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How to Socialize Your Pet Bird Most pet birds are social creatures that enjoy spending time with you and your family—after all, they’re used to being part of a flock. Socializing simply means interacting with your pet bird in a way that makes him feel like he is a member of your family. Spending quality time is vital to your bird’s overall health and well-being, develops mutual trust, and strengthens your bond. If your bird has had limited human interaction, it may take time for him to learn how to socialize with you. Birds that were hand-fed or were well-socialized as babies may be able to interact more easily and quickly with their pet parents. Either way, there are a number of steps you can take to help tame your bird and teach him to socialize, while helping him feel safe and relaxed in his new home. Your bird and you To establish trust and further strengthen your relationship, interact with your bird daily. You want him to realize that you’re a safe, trustworthy companion. Dependi...

 Selecting the Perfect Cat Toy                                                           While your cat may sometimes find a cardboard box more entertaining than a cat toy, that isn’t to say she doesn’t appreciate the real deal. Providing a variety of cat toys will not only keep your cat active, playtime also gives her much-needed quality bonding time with you. While playing, you also might see your cat’s “natural instincts” come to life through stalking and pouncing. This playful attacking or “object play” does wonders to stimulate your her predatory behavior. Variety—and Access—are Keys to Success Your cat will enjoy a variety of toys, but some of the usual favorites are teasers, balls, toy mice, balls, catnip-filled toys and interactive toys. Don’t leave all of her toys out after playtime; your cat may become less interested in a toy if she has easy access to it. Some toys may also have small parts that your cat could eat or choke on, so make sure you supervise playtime. Even the ...

Five Creative Ways to "Treat" Your Cat or Kitten As a pet parent, you’re likely aware of the problem of feline obesity as well as the news stories about recalled pet treats. For these reasons, it’s sometimes hard to determine the best choices for giving treats to your cat or kitten. What kind of treats should you give them? How often? Every day? Not at all? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends that treats should account for less than 5 percent of a cat or kitten’s overall daily nutrition, so moderation is important. But it’s widely accepted that treats are an excellent tool for cat training or earning their trust, and it’s natural that you’ll want to provide your cat with an occasional treat from time to time. Let’s check out five creative ways to treat your cat or kitten: Commercial cat treats A wide range of cat treats are available on the market, which means that you have plenty of choices when browsing store shelves or online....