Did you know that cockatiels are among the most popular of pet birds? Normal cockatiels are gray, with white patches on the wings. They have a yellow/white face with a bright orange patch over the 'ear'. Variations include : Pied (varing white patches cover body), Pearl (each feather retains gray color, with white intersperced), Lutino (Bird white with yellow/white/ orange face), and Albino (white bird). Another popular bird is the Budgie also known as the Parakeet. The life-span of Cockatiels is usually around 15 – 20 years, however, it has been reported that some have lived up to 30 years! Having one bird is fine, but you must spend a lot of time interacting with the cockatiel on a daily basis. Having two birds will make it a little easier, but they will bond with each other, and may not bond with the owner. I have often heard people say, “I don’t want a bird, they are dirty!” This is simply not true. If a bird’s cage isn’t clean, it’s the fault of the owner, not the bird! All pets require care.
One thing that I do want to mention, is to never keep your bird in your kitchen. A friend of mine has a cockatiel that she used to keep in her kitchen. I asked her why she had it there, she said that because she spends a lot of time in her kitchen/dining area. Her bird did end up getting sick. The kitchen is generally a poor choice for your cockatiel’s cage. There are a number of fumes in the average household kitchen that can be toxic for birds. A good place the cage is where you and your family spend time so that you can interact with the bird. Cockatiels are vocal creatures. Some make very loud noises. It may sound like they are screaming, but it’s just the natural sounds of the bird. When you arrive home your bird may make noises at the excitement of seeing you. How to tell the sex of your Cockatiel: Males tend to have a brighter facial color. Females have a duller facial color, and have barring under their tails. This method of sexing becomes more difficult in the variations of birds. Feeding your Cockatiel: A seed diet is not adequate, but tends to be high in fat and deficient in vitamin A, calcium, and protein. Seeds can be part of a healthy diet but only a minor percentage. There are other human foods that birds like. Millet is another great food. For a well nourished bird include a variety of fresh fruits crisp or lightly steamed veggies and other table foods in your bird’s diet. Always serve them chopped, sliced, diced, minced and mashed. There are human foods that you can give your Cockatiel: Cooked chicken/ turkey; Eggs/hard boiled/scrambled; Cottage cheese; Yogurt; Asparagus; Beets/beet tops; Broccoli; Brussel sprouts; Carrots; celery; corn; chicory greens; cilantro; collard greens; green/yellow beans; kale; mustard greens; peas and pods; parsley; pumpkin; red/green sweet pepper; romaine lettuce; spinach; turnip greens; water crest; yellow squash; zucchini; bananas; berries; cantaloupe; cherries; cranberries; honey dew; kiwi; mango; oranges(seedless); papaya; pineapple; watermelon; cook pasta; cooked brown rice; dried fruits; whole wheat toast; oatmeal; cheerios; rice krispies; grape nuts; Un salted popcorn; and animal crackers. Foods you should never give your Cockatiel: Avocado, chocolate, coffee, lima beans, milk, sodas, sugar, teas, rhubarb, leaves from potatoes, tomatoes, egg plants, bean plants, alcohol, salt, greasy foods, tobacco, fruits seeds or pits from, apples, apricots, oranges, cherries, or peaches. Tips on caring for your Cockatiel: 1. Your cockatiel needs to have fresh water every day. Change the water every day, even if it looks full. If you find any droppings or feathers in the water cup, change the water, so your bird will not get sick. 2. Some bird noise is very loud but is not screaming, it’s just the natural sounds of birds. Since they are very vocal creatures and you can expect them to greet dawn and sunset with enthusiasm. They may get rowdy just before mealtimes and especially, if you work and the house is empty all day, when you arrive home. 3. Offer foods that have different colors shapes, textures and flavors also vary the presentation. 4. Some birds get startled in their sleep and awaken in a panic. They may start trying to flee the cage and bumping into toys, feeding bowls and their perch. 5. Don't ever give food from your mouth, or kiss your bird. This is harmful to your bird since your mouth carries germs that can make your bird sick. 6. Cockatiels are very dusty. They use a powder to keep their wings water proof. After petting the bird, one normally has a powdery finger. Signs that your bird may be sick:
Birds often pretend to be fine when someone is watching nearby (survival instinct), so observe very carefully
Sleeping excessively. Like people, birds who sleep a lot more than usual may be in trouble.
Any sign of blood, is a bad sign. If your bird is bleeding, you need to stop the bleeding immediately, and contact your Vet.
If a normally playful bird doesn't play very much any more, it may well be sick.
Are you thinking about getting a rabbit as a pet? The first thing that you must understand is that a rabbit is nothing like a cat or a dog. Rabbits aren't for everyone, but make loving pets. You will need to spend time with them every day. If you leave them alone with only other rabbits for company, some tend not like human attention. You will need to make your home rabbit friendly. Take time to think about what you are getting into. While they are cute in the pet store, you must look past the cuteness and consider the care. Do some research before making your decision.
Things To Think About Before Getting A Rabbit As A Pet:
1. Some have a very long life-span. Most live between 7 – 10 years, and some into their teens. Are you prepared to devote this time? 2. They are very messy and can be destructive, sometimes burrowing into mattresses and furniture. 3. Pretty independent and could do without human interaction rabbits do not like to be picked up. The act of bending over them and grabbing them by their ribs to pick them up is very similar to being picked up by a hawk and is very scary to them. Please read the article below called, “Rabbit References”, it will tell you the proper way to pick up a rabbit. 4. They are prone to dental problems, as their teeth grow constantly during their life. 5. Male rabbits, especially make the best pets because they are more attentive and affectionate. They make the best pets for kids because they are interactive, curious, and easy to handle. 6. When a female rabbit reaches sexual maturity, she may begin to view her cage as her potential nesting space and become protective of it. A female rabbit that feels nature urging her to breed can become very testy. 7. Rabbits should always be kept inside. Their body temperature rises far more quickly than that of many other animals, and is already at a higher average than other animals. It is necessary to make sure that the area they are in is appropriately heated or cooled as warranted by the environmental conditions around it. 8. You should not leave them in the sun for long periods of time. Seems obvious, but if you put it in a cage near a window, make sure you provide some shade. 9. Vet visits are expensive for rabbits as compared to cats and dogs. You will need to find a good vet who has experience with rabbits. 10. A rabbit screaming is a sign that the rabbit perceives itself to be in a life or death situation. 11. Rabbits can be trained to use a litter box and some can learn to come when called.
Fun Facts About Rabbits and Hares: A rabbit is different from a hare. A hare is usually born with hair and its eyes open. While a rabbit is born with no hair and its eyes closed. Did you know that baby rabbits are called kits or kittens? Baby hares are born above ground with fur and open eyes. They are called leverets. While rabbits are born underground, blind and naked. The word Bunny is a nickname for rabbits. It comes from the word "coney" (pronounced like "honey"), which used to be the name for a rabbit. The word "rabbit" used to be the name for a kitten (that is, a baby "coney"). Pet rabbits kept indoors are referred to as house rabbits. House rabbits typically have an indoor pen or cage and a rabbit-safe place to run and exercise, such as an exercise pen. A rabbit will teach you a new way of looking at the world! Although they can be ornery at times, rabbits are wonderful, fun, and loving companions. Are you the right kind of person to live with a rabbit? If you have decided to get a rabbit as a pet, would you please consider checking your local animal shelter. They often have rabbits that are looking for a forever home!
A massive great white shark that weighs over 2,000 pounds made its way from Nova Scotia, where it was tagged, down to the Florida Keys in just over a month. According to OCEARCH, a nonprofit research organization that tags sharks to keep track of their movement and activity, the 15-foot-5-inch adult female "pinged" just off the coast of Key West on Saturday morning. She's been named Unama'ki, a term meaning "land of the fog" in the language of the indigenous Mi'kmaq people of Nova Scotia. OCEARCH stated on its website that it hopes Unama'ki will lead them to the site where she gives birth, exposing a new white shark nursery. To read more on this story, click here: Meet Unama'ki, the 2,000-Pound Great White Shark Who Reached the Keys
Doctors advise that pets as well as humans are at risk of mushroom poisoning. There are different types of mushrooms that can have varied effects on pets such as, depression, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, tearing, hallucinations, defecation, liver failure, seizures, drooling, urination, kidney failure, heart damage, hyperactivity and in some cases, death. Amanita phalloides is the most commonly reported severely toxic species of mushroom in the US but other Amanita species are toxic. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, mushrooms are a very complex group of fungi. Certain species of mushrooms, such as the types you find in the grocery store, are considered to be nontoxic, while other wild species can be very toxic. Some have been known to cause liver and kidney damage, while others result in severe gastrointestinal and even neurological effects. Because a toxic mushroom could be growing right alongside a nontoxic one, identifying what type the animal ingested can be tricky. Because of this, we advise that pet owners not allow their animals to ingest any wild mushrooms. And since we often cannot get a positive identification of the exact species involved, it is important to treat all wild mushroom ingestions very seriously.
Sir Patrick Stewart and his wife Sunny Ozell are passionate about pit bulls. They made a goal to foster three of them during this season’s filming of Picard and in bringing Ella home, they have met that goal.
Sunny is clearly smitten with Ella already, saying on Instagram that she has taken to calling her Ella Bella Cinderella because she is such a “pretty princess.” Like countless other pitties, she enjoys snuggling up on the couch under the comfort of a cozy blanket. Stewart and Ozell work with the rescue group Wags and Walks in fostering these wonderful pups. Based in Los Angeles, the group rescues family friendly dogs and works to find them foster and forever homes. They rely on donations to keep things running as well as fundraising through various event. Tickets are on sale now for their 9th annual Wags & Walks Benefit Gala in October. The star-studded event will be hosted by the fabulous Judy Greer and Sir Patrick and Sunny will be special guests.
In Siberia, Russia the winter can be incredibly harsh, the temperature can drop to severe lows (-60°c). Even summer in this country can be overshadowed by rain and some snow. That is why people have to prepare to help them through the extreme cold and dark months. However, not all animals are as resilient and can survive through the rough weather. Ryzhik (Ginger or Redhead) was found Tomsk, the city of Siberia where temperatures dropped to minus 40°c. All of his paws were so badly frostbitten, with gangrene setting in quickly and the vet had no other option but amputation. Despite losing all limbs, Ryzhik’s new owner didn’t give up him and decided to take him to a clinic in Novosibirsk, where can set him up with four prosthetic paws. To read more on this story, click here:This Cat Lost His Limbs To Frostbite And Now He Was Fitted With Artificial Ones
Stephy Hirst from Australia always knew her kitty Omar was a big guy. Still, she was surprised when Guinness Records contacted her saying he might be the longest feline in the world. “At first I thought ‘is this real?’,” said Hirst. “We thought he might be (the longest cat in the world) but we hadn’t done anything about it because he might not be fully grown yet.” “(Omar) was tiny when we got him but then he just started growing and was at 22 lbs one year old.” Hirst decided to measure Omar and he came in around 3.93 ft weighing 30.86 lbs. Up until now, this Guinness title belonged to UK-based Maine Coon Ludo, who is measured at around 3.88 ft. After the his picture was posted on Cats Of Instagram, Omar became an Internet sensation. However, stardom doesn’t affect his daily routine, which includes waking up at 5 AM, eating kibble for breakfast, napping outside on the trampoline, and enjoying some raw kangaroo meat for dinner. “He sleeps on the couch … because he takes up too much room on the bed and he demands we cuddle and pet him all through the night.” Hirst says her husband always wanted a big cat – well, there you have it! To read more on this story, click here:Couple Is Proud Of Having The Longest Cat In The World
CONTENT ADVISORY This post contains graphic content and pictures that may be upsetting to some. Viewer discretion is advised. Dallas, an 9-month-old miniature bull terrier, was brought to Off-Leash K9 Training facility to be potty trained and learn basic obedience. His owners thought they were leaving their beloved dog in the care of professionals and never imagined any harm would come to him. Instead of being treated like a family member, Dallas was deprived of food and starved to death. Dallas spent five weeks at Off-Leash K9 Training in Johnson City, Tennessee. During that time the family said they were told they couldn’t visit because it would disrupt the training. Originally, Dallas was scheduled for two weeks of training, but the owners said the trainer told them he needed more time for housebreaking. To read more on this story, click here:Dog Dies From Starvation At Training Facility
Service dogs in Canada caught a performance of “Billy Elliot: The Musical” as part of their training last week. And cute images of the pooches peering over the backs of seats at the Festival Theatre in Stratford, Ontario, are now going viral. The group of dogs attended one of the Stratford Festival’s “relaxed performances.” The shows are “specifically designed to welcome patrons who will benefit from a less restricted audience environment,” according to the festival’s website. To read more on this story, click here:Very Good Service Dogs Watch 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' At The Theater
It’s only natural for humans to fear snakes and spiders; it’s an instinct that warns us of potentially poisonous creatures. That being the case, a humongous huntsman spider, home to Australia, could be someone’s worst nightmare. But that’s not the case for Barnyard Betty’s Rescue, a Queensland animal sanctuary that rescues all sorts of animals in need. A viral photo taken by Betty herself testifies to this after she rescued a huntsman spider the size of a dinner plate. Betty’s posted it online and described the encounter: “Yes, she is very real and very large and not photoshopped,” the description read. “She was a beautiful, calm spider, not aggressive in any way and like most spiders she just wanted to go about her business eating bugs and living in peace. “She didn’t or doesn’t need to be killed! Poor spiders are so misunderstood!” To read more on this story, click here:Woman Finds HUGE Huntsman Spider the Size of a Dinner Plate and Rescues It With a Broom
Montgomery Parks urged dog owners to keep their pets on a leash and out of the lakes There are elevated levels of a toxic substance that could be deadly to dogs and harmful to people in two lakes in Montgomery County, Maryland, officials say. Blue-green algae released the toxin microcystin in Lake Needwood and Lake Frank in Rock Creek Regional Park. If ingested, microcystin can cause liver damage to people and pets. The toxin often appears at the lakes during the summer. "An algal bloom toxicity can be very dangerous and possibly lethal if not treated when clinical signs start occurring," Dr. Matthew Antokowiak, a veterinarian at AtlasVet in Washington, D.C., previously told News4 in 2017. Montgomery Parks said in a statement Tuesday that pet owners should keep their dogs on leashes and not allow them to drink or come into contact with the water. To read more on this story, click here:Algae Toxin That Can Kill Dogs Discovered in 2 Montgomery County Lakes
For rescue dogs, this is their day. Watch the first dog show that does not judge a dog on their breed, but rather their personality. Dogs do not have to be purebred to compete, and mutts are our favorites. The only requirement is that the dogs all be rescues. This dog show will be showcasing the dogs’ best traits out of 10 categories. Rebecca Romijn and Rich Eisen are the hosts, and the program features some celebrities as the judges. To read more on this story, click here:Spotlight Is On Rescue Dogs In First-Ever American Rescue Dog Show
An act of kindness was captured in a video when a disabled man got out of his wheelchair in order to shuffle down a grass embankment in order to rescue a small kitten that was caught in a storm drain. 30-year-old Abu Fathiyyaturahma Menk Abdun Mujtahid first noticed the kitten struggling to hold onto the concrete barriers in Sabah, Malaysia, last Saturday morning. Despite his inability to use his legs, Abu didn’t hesitate to get out of his wheelchair to get down to the stranded cat. His friend, who is also in a wheelchair, managed to film the moment that Abu rescued the kitten. When Abu first reached the drain, he realized that he was too far away to reach the kitten so he then readjusted his position in order to try again. To read more on this story, click here:Disabled Man Leaves His Wheelchair And Risks His Life To Rescue Kitten Stuck In Drain
Lynn Wainman arrived to her Hollywood home on Valentine’s Day to find that it had been ransacked. Her jewelry was stolen, but worst of all, her beloved dog named Daisy was missing as well. Wainman had adopted Daisy from the shelter more than seven years ago. Daisy has a severe skin condition that requires medication. Without it, her skin could become very bad, so Wainman worried about this as well. Months after Daisy had gone missing, a good Samaritan saw her on a road in North Miami Beach and took her in to try and find the owner. They scanned the dog for a microchip, which she had, but it still had the previous owner’s information. But with a lot of hard work, they finally were able to find Wainman. “I feel very excited because she’s back home and I know she’s going to be around people who love her and who are going to care about her,” said the good Samaritan, Joceline Paria. To read more on this story, click here: Dog Stolen In Home Burglary Found Months Later In Awful Condition
