The African Grey Parrot

A family relative of mine has what I think is the most tame parrot in the world. The parrot she has is called an African Grey - its wings are grey with red tips or edges to it. Like most parrots, the African Grey is highly intelligent, and can repeat sounds and speech patterns. This particular parrot, however, has been with its owner since a very young age so they’ve had a long time to bond with each other. So tame is this parrot that it allows its owner to place it on its back and tickle its stomach! I’ve never seen anything like it. Most people can barely go near the parrot for fear of being bitten by its powerful beak. But the parrot loves and trusts its owner so much that it always allows her to do anything to it. Such is the trust that our pets can give us.

Common [kitty] sense

Did you know that the classic, and somewhat sentimental, image of the fireman being called to rescue the kitten from the tree is a complete farce. Cats are far more acrobatic and daring than some of us give them credit for. A cat’s agility, in fact, is one of its most important survival mechanisms. There are not many other mammals that can climb trees with such aplomb as your average housecat. This ability allows them to escape predators who might be chasing them on the ground. And, perhaps just as importantly, it can be a tool of attack that helps a cat disguise itself when stalking prey. The fact of the matter is that if a cat can climb up the tree, it doesn’t need a fireman with a really long ladder to rescue it. The cat can just as easily jump down on its own – literally “running down” until it hits the ground. It’s part of the way cats are designed.

Home-made kitty litter

I was browsing the Internet some time ago, and I came across this really inventive recipe for homemade kitty litter. Conventional litter can have some horrendous chemicals in them to neutralize bad odors. So if this worries you, then making your own litter is quite easy. You start by shredding some newspaper and collecting it all in an unused litter box. You then soak the paper in warm water with some gentle, biodegradable dishwashing liquid. The shredded paper will take on a kind of cooked oatmeal consistency. You then drain the water (using an old colander, perhaps) and repeat the soaking process but this time WITHOUT the soap. Proceed to sprinkle some baking soda on the wet paper, kneading it into the mixture. Then squeeze the remaining moisture out until it’s as dry as possible. Once it’s dry, put about two inches of paper crumbles into the litter box. You’d need to scoop up solids every day, but the litter only needs changing once a week. It takes about half an hour to make a two to three supply of litter, and with the exception of the baking soda it’s virtually free to make.

Pet sterilisation

At what point should you get your cat or dog spade or neutered? Well, it all depends on whether or you’re ready to have kittens/puppies. If you’re not ready, having new offspring can be a real burden: you need to find homes for them and then there’s always the logistical issue of their tearing around your house. Generally, vets advise you to get your animal spayed/neutered at one year old. Some owners of male pets, however, insist that neutering their pets changes their (the pet’s) disposition - probably something to do with less testosterone flowing through their body. Generally, neutering is far less complex than spaying. But either way, if you’re not ready to handle the responsibility and extra chores of having little offspring around your home, you should not delay in sterilizing your pet.

Vet check-ups

It’s important to take your pet for regular check-ups at your local veterinarian. They should go for consultations at least once a year, where they can receive injections that protect them against a whole array of feline diseases, as well as vitamin and immune boosters. It also gives your vet a chance to inspect any other potential issues such as dental hygiene. When I last took my cat to the vet, the vet noticed that her teeth were unusually yellow, and there was some evidence of early deterioration. She suggested that I change her food to something specifically tailored towards oral care. The food she’s on now actually cleans her teeth and acts like a kind of toothbrush every time she bites into it. I’ve noticed a lot of differences: her breath smells fresher, which is good for both her and me.