EVEN 'EASY' SPECIES CAN BE HIGH-MAINTENANCE PETS.
After years of dreaming, planning and preparing, I moved onto a small piece of country property where I could have more -- and more kinds -- of animals than were previously allowed in my old suburban neighborhood. My horses live with me now, and I have added more pet chickens. Goats? Maybe. But one kind of pet I haven't had since my beloved little parrot, Eddie, died a few years back is on my list again.
Parrots aren't like other pets. They're wickedly smart, relatively high-maintenance, very messy and exceptionally long-lived. I'm going to think long and hard before making the plunge, and not just because many kinds of parrots are likely to outlive me now.
I will go slowly mostly because I know that when it comes to parrots, too many people get in over their heads, choosing a pet who's too large, too loud, too expensive and, ultimately, too much to handle. I know which species are too much for me. But even the easier ones? I'm still thinking.
Parrots are wonderful pets, although they are much more work than many people realize. Before you fall in love with a parrot who's not a good fit for you, consider a few species that may fit the bill better.
-- Cockatiels: When properly raised and socialized, these popular pets like to snuggle and be petted. If you've seen only the gray bird with orange patches, you may be surprised at how many cockatiel color and pattern variations are available these days. Some cockatiels learn to talk, but many are better at whistling.
-- Budgies: Because of their small price tag and easy availability, budgerigars (commonly, but improperly, known as "parakeets") are often treated as throwaway pets -- easily purchased, easily disposed of and easily replaced. This attitude keeps people from valuing these birds for their affectionate personality. Some budgies even become very good talkers, albeit with tiny little voices. Budgies are commonly found in two varieties: the narrow American and the huskier English. Many budgies can be tamed by gentle, patient handling and can bond closely with their human companions.
-- Lovebirds: When hand-raised and socialized, lovebirds enjoy being handled. They're very affectionate, not overly loud and are capable of picking up a few phrases. The peach-faced lovebird is the most common, and this species also comes in many interesting color mutations. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to keep them in pairs.
-- Poicephalus: These small parrots are an easygoing bunch. Of the species available as pets, the Senegal is probably the most common, a handsome little bird with a gray head, green back and wings, and yellow-orange underside. Poicephalus parrots are known for their small size -- a little bigger than a cockatiel -- and affectionate personalities. They're not the best talkers, but some will pick up a few phrases.
-- Pionus: Not as flashy as other midsized parrots, the pionus is often overlooked. But what it lacks in bright colors it makes up for with a winning personality. Several varieties of pionus are available as pets, all small enough to be easy to keep and handle. Their personalities are considered among the most sedate of all parrots, and they're not excessively loud.
Those are my top five, but there are other "starter birds" to consider. Among them are the Pyrrhura conure (such as the green-cheeked), the Quaker or monk parakeet (where legal), and the lilac-crowned or other smaller Amazons. And, yes, I'm thinking about another caique, like Eddie. Finally, the tiny and colorful parrotlet deserves consideration, too.
I'll be thinking about it for a few months longer, and in the end I may decide never to have a parrot again. But I will always yearn for the cleverness and the quirkiness these special pets bring to any home.
Q&A
Don't teach puppies
to jump over gates
Q: How can I limit my border collie pup to a room where there are no doors? There's only a baby gate, which she can jump over. -- via e-mail
A: When I have puppies or foster dogs in the house, I use an extra-tall gate to make sure they learn from the start that they can't get over the barrier. The problem with most gates is that for large puppies or dogs, or especially agile ones like yours, the common 29- or 30-inch barrier is no barrier at all.
Sometimes people make the mistake of adding height in increments, starting with a standard gate, then getting one just a little higher, and then higher still. This sometimes has the effect of training a dog to jump higher and higher. That's why I prefer to start with a tall gate.
Several companies now make pet barriers that are as much as 44 inches high. Your dog may be agile, but he'd have to have springs for legs to get over a gate that tall. Other gates are designed to accommodate additional panels to increase height on a standard gate. Internet and catalog retailers are probably your best bet to find the widest selection. -- Gina Spadafori
Q: My 12-year-old cat is having a problem keeping weight on. Should I add oil to her diet? She's very active so I don't think she needs to see the vet. -- via Facebook
A: Your cat needs to be checked out by your veterinarian. Although your letter is pretty lean on specifics, in general, when an older cat seems to have high levels of energy but is steadily losing weight, the culprit is often a malfunctioning thyroid gland. This overabundance of the hormone is called hyperthyroidism. The average age at diagnosis is 13, making your cat right in the target area.
When a cat produces too much thyroid hormone, the animal's metabolic rate soars to the point where he can burn off more than half of his body weight. If thyroid production is not checked, cardiac and liver problems develop, and the cat can die.
The good news is that the problem is treatable, allowing a cat to regain full health and expect a normal life span. Your veterinarian will be able to discuss treatment options if this is indeed what's going on with your cat. -- Dr. Marty Becker
Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
THE BUZZ
Spay, neuter, adopt:
It's kitten season
-- Kitten season is no myth, and proof lies in the writhing bundles of kittens in animal shelters this time of year. The feline reproductive season runs from winter solstice to autumnal equinox. The amount of daylight turns the cat's reproductive cycles on and off. That means in December, unspayed females start coming into heat, and usually they will be pregnant by the middle of January. A 60-day pregnancy means that cats will give birth around March 15 or so. The first wave of litters will come to shelters shortly thereafter. While some promising new developments will offer more forms of sterilization in the near future, for now, spay-neuter to reduce the birth rate and aggressive shelter marketing to increase adoptions are key to preventing the tragic killing of unwanted kittens and cats.
-- Dog breed identification tests appear to have improved since their introduction in 2007, and more improvements are on the way. But an article by the Veterinary Information Network's news service (news.vin.com) suggests it's unwise to rely on the tests for anything more than novelty and satisfying curiosity. While some breeds, such as the boxer, are relatively easy to ID by DNA, other breeds are nearly impossible to identify at this time.
-- The development of feline-friendly veterinary practices has shown in a pilot program to improve access to veterinary care for cats -- and to make cat owners more comfortable about bringing cats in for preventive care they need. In the recent Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the pioneering CATalyst Council reported a 5 percent improvement in visits for veterinary practices that had participated in a feline-friendly makeover involving staff education, cat-relaxing examination strategies and even such physical changes as cats-only waiting areas. -- Gina Spadafori
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and also the authors of many best-selling pet care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.