Snickers is a regular squawker, but lately she's been really pumping up the volume. You're cleaning Napoleon's cage, and he tries to take a bite out of your finger. Every time you check on Charlie, he's obsessively biting himself, plucking out and pulling on his feathers.

If any of the above scenarios sounds familiar, your bird may have a behavioral problem. As a responsible avian caretaker, it's up to you to figure out what's bugging your bird, and to determine the steps you must take to fix it.

Solving problem bird biting

If you own a bird, chances are you have been bitten by your pet at least once. Let's face it, being on the receiving end of a bird bite is no fun, but it is often one aspect of owning a member of this very temperamental species. Birds, like children, act out when they are feeling frustrated. Some act aggressively in response to the weather or their own hormones. And some, as sadistic as it may seem, bite for fun. So how should owners deal with this virtually unavoidable part of aviculture?

Preventing hamster bites

"Help! My hamster bites. Is there anything I can do to make him stop?"

If this sounds like your relationship with your little guy, you're not alone. More than any other companion rodent, hamsters are the most likely to bite, usually when they're startled, mishandled or awoken from a deep snooze. But with patience, respect for your little friend's inner time clock, and the following tips from experts, your family and your hammy can peacefully—and painlessly—coexist.
 

How to handle hamsters

Greetings, new hamster caretaker! Bet you can't wait to get to know all about your pet--and once he's settled into his new digs, he'll want to know all about you, too. If you're patient and persistent, you'll begin to earn his trust and affection by getting him used to being handled.

Adolescent kitten behavior

Congratulations, you're going to be the new cat owner on the block! Your feline's first few days in the house can be very stressful, but with some careful planning, you can ease the transition.

Dog bite prevention for children

One out of every two children in the United States will get bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday. 650,000 of these cases are severe enough to require medical treatment, while anywhere from 1 to 2 million go unreported. The majority of these bites will come from a dog that the child already knows-his own family pet, or an animal belonging to a friend or neighbor. By teaching your children the appropriate way to behave around dogs, you can help avoid potentially dangerous interactions-and reduce the chances of being bitten.

Cat bite prevention for children

The majority of these bites will come from a cat that the child already knows-his own family pet, or an animal belonging to a friend or neighbor. By teaching your children the appropriate way to behave around cats, you can help avoid potentially dangerous interactions-and reduce the chances of being bitten. PetDoc encourages you to please share this important information with all the members in your household.