Make sure your bird has right type of cage

Dear Readers: Do you know that there are bird cages especially made for specific breeds of birds? It really makes a difference. There are cages with horizontal bars and with vertical bars; some are wooden, but most are made with metal bars. Hook-billed birds such as parrots and parakeets chew through wood; canaries don't, so wood is fine for them.

The cage should be at least three times the bird's wingspan and three times longer than the length of the bird. Actually, the larger the cage the better. The minimum-size cage for a small bird is about 14 inches wide by 17 inches deep by about 16 inches high.

Birds need enough space to fly from one perch to another, and the perches should not be close to the cage bars where the bird's tail will hit. Be sure the food and water dishes are not below the perches — you don't want "dirty" food and water.

One more important thing: Look closely at the entire cage to be sure there aren't any sharp edges or spaces where a bird's foot could get caught. Once your bird settles in, it should be very happy. —Heloise

P.S. Any questions, ask your veterinarian.

Dear Readers: Rita Van Autreve of San Antonio has a wonderful little Lhasa apso named Tuffy. He is great friends with his "cousins," Sophie the dachshund and Barkley the miniature schnauzer, who belongs to her granddaughter, Taylor.

(To see the pet photo, visit my Web site, www.Heloise.com, and click on This Week's Pet to see these three "tube mates.") —Heloise

Dear Heloise: If you want a beautiful, colorful fish, the rainbow fish is for you! They are silver with a mix of blue and red stripes and grow to about 4 inches. There are several different varieties, and all are colorful and good-natured. They are the perfect fish for the beginner and usually get along with other species of fish in an aquarium.

Since they are schooling fish, it's best to keep at least five others. Feeding is no problem and very easy. Their diet consists of flake foods and live food such as brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and bloodworms. I guarantee you will love them! —Kathy B., Austin, Texas

Question: Do you have raccoons and stray animals hanging around your yard?

Answer: If so, check to see what attracts them. It might be empty cans of food in the trash. Before disposing of cans, rinse them first. As long as there isn't a scent, the raccoons should stay away.

Also, another reason to clean cans first is to prevent stray or wild animals from being severely hurt if they rummage through the garbage. —Heloise

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