Signs Your Pet Might Be Unwell

I’m a bit of a worrywart when it comes to my pets. I fretted when both of my cats entered our house for the first time and didn’t seem to eat for a few days. One thing I’m always concerned about is how to tell if my pets are feeling ill. Humans can complain of their symptoms and ask for help, but our pets don’t have that option. Veterinary doctor Eric Kane published some advice on patch.com about how to tell if your pet might be feeling unwell. The main tool to employ is common sense: keep an eye on … Continue reading

Baby Blog Month in Review: June 2008

June was my first official month posting for the Baby Blog. It has been a great experience. I love learning new things about babies and sharing it with friends. Of course, I could use your help. Whether you are a first-time mom or an experienced mom of a large family, I want to hear from you. Please share your advice, your questions and your comments. On which topics would you like to see more blogs? Meanwhile, take a look at all of the articles we had in June. June 2nd Introducing Babies to Birds Perhaps it is the fact that … Continue reading

Signs of Illness in Birds

When pets are sick, they may not show it in the same way humans do. People tend to seek out help; animals, especially birds, may hide an illness from their owners. Birds are especially good at pretending nothing is wrong! But birds are fragile creatures who may hide symptoms that need veterinary treatment. Even a minor illness can be potentially dangerous. There are certain signs you can look for if you suspect your bird is not feeling well. Squinty, cloudy, or almond shaped eyes. Healthy birds have clear, round eyes. If your bird is squinting or his eyes are cloudy, … Continue reading

4 Reasons to Helicopter Parent Your Pet

It has been said that helicopter parenting might not be the most ideal parenting style. Kids need some room to make mistakes and learn from them. That being said, there are a lot of great reasons why you should helicopter parent your pet. Reasons Why You Should Helicopter Parent Your Pets Pets Don’t “Grow Out of It” Babies and toddlers go through a stage where they put everything they can grab into their mouths. They will grow out of this stage eventually. Pets, however, will always have a tendency to try and eat things that may or may not be … Continue reading

Bird Basics: Finches

If you love birds but don’t have much time for a pet, or prefer to watch birds over handling them, then finches are the perfect bird for you.  They’re not too affectionate and don’t like being handled very much, so they’re the perfect pet for an observer. First a note: as with all birds, it’s best to purchase your bird from a reputable breeder.  Before bringing one home, make sure you’ve located a vet in your area that can treat your bird. It’s important that you get more than one finch, as they are social birds and will need the … Continue reading

What to Consider When Getting a Bird

Now that I’ve covered the things we should think about when adopting America’s two most beloved pets, cats and dogs, it’s time to branch out into the other many species of pets commonly available. Today I’m going to go over the basics of what to think about when getting a bird. It’s hard to cover the details required when considering getting a bird, because unlike most breeds of cats and dogs, different types of birds often require very different types of care. Still, there are some universal ideas to ponder when determining whether or not your lifestyle is appropriate for … Continue reading

Inspirational Animals: Oscar the Naked Cockatoo

I guess because of the situation I find myself in with my mom I’m even more on the lookout for uplifting and inspirational stories these days. The kind where an underdog faces incredible, perhaps even seemingly insurmountable, odds but still emerges victorious. That’s why the story I saw on the news over the weekend caught my eye. It would have anyway because it had to do with an animal shelter harboring a very special bird. But it grabbed at me even more so because the bird was touted the ugliest bird alive –one who shouldn’t even be alive. Yet it … Continue reading

Moving With Small/Exotic Pets

Moving — whether you’re headed cross-town or cross-country — can be stressful for everyone. Here are some tips to help make a move with small pets, unusual pets, and birds safe and stress-free. Moving Birds By Car Birds can usually travel in the same cage they use at home. Cover the cage while the car is moving to help keep the bird calm. Make sure the cage gets good ventilation. You may want to remove water dishes from the cage to prevent spills — a water bottle is a good alternate choice. Birds are very susceptible to drafts and quick … Continue reading