the many aspects that you may want to know about the matter. You can choose to read websites that are dedicated to the topic. You can also read blog posts which are written by pet owners. And you can also join in online forums to engage in conversations that can help you know more about the matter. You can also check these forums when you already have the pets and you want to ask for help from your fellow pet owners.

To help you think about what you are about to get into, here are the vital factors that you must think about as you decide about this.

1. Budget considerations. The prices of birds depend on their kinds and where you will buy them. But your expenses don’t end once you have bought them. Actually, it is only starting because through time, you will have to engage your birds in various activities to stimulate them. In doing so, you must buy necessary toys and other things to help them become more active and happy. You must also include on your budget their food.

You must be able to sustain their nutritional requirement so that they will have the energy to last long as your companion. You should also anticipate that they may become sick that you have to take them on vets and buy the medicines that they need. In buying birds, you must choose the right store and the right breeder so that you won’t run the risk of acquiring birds that are unhealthy and sickly.

2. Time commitment. If you cannot afford to allot time to show care for your birds, you might as well not continue with the purchase. You can also ask the store for the breeds that do not necessarily have to be pampered if you cannot really attend to them that much. You can also choose the types based on their life spans. This way, you can opt for those that can last longer if you want something that can be with you for as long as you want.

3. Noise level. In choosing your birds, you must also mind your neighbors. Larger parrots like macaws and cockatoos tend to be more noisy. If you want the kinds that you can keep in setting like townhouses and condominiums, you may want to opt for lovebirds and budgies. Or to be more on the safe side, you may want to settle for the likes of doves, canaries and finches.

These are all essential in choosing the kinds of pet birds that will be ideal for your lifestyle and the quality of commitment that you can master to give in the process.

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.

When you decide to have a pet bird, you should remember that it requires adequate living space. In fact, this is one of the things you have to consider when you plan to buy one.

Bird cages come in different and sizes. The general rule when buying it is that this should always be a lot bigger than your pet bird. Keeping your pet bird in a small cage that is too small for them is bad because it often leads to undesirable behavior like biting, feather plucking, screaming and certain psychological disorders.

The ideal bird cage should allow the bird walk around comfortably and fully extend or flap their wings. Give also some consideration when you also put inside food, water and toys since these also take up some space inside the cage.

Bird cages are very open since there is bar spacing all around. Pay attention to the spacing in the bird cage because if it is too wide, your bird may squeeze and escape through the bars. For owners who have small birds, spacing should not be more than half an inch apart. If you have a big bird, see if you can get a cage that has bars not only vertically but horizontally as well.

While inspecting the different bird cages, check the latch or the lock which keeps it closed. Can this be easily opened by the bird? Believe it or not, some birds can do this so be sure that this can’t happen.

As you probably already know, bird cages also come in different shapes. When you are shopping for it, try to get angled cages instead of round ones as some studies have shown round cages are not good for the health of the bird. You should not worry when you decide to get an angled cage because these can still be hung or placed on a stand.

Another thing to consider when shopping for bird cages is if this can easily be cleaned. Yes this has to be cleaned and washed especially when the bird droppings accumulate so you should not have any problems removing and returning it.

Whenever you go shopping, you want value for your money and the same goes when you are buying a bird cage. It should be made of superior quality and solid. If the material used is metal, naturally it must be stainless steel which is easy for you to clean and non-toxic.

The last thing you have to consider when choosing a cage for your pet bird is where you will be putting it once you bring it home. The ideal spot should be spacious and far away from drafts and windows.

Knowing how to choose the right cage for your pet bird will ensure that it will live for a very long time with its new owner namely you. If you are working, make sure that there are a few things inside the cage to keep it entertained by buying the bird some accessories, perches and toys.

While some birds can stay in the cage the whole day, find time to bring it home every so often so it can fly around the house and get a little workout. Just be sure that the windows and doors are closed when you decide to do it otherwise this could fly out and you will never see your bird again.

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.

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.

How much did you spend for your pet bird? You probably spent a few hundreds and if you don’t want to throw that money to waste, you have to learn how to keep your pet bird alive.

Feeding your pet bird is easy since you can buy pellets or seeds from the store. If you want to spice up their diet a bit, never give them chocolate, certain fruits and vegetables which have proven to be toxic.

Apart from food, your pet bird will also need water. If your pet bird is not hydrated properly, they will die. This can happen if the water bottle you placed in the cage is not working properly so this has to be checked regularly.

Birds need to have to wings clipped. This allows the bird to gracefully land prevent it from flying erratically.

You have probably heard that birds must never be kept near windows and drafts but have no idea why. Well, one good answer is to prevent the birds from inhaling toxic fumes which can if the bird is placed near the kitchen.

Aside from fumes coming from the kitchen, you can keep your bird alive if you do not smoke or use any household cleaning agents near them. Birds that happen to inhale them may soon experience irritation, a host of respiratory problems and death.

Birds require big cages so they can spread their wings while they are inside. This will also prevent them from bumping their heads on the sides which may cause an internal injury which you are not aware of.

Some bird owners have other pets inside the house. If you are like them, be sure that when they are out of the cage, you are always there. If it should be another bird, make sure that the two are locked up in separate cages since some species cannot coexist together.

Your pet bird needs to take a bath on a regular basis. You can do this by letting them wash themselves using a bowl or with a shower hose. When giving them a bath, never use soap or shampoo as this will damage their natural oil. Let them dry naturally or with a towel and never with a hair dryer as this can burn them.

Owners who want to bring their bird wherever you are going must never leave it in the car. This is because they could die due to excessive heat especially when the temperature is very humid.

Don’t forget to bring your pet bird to the vet for his or her regular checkup. If you sense that there is something wrong with your bird, bring them immediately over to the clinic for a closer examination because doing nothing just makes matters worse.

Lastly, never let your bird sleep outside the cage. There is no telling what can happen while you are asleep so instead of taking that risk, it is best to put them back inside and just see them again when you wake up in the morning.

Although you cannot always foresee what dangers lie in the future for your pet bird, it will be able to live for a long period of time as long as you know how to do it right. If you need help, consult with your veterinarian.

Your pet bird should visit the vet on a regular basis. While you might think any doctor can best treat your bird, it is better to consult with someone who specializes in these creatures.Q

Such a person is called an avian veterinarian. When you go around looking for one, it is best that this person belongs to the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV).

Specialists who are members of this organization have 6 or more years of experience dealing with birds. In fact, there are only 100 certified avian veterinarians worldwide and you are lucky to have one who happens to be residing near where you live.

But what if you are not able to find a doctor who is certified by the AAV? When this happens, you have to consult with a veterinarian based on the recommendations of other bird owners or through word of mouth.

If you don’t have friends who own birds, try talking to bird breeders and organizations which are into owning and caring for birds just like you. Your other options will be to look through the phone directory or online and then set an appointment.

When you visit their clinic, discuss what you expect from them and pay attention to the answers they give you. It will be nice to know how long they have been working on birds, what equipment or training do they have and how your bird is behaving with them.

It will also be very important to know if they can be contacted or consulted whenever there is an emergency. If they are not available, someone they know and trust should be able to give you and your bird the same amount of attention.

One other thing you should check before or after talking to a potential avian doctor is to see if the place is clean and if the people who work there are friendly. Naturally, you don’t want your bird to stay overnight for observation if the place is unsanitary as a disease from another bird could infect your own.

Once you have finished interviewing a list of potential candidates, it will be easy to choose which one will be the doctor for your pet bird.

A good bird doctor will not only talk to you whenever your pet has a problem but also offer tips so you can handle minor problems on your own. You might be taught how to sense if something is wrong and what to do until you are able to bring the bird over.

Part of that includes having the right avian first aid supply at home. This includes having a carrier large enough to carry the bird since the cage may not always fit in the car. Some cotton swabs, gauze tape, tubing, betadine and a host of other things are also needed so make sure you have a sufficient supply of these items at all times.

The veterinarian is your best friend whenever there is something wrong with your pet bird. Given that they know more about this creature, you just have to trust them and hope that everything works out for the best. While there are a lot of veterinarians around, you have to know how to choose the right one for your pet bird.

Pet birds just like us need to take a bath. This helps keep them clean and remove excess oil on their feathers. Doing this on a regular basis also promotes good health as they are also affected from household air conditioning and heating.

To do that, you first have to bring the pet bird to a room that is warm and has no drafts. It is also best to do this early during the day so the bird will be able to dry itself before bedtime.

The materials you will using will be a heavy dish filled with one or two inches of water. The reason for this is to create an artificial puddle which is what birds in the wild go when they feel the need to cleanse themselves.

The water used should be lukewarm or room temperature as cold water can chill them. Once inside the bowl, they can already bathe themselves.

Bigger birds cannot properly bathe themselves in a bowl. This is why it is a good idea to bring the bird out of its cage, let it stand on the perch and then you run the water lightly on them.

One of the most ideal places in the house to do this is the bathroom or the kitchen. With the hose is in your hand, never spray the water on their face. Do not also make the mistake of saturating your pet bird’s feathers. Doing so can lead to a loss of body heat and flight impairment.

While bathing them inside a bowl or on a perch, take note that it was never mentioned to use shampoo or soap on them because water is enough to cleanse them. Using any type of cleaning products is bad because it removes the bird’s natural oils.

After giving your pet bird a bath, you can let them dry on their own or wipe them gently using a towel. If you are going to do it, make sure that you only rub in the direction of the feather growth. Never use a hair dryer because you could burn them.

Don’t forget to clean the sink or the tub with water and mild unscented soap after giving your pet bird a bath. This will ensure protection for you and your family who also use it when they brush their teeth or do the dishes.

Before you put the pet bird back in the cage, don’t forget to change the cage bedding. Most of the time, this gets wet from the splashing as the bird washes itself and you wouldn’t want bacteria to grow there that could get your bird sick.

Bathing your bed bird should be done once or twice a week. You can do this more often especially during the molten season because it helps remove itching. You just have to observe your bird to figure out if they prefer to take a bath.

Some birds do not like taking a bath. If you happen to be in this situation, you should gradually introduce them to it so they can get to enjoy it. One way is to get yourself wet and since they trust you, in time they will understand that it is perfectly alright.

A bath is always a refreshing experience and your pet bird should also have one every so often.

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.