By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) As an avian veterinarian, I am often asked by bird owners when they should introduce a blended product, such as ZuPreem’s Sensible Seed or Pure Fun, into their birds’ diets. Ideally, these products can be fed to birds already eating a nutritionally-complete, pellet-based diet, as long …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Everyone loves pasta – it’s yummy, filling, comfort food. Bird owners love to feed pasta – both cooked and dry – to their birds because birds typically love pasta as much as people do. Yet just as pasta isn’t healthy in excess for people, it is …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Many people try to balance their birds’ diets by offering them a large variety of table foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein. While these foods may be nutritious individually, it is impossible for bird owners to ensure that they are providing the proper balance of …
Why Pellets Combined with Blends are More Nutritious than All-Table Food Diets Read More »
Birds are phenomenal pets, and they can bond to their owners and live many, many years, especially some of the larger parrots. But it’s not automatic. Birds don’t just come into your house, love you, feel comfortable with you, and bond with you immediately. This bond is something that you have to work toward. It’s …
Things like avocado can be toxic to birds. Now, not all species of avocados are toxic to birds many are so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Avoiding all avocados and avocado products, things like guacamole, other items made of avocados for our pet birds is really a safe bet. Other things you want …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Cockatiels are very social, interactive birds that make great first pets for families with elementary school-aged children and older. They have big personalities trapped in little bird bodies. They can learn to talk and to do tricks and love to hang out with their human family …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Known for their incredible ability to learn human language and speak words, often in correct context, African gray parrots are perhaps the most intelligent species of bird commonly kept as a pet. They have unique personalities and can be very entertaining as they speak sentences and …
If you’re sharing some human food items don’t use a utensil that’s been in your mouth to touch that item going to your bird. We have all kinds of bacteria, yeast, and other microbes in our that don’t belong in a bird’s mouth. The types of organisms living in a bird mouth are very different. …
You don’t want to overwhelm the bird with dozens of toys; rather, a couple toys in the cage to start are fine. Again, if there are familiar toys from the bird’s last environment to place in the new cage, that’s great. If the bird didn’t have those, then offer him or her a couple of …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, fires, mudslides – all are natural disasters that no one can be completely prepared for. Yet, with a little preparation, exotic pet owners can try to be ready. Preparing for a natural disaster can be overwhelming and frightening. It is hard …
Tips for Bird and Small Mammal Owners on Preparing for Natural Disasters/Emergencies Read More »
