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Rub-A-Dub-Dub A Pet Parrot in Your Tub
by Robin Bateman
Ask any bird owner and he will tell you, "Yep, birds are messy."
So just how do you keep your new pet parrot clean? And what about his cage, toys, food...are there any special instruction here?
The Bird - To keep feather dust to a minimum, and promote vibrant colors, shower your parrot weekly. Most species love water and will sing, flap their wings and even "dance" when showered. You can purchase a shower perch for let your parrot walk around on the bottom of the shower floor or tub.
You don't have to buy special soap for your bird. Use plain tap water. Be sure the temperature is warm. It's a good idea to test the water's temp by letting the water run on the underside of your forearm, much like you would for a baby's formula.
Some bird owners mist their parrots with water from a spray bottle (similar to the ones used for misting house plants). A few varieties of birds dislike misting, so proceed with caution. If your pet shows signs of apprehension, it's a good idea to avoid the misting process altogether.
The Food Dishes - Wash in hot soapy water, or run through the dishwasher everyday. Consider buying two sets of food and water dishes; while one set is placed in your birds' cage (with fresh contents) the other set is in the dishwasher.
The Cage - A rule of thumb here is; the larger the bird, plus, the more time the bird spends in the gage equals the more frequently you should perform a thorough cleaning on the cage. i.e. more than a "wipe down". Cage liners are wonderful! It's easy to roll up your bird's mess in one thin liner than it is to empty the pan, or pull up newspaper. Change liners daily, or every few days, depending on how messy your bird is. A quick wipe over with a warm wet cloth helps alleviate the difficulty of the thorough cleaning.
Before you thorough clean, remove the bird from his cage and place on a perch away from his cage area. Use a bird safe disinfectant. Sometimes a scrub brush and/or sandpaper can help remove tough dried particles.
The Toys - Soak toys in mild soapy warm - hot water. rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before returning to cage. Cleanse toys every few weeks to remove germs and feather dust.
The Yard aka area around the cage - This area is often plagued with feathers, feather particles and feather dust as well as seeds and other food items your bird drops. Vacuum daily. A cage with a seed catcher helps somewhat and is worth purchasing.
Also, consider purchasing an air purifier one with a HEPA filter.
Whenever possible, use cleaning time as play time, too. Talk and socialize with your pet while you change his bird liners, or shower him. the more contact you have with your parrot, the better caregiver you'll be. You'll also be able to recognize signs of stress and illness quicker.
Keeping your bird clean, healthy and happy requires daily maintenance, but is well worth it.
About the Author:
Robin Bateman is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets.
Smooth Sailing Surgeries for your Cat
by Rob James II
If your cat needs surgery, for whatever reason, there are multiple steps you can take to help your cat with this process. There are three main classifications of surgeries. First, elective surgeries are those that you choose to have done, but that do not have to be done. Spaying and neutering fall into this category. The second kind of surgery is called non-elective, and these are surgeries which have to be done for your cat's survival, but which you schedule. Lastly, there are emergency surgeries, that are done quickly and as your pet needs them, such as if your cat is hit by a car. If your cat is having elective or not elective surgery, there are ways to prepare for this, and if your cat is recovering from any type of surgery, you can do certain things in your home to make this easier.
First and foremost, when your cat is going to have surgery, it is usually best for this to happen when your cat has an empty stomach, unless your vet indicates otherwise. The most common response to the anesthetics used is vomiting, so your cat will have fewer problems if his or her stomach has no food in it. If you deny your pet food for about 12 hours before the surgery, most of the food in the stomach will be gone. In most cases, your cat having access to water is fine. If you have other pets in the house, you may need to confine your cat to one room so that he or she doesn't eat from other dishes, or you may need to withhold food from all of your pets.
When your kitty goes into surgery, remember that any number of things may go wrong. You'll be responsible for the vet bill, even if it is higher than the estimate. After the surgery, it may take a day or even longer for your cat to be awake and functioning. You may also be looking at a few days--sometimes more--in the vet hospital for recovery. You should visit during the hours allowed, and volunteer to help feed or care for your cat. This will let your cat know that you have not abandoned him or her.
When you bring your cat home, follow all instructions completely. Your cat may need multiple medications daily or a special diet. Your cat may also not be allowed outside for a certain amount of time. For cats with any kind of incision, assume this to be at least a week or two, which may be difficult if your cat is used to going outside often. If your cat's fur had to be clipped or shaved, keep in mind that he or she is probably colder than normal, so it may be a good idea to provide extra blankets warmed in the dryer or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Remember, your other cats will need attention too. By making sure that your house is safe and loving, you can keep all of your cats happy after surgery.
About the Author:
Rob is a writer from San Diego. Are you neglecting your beloved pet? Find out here. Rob's other sites: AgilitEase, Shop.AgilitEase, Google Magic Formula Review
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