Basic Pet Care Page 2
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are popular pets because they are cute, cuddly and fun to play with. They are small furry rodents, that people like to have as pets. Guinea pigs have small legs, small ears and a big head. But even though they are small they still require a lot of care. So here are some helpful tips of how to take care of a guinea pig.
Guinea pigs require a big cage that has a lot of space so they can move around. Make sure that their home is at least 18inches wide, 25 inches deep and 14 inches high. Guinea pigs that live in a big cage are more likely to be active. One shouldn’t use wire floor cages because it hurts a guinea pig’s feet. Don't use aquariums because they provide bad ventilation. When you’re choosing a cage, keep in mind that they will chew on it to wear down their constantly growing teeth. Your guinea pig should have a gnawing log, like an untreated fruit tree branch to help with their teeth. Use a lot of lining material in the cage because they will use it for their bedding and bathroom. Also, provide a lot of high quality hay because that’s what they snack on. Make sure to give your guinea pig plenty of platforms to go on and tunnels to crawl through. Add a food bowl that doesn’t fall over and a water bottle with a sipper tube.
Guinea pigs easily get stressed, so they need careful handling. To pick up a guinea pig you have to put one hand under its chest, a little bit behind the front legs, and then put your other hand under its hindquarters. After you have a gentle grip on it, lift it up. Then pull the guinea pig close to your lap or chest so it feels safe.
Guinea Pigs (cont.)
Guinea Pigs require a lot of vitamin C, which they get from variety of green leafy vegetables like kale, collards, and romaine lettuce. You should also purchase food that was made especially for guinea pigs from pet stores. Guinea pigs try their best to keep themselves clean; they groom themselves by using their front teeth, tongue and claws. But guinea pigs with long hair require frequent brushing to stay tangle free. Guinea pigs are the happiest with other guinea pigs. A lot of pet books require you to put two or more together.
As I have shown, guinea pigs are a lot of work, but they are worth it. (Having had one myself, I know).
Citations:
"How to Take Care For Guinea Pigs." The Humane Society Of the United States. 1 May 2009 <http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/rabbit_horse_and_other_pet_care/how_to_care_for_guinea_pigs.html>
"Guinea Pig." World Book Online. 1 May 2009. <http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/Article?id=ar830798&st=guinea%2520pigs>
Guinea pig picture one was found at Adora Fresh. <http://pets.adorafresh.com/>
Guinea pig picture two was found at iPetsHome. <http://www.ipetshome.com/2008/11/21/guinea-pigs/>
Birds
Birds are very common pets. One reason that they are so common is that many people live in small spaces and many condos and apartment buildings allow them. It is guessed that there are about 10,000 different types of birds, and each is special in its own way. Out of all of the countries in the world, Columbia has the widest variety of birds.
The Basics
There are about 10,000 different types of birds. They come in many different sizes and colors. Penguins and ostriches and unique because they do not fly. The smallest of all birds are male bee hummingbirds, which live in Cuba. They weigh around 0.056 ounces and are about 2.75 inches in length. The world's largest bird is the ostrich. Ostriches are native to Africa, but are now farmed all over the world. They can grow up to 2.7 meters or 9 feet tall and weigh 155 kilograms or 285 pounds.
Proper Pet Bird Care
Although seeds have been the traditional food in a bird’s diet, most experts recommend high-quality pelleted food that’s formulated for your bird’s species. While the seeds provide variety, they do not always provide the right nutrition. They are also know to be on the messy, as they frequently fall out of the cage. Besides the traditional food from pet stores, an owner should offer fresh veggies and fruits to birds every day. Dark, leafy greens are packed with vitamins and many birds also enjoy carrots and broccoli. Try to remove any uneaten food from the cage after a couple of hours, and don’t give your bird avocado, cherry pits, rhubarb or apple seeds. Fresh water should be available at all times.
Housing
Try to get a sturdy, large cage for your pet. Birds need the safety of a strong cage and enough room to move around.
Birds (cont.)
No matter the species, your bird will need a cage that’s large enough for to stretch it's wings and flutter around. A typical cage for small birds should be about 25 inches tall and 25 inches from front to back. To prevent escape or injury, the bars on the cage should only be 0.4 inches apart—a little larger than the tips of your fingers. Canaries and finches prefer a cage that’s wider than it is taller, while parakeets and cockatiels like tall cages with horizontal bars they can climb. Also, don’t forget the perches! Line the bottom of the cage with plain paper or paper bags cut to size. Newspaper is fine, as long as it’s been printed with non-toxic, soy-based inks. You’ll need to change the paper daily. If your bird has been properly tamed and trained, she’ll need at least an hour of exercise out of the cage in a safe, enclosed room every day. Your bird may want to perch on your shoulder, or enjoy exploring. Be sure to always secure the room first by shutting all windows and doors, and cover any windows or mirrors so your bird cannot accidentally fly into them. Small birds may enjoy ladders, swings,and mirrors with bells in their cage. Also, wooden chew toys are great for keeping beaks trimmed. Check out what’s available at your pet supply store, but make sure that the toys you select are safe and appropriate for your bird’s size and species. They should be labeled accordingly, but don’t hesitate to ask a store clerk or expert if you are unsure.
Citations:
“How many types of birds are there on this earth?” WikiAnswers.com.
5 April 2009. <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_types_of_
birds_ are_there_on_this_earth>
“General Bird Care.” ASPCA. 6 April 2009.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/bird-care.html
Permission to use bird images is granted under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License or photograph is in the public domain from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page> (April,200
