Pets can come in all shapes and sizes. While some animal lovers may consider themselves “dog” or “cat” people, others enjoy smaller pets, also referred to as “pocket pets,” like ferrets.
Many people like ferrets because they are relatively low-maintenance, similar to a cat, according to Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
Unlike cats, ferrets are happy to spend part of their day inside of a cage, which can allow their owner to rest easy knowing that their pet is safe from harm and easily accessible in case of an emergency.
The general rule is that ferret cages should be the largest you can afford that fits in your house. Like any other animal, however, ferrets should be given plenty of time outside of their cages to run around and get exercise. Blue-McLendon said they may even play with other pets in the home, most often with cats and smaller dogs.
“All ferrets need to be allowed bigger areas to run in, whether it’s a bedroom or living room, but they should never be in a house unsupervised, because they eat all kinds of little things,” Blue-McLendon said.
“One of the things potential owners need to be aware of is that pet ferrets are really curious, so they’ll eat what we would consider foreign bodies, which means they eat things that can then get stuck in their stomach or intestines that can cause illness and death, if not dealt with,” she said.
Pet ferrets also can have an odor if they haven’t been spayed or neutered, according to Blue-McLendon.
“Pet ferrets should get spayed or neutered, and some people will get them de-scented,” Blue-McLendon said.
De-scenting is a surgery that removes some of the glands that produce odor. Pet owners should consult their veterinarian to see if this procedure is right for them.
To keep your home clean and reduce any foul smells, ferrets can be trained to use a litter box, just like pet cats.
“Ferrets naturally will go to a certain spot, so oftentimes owners will just put the litter pan in that spot to get them to use it,” Blue-McLendon said. “Some of them will inherently use a litter pan because they’re generally neat little animals.”
Blue-McLendon said the time commitment associated with having a ferret is about the same as a cat.
“You’ve got to clean their litter pan, make sure they have food and fresh water, and give them love and attention,” she said. “Be sure that you’ve spent the time to know about the general husbandry.”
Ferrets live on a simple diet, but they’ll need to have constant access to their food since they tend to eat many meals throughout the day.
“There’s a number of commercial ferret diets on the market that can be supplemented with additional treats,” Blue-McLendon said. Healthy treats for pet ferrets include bits of cooked egg or meat, like chicken.
When considering getting any new pet, Blue-McLendon believes future pet owners should do their research before making the decision.
“Before people get ferrets, just like all small mammals, they should really do their homework and consider whether they are prepared to put in the time that it takes to give their ferret exercise in their house,” Blue-McLendon said.
If a ferret is right for you and your family, they can be an inquisitive and adorable companion that provides years of pint-sized love. When it comes to choosing a pet, a ferret might not be your first thought, but one could be your first choice.
~Source~
From the College of Veterinary
Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University
What is a pocket pet? Pocket pet is a term used to refer to a small pet mammal commonly kept as a household pet. The most common pocket pets are rodents such as hamsters, gerbils, degus, sugar gliders (a marsupial), fancy mice, fancy rats, chinchillas, and guinea pigs. Gary Riggs, DVM, spends most of his time working with exotic pets. So when it comes to advice on pocket pets—small animals such as guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, chinchillas, and sugar gliders—he’s a good person to ask. Riggs is a veterinarian at three Ohio clinics, NorthCoast Bird and Exotic Specialty Hospital, Barberton Veterinary Clinic, and The Animal Clinic of Wadsworth. The most popular pocket pets are guinea pigs and smaller rodents, such as mice, rats, gerbils, and hamsters. Hedgehogs, chinchillas, and sugar gliders are also popular, Riggs says, though they require more specialized care and are illegal to own in some states and provinces, so check with your local government before attempting to bring one home. The bottom line for anyone thinking of getting a pocket pet is: Do your research first. Different animals require different care. Some questions to ask:
Do I have room for the animal’s cage?
What space and exercise needs does the animal have? Does she need to run or climb?
What does the animal eat? How specialized is his food?
When does the animal sleep? At night or during the day?
How much interaction does the animal like and need? Do I have enough time to spend with her?
How messy is the animal? How often am I going to have to clean up after him?
Because some pocket pets need to climb, they may require a larger or more complex cage with multiple levels, Riggs says. It also is important to remember that some pocket pets are comfortable being handled and are a good fit for owners who want to tote them around while others are not.
Knowing what your pocket pet eats is similarly important, Riggs says. Guinea pigs, for example, need Vitamin C supplements. Sugar gliders eat a variety of foods, including insects and produce. “It can be anywhere from a fairly simple diet with hay and pellets up to a very specialized diet,” Riggs says. As for the time question, some pocket pets tend to be messier and require more frequent cage cleanings. It is also important to be aware that, with some pocket pets, you may need to buy two. Guinea pigs often prefer to have another guinea pig in their cage, in which case you’ll want to avoid matching a male and female unless you want guinea pig babies! Spaying or neutering is an option for some pocket pets. Chinchillas, for example, need to be spayed or neutered, Riggs says. Guinea pigs are prone to reproductive tract problems, so they may need a hysterectomy. As for which pocket pets are going to keep you and your family up at night, chinchillas and hedgehogs are more nocturnal, Riggs says. Rats and guinea pigs are less so. Also ask yourself how long of a commitment you are willing to make. Rats live only a couple of years. Chinchillas can live up to 20 years, which is longer than most dogs. Veterinary care is another consideration. How often a pocket pet needs to see the vet varies by type of animal. According to Riggs, hamsters and guinea pigs often go to the vet two or three times per year. Others need only an annual exam. Guinea pigs and rats are more prone to dental problems, so they may require more frequent dental exams by a veterinarian. So what’s the easiest pocket pet to own in terms of maintenance? A rat, Riggs says. They like being handled, but their space needs aren’t as great, and it’s fairly simple to feed and clean up after them. Gerbils are also easy, Riggs says, especially if you don’t want to be as hands-on. “You can set them up with the wheels and tunnels,” he says. What is the highest maintenance pocket pet? A sugar glider, Riggs says, because it requires more time and space and has a more complex diet, not to mention it is illegal to own them in some states and provinces. So, do your research before bringing a pocket pet home, but once you do, enjoy your new family member. “They’re great pets,” Riggs says.
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Lovebirds are active, cheerful and beautifully decorative.
These petite 'pocket' parrots are very intriguing! Lovebirds come from the
drier regions of Africa. Because they evolved from a very harsh environment,
they are very suited to captivity. Not only do they have a good disposition,
these charming, brilliantly colored little pets are very hardy and easy to care
for. They can also provide you with a successful breeding experience.
In the wild lovebirds live in flocks. They will often bond
with a mate for life and show fierce loyalty and affection to their family. If
you can earn their affections as young birds, you will receive that same fierce
loyalty from your little friends. They are very social with both their keepers
and their mate.
The rewards of keeping a single lovebird can be
astonishing. The amazingly determined spirit of a pet lovebird can far surpass
other small parrots, both in their ability to learn tricks and to show
affection. But because of their strong devotion, a lovebird kept singly will
require vast amounts of time and affection in return in order to thrive.
Lovebirds also won't easily switch loyalties from one
companion to another, whether it is to another bird or to another human. On the
other hand, unless they are very attached to their keeper, lovebirds are not
going to learn a lot of tricks or necessarily want to have a lot of handling.
If you simply want to enjoy the antics and chatter of these
colorful little birds, get two to keep in an indoor cage. Or you can get more
to keep in an aviary. They are very flamboyant, and are wonderful birds to
observe and enjoy.
Distribution
Lovebirds belong to the genus Agapornis. There are nine
species of lovebirds and they are all native to Africa except one. The exception
is the Grey-headed Lovebird which comes from the island of Madagascar. Most
lovebirds live close to the equator where they inhabit dry savannah regions.
There is one exception, a forest dwelling lovebird, the Black-collared
Lovebird.
Description
The lovebird is a small stocky parrot mostly between
5.1-6.7 inches (13-17 cm). They have a large bill and a tail that is either
round or square. Their average life span is between 10-12 years with some
living even longer. The lovebird has been recorded at 17 years and several
people have reported their birds living even longer than that. We had one
person state that their lovebird lived for 25 years!
The different species of lovebird are identifiable by their
colors and markings. They vary greatly in their coloring, and each species can
be viewed for their unique combinations. Younger birds are duller in color and
they have black in their beaks. The young birds coloring intensifies as they
reach maturity. Regardless of the species, mature lovebirds are gorgeous
parrots.
Three of the nine lovebird species are most commonly
available lovebirds for pets. The other six are more rare, and in some cases,
absent at least in the United States. The three common species are the
Peach-faced Lovebirds, the Masked Lovebirds, and the Fischer's Lovebirds, and
all three make wonderful pets. There are a variety of color mutations in
lovebirds, developed from these three common species. This is especially true
for the Peach-faced Lovebird, which can be bred in hundreds of different
combinations of mutations. As a result, there are many new lovebird colors
available.
A wide variety of lovebirds can be found in the pet
industry and from breeders. Some lovebirds and lovebird mutations that are
commonly available include:
In the wild, lovebirds feed on seeds, berries, fruits,
grains, grasses, leaf buds, and agricultural crops of corn, maize and figs.
Their food and water dishes are best if earthenware or porcelain as they will
get gnawed if plastic.
Bird Food
Foods available for Lovebirds include formulated diets,
either pelleted or extruded, seed only diets, and small parrot mixes which
offer a mixture of both. There are pros and cons to feeding only a formulated
diet as well as feeding only a seed diet.
Formulated Diet
A formulated diet provides a good nutritional base so does
not require the addition of vitamins. However it does not contain the
phytonutrients (antioxidant pigments) that are found in vegetables, fruits,
grains, and seeds. Phytonutrients are believed to boost the immune system, help
a body to heal itself, and to prevent some diseases. Also, parrots can become
bored with formulated diet due to the lack of variety.
Seed Diet
A seed only diet offers much more variety but requires
additional vitamin and calcium supplements. Lovebirds need not only nutritional
requirements met but also variety for psychological enrichment.
A lovebirds's diet will consist of 1 1/2 to 2 ounces (45-60
grams) of feed daily for a single bird. A diet consisting of a small parrot mix
along with a variety of supplements and vitamins is generally regarded as
suitable. Also a formulated diet along with greens, fruits, and vegetable
supplements but without additional vitamins is also regarded as suitable, and
is a more current trend.
Supplements
Supplements include fresh vegetables, greens, tree branches
for the bark, some fruits, and millet spray. Some of the fruit supplements
include berries, apples, grapes, pears, bananas, and kiwi. Some of the greens
and vegetable supplements include spinach, endive, watercress, chickweed,
radish, parsley, dandelions, carrot tops, corn on the cob, peas, endive, field
lettuce, and various garden herbs.
Additional proteins can be offered such as nuts. Try some
unshelled peanuts as well as hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and chestnuts.
A cuttlebone, or gravel and oyster shell in a separate dish
can be offered to provide calcium. Do not feed avocado as it can be toxic to
birds!
Vitamins can be added to the food or drinking water.
Water
Lovebirds drink a lot of water, so will need fresh drinking
water every day.
Bird Baths
Most lovebirds love a bath either in a flat earthenware
dish or by spraying them with a light mist of lukewarm water. If you use a
bathing dish, you will see the birds perch on the edge and dip their heads and
upper bodies in the water and beating their wings. They prefer this kind of
bath to getting into the water.
Bird Grooming
Lovebirds generally maintain their nails and beaks on their
own through climbing and chewing. Another good use they make of their tree
branches.
You can find bird seed, bird cages, and everything you need
for your pet here: Bird Supplies
Housing
Lovebirds are very
active birds. When housing your lovebird, bird cages or an aviary best suited
to them must provide a lot of space.
Bird Cages: A
minimum of 32 x 20 x 20 (81 x 50 x 50 cm) per pair of birds is recommended with
about four perches, feed and water dishes and an area for a bath. When you use
a small cage, you must let your pet out daily to fly around.
If you are housing pairs of lovebirds here are a few
guidelines: Try to house only one species of lovebird as mixing species can
cause serious fights. House either one pair of lovebirds or three pairs, never
two pairs or there will be fighting. Each pair needs about 35 cubic feet of
space.
Bird Perch
Provide one or two perches about 3/4' in diameter and
dishes hanging from the side for feed, water, and grit. Try to place the
perches away from dishes so the food and water dish do not become soiled with
bird droppings. Do not use plastic
because your bird will chew and break the plastic and it can become hazardous.
Tree branches of a similar size make good perches and will help to wear the
claws down naturally.
Bird Hide / Nest Box
Lovebirds like special resting places. Nest boxes placed up
high, all at the same level and all of the same type work well and help prevent
fights.
Aviary
A roomy indoor aviary, a bird room, or an outdoor aviary
(depending on your area) are all good choices. The aviary needs plenty of light
and fresh air. The outdoor aviary needs to have a protected shelter that can be
heated and cooled where necessary. Flights are recommended to be a minimum of
6' x 6' x 3' (183 x 183 x 91 cm) with plenty of perches or branches at least 1
1/2" (15 cm) thick.
Maintenance
It is important
For the health of your lovebird, it is important to keep bird houses and
accessories clean and in good shape. Basic cage care includes daily cleaning of
the water and food dishes. Weekly you should clean and disinfect the cage. Wash
and completely dry the perches and toys whenever they become soiled. In the
aviary, sand floors should be renewed annually.
Social Behaviors
Lovebirds as pets, as well as in the wild, are very social
birds. Generally and in most situations, it is thought to be essential for
their good health and happiness that they be kept in pairs, not singly. If
keeping a single lovebird, you must provide the necessary social interaction
that it is missing from another bird. These birds develop fierce loyalties to
their keeper or their mate.
Aside from their social nature toward you or their mate,
lovebirds can be extremely aggressive towards other birds. You must be certain
that all pairs get along together, and that they are true "pairs",
not mismatched. Bonded pairs constantly groom each other and will feed each
other from the crop during breeding season and all year round.
These little birds will chatter all day long. They will
hide in their nest box if they are startled by a sudden noise, if they spot a
potential predator, or if it gets cold and windy.
Handling/Training
Lovebird training is best accomplished with a young bird.
To have a tame lovebird, its also best to work with a single bird. Young birds
have an amazing ability to learn tricks and be affectionate. Adults on the
other hand, are very difficult to tame and generally won't learn a lot of tricks
or imitate behaviors. Hand-raised youngsters are easiest to work with. They are
already quite socialized and tame, but unfortunately they are not always
available.
Taming involves acceptance and trust between you and your
bird. It means spending a lot of time with your bird daily. Start with talking
softly and making slow movements. Once your bird is comfortable with you, then
you can begin hand-taming. Use a dowel and push it gently against the bird’s
chest while offering a treat to coax it up onto the dowel. This may take many
tries. Once it is comfortable with stepping up onto a dowel, substitute your
finger for the dowel.
Lovebirds are not considered one of the best talkers, and
only some may learn a few words.
Activities
Lovebirds awaken with the dawn, get a drink, eat, and then
immediately begin to chirp. They will generally quiet down by mid-morning and
resume their chirping in the late afternoon.
These birds are very active, flying and climbing about,
gnawing on wood or chew toys, and grooming themselves many times all day. They
love toys of all kinds such as seed bells, swings, ladders, mirrors, shiny
objects, and wooden gnaws. A lovebird outside of it's cage will not stay on
it's playpen, they like to explore. Be sure this room is safe with no open
doors or windows, no toxic plants, no open water containers, and no hot stove.
Breeding/Reproduction
One of the pleasures of lovebirds is that they are easy to
breed. For breeding lovebirds, each pair of birds will need 2 nest boxes for sleeping
and nesting. These boxes need to be of the same type and size, and placed at
the same height on the same wall.
Breeding Lovebirds
Lovebirds will breed willingly as single pairs and some
species of lovebirds can be bred in a colony setting. Especially suited to a
colony are the white eye-ring group of lovebirds.
Breeding Age for Lovebirds
Lovebirds need to be at least 10 months old, though 12 to
13 months is better. Also birds that are 5 to 6 years or older should be
retired from breeding.
Sexing Lovebirds
Some visual characteristics that may aid in determining sex
are that the female is heavier bodied than the male and will sit more broadly
with legs apart, while the males sit more upright. A female’s tail will appear
more square while a males will appear more rounded. When observing the nesting
behavior, the female will do most of the nest building work.
An anal inspection can be done but takes experience in
sexing these birds to make a fair determination. Basically there are two bones
called the ossa pubes on the ventral side of the pelvis and the female will be
spread wider apart than the male.
The sexing of lovebirds falls into three categories
Dimorphic Types
The first group are different in their outward appearance
and can be classified as dimorphic.
This first group consists of:
Abyssinian Lovebird Agapornis toranta
Madagascar Lovebird Agapornis cana
Red-faced Lovebird Agapornis pullaria
Intermediate Types
The second or intermediate group are harder to
differentiate by appearance.
This group consists of:
Peach-faced Lovebirds Agapornis reseicollis
Black-collared Lovebird Agapornis swinderniana
Monomorphic Types
In the third group, the white eye-ring group, there are no
definite differences that can be seen. The sexing of the white eye-ring group
must be determined by either a surgical probe, endoscopy, which can be done by
many veterinarians or by a DNA testing, usually a blood sample or a few plucked
feathers sent to be diagnosed in a lab.
If you are breeding lovebirds in a colony setting, it is
very important to provide many more nest boxes than their are pairs of birds to
minimize fighting. The nest boxes should all be the same and mounted at the
same height of the enclosure. Also, be diligent in watching for fighting as it
can lead to death.
A nest box for a lovebird is 8" x 8" x 8"
(20 x 20 x 20 cm) or 10" x 6" x 6" (25 x 15 x 15 cm).
Egg Laying and Hatchlings
The female will lay about 5 eggs, though the clutch could
be as few as 3 eggs or as many as 8 eggs. The incubation period is 22 - 25
days, with 75% to 80% of the eggs hatching. The hen will start to brood after
the second egg is hatched. Often the male will join the hen in the nest. The
chicks will begin to leave the nest in about 38 - 50 days and will be
independent about 2 weeks after leaving the nest.
Potential Problems
Lovebird ailments, signs of illness to be aware of, include
if a bird seems withdrawn, its feathers are ruffled and the plumage is dull, it
sits with its eyes closed, watery or dull eyes, runny nose, it sleeps a lot, it
looses interest in its environment, and it stays at its feed cup. The droppings
may change color and be loose (if healthy they are grayish white and not to
thin). A couple other lovebird ailments to watch for are a lot of tail bobbing,
dropping off its perch, odd breathing, sneezing, and excessive scratching.
Some of the common lovebird ailments, illnesses your
lovebirds could contract, are injuries from fighting, Psittacine Beak and Feather
Disease, Polyoma Virus Infection, yeast infections (Candidiasis), Avian Pox
Virus Infection, bacterial infections, internal parasites, mites, ticks, egg
binding, intestinal influenza, coccidiosis, respiratory ailments, and diarrhea.
An ailing parrot should be taken to a avian veterinarian for diagnosis and
treatment.
Availability
The most available types of lovebirds for sale are the
Peach-faced Lovebird, the Masked Lovebird, and the Fischer's Lovebirds. There
are many beautiful lovebird mutations developed from these three groups of
birds that are also readily available. Many other species of lovebird are
available but not be as readily found. Lovebirds are also fairly inexpensive
little parrots.
