FFEDS NETWORK

A blog dedicated to the welfare of animals, safe petkeeping, and reliable information.

[scalestails]

FOUND BIRD Female lutino cockatiel in Rhode Island. Found near the shore court area by two people. She walked right up to them! They brought her in to...

Please help me find this birds owner! If anyone knows her owner or if you can reblog this or share it on facebook that would mean a lot to me. To quote the post

FOUND BIRD

Female lutino cockatiel in Rhode Island. Found near the shore court area by two people. She walked right up to them! They brought her in to work and she is now in my care while we try to find her owners.

She is in good shape, though she was very hungry! She’s a bit on the thin side. Fully flighted, EXTREMELY friendly, and still clean. I don’t think she was outside for long. Please share this so I can find her home! I would love to return her to her owners! If you are her owner or know her owner, private message me ASAP!

[feathered-feds]

I just saw the question about cats and small animals and I have a question of my own that is a little similar. Are there any small animals that you know of that could entertain a cat safely, without being neglected? Maybe fish or a type of insect that the cat can't get to but can still watch (with little maintenance and a short life). I mostly just curious, but I think my cat could use some more stimulation when she's home alone.

Gonna suggest that bringing a new animal into the home you’re not ready to bond with isn’t a stellar idea and linking a few different products that are safe for a cat without direct supervision later today. o7

(RI Red)

No, this is not a good idea. Not only do cats have a prey drive that may cause them to get INTO the animals enclosure, even if it doesn’t get into the cage a cat swatting at or constantly staring at a small mammal especially will stress them. A simple scratch could also do a lot of damage with the bacteria that cats carry. Even a fish would not be a good idea. You want to DETER your cat from being interested in small animals, for their safety!

I would look into trying out some foraging toys for the cat as well as ensuring that there are enough cat towers, shelves, and scratching posts.

-RI RedSigned by: Goffin, Mistah J

[feathered-feds]

What variety of perches would be a good idea for a cockatiel cage?

You’ll want perches of different widths and preferably textures. If the perches are all one width, such as only wooden dowels, the tendons in the birds feet can atrophy. In the wild they could perch on many different trees and maneuver around a lot.

Avoid those “sandpaper” perches. They don’t do what they advertise (keep nails trimmed) and will only irritate/dry out their feet at best and at worst cause sores.

So instead get bird safe wooden perches! Many are made from actual branches of wood and are great for perching. For variety, you can also get rope perches but be sure to replace them one they become frayed.

Source (x)

-RI Red

Signed by: Mistah J, Goffin

[feathered-feds]

Is Diamond a good pet food brand? I keep seeing it at Ace Hardware and some local feed+pet stores in my town

Hello! Pet store employee here, and we carry Diamond/Diamond Naturals. It is not a great brand, honestly. Their normal foods have rice, barley, and little meat however they do have probiotics, no propylene glycol, and a decent amount of fruits and vegetables. Still, not the best brand and not something I would feed.

However, Diamond Naturals also makes an inexpensive grain free kibble. It’s not bad! The ingredients are very simple and in my opinion should have more meats but not bad if you’re on a budget.

I would recommend other brands like Taste of the Wild, Orijen, Weruva, Wellness Core, Merrick, etc. (grain free, of couse!)

Source (x)

-RI RedSigned by:  Goffin, Mistah J

[becausebirds]

No words.

[send-it-to-the-internet]

birb

[feathered-feds]

I just wanted to let everyone know that while blow drying your bird itself is not dangerous (as long as you are careful with them) make SURE your dryer does not have teflon in it. Many companies cover the metal mesh on the front with teflon, which is toxic to birds when heated.

(x)(x)

-RI Red

Some birds are incredibly noise sensitive as well, so blow-drying them can be awfully stressful and should be avoided. - Goffin

[allisticgoyim-blog]

notactuallycute Hi, I’m no expert on them, but I’m an isopod enthusiast and I just want to alert you guys that the popular post with the bathynomus giganteuses (giant isopods) eating the Doritos makes me super uneasy and is almost definitely not cute

Bathynomus giganteus is a marine species found as low as the neritic zone. I can’t imagine being out of water or above sea level could be good for them.

They are not pets! No types of isopods are pets! They are wild crustaceans, even pillbugs, and should be safe in their own environment. To take a deep-sea species and put it on land is cruel and no good.

I sincerely doubt that Doritos are digestible by any kind of isopod. Giant isopods eat small aquatic creatures and dead driftoff or carcasses. They are scavengers and carnivores, so I heavily doubt they can eat corn chips, especially since corn is hard to digest even for humans.

Please spread this!

[feathered-feds]

As far as I can tell, the isopods are not alive in the picture and even if they were they would be incapable of eating the doritos, even if they could open the bag. I’m having a hard time finding the source of the picture but it APPEARS to be taken on a boat as some kind of joke. 

-RI Red

[feathered-feds]

savannah cats

So, in case your out of the loop, A savannah cat is a cross between a domestic cat and Serval. The later is a wild animal, think of people who keep big cats in captivity, these cats just happen to be house sized.

Like wolf dogs, these cats range from high content to low content, (f1, f2, and so on) and have a feral personality like their wild heritage suggests. Here I have found a video on them from a big cat rescue with input from a wildlife care manager: X

I personally know one of these cats and she is not loving nor is she tame. She actually reminds me a lot of a stray cat, though shes never been out of the house. If you are looking for a pet try another breed or a rescue/shelter cat. 

by: Gram

Signed off by: Goffin, Mistah J

Savannah Cats are extremely high maintenance and expensive. They are not good pets and I would personally only ever recommend adopting one and only if you have hands-on experience with wildlife and actual servals. 

-RI Red

[feathered-feds]

Owls as pets

Generally, any sort of wild animal is going to make a horrible pet. Owls and other wild animals have not been domesticated and do not live a happy or full life in captivity. Like other wild animals, they are not friendly or loving, they will not act like a harry potter owl, bring you letters or cuddle with you.

Owls specifically have a large wingspan and need a lot of room to fly and fly comfortably, not to mention the problems treating and handing the bird if it was ever hurt or sick. Many vets will not treat exotic animals.

Owls are also a protected species in most places, so it would be illegal to have them anyway. 

anything else to add?

By: Gram, Goffin

Owls are ill suited to life in captivity, demanding outdoor aviaries (they cannot be clipped and expected to behave normally), a rounded diet of fresh raw foods, specialized veterinary care, and are 100% illegal if you live in the USA.

They are, as stated, still wild animals and have no place being kept in captivity. In no way does it act in their interest and removes animals from their place in the wild where they should be taking part in their local ecosystem. 

Top 10 Reasons Why You Don’t Want An Owl As A Pet 

-RI Red

[feathered-feds]

pet loss

Dealing with the loss of a pet is pretty hard. The little furry things are family to a lot of people and its hard when you loose them!  Remember all of your feelings are valid!

Talk to people about what your feeling, your family who loved that dog too would be a good place to start. Talking about it can really help. If you cant talk about things, maybe you could write them down.

Crying is natural and normal. Its okay to vent and let your emotions out, its important not to bottle things up. I found it very helpful to make a memorial to my lost pets. They've all got a page in my scrap book or a shadow box filled with my favorite pictures, a piece of their fur, a collar, so you can always look back and see and remember all the good times and how good of a dog he was.

You gave that dog a good life, and I'm sure you did all you could for him. I'm sure hes just as glad to be your dog as much as you were glad to be his person. Even though you couldn't be there at the end, I'm sure he understands that too.

-Gram

Pet loss can hit some people exactly as hard as loosing a friend or family member, if not worse. Everyone mourns in different ways but there are some things that can help, generally. Talking with someone you love or trust, crying, eating comfort food (not recommended if you have an eating disorder), self care routines like bathing, showering, or wearing clothes that make you feel good.

Distractions can help, too. Reading, road trips, video games, etc.

Volunteering at a shelter may also help you and possibly result in finding your next companion!

- RI Red

[veterinaryrambles]

Appearance of generalized patches of demodicosis in a puppy. Demodex is a mange mite that exists on all dogs in small amounts, but in puppies whose immune systems are still immature, they may experience overgrowth of the mite, resulting in hair loss over the body.

[feathered-feds]

More information about mange. (x)(x)(x)

-RI Red

[dendroica]

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

National Invasive Species Awareness Week is scheduled for February 22-28. And according to experts with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), it’s a topic that deserves our attention. Non-native plants, animals and pathogens can harm humans and the environment and impact our nation’s economy. The damage done by invasive plants alone costs the U.S. an estimated $34.7 billion a year.

Invasive weeds can produce skin irritation, trigger allergies and poison pets and livestock. They can clog waterways, kill native trees, and shade out crops, ornamentals and prized native flora. They are found in every imaginable habitat, including oceans, lakes, streams, wetlands, croplands, rangelands, natural areas, parks, forests, urban environments, yards and gardens.

"Though the impact of invasive species is profound, there are important steps we can take to manage infestations and prevent their spread," says Lee Van Wychen, Ph.D., director of science policy for the WSSA. "It all begins with awareness."

Nine Ways You Can Help

1. Learn about invasive species, especially those found in your region. Your county extension office and the National Invasive Species Information Center are both trusted resources.

2. Clean hiking boots, waders, boats and trailers, off-road vehicles and other gear to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location. Learn more at PlayCleanGo.org

3. Avoid dumping aquariums or live bait into waterways. Learn more at Habitattitude.org

4. Don’t move firewood - instead, buy it where you’ll burn it, or gather on site when permitted. Learn more at DontMoveFirewood.org

5. Use forage, hay, mulch and soil that are certified as “weed free.”

6. Plant only non-invasive plants in your garden, and remove any known invaders.

7. Report new or expanded invasive species outbreaks to authorities. Here is a state-by-state list of contacts

8. Volunteer to help remove invasive species from public lands and natural areas.

9. Ask your political representatives at the state, local and national level to support invasive species control efforts.

[izzy-the-fish-girl]

DON’T DUMP UNWANTED FISH IN LOCAL RIVERS!!!

[babblingbug]

(Bunnies and Sunshine)

Easter is coming up! And it’s a terrible time for pet store bunnies!

Rabbits are marketed as “easy”, short-lived, starter pets, especially during the Easter holidays, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! A healthy, well cared for bunny can live just as long as the average cat or dog- 10-12 years!

What’s more, they have more complex needs than a cat or a dog. Rabbits are prey animals and do not behave or show affection in the same way as predators like cats and dogs; they don’t deal well with being outside-only animals; they can get sad if they’re on their own and don’t receive enough attention; and if they’re bought as a male and female couple, they can start reproducing from as early as 5-6 months of age, and they can carry multiple litters at the same time!

They have a specialised diet (NOT carrots!), need a specialised living area (unless you want all your things to get chewed up!), and they need specialised vets! Caring for them costs as much as caring for a dog!

They’re a big responsibility!

This Easter, Make Yours Chocolate!

[ludicrouscupcake]

BUNNY SAFETY SIGNAL BOOST BECAUSE BUNNIES ARE IMPORTANT

[speakforthepits]

Its always good to know what to do when your baby is in danger.

[x423h]

This could save lives

[feathered-feds]

sorry about that guys, my blogs got mixed up

-Gram

[bettablogging]

No more grainy poster thanks to kai-ni! You’ll still need to contact me for the full, printable version. Unfortunately it’s so large that it causes color issues if not resized slightly. But now I can offer it in .png as well!

Hope you guys enjoy! :D Pass it around/reblog so it can catch some eyes maybe. :) Help out some fishies and owners.

[birdycreatures]

While this is a bird blog, I’m also pretty passionate about fish and want to promote proper pet care for all species!!

Remember that goldfish too need MUCH more than a bowl. Thoroughly research proper care for any type of pet before jumping into ownership. 

[feathered-feds]

This isn't a question but I thought you might appreciate it: My brother got two fish from his girlfriend for his birthday in a bowl that was under one gallon. Today, my other brother set up a ten gallon tank for them and they have so much room (They're goldfish). I thought of your blog when I saw him object to the bowl so I thought I'd tell you

Honestly, a ten gallon is still MUCH too small for two goldfish. If they are fancy goldfish, they need AT LEAST 40 gallons for two (and you can’t get just one, you do need two, so that’s good), and even that is small. They produce a ton of waste. If they aren’t fancy, they need to live in a pond.

I hope your tank is at least filtered and cycled. Depending on their size, he should be doing large water changes depending on the params every few days for goldfish. Ten gallons is simply way too small. It’s better than a bowl, but they need much more space than that.

- Harpy

Signed by: Mistah J

I am very glad that the goldfish are in a larger tank, however the truth is goldfish 1-4″ long need a 20 gallon tank to grow out in, until they get larger when they’ll need a 40-100 gallon tank depending on the variety! It’s also very important to understand cycling, I assume the tank was not cycled before adding the fish. I understand his ask was sent a while ago but it’s still VERY important to get a liquid test kit and test your water ASAP and perform large water changes. I would do two 50% weekly water changes in that set up, possibly even two 100% water changes depending on what your water tests out like. It should ALWAYS read: Ammonia 0, nitrites 0, and nitrates 20 or below. Anything higher than that and your fish are at a high risk of getting sick or dying. I’ll link to some good reads about goldfish and their care, please give them a read!

(x)(x)(x)

-RI Red

[feathered-feds]

This is bad, right?  http://ansatsuusha.tumblr.com/post/112630329652/so-this-happened-this-weekend-i-got-to-have-my I was looking at wolf things and saw this and yeah… like interacting with wild animals is bad anyways but then.. it’s wearing a fucking PRONG COLLAR! Like WTF. "rescued" my ass. They’re clearly exploiting them, right?  If not then I’m sorry and if so, it makes me so sad :( 

In my humble opinion that looks more like a low content(?) wolfdog than a wolf. I don’t know enough about the animal’s treatment to pass judgement beyond that?

-Mille Fleur

It does not appear to be a pure wolf by any means. The ears are tall, pointed, and not well furred. It does, however have almond shaped eyes and a narrow muzzle. I agree with Mille, absolutely a wolfdog. Without more pictures I’m not going to say high/mid/low content but it’s not a wolf! As for the prong collar, in my opinion it is an unnecessary method of training and in my experience ineffective as well. 

-RI Red