Archive for May, 2010

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.

The Moluccan Cockatoo has a long life span, and a healthy bird can live to be 80 years or more. A famous Moluccan Cockatoo at the San Diego zoo called King Tut lived over 100 years.

A vulnerable species

The Moluccan Cockatoo is classified as a vulnerable species in CITES, one of the largest conservation agreements in existence.

It is illegal to trade in Moluccan Cockatoos that have been caught in the wild.   Furthermore, trading of captive bred birds is also legal only with appropriate CITES certification. Unfortunately, despite these conservation efforts, some illegal trapping of the Moluccan Cockatoo continues even today.

One cannot import a Moluccan Cockatoo into the USA any more due to these and other conservation laws. However, in the USA, Moluccan Cockatoos are bred in captivity and sold to prospective pet owners.

The Moluccan Cockatoo as a pet

People like the Moluccan Cockatoo because of their beauty and also because they can easily be trained.  They are frequently used in trained bird shows.

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. They are very social, quite cuddly and affectionate.

The Moluccan Cockatoo eats nuts, fruit and seeds. They need a diet rich in protein when grown as a pet. When they grow in the wild, they naturally get the protein they need by eating insects off the ground. Without the right diet, 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.

Believe it or not, not everyone likes your family pet.  By keeping your pet in an identified space with a good quality dog fence, Fido can remain as a good neighbor.  I know, I know, it’s  almost impossible to imagine that anyone who knows Fido doesn’t immediately fall in love with her.  She might just be ok with the neighbors but the things she does in their yard make for some unhappy relationships.  This is just one of the main reasons why every pet owner has an obligation to control their pets traveling range with pet fencing.   

The problem of course is the about relieving themselves in someone else’s yard,  Yes, your pet may be friendly and would like to visit the neighbors but the fact is, many people do not share your love affair with your pet.  They don’t want the bother of picking up after an animal that’s not theirs nor having their yards soiled with urine “hot spots” and doggie piles.  Dogs, although usually very friendly also can be destructive of plants and landscaping, making many breeds poor neighbors.

That’s not to say that your dog isn’t a nice animal.  Dogs are typically social and enjoys the interaction with a variety of people.  This play interaction however is not without consequences.  Things get broken, chewed on and otherwise “enjoyed” by your pet no matter if they belong to you or the neighbor.  Having to face an angry neighbor because your dog destroyed his prize winning rose bush garden isn’t something to be desired.  

There’s also the issue of community security.  This is especially true if your dog is a larger breed.  Having a large dog escape the security of their yard could be seen as negligence on your part.  Communities are becoming increasingly upset at pet owners who allow their animals free run of a neighborhood.  Heaven forbid if your dog, while free, attacks someone or another animal.  This is especially serious if the other dog or pet was on a leash.  

The saying is that a good fence makes for good neighbors.  A good dog fence also makes for a happy and healthy environment for your pet.  By securing your dog using secure fencing, your best friend also has the security of knowing where his yard boundaries are located.  There is no need to “guard” anything beyond the fence lines so you pet is more inclined to stay in his yard to better “watch” his property.  Overall, electronic dog fencing is a good investment no matter what type of dog you may have as a pet.

If you just brought home a new pet rabbit, the first thing you may want to do is name it!  If you’re fortunate, you might already have some wonderful rabbit names in mind, but if you don’t, we have some tips to help you find the perfect one.

First and foremost (and pardon me if this is obvious), you’ll want to know your rabbit’s sex so that you can look for male rabbit names or female rabbit names.  If you have no idea how to tell the sex of your rabbit, take it to a vet and he or she will be able to help you.  Otherwise, look for gender-neutral names like Bunny or Peanut, for example.

Second, consider your rabbit’s appearance.  What color is it? Does it have any pronounced markings or characteristics? If something sticks out, you may want to use this feature to help you choose a name.  For instance, “Oreo” and “Domino” are two excellent names for a black and white bunny while “Snowball” and “Q-Tip” would be perfect for a white rabbit.

 If you would like a name that’s a little out of the ordinary, you could search for names from foreign languages like Japanese, Greek, Native American or Spanish.

 Another possibility is to use your hobbies and interests for inspiration.  For example, if you love gardening, you could name your female rabbit Tulip or Posey.  If you love motorcycles, how about Harley or Motor?  

 Like the tip above, you can use your favorite books, movies or celebrities for inspiration.  There are also many famous rabbits in film and literature that you may want to name your rabbit after.  For instance, there’s Thumper from “Bambi”; Bugs Bunny; Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter from the book series by Beatrix Potter; and Roger Rabbit.

 Finally, you may want to look to your rabbit’s personality and eccentricities to help you find the perfect name.  No matter which idea appeals to you most, remember to have fun and stay creative!

When you walk down the aisles looking for dog food, you are going to come across a wide range that is available in pet stores and supermarkets today. Choosing the best dog food can be an extremely difficult process as we all want the best for our dog. If you are like us, then you think of your dog as not only a pet, but a best friend as well as a member of your family. Many veterinarians are faced with questions about the best dog food. So, what is the best? Honestly, there is no true answer or definition.

That’s right, there is no one best food that is suitable for all dogs. However, you will be able to narrow that answer down by taking a close look at your dog. You see, dogs are a lot like people. Some of them are very active to the point that they have been labeled “hyper.” Then, you have other dogs that are build big and tough like the wonderful pit bull, while you have others that are small and not so tough.

Each dog will need to have a diet tailored specifically to their physical needs. You will need to really understand your pet and what he or she is in need of. First, the raw materials that are used in order to provide the nutritional value is something that you need to look into.

You are going to notice that those commercial dog foods are either meat-based or grain-based. Many experts will agree that in order to maintain a dogs good health, you should choose a diet that is based on meat.

Why choose a meat-based diet for the dog? Well, the dogs digestive system can easily extract the nutrient value from this type of food. Protein is a necessary component in order to keep dogs healthy. Those meat based foods are high in protein. Some of those foods are produced from fish, beef, lamb, turkey and venison. You have many in the field that feel that chicken-based dog food would be the best choice.

As you see, there is no such thing as one best brand of dog food for all dogs. Why? Because you just learned that each and every dogs nutritional needs are different. In order to determine the best food for your dog, we highly recommend you taking a look at your dog as well as the nutritional needs.

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Selecting the right pet for you and your family is an important decision.  There are several hundred breeds of dogs from around the world so your choices are virtually limitless.

The American Kennel Club categorized the different breeds by groups with each group having distinguishing characteristics that are shared by all the breeds in it.  The Golden Retriever is in the Sporting Group.

The Sporting Group is made up of some of the oldest and most popular breeds.  Many of the dogs in this category were bred for hunting although most people who own sporting dogs only keep them as family pets, rather than hunters.  The hunting traits, however, create some of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a sporting dog.  Goldens are natural retrievers, so you can enjoy them fetching a tennis ball for what seems like forever.  Another trait is their outgoing personality, making sporting dogs enthusiastic and responsive partners.

The Golden Retriever was bred to be tough and strong.  Don’t let the happy, silly face fool you.  While any Golden will delight in lazing around the house or wrestling on the floor with your family, the breed is particularly adept in the field.

As puppies, Goldens are full of energy and can be especially mouthy. Make sure you direct your puppy’s need to chew to appropriate chew toys. Remember, puppies aren’t fussy and don’t discriminate. A chair leg works as well for them as a sterilized bone. Goldens are very trainable, athletic, and good-natured. They have a keen desire to please. You can find them performing with tails wagging and eyes shining in the obedience, agility, and fly ball arenas. They are also excellent with children.

The Golden Retriever is generally light yellow to deep golden honey in color. The coat tends to get a little deeper in color after the first year. They tend to be about twenty-four inches tall at the withers (shoulders), with females being slightly shorter. Their coat should be long and either flat or wavy. They’ll need to be brushed properly or their coat will form thick mats

So, if you are looking for a loyal companion that will be great with kids or adults, you should definitely find a local breeder and spend some time getting to know a Golden.

If you want to draw in a lot of birds, you will need to know where to locate the bird feeder post and the bird feeder. Once you make the seed a lot more available to the birds, they very easily discover it and visit all the time. You could be perplexed regarding where to locate your feeders though. Below is some information that really should enable you to figure it out.

Birds find their food by sight rather than by their sense of smell. So make sure that the birds are able to see the feeder. This way they will quickly get used to coming to the feeder.

Place the feeders in parts of the yard that are relatively peaceful, but where you can still see them. It really is wonderful to be able to see them when you look out the windows of your home. This way you are able to observe the birds for hours if you’d like. So don’t forget this when you’re ready to position the wild bird feeder.

You want the spot to be easy to get at so you’ll be able to fill the feeder. Even in bad weather, you need to be able to easily replenish your feeder.

Also, position your feeders near some form of shelter like trees or shrubs. By doing this the birds have a location where they can be protected while they wait to get to the feeders. You need to keep the bird feeder pole and bird feeder far enough away from this shelter so squirrels aren’t encouraged. Additionally, your outdoor cats will have a lot more trouble pouncing on the birds if you give some thought to where you position your bird feeders.

Pick a spot where the overflow of seed, feathers, and bird droppings won’t matter. Some of the commercial seeds have additives so they will not germinate. This may also cause other plants not to sprout. Remember this when selecting the area.

Do not place all your feeders on the same height. The height that the bird feeder pole needs to be will depend on which birds you are trying to attract. Do some study so you will have all of your feeders at the suitable heights.

Now keep in mind that some birds favor platforms to feed on rather than the hopper or tube feeders. So you should definitely employ a few platforms spread about. These platforms can sit on top of the bird feeder post, hang from one, or hang from a tree.

Various other birds are ground feeders and will probably consume the seeds the other birds push out of the feeder. This might help clean up part of the mess the birds create. No need to put out extra seed for these kinds of birds. The other birds will drop enough to feed them.

With the information above, you should better understand where to position a bird feeder pole and bird feeder now. You can expect to appreciate many hours of viewing the birds come and go. It is also fun to make a list of the birds that visit your yard. This is known as life list by professional birdwatchers. So have fun today and set up some feeders for your feathered friends.

- Craig enjoys bird watching and writing at sites like Wild Bird Feeders

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Let me tell a bit on myself to start out…I literally thought the big pet categories fell into the cat and dog columns and that there was little else happening. Until I started writing this article, I had no idea that pet birds were so popular.

And guess what, owning a pet bird, especially the larger parrots can become very costly. Very quickly.

Owning a bird means getting the right foods and toys and care. And when you start to add it up, it becomes important to find ways to get the cheapest bird supplies online. But we also know that money is NOT everything and that when it comes to these birds that you adore so much, you want to be able to get the best brand names at the prices you can afford.

It’s crystal clear why the big bird suppliers have embraced the online vendors like Amazon etc…the margins can be much higher for both parties.

Everything from bird toys to bird food to bird carrying cases…these are the things that quickly turn a simple pet into a costly venture so moving to get these supplies online to get the best prices is a no brainer to many.

Additionally, there are the larger Petcos of the world that are both online and offline that probably have the brands you know you need at the prices online and off that will compete with anyone.

If you think this is all insignificant, I can also tell you that the simple act of trying to get a custom bird cage online can easily lead to far more dollars going out than you thought.

Having had no idea that the bird community was as strong as it, it makes me wonder what else I should probably look into aqs far as perception versus reality is concerned.

Dog names like Buddy, Max, Bella and Daisy are among the top dog names in the U.S., and they’re popular for at least two very good reasons: first they’re easy to call out (each is only one or two syllables long) and, second they have obvious sounds making them easy for canines to hear and respond to.

 The unfortunate part of selecting one of the top dog names for your new pup is that  you might have the third “Max ” or “Sadie” in your neighborhood.  If avoiding top dog names appeals to you more, here are a few suggestions to help you find a dog name that’s different:

 1) Look for unique dog names.  Foreign dog names are always a good choice if you’re looking for a unique dog name since, well, they’re foreign!  The chances aren’t high that any friends or acquaintances will have will have selected the same Japanese, Greek, or Native American dog name as yours.

 2) Find funny dog names.  Your pup will probably bring a big smile to everyone’s face, so why shouldn’t its name, too?  humorous dog names like Alibi, Laptop and Dug are perfect if you’re the kind of person who appreciates the lighter side of life.

 3) Choose dog names based on your dog’s looks. This is one of the best ways to find a name that truly suits your dog.  Look at your dog’s coloring and markings and try to picture what your dog will grow up to look like based on his or her breed.  Names like “Bear”, “Moose” and “Tonka” are great for puppies that will grow into large, powerful dogs while “Noodle” and “Stretch” are perfect for long dogs such as Dachshunds. 

 You may also want to consider choosing a dog name that is inspired by your hobbies, favorite celebrity or any other interest.  The most important things to remember are that you like the name you pick, that the name suits your dog and that you’re willing to call that name out dozens of times each day.  

We are going to talk about the humble ferret and ferret myths. You may already know ferrets generally make really great pets, however there are some myths about ferrets that stop most people from even considering buying ferrets . All of the information listed below serves to dispel several of the myths related to ferrets .

Learn How To Train Your Ferret

In the event that you have heard and  believed one of myths that are listed below, the information provided will help you to see that in reality, a ferret is a really a great pet.

First Myth: Ferrets are just wild animals. Actually, ferrets aren’t wild animals. In fact, the ferrets are no longer able to survive within the wild like they once could because there are only domesticated breeds that exist now, all but one exception and that is the black footed ferret. In the event that a pet ferret is released, it isn’t going to be able to survive very long.

Second Myth: Ferrets pure out stink. Yes this is true, unless the ferret’s owner has her or him descented. Similar to skunks, ferrets have  scent glands and when they feel threatened or frightened, the scent glands are released . All of the scent glands are located on their back, right near the tail, and they can be removed. Ferrets are also known to have some scent glands under their eyes, which aren’t able to be removed. However, as long as you take the time to bathe your ferret at least once a month, your ferret isn’t going to smell.

Visit The Official Ferret Wisdom Website

Now that you know a couple of the myths that are going around concerning domesticated ferrets, its time that you learn a little about the black-footed ferrets so that there isn’t any confusion.

Just so you have a little background on the black-footed ferret, it is a small carnivorous mammal within North America that is related very closely to Russia’s Steppe Polecat. It is also a member of a rather diverse family known as the Mustelidae, which includes polecats, weasels, martens, mink, badgers and otters also. The black-footed ferret shouldn’t be confused alongside of the domesticated ferret.

Learn How To Train And Care For Your Ferret

Within North America, this type of ferret is considered to be an endangered mammal. In nineteen thirty seven, within Canada, the black-footed ferret became extirpated within the wild and in nineteen sixty seven, within the United States, they were classified as being endangered. In the middle of the nineteen eighties, the very last population of black-footed ferrets known within the wild was taken into captivity, which was a couple of years after it was accidentally discovered within Wyoming.

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, put 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 trough 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 dozen, 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 in the first place, 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