Dogs, Cats, and More

10 Tips for Buying a Parrot

Parrots are one of the most attractive and rewarding animals in the world. Though parrots are very intelligent their requirements and demands are quite different from other types of pets. They need the care and attention of their owners far more than other household animals. Most of the parrot breeds are both noisy and destructive; and the larger breeds live for a much longer time than the smaller ones. Therefore it is necessary for you to think carefully about the following issues before buying them.

What Animal Communicators Do

Many people are awakening today to the idea that the animals who live with us are more than child substitutes, more than "pets". The term "pet" means an animal who lives with us for our amusement or as our companion. All animals are, in fact, sentience beings - conscious, intelligent, with life purposes and life goals. They are aware of themselves and of their situations. They make life choices. They often express unconditional love for the humans who are part of their families.

How Old is Your Pet - Really?

Just how old is your dog really? More than likely you know the
dogs age in years, or at least have an approximation of its age,
but do you really have any idea how old it may be-
chronologically speaking?

Be Kind to Animals Teaching Tip

Did you know the first week in May is Be Kind to Animals Week? Here are a few ideas to help you get that message across to your children...no matter what month it is.

Captive Husbandry of Striped Mud Turtles (Kinosternon baurii)

David T. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D

Mud turtles of the genus Kinosternon frequently are considered, by those people that even know they exist, to be small, drab and undistinguished turtles. In the wild, many people live near populations of mud turtles without ever noticing their presence. In addition to being overlooked in the wild, mud turtles are often ignored by herpetoculturists. Many of the species of mud turtle are only represented by a few animals in collections at only one or two institutions, while other turtle species are kept by many different zoos. Given their small size and uncomplicated requirements, this oversight is hard to understand. For a number of reasons, mud turtles are very good candidates for captive maintenance and breeding projects. This article will discuss the natural history and captive maintenance of one type of mud turtle: Kinosternon baurii, the Striped Mud Turtle.

Can I Give My Dog The Flu?

Avian Flu and Other Zoonotic Diseases

Everyone seems on edge about the latest outbreak of avian flu. People in China are told to kill their poultry in order to keep the virus from spreading. Meanwhile people in the United States watch on in fear that the avian flu will come to their shores. So what exactly is all the hubbub about? After all, every winter millions of people come down with bird flu.

On Feeding Turtles: When and How Much?

David T. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D

Perhaps the most frequent question I am asked concerning turtles and tortoises is how much and how often to feed them. Turtles that are overfed can become obese, just as other animals (and people) can. Although no definitive studies have been done on the health consequences of obesity in chelonians, I feel that it is best to err on the side of caution. Turtles are trapped in their shells - too much excess flesh could compress and injure internal organs. A decreased lifespan or chronic health problems may also be consequences of obesity.

Keeping African Grey Parrots as Pet Birds

African grey parrots are highly intelligent birds often recognized for their ability to talk.

African grey parrots are able to learn a sizeable number of different words, can talk in different voices, and speak in different languages. They can identify objects, colors, materials and even count.

Because of their high intelligence, the African grey parrots are easily trained. The biggest problem with having an African grey parrot as a bird is.....you'd better be careful what you say....they are very good at mimicking your words!

Learn About Loveable Lovebirds!

Lovebirds make wonderful pets. Their exquisite colors and animated personalities easily endear them to onlookers. While every bird has its own personality there are traits common to all Lovebirds which have made them a popular pet and a great choice for a first time bird owner.

Training Your Cat To Use The Toilet

Cats are wonderful pets but cleaning the litter box can be a real drag. But what if you could train kitty to use the toilet? Instead of dealing with messy, smelly litter, you could eliminate your cats elimination with just one flush!