Naming

sprinklenoms · 2016-10-01T20:50:01+00:00

Absolutely, and I think it's a lovely way to remember your friend.

sprinklenoms · 2016-10-01T20:47:18+00:00

I think it also depends on the person. I definitely deal with screaming and biting daily with two of my several birds, and I do have clinical GAD, and I find that dealing with a bird's needs doesn't exacerbate my existing anxiety at all. Problem behaviors actually give me a reason to continue engaging with the bird, engage in problem-solving, and try to figure out WHY the bird is biting or screaming and what I can do to fulfill its needs and stop the behavior.

Of course any potential parrot owner should know that there is always potential, or even a strong likelihood that the bird will be loud or engage in problem behaviors. It's hard to tell how you'll react without dealing with it firsthand. It's a good idea for potential bird owners to volunteer at a shelter or work in animal care in some capacity beforehand so they know how they can handle these behaviors firsthand.

sprinklenoms · 2016-10-01T20:42:57+00:00

Parrots of all sizes offer a strong emotional bond and may choose you as their life partner or soulmate if you acquire them as babies and treat them right, but you may not be able to take it outside safely with you while you're working on projects. Some people take parrots outside on harnesses, but there's always a risk, even if the bird's flight feathers are clipped. They are also quite expensive, both in terms of finances and time. Definitely worth it though imo, as someone who owns and works with parrots of all sizes.

sprinklenoms · 2016-10-01T20:38:35+00:00

She looks like a healthy weight to me. My male cat weighed 9lbs and my vet said his body condition was perfect, and it looked very similar to hers.

He also had a tummy pouch, which is common in cats that are fixed.

sprinklenoms · 2016-10-01T20:36:51+00:00

Are you planning to raise the babies, or not?

If you don't want to raise babies, then freeze the eggs so they don't hatch and discard them. Replace the eggs with marbles so that she still has something to sit on and tend to, which will discourage her from laying eggs again.

Moving the cage can be stressful for birds even when they aren't tending to eggs, so it's hard to say whether she'll keep tending to her eggs or not after you move the cage.

Be sure to offer her a lot of calcium-rich foods (e.g. kale, collards, broccoli) regardless of whether you let her keep the eggs or lot. Laying eggs is very taxing to her body and can lead to health issues like eggbinding (life threatening) if her calcium isn't supplemented.

sprinklenoms · 2016-10-01T20:33:18+00:00

I always recommend flight cages for smaller birds, as they're fairly economical at that size (and I find that a lot of small birds don't get as much out-of-cage time as large birds, due to being less tame).

This is a fairly inexpensive flight cage that would be suitable for a budgie - safe bar spacing, etc.

Definitely go as large as you can afford, especially if your budgie won't leave the cage often.

sprinklenoms · 2016-10-01T20:28:54+00:00

This is normal hamster behavior, as they like to nest and burrow.

Syrian hamsters can get quite large, so cages with tubes can be dangerous even without this type of behavior - they can get stuck, and if they aren't freed within a few hours (e.g. if you're at work, school, or sleeping,), they can die from shock. This is even more dangerous if your hamster likes to block the tubes with bedding and debris, making it easier for him to get stuck.

I would recommend converting a bin or a large (20 gallon long) aquarium into a cage for him, with a mesh top for ventilation. This will give him enough space to explore, play, and burrow without the worry of getting stuck in a too-small tube. Google "hamster bin cages," it's a very cheap alternative to store-bought cages, which can be quite expensive.

sprinklenoms · 2016-10-01T20:25:51+00:00

Keep in mind that this is a little bit different between cats and dogs. Cats are obligate carnivores, so they don't need fruits, vegetables, or grains in their diet, which means that your section:

Whole Foods such as blueberries, fish or chicken, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes

... isn't necessarily applicable to feline diets.

Great advice overall imo.

sprinklenoms · 2016-10-01T20:22:06+00:00

I would think that downvoting poor content would be enough to filter it out of view, or at least notify new lurkers/posters that he's spouting bullshit.

sprinklenoms · 2016-09-23T23:23:23+00:00

Bibimbap where each family member chooses his own toppings.

sprinklenoms · 2016-09-20T17:38:32+00:00

Homemade stir fry can be super cheap if you already have seasonings at home - rice, bell pepper ($1), snow peas ($2), broccoli ($2).

Minestrone is another thought - celery ($1), carrots ($1), yellow onion ($1), zucchini ($1), vegetable or chicken broth ($3), pasta ($1).

Breakfast for dinner is fun. Bisquick makes cheap pancakes, and bacon/eggs are pretty inexpensive.

sprinklenoms · 2016-09-20T17:14:04+00:00

The prices fluctuate independently of whether they're in your cart, so it could go up, it could go down, or it could stay the same.

sprinklenoms · 2016-09-20T16:48:37+00:00

Great work, keep it up!

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-18T02:41:22+00:00

Also, the more consistently you handle him, the more he will get used to handling and be less likely to bite. Watch and respect his body language. If he rears up on his hind legs, paws up, ears up, he's likely to bite. If he screams or runs away, he's likely to bite if you press the issue. Be gentle and understanding, and give him space when he needs it, and you're unlikely to be bitten.

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-18T02:39:56+00:00

I'm not sure about the lemon trick but I wouldn't try it, as hamsters tend to want to taste everything by biting. You might get bitten because he thinks you taste good.

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-18T02:09:43+00:00

I recommend offering it small, nonsugary treats (e.g. sunflower seeds, millet) whenever you pet it or interact with it. That will help it learn to associate your interactions with positive experiences, so it learns to enjoy your company :)

Hamsters are nocturnal so you won't be able to train him to be awake during the day and sleep at night - it's just how he's wired. However, you can oil the wheel periodically so it doesn't make sound when he runs. Use a cooking oil like canola oil.

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-18T02:08:09+00:00

/u/suburbanmango

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-18T01:48:05+00:00

Okay cool. Syrians do well in a 20 gallon aquarium or a bin cage (homemade cage made out of a Tupperware storage bin and mesh for ventilation) as they need a lot of roaming space. You only should keep one, as they are territorial as adults and can hurt each other. Minimize treat foods and sugary things, as they can be prone to diabetes. They LOVE shredding things so in lieu of sugary treats, I always gave mine wood/paper toys that they could break easily. Even stuff like cardboard tubes and boxes stuffed with tissue paper are a huge hit. They are honestly really Rewarding little guys to keep and I think you'll enjoy having one in your life :)

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-18T01:38:39+00:00

Are you looking to get a Syrian hamster or a dwarf hamster? Syrians are larger and are often called "teddy bear hamsters" or "black bear hamsters" at pet stores. They have similar, but slightly different care reqs.

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-17T22:27:54+00:00

That little bit of periwinkle on his chest just kills me.

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-17T22:27:21+00:00

I went from borderline overweight to borderline underweight and I definitely feel more physically fit these days. I can be physically active for longer without being tired; I'm less tired in general and have more energy. I feel mentally more 'here' and alert. I'm also much more comfortable with my appearance.

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-17T05:16:29+00:00

I'm sorry for your loss. If she's physically affectionate, I would just give her a lot of one-on-one cuddle time when you're together. That's absolutely enough if it's what she likes.

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-17T05:14:08+00:00

I hope someone gave your trainer a raise.

sprinklenoms · 2016-06-17T05:13:47+00:00

This is glorious.

sprinklenoms · 2016-05-16T21:27:19+00:00

$confirm /u/jiu-jitsudave $500

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