Feeding Bread to Birds: May Actually Do More Harm Than Good

Many people have memories of going to a park and tossing out scraps of bread to feed the pigeons and ducks.  It is not unusual for people to put out bread that has gone stale in their backyard feeders, too, so that it "doesn't go to waste".  However, caution must be taken with offering bread, as it may actually do more harm than good.

Bread molds fast outside and injesting these molds can cause a whole range of illnesses in birds.  Bread offered in too large pieces may also cause blockages in birds' digestive tracts.  Crop stasis, a condition where the crop fails to empty properly and food ferments leading to secondary yeast infections, can result from bread consumption.

Bread is more likely to attract nuisance bird species, particularly European Starlings, House Sparrows, and pigeons.

The biggest problem with offering bread is that it does not offer proper nutrition to birds.  Birds that fill up on bread feel full, but have not obtained the fats and proteins needed for survival.  Many of our favorite feeder birds have digestive systems that rely on calories obtained from dietary fats, not dietary carbohydrates, for daily health and survival.

Consider the following facts:

• Dietary fats supply bird with energy, essential fatty acids, and pigments. 
• Fats are the most concentrated energy source that a bird can consume. 
• Fats are the only dietary component that is deposited intact into a bird’s tissue. 
• Stored fats are the primary energy supply that fuels a bird between meals, throughout migration, and during a chick’s embryonic development. 

• In small passerines the amount of fat stored is a function of overnight energy expenditure used to maintain metabolic rate and body temperature. Up to ¾ of fat reserves may be used in one night and replenished the next day. 
• When fat reserves are depleted, protein, mostly from muscles, is depleted to sustain energy needs.

100 grams of white bread contains only 28.6 calories from fat; you may get up to 40 calories in some multi-grain breads.  By comparison, 100 grams of black oil sunflower has 354 calories from fat.  How about other favorite seeds of our backyard birds?  The same amount of safflower offers 322 fat calories, peanut chunks give 413 fat calories, and sunflower chips offer a whopping 429 fat calories.  Those tiny nyjer thistle seeds that goldfinches love?  Yup, they're fatty too, providing 342 fat calories per 100 grams.

These seeds all also offer more protein calories than bread.  100 grams of bread offers about 30 protein calories, while black oil sunflower gives 74 protein calories.  There are 56 protein calories for safflower, 91 for peanut chunks, 70 for sunflower chips, and 84 for nyjer thistle.

If you do decide to put out bread, we suggest following these guidelines:

• Only put out an amount of bread that the birds will eat in a day; food left on the ground overnight may attract undesired visitors such as rats and raccoons.

• Brown bread is better than white.

• Crumble bread into tiny pieces.  This is especially important during the breeding season so that it is only eaten by adult birds.  Dry chunks of bread will choke baby birds, and a chick on a diet of bread will not develop into a healthy fledgling.

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Australian Sheep Found After 6 Years: Wearing 46 Pounds of Wool

Buckland, Australia - An Australian sheep has been found after being missing for 6 years.

Sheila the sheep went missing when her owner lost her in dense forest fog.

Six years later, Sheila was found on the side of a road. She couldn't move because of the weight of the wool on her body. Luckily, an experienced sheep shearer stepped in and freed her from her wool: all 46 pounds of it!

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A 600 Pound Elk Fell Through a Plexiglass Window into a Living Room

When Matthew Siegel heard a loud noise coming from his basement, he rushed to find out what had happened.

A 600-pound elk stood staring back at him.

"To see a full-size elk standing in your downstairs living room when you get down there is something that you'd never expect," Siegel told KTVB.

Siegel and other residents in Idaho have seen snow levels rising in the mountainous northwestern state. Rising snow levels in the mountains kill elk and push them from the snowier regions.

“It is one of those years (that) we have a lot of elk and we have our first normal snow levels in the past five years and elk are being pushed into the valley and getting into trouble,” said Daryl Meints, Magic Valley Fish and Game regional wildlife manager.

But homeowners like Siegel never expected to come face to face with the massive animals.

The elk fell through Siegel's durable Plexiglass window.

"It's Plexiglass and able to hold a couple hundred pounds, but obviously not a full elk," he said.

After hours of trying to lure the elk out of the house, officials almost gave up. But Siegel encouraged them to try one more time.

“It took us about 2.5 hours, but we got her out uninjured,” said Alex Head, Fish and Game senior conservation officer. “The basement will need a good, deep cleaning, but we are glad it worked out as well as it did.”

Siegel is hoping homeowners insurance will cover the costs of the damage.

Mountain snow levels are killing elk and driving them into the Wood River Valley of Idaho.

At least one was found trapped in a Hailey-area resident's home on Wednesday after falling through a window into a basement, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game said.

“It is one of those years, we have a lot of elk and we have our first normal snow levels in the past five years and elk are being pushed into the valley and getting into trouble,” said Daryl Meints, Magic Valley Fish and Game regional wildlife manager.

Matthew Siegel was awakened at around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday when a cow elk ended up in a basement room after falling through a window well.

"It's Plexiglass and able to hold a couple hundred pounds, but obviously not a full elk," Siegel said. "To see a full-size elk standing in your downstairs living room when you get down there is something that you'd never expect."

After hours of unsuccessful attempts to get the elk out of the home, Blaine County Sheriff's Office deputies and Fish and Game officers drove the elk up the basement stairs and out the front door by barricading a path with furniture.

“It took us about 2.5 hours, but we got her out uninjured,” said Alex Head, Fish and Game senior conservation officer. “The basement will need a good, deep cleaning, but we are glad it worked out as well as it did.”

The elk did end up with a minor cut on her neck that left blood on the Siegels's floor.

"There is some pretty good damage. I mean, the window is totally destroyed... It looks pretty nasty down there," Siegel told KTVB-TV.

He is hoping homeowners insurance will cover the costs of damage. Siegel says this is the first time in four years that he has seen elk right there in his neighborhood. Fish and Game says that's because there hasn't been enough snow in recent years to push them out of the high country and into lower, more visible, areas where forage is available.

In another incident, at the Hailey Cemetery on Tuesday 10 elk died after eating a bush called the Japanese Yew.

“Japanese Yew is known to be extremely toxic,” Meints said. “This has happened before in the Wood River Valley and other places around the state to both elk and moose.”

Since then, the Yew has been removed from the grounds, and Fish and Game officers removed the dead elk from the cemetery.

"You're seeing them in downtown Twin Falls," Fish and Game Regional Conservation Educator Kelton Hatch said. "In Boise, you're seeing a lot more deer and elk move down to the foothills and stuff, and up there in Sun Valley."

Other elk are being hit and killed on area roads, Fish and Game said. Idaho Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to pay special attention on I-84 near Mountain Home.

"Particularly during dawn and dusk hours when elk and deer may be on the move looking for food," ITD Communications Officer Jennifer Gonzalez told KTVB.

Fish and Game is urging drivers to be aware, watch the shoulder of the road and go slow enough that you can react if an elk or deer happens to jump in front of your car.

“The best thing for people to do is slow down when driving, when you have elk in your backyard give them a wide berth and don’t push them, and if you have a problem call Fish and Game or local city police or the county sheriff,” Meints said

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Rabies: What Happens When You Get It

Rabies is spread through saliva, the wet stuff in your mouth. It´s not spread by blood, urine, or feces. If an animal has rabies and bites you - or licks its claw before it scratches you - then you could get rabies, too.

You can´t get rabies just by petting an animal with rabies.

If you´re bitten or scratched by an animal with rabies, the good news is that there are shots you can take that can keep you from getting the disease.

What happens if we get rabies?

It can take one month, two months, or even longer for you to know something is wrong. The rabies virus attaches to nerve cells, working its way through the nervous system. Eventually the virus makes its way to the brain, and by then it´s usually too late for doctors to help.

What should I do if I'm bitten by an animal?

Tell an adult right away! Have them wash the wound with soap and water for at least five minutes. Then have them take you to a doctor as soon as possible so the doctor can decide if you need more medical attention.

Have an adult contact your local animal control officer. If the animal that bit you is a pet like a dog, cat, or ferret, the animal may be watched for signs of rabies for 10 days. If it´s a wild animal, the animal control officer will try to catch it and then it may be killed so it can be tested for rabies.

What wild animals cause the most problems?

In the United States, more raccoons have rabies than other wild animals, but it is bites from bats that cause the most rabies in people.

The problem is that bat bites can be so small you might not think they are very serious and tell anyone about them. If you discover a bat in your house, especially in the room where you´re sleeping, you should act as if you were bitten and tell an adult as soon as you can. If an adult can trap the bat, then it can be tested so you will know if it had rabies.

What's the treatment?

You can get anti-rabies shots right away. There are five of them that will be given over 14 days. Two shots are given the first day; one shot goes near where you were bitten and the second in the arm. The rest of the shots go in your arm.

The shots help your body make "antibodies". An antibody is a special molecule that will attack the virus and make it harder for it to enter a nerve cell. If your body makes enough antibodies, the virus will die.

For more information on Rabies, visit the following websites:

Rabies Vaccine:  What You Need to Know

Rabies: Questions and Answers

Information about the disease and vaccines

When Should I Seek Medical Attention for Rabies?

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The Rescue of 66 Dogs from a Dilapidated Rockville Home Being Treated as a ‘Criminal Case’

Rockville, Maryland - The staff at the Montgomery County Animal Services Center remains perplexed after staff there rescued 66 dogs from a dilapidated Rockville home on Friday, January 1st.

"We literally doubled our dog population in one day," Tom Koenig, director of Montgomery County Animal Services, told ABC7. "It's remarkable to me."

On Thursday, December 31st, animal control officers responded to a dog bite call at a home along the 13200 block of Glen Mill Road. While on-site, the female homeowner acted hostile and was overall uncooperative. Officers sensed a large number of dogs were inside her three-bedroom home. They wrote a report and obtained a search warrant. Then around 6:30 p.m. Friday, they returned, search warrant in tow, and discovered the 66 dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds.

It took 16 hours for staff to transport, catalog, and provide medical care to every animal over the holiday weekend. Although specific treatment has not been disclosed, Koenig says it ran the gamut from minor to major remedies.

Now, officers are constructing a criminal case. Was this a dog fighting ring? A puppy mill? Or a homegrown animal rescue gone awry? Investigators have their suspicions, but have not publicly identified the alleged motive.

"The homeowner could certainly face charges, but that has not been decided yet," Koenig added. "We'll charge as the law provides and there will be due diligence in that regard."

The criminal evidence list is long. It includes all 66 dogs, which has prevented the animal services center from releasing photos or pictures of the rescued animals.

"It was not healthy for them and we feel now they are in a better situation with us than they were there," Koenig concluded.

Veterinarians hope all 66 dogs will one day be available for public adoption, but many have a long road to recovery.

Related: Animal Control Officers Seized a Total of 66 Dogs from a Home in Rockville, Maryland

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A Big Thank You to the Oakland Firefighters Local 55, Who Revive Dog with a Snout Breathing Mask

It’s good to know that firefighters are there to protect our family when we need them to, even our non-human family. This week, Oakland Firefighters Local 55 responded to a working fire. With no visibility and high heat, the firefighters went to work to put out the flames while conducting a search of the area. They found a small dog crate with an unconscious dog inside.

They hauled the crate out of the blaze and immediately provided care to the unresponsive pup. After some rescue breathing, the Ambulance Supervisor arrived with a snout-shaped breathing mask to slip over the dog’s muzzle and give oxygen. With the mask doing its job and workers giving lots of pets and care, the dog regained consciousness.

This story has a happy ending. The dog made a full recovery and is doing just fine. I’m glad to know that these snout masks are being used to keep our fur families safe. A big thanks to all the firefighters and ambulance workers who were on the scene and made sure to value all lives in danger.

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The Benefits of Spaying/Neutering Your Dog

Many folks hesitate to spay or neuter their pet, fearing that it’s painful and wondering what the actual benefits are. Here is a discussion of the procedure and why you should consider it for your dog.

What is it?

Spaying is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs of female dogs and neutering is the surgical removal of a male dog’s testicles.

Both operations are performed while the dog is under anesthesia. Your veterinarian may want to keep your dog under observation for anywhere from a few hours to several days. The length of the stay is dependent on your dog’s age, size, and health. Do not leave your dog overnight at the vet’s office if they do not have techs in attendance.

Certain procedures will require that you bring the dog back in a week to ten days for suture removal. Your veterinarian will be glad to answer any questions you may have about spay or neuter procedures, as well as help you determine the best age at which you should sterilize your dog.

Spaying or neutering is good for your dog

• Spaying and neutering helps your dog live a longer, healthier life.

• Spaying and neutering reduces, or can eliminate, a number of health problems that are difficult and/or expensive to treat.

• Spaying greatly reduces the chance of mammary cancer, especially if your dog is spayed before her first estrous cycle, and also eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer.

• Neutering will decrease the possibility of prostate disease and eliminates testicular cancer.

Spaying and neutering offers benefits for you too

• Spaying and neutering makes your dog a better, more affectionate companion.

• Neutering dogs makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.

• Spaying a dog eliminates her heat cycle, which lasts an average of six to 12 days, twice a year. Females in heat can get blood on your furniture, exhibit nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male dogs to your home.

• Dogs that are not sterilized often have more behavior and temperament problems than dogs that have been spayed or neutered.

• Spaying and neutering can make digs friendlier, less likely to bite.

• Neutering makes dogs less likely to wander looking for females or get into fights.

Spaying and neutering are good for your community

• Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted dogs.

• Irresponsible breeding is the root cause of most vicious dog bites and attacks.

• Animal shelters around the country are overburdened with surplus dogs.

• Stray and homeless dogs get into trash containers, urinate and defecate on private lawns and/or public property, and frighten or anger people who do not understand their misery or needs.

• Some stray dogs scare away or kill wildlife and birds.

The cost to spay or neuter your dog is relatively low if you consider all the benefits you and your dog will reap over his lifetime, as well as the satisfaction of knowing you are doing your part to prevent the birth of even more unwanted animals.

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Pet Owner Alert: Most Restraints for Pets in Cars Fail Crash Tests

Many pet owners enjoying taking their dog or cat for a ride in the car, but experts say that when you do, you should keep your pet restrained — for your own good as well as theirs.

"In the event of a crash they can be a projectile hurting everyone, including themselves," said Dr. Flaura Winston of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She advises: "Keep your pets restrained on every trip."

But experts say many of the restraints being sold in pet stores don't work in a crash. In crash tests by the Center for Pet Safety, a nonprofit watchdog group, 25 of 29 products failed in one way or another.

To read more on this story, click here:  Pet Owner Alert: Most Restraints for Pets in Cars Fail Crash Tests

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A Woman Who Was Protected by Her Pit Bull After a House Fire Early December is Being Charged for an Arson

Landover Hills, Maryland - A woman who was protected by her pit bull after a house fire early December is being charged for an arson that happened on the previous day, Prince George's County Fire Department said.

The woman is being charged with multiple crimes in connection with the December 2 fire that happened in the 4800 block of 66th Place in Landover Hills.

A man was transported for minor burn injuries and then released from the burn unit. The woman was also taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation. Officials later learned of an unreported fire that happened the day before on December 1.

The unreported fire that happened on December 1 was an arson in an occupied home.

The 34-year-old woman, April Newell was determined to be the suspect. She is being
charged with arson first degree, arson second degree, arson threat, malicious burning first degree and malicious burning second degree.

She was arrested on December 31 and is being held on a $500,000 bond.

According to the authorities, the first that happened the following day, on December 2 is still being investigated.

Related: Loyal Pit Bull Who Refused to Leave Unconscious Owner’s Side After Fire, Finds a New Home

Related: Remember Precious, the Dog that Stood Guard OverHer Injured Owner During House Fire? She is Up for Adoption: Please Share Her Story 

  

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A Couple Whose Dog Died Battling Cancer is Now Battling Stafford County and a Criminal Charge

A Virginia couple whose dog died battling cancer is now battling Stafford County and a criminal charge.

For about eight years, Travis and Aaren Evans say Buxton, their Labrador Retriever, was a part of their family. He even served as a volunteer dress-up friend to their 5-year-old daughter.

Travis Evans, who purchased Buxton, is now facing an animal cruelty charge, a Class 1 misdemeanor, after he brought Buxton in to a county animal shelter to be put down.

“I can’t have a misdemeanor on my record and try to keep a career to support my family. They can destroy my family," Travis Evans, a local government employee, said.

The couple told WUSA9 their 8-year-old Labrador Retriever had been fighting cancer.

“He was actually a good dog, we never had any problems with him until he had cancer," Evans said.

A few months before July of this past summer, Aaren Evans said Buxton had a biopsy done on an amputated toe. That is how doctors discovered the cancer. Travis Evans told WUSA9 by the time they got the results back, Buxton had another growth on his paw.

On July 2nd, Travis Evans said Buxton suffered a seizure but appeared to bounce back, so they did not take him to an emergency appointment Aaren had made.

Days later, the two said the 8-year-old lab was visibly weak. They said he was collapsing and decided it was time for euthanization.

On a tight budget, they chose to take Buxton to the Stafford County Animal Shelter, where the service is done for free for county residents. They claim, twice, Travis Evans was told they did not need to bring any documentation of Buxton's medical history.

Travis Evans went alone and said when he got to the shelter, a county animal control officer claimed the dog was seizing and soon after accused Travis Evans with not getting Buxton emergency care.

Depriving any animal of necessary food, drink shelter or emergency veterinary treatment is considered “cruelty to animals” according to a Stafford County code. But the couple says the shelter never told them to go to an animal hospital first and claims a shelter staff member lied about this in court.

“I’m up at night thinking 'did we do something wrong' because, at the first trial, they’re making us out to be monsters," said Aaren Evans.

WUSA9 called Stafford County for a statement but was told their animal control offices are closed on Sundays. The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is also closed for the holiday weekend.

The Evans' attorney, Jason Pelt, told WUSA9 over the phone, the couple already knew their dog was very ill and added, "the Stafford County courts completely overstepped their boundary."

“He had cancer. That’s what happens to dogs with cancer. That’s awful ... And for this to be happening to us afterwards is awful," said Aaren Evans.

The couple's attorney appealed a judge’s ruling. Travis Evans will now go before a jury for Buxton’s death on February 23.

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The 12 Most Common Plants That Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs

Cats and dogs don’t usually know what things make them sick, so their curious nature occasionally gets the best of them. To keep your pets safe, avoid having any of these common plants around your home.

This visual guide, from Pots Planters and More, provides information from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and Texas A&M regarding toxic plants that will harm or kill your pets. Not only does it list the plants, like castor bean, dumbcane, and oleander, it also lists what parts of the plant are toxic, how much of it is considered to be harmful, and warning signs that may signal your pet being poisoned. It also features photographs of each plant so you know exactly what you’re looking for. The ASPCA’s Poison Control hotline receives around 150,000 calls due to accidental pet poisonings, so it’s very important you keep these plants away from your pets. You can view the entire graphic below.

To read more on this story, click here: The 12 Most Common Plants That Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs

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Strategically Placed Scratching Posts Could Save Your Furniture

Recently, we got a new couch. We’d had used furniture for a long time, and in a way, it allowed me to get lax — I never worried much about whether the cats scratched the furniture because it was ancient anyway, and not the most beautiful pieces in the furniture universe. I got lucky — I didn’t have a lot of trouble, though Kali (now deceased) loved to scratch a particular corner of an ancient futon. We got a washable cover to place on it, which generally seemed to make the cats want to scratch less, and it made me forget about the previous scratching.

But when we spent a few hundred dollars on a new couch, I started thinking more about providing good scratching options for my cats. I believed that cats would be more tempted to scratch if the fabric on the couch had an obvious nap (a texture that had something for the cats to grab onto and dig claws into), so I chose a microfiber that was smooth.

The saleslady (a cat person) said that when she purchased new furniture, she placed the cat scratching post in a prominent place in the living room. Picture a room with a couch, and a coffee table in front of the couch. The cat scratching post would replace the coffee table.

The saleslady theorized that the cats liked being the center of attention in the room and they would head right to the scratching post and use it. I wondered whether the cats enjoyed being the center of attention or the cat scratching apparatus had simply been placed in an area that was easier for the cats to use. Regardless, we had a few days until the couch actually, so I took the saleslady’s advice. We had a small cat scratching post. I knew it was inadequate (not tall enough, not enough scratching area), though the cats did love the little tube area to play in. I ordered a taller and more sturdy scratching post. We set them both in the center of the room, right in front of the couch.

To read more on this story, click here:

Strategically Placed Scratching Posts Could Save Your Furniture

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How to Clean Cat Urine

Getting Rid of Cat Urine Smell

The lingering, pungent odor of cat urine is enough to make a homeowner with carpeted floors weep in despair. Besides the unhealthy air you’re breathing, the “mark” beckons your kitty to return again and again to that same spot. Here's how to get rid of the smell for good.

Play Detective

Black lights are unique in their ability to detect urine, blood, sweat, and other gross bodily fluids that contain fluorescent molecules. Pick one up at most any store – pet store, hardware store, discount department store. Wait until nighttime, turn out all your lights except for the black light, and mark the spots with something heavy (rocks work well) that your cat won’t disturb. Then get to deodorizing so whatever product you choose can work overnight.

Stop the Stink

Few things smell as bad as cat urine ripening in your home, which has made products reputed to de-stink your carpets a hot commodity. Enzyme-based cleaners and odor removal products claim to render the odor inactive (in my experience, they do not), and sealers (like Kilz) are reported to lock the odor away in walls and floors. But rather than spending a lot of money on chemicals that are bad for you and your animals, consider using cheaper and time-tested cleaners from your grandparents’ day.

To read more on this story, click here: How to Clean Cat Urine

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Tips for Maintaining a Clean and Healthy Bird Cage

Cleaning your bird's cage can at first seem like a tedious chore. With so many bars, cracks, and crevices to scrub, it can be hard for new bird owners to figure out where to start.

Setting and adhering to a cleaning schedule for your bird's cage is essential to keeping this job as easy to handle as possible. Breaking the process down into simple tasks to be completed daily, weekly, and monthly not only saves you time and energy, but ensures that your bird always has a clean and comfortable cage to live in.

Daily Cleaning

Dirty cages can lead to a host of serious health problems in birds. Certain cleaning must be done every day to minimize your pet's risk of infection. Follow these simple steps daily to make sure that your bird's cage stays in top condition.

Change the cage liner. In addition to being uncomfortable, it is unhealthy for birds to walk around in discarded food and droppings. Unchanged cage papers can also emit a very unpleasant stench. Avoid these problems by making sure to replace the liner of your bird's cage every day.

Clean Food and Water Dishes. Remove your bird's food and water bowls daily and wash them with a mild dish detergent. This will prohibit the growth of bacteria that can potentially harm your pet. Make sure to rinse and dry them thoroughly before placing them back in your bird's cage.

Wipe Down Surfaces. Using a damp rag or paper towel, spot clean the surfaces of the cage, including the bars, perches, and any toys. To clean stubborn, stuck on messes, use a bird-safe cage cleaner.

Weekly Cleaning

Decide on a certain day each week to complete weekly cage cleaning duties. Keeping up with these tasks helps to reduce the chance of germs and bacteria taking up residence with your bird.

1.     Wash the Cage's Tray. Bird cages have a tray at the bottom that the cage liners are placed on. This tray should be removed at least once a week and scrubbed with a damp rag and cage cleaner. Remember to make sure that the tray is dry before putting the liners back in and replacing it.

2.     Remove and Scrub the Grate. Some bird cages have a grate at the bottom of the cage, that hangs suspended over the tray so that the droppings fall through to the bottom. This grate should be scrubbed weekly to remove any dried droppings that may have collected on it. The easiest way to clean a grate is to place it in a bathtub and use a scrub brush to remove the waste. As with all cage parts, make sure that it is completely dry before returning it to the cage.

3.     Clean and Change the Perches. Perches can also accumulate dirt and waste, and are a potential breeding ground for bacteria. They should, therefore, be soaked and scrubbed once a week to remove any germs that may be hiding on them. Some perches, especially the wooden ones, take quite a while to dry after they've been cleaned, so it's a good idea to keep a few "back-up" perches on hand. Put these in your bird's cage while the ones that you've cleaned are drying.

4.     Clean and Rotate Toys. Much like human babies, birds use their mouths to explore and play with their toys. Once a week, any toys that are in your pet's cage should be removed, soaked, and scrubbed. As with the perches, it may be helpful to have a variety of toys on hand for your bird. That way, you can rotate the toys every week when you do your cleaning, effectively making sure that your bird does not get bored with his playthings.

Monthly Cleaning

Once a month, you should do a thorough cleaning of the whole cage. If it is not too big, the easiest way to do this is to remove the perches, toys, dishes, grate, and tray and place the entire cage into the bathtub. Those with larger cages often take them outside to a deck or patio, using a water hose to spray the cage off. Do whatever works best for you, but make sure to follow these important tips:

• Use a Good Scrub Brush. Buy a sturdy scrub brush with durable bristles to scrub the bars and base of the cage with. Use a cage cleaner to help break down stuck on material that is hard to get off.

• Make Sure to Scrub the Cracks. Bird cages, particularly at the base, often have many cracks and crevices that provide an ideal place for germs to grow. Use the bristles of the scrub brush to get down into any grooves in the bird cage, and don't forget to scrub the corners where the bars are welded together.

• Rinse and Dry Thoroughly. Always remember to rinse every inch of the cage completely, to remove any remnants of cleaners or detergents. Once the cage is clean, wipe it down with a towel before placing your bird inside. Wet birds get chilled easily, so it is important to make sure that the cage is completely dry.

Maintaining a clean environment for your pet takes only a few minutes a day, but can possibly add years to your bird's life. Cleaning your bird's cage may seem like a lot of work, but you will find that if you stick to this simple schedule, you can complete the job with minimal time and effort. Do your part to make sure that your pet stays happy and comfortable by keeping his cage fresh, tidy, and germ-free.

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