Archive for May, 2010

While for some pet owners, pet health insurance is a whim, for others it is a necessity. The truth is that in the situation when millions of Americans have no health insurance coverage, it sounds paradoxical that some would go to the length of insuring their pets. Nevertheless, anyone who has a pet knows that lots of money go into disease prevention by vaccination and periodical checkups.

Pet health insurance used to be pretty prohibitive in terms of costs, yet, things have changed for the better in this industry. People can now choose various types of pet health insurance covering disease control and treatment, preventive care, emergency interventions and even surgery. The system for pet health insurance resembles human policies: there are annual premiums, coverage plans and deductibles.

You can create a pet health insurance when your animal friend is between six or eight weeks of age, and there are some age limits. While is some cases pet health insurance has an 8-year limit, in other cases it extends up to 27 years. Normally, if there has been coverage before the age of 8, the animal will have coverage after this age too. Animals with terminal diseases and current conditions may not be acceptable for pet health insurance. Some companies provide coverage if the pet’s condition is stable or controlled, usually following a waiting period between 3 months and a year.

The owner normally chooses from several packages depending on the type of animal and its specificity. It is based on such ideas as well as on the comprehensiveness of the package that the monthly or yearly premiums are designed. From the services covered by a regular policy we ought to mention vaccinations, preventive medication, annual checkups, routine care procedures and even spray surgeries. There are also pet health insurance policies for illness and accident. There is no waiting period for the coverage in accident claims.

The alternative to getting a pet health insurance is to take the animal to a humanitarian association or non-profit organization that provide free health checkups and emergency treatments. There are also some discount programs such as Pet Assure that help you make a 25% savings on veterinarian services if you go to the specialists in the network. They also provide other pet services and supplies for which you can even get a 50% discount. This could be a solution to take into consideration!

If you have a modest pond in your yard, it would be very enjoyable and relaxing if you have a small flock of ducklings swimming through its waters. For a good number of people, ducks are very beautiful pets. Watching them swim in a very serene way through the pond is very calming, and relaxing. Ducks are quite easy to raise, especially if you have the proper information on how to keep them.

Check and collect duck eggs frequently, assuming that you have laying ducks. If not, you can just buy fertilized duck eggs from some farms to begin with. Most duck raisers collect eggs every day when the matured duck hens begin laying. Ducks are not that good in prioritizing things and a layer will usually begin laying eggs before they can even build a good nest, leaving the eggs scattered on the ground. Collect these eggs wash them gently and pat dry with a piece of clean cloth. Before the incubation, place the eggs in a box at room temperature. It is essential to shift their position at least twice a day, since mother ducks do egg turning naturally, even before she begins sitting on her eggs.

Prior to the incubation, preheat the incubator for at least a whole day. This is to make sure that it has the constant temperature of 90 – 100 degrees. You should constantly keep a room thermometer in the incubator and check it frequently. Moreover, provide the bowl with enough water. This is very essential because the eggs require proper moisture to avoid dehydration.

Once the incubator is ready, place the eggs inside. When you have gathered a number of duck eggs, at least a 12, you can now begin to incubate them. However, never store the eggs for more than a week before you put them into incubation. If you are thinking of adding some more eggs as they are laid, make sure that you put a mark on the eggs with the start date of their incubation. With this way, you will not be confused as to which will come first. You should remember that that eggs may seem alike, and you may not remember what is the exact date you put each egg in the incubator. Some raisers place a batch of eggs at a time, especially if they have a number of layers. However, if you begin with a dozen or so originally, it is okay to place another dozen in a few days.

Do not forget to turn the eggs. During incubation, keep on egg turning at least twice a day, dabbing them with water at each turn. You can also use a spray bottle for moistening the eggs. This will keep the fetus from fusing to the shells. Keep on turning the eggs until about three days before they hatch, and then discontinue the egg turning. Right now, the fetus has settled into their hatching speck.

After about 3 weeks, begin listening to the eggs during the egg turning. They are very active when they are near to hatching, and they tend to chirp. If you can hear their faint bird singing, it is a very good indicator of a healthy baby duck.

For more information on keeping ducks see http://aboutducks.com

By Medha Roy

Cockatiels are one of the most lovable pets in the world. They are a valuable treasure to the owner. Cockatiels, just like humans, need a lot of attention and care. Parrots as pets are delightful but they can become extremely moody and temperamental. This may also depend on its health and diet.

Good cockatiel care involves not only regulation of diet but also of hygiene and cleanliness. Cockatiels, like most of its cousins in the parrot kingdom, are prone to some typical illnesses. Unfortunately, many are fatal and result in death even before the malady is diagnosed. As a result, cockatiels should always be kept under close supervision.

A wise owner of cockatiels is one who is aware of common cockatiel illnesses so that he/she can at least try and help. Many maladies are airborne and they set in even before you realize. It is advisable to seek professional advice whenever you suspect a crisis.

Some of the common illnesses are:

Pacheco’s Virus – It is easy to diagnose your cockatiel if Pacheco’s Virus infects it. The bird needs to be administered a strong oral dose of Zovirax medication. Vaccines are easily available for this disease, but they can bring about tumors and carriers. Evidence shows that parrots are likely to die shortly after inoculation.

Polyomavirus – Polyomavirus largely attacks the young ones. This virus is again air-borne and complicated to control. Look for clinical warning signs like depression, delayed crop emptying, anorexia, diarrhea, regurgitation and weight loss in parrots.

Beak and Feather Syndrome – Spread by feather dust and dried feces, parrots infected with PBFDS show abnormal growth of new feathers. The new-fanged shafts look as if swollen and gnarled. Another type of PBFDS symptom that is quite prevalent is growth abnormality of the beak. There is currently no known cure for this disease.

Wasting Disease – A highly contagious disease Wasting Disease is not as fast in opening out as Pacheco’s. Wasting Diseases are hard to reckon since they lie dormant for years, until hosts are on a move. Studies on parrot show Wasting Diseases have a severe effect on nervous systems extended to all of the major organs, triggering seizures, paralysis, and tremors, and also heart attacks. There is no known medication available for Wasting Disease, but changing the food patterns of the parrots by including easily digestible diet supplements may prolong the life of a victim.

Homeopathic Avian Remedy – $ 10.95 Homeopathic Avian ANXIETY Remedy–Dosing for Small mammals, exotics, and birds: 3 drops in drinking water daily.

Papilloma – Appearing primarily in the throat or vent areas, papilloma is caused by a virus infection similar to warts. It grows large enough to block the vent, making it difficult or even impossible for the host to defecate. Parrots diagnosed of Papilloma can be cured after successful laser surgery.

Psittacosis – Psittacosis is another most dreaded bacterial infection that commonly occurs in the cockatiels and is transmitted via feather dust and dried feces.

E-coli – This bacterium is not so lethal if it is acknowledged and treated at initial stages. In fact, when cockatiels are diagnosed of having Ecoli their droppings usually have the appearance of diarrhea, giving out strong odor.

Gout – Calcification of the kidneys among the parrots is common especially among the babies who are aged 4-8 weeks. In such cases, victims rarely survive. Initially they show regurgitating and slight dehydration after feedings. In addition, babies who appear slightly smaller than their regular sizes, with protruding neck bone have the largest possibility of incurring Gout.

Runny Nose or Nasal Discharge – The most common of all nasal discharge is laxity of Vitamin-A in cockatiels. This deficiency can be corrected by increasing the food quantities that are rich in vitamins and mineral contents especially.

Article Source: Article Crop

About the Author

Medha Roy is a parrot owner for 12 years. She works with www.pet-parrots.com.

By Kimberly Webber

When selecting the appropriate food for your bird, it is important to think about certain things and ask yourself several questions. You should keep in mind the type of bird or birds you own and their size. Do they need a seed and pelleted diet? Do they like to eat food from their talon, or out of their dish? Does your bird make a large mess when eating. Does your bird have any known health problems?

Some foods can help certain problems like feather picking and vitamin deficiencies. With so many different types of food on the market, it can be difficult and confusing. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you keep them on a well-balanced diet.

One common misconception is that birds need seeds in their diet, and the truth is they do not. Peanuts are very high in fat content and I recommend giving your bird no more than one per day. Sunflower seeds, which can be prevalent in some seed mixtures are also high in sodium and fat. It is ok to give your bird a few seeds, but if your bird is eating them anymore than 10% of their diet, that is too much. Most birds need to be on 90% pelleted diet. Seeds, nuts and other treats can make up the other 10%. Also included in most parrots diet can be fresh fruit and vegetables. These can seem like a treat to your bird, but are actually very healthy.

There are some brands of food which are 100% organic. These are best for your bird as no chemicals are used when growing the ingredients. Organic foods also contain no preservatives and no artificial coloring. Birds can be sensitive to those things.

Roudybush Crumbles – $ 8.95 Roudybush Crumbles – 44 oz.

Human food in very small quantities can be ok for your bird, but should not be practiced regularly. One human food that is great for birds is the sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are filled with Vitamin A, which the Eclectus parrot needs in their diet because it aids in digestion. They also contain Vitamin C and Iron and are relatively easy to cook and store as well.

Two foods that can kill your birds are chocolate and avocado. You should never feed your bird those foods in any amount.

Still have questions regarding which food is appropriate for your bird or parrot? You may contact our bird food experts and find the best food for your bird by visiting us at
The Pink Bird – Bird Food Page or www.thepinkbird.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberly_Webber

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The Moluccan Cockatoo, also known as the Salmon-crested Cockatoo is endemic to eastern Indonesia.

It is a large white bird in the cockatoo family. It has a rather loud call, one of the loudest in the parrot world. It can be a very capable mimic when raised in captivity.

A healthy Moluccan Cockatoo can live to be 80 years or more. King Tut, a Moluccan Cockatoo at the San Diego Zoo lived to be 100 years.

A vulnerable species

The CITES conservation agreement, one of the largest of its kind in existence, classifies the Moluccan Cockatoo as a vulnerable species.

This means that it is illegal to trade in birds that have been caught in the wild.   Furthermore, trading of captive bred birds is also legal only with appropriate CITES certification. Despite these efforts at conservation, illegal trapping of the Moluccan Cockatoo for sale continues even today, and this is very unfortunate since it puts the species at a huge risk of survining in the wild.

The Moluccan Cockatoo cannot be imported into the USA any longer. They are, however, bred in captivity in the USA.

The Moluccan Cockatoo as a pet

The Moluccan Cockatoo is beautiful as well as trainable, and for this reason, people like to have them as pets. Trained bird shows often feature the Moluccan Cockatoo as well.

The Moluccan Cockatoo can be one of the most demanding birds to own as a pet. The Moluccan Cockatoo is very intelligent. They are quite big and need a sturdy cage or aviary to hold them. They require a lot of activity and the attention of their caregiver to remain healthy. Health or behavioral problems may arise if they are not provided the right environment and attention.

With all the effort, comes the joy of the Moluccan Cockatoo as well. Cuddly, social, and affectionate, they love to be held for long periods of time, something that one expect from a pet bird.

Their diet is made up of seeds, nut and fruit. Grown as a pet in captivity, a Moluccan Cockatoo needs a diet rich in protein (which they get in the wild by eating insects off the ground). Otherwise, they might become anemic.

Help online

There is excellent information online on what it mean to keep and breed Moluccan Cockatoos. There are videos online on everything ranging from feeding it, training it, to entertaining it. There are forums where owners can be in touch with others and exchange ideas and get their questions and concerns answered. There are also excellent books that may be indispensable for a Moluccan Cockatoo owner.

by Nancy Richards

I have had many pets in my life but parrots for pets are my all-time favorites. This is primarily because most parrots have long lives. Moreover, parrots are one of the best pets in the world. As pets, parrots provide a lot of entertainment and they bond with humans just as they would with their flock.

For pets, parrots are the right choice for people with small children at home and for those who have retired from active professional lives. Parrots can be a lot of fun to be with and are ideal companions of little children.

Parrots fill up your life with laughter and fun. Watch your parrots repeat your words in their own tones. It is simply hilarious! Be careful, though. See to it your parrots don’t tell your mother-in-law what you think of her!

Pet parrots can be trained to talk and perform amazing tricks. However, it is not easy to train parrots. They are intelligent, graceful and often moody birds. You can derive immense satisfaction to see your pet parrot repeating the words or the tricks they have just learned from you.

Keeping a pet parrot implies a lot of time and understanding of their minds. Having kept parrots as pets for over twenty years now, I know it is difficult for all new owners of parrots. However, it is such a fulfillment to see them playful, happy and healthy that the pains and the efforts in taking care of them are just a small price to pay.

About the Author

The author is a parrot lover for the last 12 years and is the owner of the website http://www.pet-parrots.com

By Kimberly Johnson

Homeopathic Avian Remedy – $ 10.95 Homeopathic Avian ANXIETY Remedy–Dosing for Small mammals, exotics, and birds: 3 drops in drinking water daily.

Each living thing, be it a human, animal or a bird has to deal with health issues. Birds, just like every other species, have their own sort of sicknesses. If you have pet bird, it might get ill without you getting any inkling. Lack of right treatment and lengthened illness can have permanent effects on the healthiness of your pet. You should constantly check if your pet bird in not afflicted by any illness. Tips for this are presented below.

A number of symptoms might show that your pet bird is sick. Of these, signs of skin are extraordinarily excellent. The skin of a sick bird changes. For just about all the forms of problems in most birds, the common symptom is rosiness of skin or swelling. In some birds, this could be accompanied by skin turning flaky and sore. Frequently test your pet for any such issues.

The eyes, ears, nose and mouth are some of the most crucial body parts to look out for in case you believe sickness. You will just notice change in color around these body parts. Discharge from any of these body parts may also indicate illness or ill health. Inflammation of the eyes and the nose are some other crucial signals of sickness in pet birds.

Another sure shot sign of the bad health of your pet bird is weakness. If you find that your pet is frail and not active enough, there’s a high possibility of sickness. It has been noted that almost all the pets go into a recluse when not at the best of their health.They generally tend to isolate themselves and do not reply much to your advances of warm feelings and love. In this manner the social interaction of your pet can provide you a fair idea of whether he’s struggling some illness or not.

Yet one more thing to lookout for is the changes that your pet bird exhibit in his/ her character. Sickness has a great effect on the behaviour pattern of the pets. There are some pets that go thru certain changes in their quirks while nursing illness. While some might exhibit gentle and not very noticeable differences, there are several others who show an intense change in their behavior. For some, a common indicator is the deficit of eagerness. for some others becoming assertive is the telltale indication. Both the case reflects likelihood of bad health.

The dietary patterns of your pet bird are also a thing to be worried about. If you observe that your pet bird is not eating its common diet, there could be something not well. You want to give your pet bird something it really likes. Again, if the bird eats nothing or eats too less, you want to think about visiting a vet with your bird.

It’s crucial for animal owners to understand that birds cannot speak about their illness or cry about their sufferings. So, make sure that you are more careful with your pet bird and are able to spot an illness before the situation goes out of hand.

About the Author
Here are a few more ways to know about Dental Plans and Best Dental Insurance. Also, get detailed information on Dental Benefits
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com

By Megan

Every pet owner should be the first consideration is your pet’s health problems. This is no different between a cat, dog and bird. Birds not only for their own health issues are important, and it is very significant to the family.

Birds in general are clean animals. However, a bird that is confined to a cage does not have the luxury of a rain shower, dust baths and a seemingly limitless bathroom. There are many steps that you can follow to be sure that your bird is clean and healthy. To begin with, choose a good location to put the bird cage. The bird cage should not be in direct sunlight but should be a location where the changing of day and night can be seen. Place the bird cage in an area that does not get too warm or too cold and is definitely not drafty. Your birds comfort level is essential to its physical as well as mental health.

Keeping the cage clean is a must. Your bird cage should have a liner that allows you to easily clean the bottom of the cage. Liners also help avoid rust and other damage that can occur to your cage due to excessive contact with acidic moisture, like urine. A liner can catch all the debris that falls to the bottom and is easily removed for regular cleaning.

Cleaning the cage regularly is extremely important. Pet birds are going to make a mess. They tend to throw and scatter food, water and whatever else they can get their beaks on. Cleaning on a regular basis will prevent the buildup of odor causing waste. A clean cage means less smell along with a more enjoyable experience for the family.

If you discover you have a very messy bird, your cage may require an additional layer of protection like a cage net or hanging something beneath the cage to trap anything that falls.

Regardless of the actions you take to keep the bird cage clean, some things are going to make it to the floor from time to time. For this reason, the cage should be located in a spot where the floor is easily cleaned. Tile, concrete or hard wood floors are preferable. Carpet would not be a good alternative for this area.

Poop-Off – $ 37.95 Poop-Off – One Gallon

A pivotal one thing is to keep your bird’s cage clean for keeping your bird healthy and happy. So, you should clean the bottom of the cage regularly.Then your bird and your family will be healthly.

About the Author
More information of pets in www.club4pets.com
There are lots of posts of pets.We hope you will like them.
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by Megan

Everybody needs household items, pet need either including birds. If you want to take good care of pet birds, you should choose the right of its supplies. First, you should know the pet birds basic needs. Then, everything will be easy.

Perches
Since most birds spend their time standing, a perch is the most basic supply you’ll need. Your bird will live accordingly if you get the right sized perch for the cage. An appropriate perch will allow a balance of movement and rest for the bird. Usually cages come with a wooden made dowel. Because it came with the cage, the right size for it has been measured. This means you should not take it away. However, you should still place other perches so the bird’s feet won’t get sore.

Spirulina – $ 10.00 Spirulina – 3.5 oz.bottle

One option for a bird perch is one made of rope. The rope material is very soft and flexible, giving your bird a comfortable place to stand on. If you opt for the rope perch, make sure you trim it regularly. Otherwise, the bird’s nails will get caught in the loose threads. A cheaper option is a plastic perch, but you have to ensure the bird does not swallow it. A sturdier material is wood such as Manzanita.

Bird stands
Another essential bird supply for the cage is a stand. The most elaborate stands include shelving compartments to store the pet’s food and toys. If you want to spoil your bird, it will definitely enjoy this organized form of pet bird supplies. Homes with minimal space should get a hanging bird cage stand. A hanging cage stand also works for modern designed houses. Be sure to get a stand that fits your bird and your home. The stand should fit both so neither party feels inconvenient.

Pet toys
If you would like to buy your pet bird toys, you should consider their level of toxicity, ingestion potential, and the possibility of entanglement. Some pet bird supplies which are toys contain heavy metals or poisonous chemicals. You don’t want the bird to risk smelling or ingesting these dangerous ingredients. You should also estimate how the toy’s size will fare against the bird. This estimate will show you the toy’s potential for entanglement.

The bird may also ingest the toy if it is very small. Make sure it is large enough to play with but not too small. Before getting any toys, get to know your bird to know its tastes. Observe how it moves to know which toys are appropriate.

Bird cage
Of course, bird cage is the most basic of pet bird supplies. Different birds need different cage. We should take into account birds flying space and their size. Then, birds will have a comfortable environment.

About the Author
Thank you for reading my article “Shopping for Pet Birds Supplies”.
There are lots of posts of pets.We hope you will like them.
http://www.club4pets.com
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com

by Megan

Indestructibell – LOADED – $ 10.65 Indestructibell – Loaded, SMALL

Thank you for reading my article “Teaching You to Choose Bird Toys！”. You can find more articles in Pets Club.

Toys help create a challenging and diverse environment and are an easy and effective way to prevent most negative behavior triggered by boredom. Though toys are often regarded as accessories or peripheral items, toys play a crucial role in the physical and mental well-being of your pet bird. It is not uncommon for caged birds to develop behavioral problems due to a lack of mental and physical stimulation.

How to choose toys?
All birds need toys. One of the most important factors in choosing a toy is making sure it is safe for your bird to play with. Take some simple steps to make sure you are buying safe toys for your bird.

First, you should talk to your vet. Your vet is of course the expert source on what bird toys are best. Ask for advice on which toys previous owners have had success with. Your bird’s safety is important, so making sure they have safe toys is important too.

You can also visit other sources for bird toy reviews. Look online for toys made just for your pet’s species. Birds come in all different sizes and temperaments, and you should get a toy suited for your pet. If the toy is too big, your bird can get caught in it. If it is too small, it may eat it and choke. Find safe bird toys in sizes that your bird can play with comfortably.

Lastly, remember to look at the package of any toy you purchase. Make sure that the toy you are buying uses natural materials. Some artificial dyes and plastics may harm your pet bird. Birds tend to chew on their toys, so dangerous chemicals can cause serious problems.

Remember to choose toys appropriate to your bird’s size and temperament. Large birds can break toys that are too small, and smaller birds may become frightened and confused by a too-large toy.

TIP: Introduce New Toys Slowly
New toys can be scary. Some birds are wary of new toys and require an adjustment period. If your bird is apprehensive, keep the toy outside of the cage, but within visual range for a few days. Then place the toy on the cage floor for a few more days to allow your bird to investigate the toy. When your bird starts to play with the toy, it is safe to hang it.

About the Author
There are lots of posts of pets. We hope you will like them.
http://www.club4pets.com
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com