2013 New Year"s Resolutions for Bird Owners
The new year is upon us, and if you are like many bird owners, you know that there are a few things that you could do to improve your bird's quality of life, and make the most out of your relationship with your feathered friend. If you've been slacking on your pet bird's care, socialization, diet, or any other aspect of your responsibilities as a bird owner, your bird isn't the only one who will suffer for it -- you will too. What good is owning a bird is you aren't making the most of the ownership experience every day? Commit to making 2013 your bird's best year yet by taking some of the suggestions listed here as your personal new year's resolutions. Doing so can show you some quick improvements and results in not only your bird's health and happiness, but your own satisfaction as a pet owner.
For years and years, doctors have been reminding their patients that "you are what you eat," and the same holds true for our pet birds. When we allow our feathered friends to subsist solely on commercial seed and pellet mixes, we aren't doing them any favors, and we are actually acting in ways that are a huge detriment to their health. A varied diet that includes plenty of bird-safe fresh foods is the quickest and best way to put your feathered friend on the road to good health for a lifetime. Make the decision to improve your bird's diet in 2013, and you could potentially be adding years onto your bird's life in the process.
Birds of all species are social creatures who need companionship in order to be happy and stay mentally and emotionally sound. When we take these creatures and place them into cages in our homes, we owe it to them to make sure that they get the social interaction that they need. In most cases, this comes solely from us. In the coming new year, take the time that is necessary to form a social bond with your bird if you haven't already, or take steps to strengthen and further develop your relationship with your pet if you've already got a decent rapport.
Mental stimulation for your pet bird doesn't end at proper socialization, and while our birds would prefer to spend 24 hours a day with us, that's just not possible. Because of this, it's important to give our pets ways to entertain themselves in our absence, and this is commonly accomplished by giving them plenty of bird-safe toys to play with. Birds are very intelligent, however, and will quickly tire of playing with the same old playthings. In 2013, make sure that you are rotating your bird's toys on a regular basis so that they are properly amused when you aren't able to spend time with them.
Many people make the mistake of only visiting the vet if their pet gets sick. However, it is very important to keep up with your pet bird's yearly check with his or her avian vet even if your bird is doing just fine. Make sure that you schedule your annual appointment for your bird in 2013, just to make sure that he or she is still in the best possible physical health. Failing to do so can mean dealing with potentially devastating medical problems further down the line.
Many pet birds don't get the amount of exercise that they need to keep their muscles in the best shape possible. After all, it can be tough to simulate the amount of exercise that they would normally be getting in the wild! In 2013, do your best by trying some of these ways to give your bird more exercise. Getting creative can lead to finding new and exciting ways to make your bird's life the best that it can be, thereby giving you and your family a more fulfilling pet ownership experience.
•Improve your pet bird's diet.
For years and years, doctors have been reminding their patients that "you are what you eat," and the same holds true for our pet birds. When we allow our feathered friends to subsist solely on commercial seed and pellet mixes, we aren't doing them any favors, and we are actually acting in ways that are a huge detriment to their health. A varied diet that includes plenty of bird-safe fresh foods is the quickest and best way to put your feathered friend on the road to good health for a lifetime. Make the decision to improve your bird's diet in 2013, and you could potentially be adding years onto your bird's life in the process.
•Spend more time socializing with your bird.
Birds of all species are social creatures who need companionship in order to be happy and stay mentally and emotionally sound. When we take these creatures and place them into cages in our homes, we owe it to them to make sure that they get the social interaction that they need. In most cases, this comes solely from us. In the coming new year, take the time that is necessary to form a social bond with your bird if you haven't already, or take steps to strengthen and further develop your relationship with your pet if you've already got a decent rapport.
•Make sure your bird has plenty of toys.
Mental stimulation for your pet bird doesn't end at proper socialization, and while our birds would prefer to spend 24 hours a day with us, that's just not possible. Because of this, it's important to give our pets ways to entertain themselves in our absence, and this is commonly accomplished by giving them plenty of bird-safe toys to play with. Birds are very intelligent, however, and will quickly tire of playing with the same old playthings. In 2013, make sure that you are rotating your bird's toys on a regular basis so that they are properly amused when you aren't able to spend time with them.
•Keep up with your pet's vet checks.
Many people make the mistake of only visiting the vet if their pet gets sick. However, it is very important to keep up with your pet bird's yearly check with his or her avian vet even if your bird is doing just fine. Make sure that you schedule your annual appointment for your bird in 2013, just to make sure that he or she is still in the best possible physical health. Failing to do so can mean dealing with potentially devastating medical problems further down the line.
•Make sure your bird is getting adequate exercise.
Many pet birds don't get the amount of exercise that they need to keep their muscles in the best shape possible. After all, it can be tough to simulate the amount of exercise that they would normally be getting in the wild! In 2013, do your best by trying some of these ways to give your bird more exercise. Getting creative can lead to finding new and exciting ways to make your bird's life the best that it can be, thereby giving you and your family a more fulfilling pet ownership experience.
