Birds have always been an entertaining pet to have. Whether you race, breed, or just happily keep them in your home, birds have always been a favorite. I will be advising you on how to properly learn how to care for your pet birds and which birds are most popular in households around the world. Although all pet birds should be treated as individuals, it is possible to minimize the risk of biting and aggression by choosing a species known for having a gentle and sociable demeanor.

 

Popular breeds

It is no surprise that many people want a pet bird that is friendly, gentle, and well-suited to being a companion. These traits are even more important for people with limited pet bird experience. It is easier to bond with and care for an animal that has a naturally friendly disposition, rather than one that tends to be timid or aggressive. The captivating cockatiel is a great choice for anyone who wants a friendly and affectionate pet bird.

Hailing from Australia, these birds make excellent pets when hand-fed as babies and raised in positive environments. While they do not normally learn to talk, cockatiels are exceptionally intelligent – many learn to whistle quite well and mimic common household noises. If you prefer a large pet bird that is friendly and affectionate, a cockatoo can be a great choice. These beautiful birds bond very strongly with their caretakers and prefer to be with them as often as possible. It is imperative that you have plenty of time to spend socializing with your bird. Cockatoos can become depressed if they are not given enough attention and might resort to feather plucking or other destructive behaviors.

As a member of the finch family, canaries are another excellent choice for bird lovers who prefer a hands-off pet. There are different types of canaries to choose from, and each variety has its own care requirements. In general, these birds need a healthy diet, a cage in which they can fly, and some toys to remain healthy.

 

Best suited to families

The highly intelligent African grey is often regarded as the best talking bird, with some amassing vocabularies of hundreds of words. There is even research suggesting these parrots can use words in context to have simple conversations, though that does not necessarily mean they understand what they are saying. In any case, this kind of verbalization takes years of patient training and practice.

This breed can be fun for children to interact with; however, you must exercise caution as many parrots are known to be ill-tempered. Cockatiels are larger than finches and budgies, but they are still one of the best pet birds for children and families. They can learn to talk, whistle, and do tricks, making them a delight for children. Cockatiels do well with older children who can devote time to interacting with them. They relish their time out of the cage and require a bit more work than finches or budgies do. So, select a cockatiel for kids who really have a desire to keep birds and learn about them.

 

Birds for beginners

If you are new to the world of birds, you may wish to start off gently. You might have already heard of parakeets that are also alternatively known as budgies. They are very friendly and affectionate pets when you take care of them properly. They are really small and cute, and you can also train them to perform several tricks. Moreover, budgies can literally learn to talk which makes them incredible pets that are not only adorable but also entertaining.

If you want a pet that you do not have to tend to too much, then finches are a great option. They are fast-moving and lively as well as fun to watch. They do not prefer climbing so make sure that their cage is big enough for them to fly around in. You should always buy them in pairs or in multiple numbers as finches are very social in nature. If the cage is too small for these finches then it can get really crowded which fights between the birds can erupt. They make for amazing pets for a child’s room as they do not like to be handled. You can easily have them around as perfect companions.

Whilst health is just a natural part of any dog’s life and they’re bound to get ill, it can be a stressful and sad situation to deal with so it’s useful to know how some of these situations can be avoided. Not every issue can be avoided as long-time dog owners will be aware, yearly trips to the vet are the norm and they’re impossible to avoid. As a dog owner, your dog is entirely your responsibility, it is up to you to keep them safe at all times and not leave them to suffer more than they have to when they’re ill. Due to this, it’s important that as a dog owner you’re aware of the most common issues, know how to deal with them if they can’t be prevented but also how to avoid getting them in the first place. One general way to help avoid any more serious issues for your dog is to visit the vet for general checkups, not just making an appointment when your dog is ill. It is recommended that twice a year is sufficient to ensure the best health for your four-legged friend.

Poisoning

Dogs are extremely curious animals which increase their risk of getting poisoned. If you’re a dog owner you’ll know if you leave your dog unattended in the kitchen, they’ll try to eat anything they can find. This can be unsafe for your dog as many things in your home environment will be toxic for your dog. Some of the most common foods that are toxic to dogs include onions which can damage the red blood cells in your dog and cause anemia. Chocolate is also dangerous for dogs and can cause many different reactions so it’s good to be aware of all of them, it can cause vomiting, excess thirst, excessive panting, and in extreme cases seizures or irregular heart rhythm. The other main foods that are toxic to dogs include alcohol, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt, and dairy food. Poisoning in your dog is easy to avoid as long as you do your research, if you’re ever unsure about if a food is toxic to a dog or not you can always consult Trusty Paw Pal to see if it’s suitable or not.

Skin Problems

Skin problems can be really uncomfortable for your dog, the biggest symptom of skin issues in dogs is itching. This is the biggest give away to alert you that your dog is suffering. Other symptoms of skin problems include dry skin, rashes, lumps, redness, etc. Some of the reasons for skin problems in dogs could be general environmental allergies, similar to hay fever in humans. It could also be a result of food allergies, impetigo (more likely in puppies), fleas, or yeast infections. To avoid skin problems in dogs it’s a good idea to frequently wash your dog’s bedding to reduce any allergens that may be lingering there irritating your dog, also wash your dog frequently with a high-quality shampoo as this could help get rid of any fleas that could be causing skin problems. If these things don’t work and your dog has been itching for a prolonged period of time then make a vet appointment.

Ear Infections

This is one of the most common issues and also one of the most uncomfortable for your dog. They occur when debris from things such as wax and hair build up in your dog’s ears. There are many tells that your dog has an ear infection, they’re likely to shake their heads a lot and scratch at their ears, if you see these symptoms in your dog then check their ears for any odor as that’s another symptom and a good way to differentiate between normal scratching and an ear infection. Having a good ear-cleaning routine for your dog is the best way to prevent any ear infections as this will prevent debris from building up. If there is hair growth inside your dog’s ears you should add plucking this hair to their ear-care routine. If you’re unsure how to properly care for your dog in this regard then set up a vet appointment and a vet will be able to show you how to thoroughly clean them.