Are Doves Good Pets For Beginners? Absolutely. Doves, with their gentle nature and soothing coos, can be wonderful companions and surprisingly manageable pets for first-time bird owners. At PETS.EDU.VN, we believe everyone deserves a loving pet, and doves might be the perfect feathered friend to start your journey. Understanding their needs, providing a suitable environment, and learning how to care for them properly will ensure a harmonious relationship. This guide will offer detailed insights into dove ownership.
1. Understanding Doves as Pets
Doves belong to the Columbidae family, sharing kinship with pigeons. Their calming presence and symbolic representation of peace make them endearing pets. The two most popular species kept as pets are the Ringneck Dove and the Diamond Dove.
- Ringneck Doves: Originating from Africa, they exhibit light brown and white feathers and a distinct black ring around their neck. They are typically larger and more robust.
- Diamond Doves: Native to Australia, they boast bluish-gray feathers with white spots on their wings and striking red circles around their eyes.
Doves thrive in enclosed outdoor aviaries during favorable weather. However, they lack natural defenses against predators, necessitating a secure outdoor environment. It’s essential to ensure their safety from threats like hawks and snakes.
2. Dove Characteristics: What to Expect
Understanding the specific characteristics of doves will help you determine if they are the right pet for you.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Difficulty of Care | Beginner-friendly |
| Average Lifespan | 10+ years with proper care, varying by species |
| Average Adult Size | 7.5–12 inches long from head to tail, depending on the species |
| Diet | Primarily grains and seeds, supplemented with greens, insects, or fruit |
| Minimum Habitat Size | 24” L x 36” W x 24” H for a pair of doves. Larger is always better to encourage natural flying behavior. |
| Social Needs | Doves are social animals, so consider keeping them in pairs or providing ample interaction if kept alone. |
| Noise Level | Doves are generally quiet birds, producing soft cooing sounds. This makes them suitable for apartment living. |
3. Essential Supplies for Your Dove
To create a comfortable and healthy environment for your dove, ensure you have these essential supplies:
- Appropriately sized habitat (at least 24” L x 36” W x 24” H for a pair of doves)
- High-quality pelleted dove food
- Millet spray
- Habitat paper or paper-based litter
- Food and water dishes
- Variety of perches
- Variety of toys
- Mister spray bottle
- Grooming supplies
- Oyster shell grit (digestible grit)
- Indigestible grit
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-153487221-58a70c915f9b58a3c97a0d4f.jpg “A well-organized display of essential dove care items, including food pellets, a water dish, perches, and toys, highlighting the preparations needed to welcome a dove into your home.”)
4. Choosing the Right Dove Cage
Selecting the appropriate cage is vital for your dove’s well-being.
- Size: Opt for a cage at least 24” L x 36” W x 30” H for a pair of doves. A spacious environment allows for comfortable movement and flight.
- Bar Spacing: The space between bars should be ⅜-inch or smaller to prevent escapes or injuries.
- Design: Doves do not climb like parrots, so prioritize a wide habitat with ample horizontal space.
- Material: Stainless steel cages are recommended. Avoid homemade habitats or cages made with wood or galvanized wire, as these can expose doves to toxic chemicals.
5. Setting Up Your Dove’s Cage: Creating a Comfortable Home
Creating a comfortable and stimulating environment for your dove is crucial for their health and happiness.
5.1 Temperature and Location
Maintain an average household temperature between 65 F and 80 F. Protect doves from extreme temperature changes. Place the habitat in a draft-free, well-lit area, away from air conditioners and other pets.
5.2 Safety First
Ensure that no habitat parts or toys are made with lead, zinc, lead-based paints, galvanized metal, or other potentially toxic materials. These substances can cause serious health problems if ingested.
5.3 Social Considerations
Doves are social animals and can be kept alone or in pairs. If housing males and females together, be prepared for them to mate and lay eggs. Introduce new doves slowly and under supervision to ensure compatibility. Monitor for aggressive behavior and separate birds if they fight. Avoid housing different species of animals in the same habitat.
5.4 Bedding
The habitat should have a removable metal grate to allow droppings to fall below. Line the tray with habitat paper or paper-based bedding to keep the environment clean and minimize dust.
5.5 Lighting
Birds need exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light for vitamin D production, which is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. UV light also regulates circadian rhythms and improves psychological well-being. Since glass windows filter out UV light, provide natural UV exposure by allowing doves to spend time outside in an escape-proof cage when weather permits. Never leave birds unattended outside or in direct sunlight.
Supplement UV exposure with a full-spectrum UV light designed for birds, shining it on the habitat for 10–12 hours daily. Place the light 12–18 inches away from where the bird perches and replace it every six months to maintain its potency.
5.6 Decor and Accessories
5.6.1 Perches
Provide perches of assorted sizes, heights, textures, and materials to allow doves to exercise their feet and prevent pressure sores. Perches should be at least 5 inches long and around ½-inch in diameter. Suitable materials include concrete, wood, braided rope, and natural branches. Avoid sandpaper perches and gravel-coated perches, as they can cause abrasions and other injuries. Do not place perches above food or water bowls to prevent contamination.
5.6.2 Toys
Offer an assortment of toys for exercise and enrichment. Doves can develop harmful habits like screaming or feather plucking if they are bored. Choose toys made of cardboard, paper, or soft wood, as doves have softer beaks than parrots. Foraging toys are excellent for mental and physical stimulation. Select toys with a variety of colors, shapes, and textures to attract interest.
5.6.3 Water and Food Dishes
Provide separate dishes for dry food, fresh food, digestible grit, and water. If housing multiple doves, provide each bird with their own feeding station to minimize competition. Water dishes should be large enough for bathing. Wash and rinse dishes thoroughly each day to prevent bacterial growth.
6. Maintaining a Clean Dove Habitat
Regular cleaning is essential for preventing illness and ensuring a healthy environment for your dove.
- Daily Spot Cleaning: Remove soiled material and discarded food daily.
- Daily Dish Washing: Wash water and food bowls thoroughly each day.
- Weekly Bedding Replacement: Replace substrate, bedding, and habitat liners at least once a week (or more often if housing multiple doves).
To clean a dove’s habitat:
- Remove the bird from its habitat and place it in a safe, temporary location.
- Use a bird habitat cleaner or veterinarian-approved method to wash the habitat and any accessories.
- Rinse the habitat and accessories thoroughly with water to remove all traces of the cleaning agent or bleach solution.
- Allow the habitat and its contents to dry completely before placing new substrate, bedding, and clean accessories back into the habitat.
- Return the bird to the clean habitat.
Only use cleaning agents formulated for pets, as a bird’s respiratory systems are sensitive to aerosolized fumes.
7. Dove Diet and Nutrition: Feeding Your Feathered Friend
Doves primarily eat grains and seeds but enjoy a variety of foods, including greens, insects, or fruit as occasional treats. During breeding season, they may benefit from a hard-boiled egg as an extra source of calcium. Doves should always have access to fresh, clean water.
Never share food from your mouth or plate with your dove, as human mouths contain microorganisms that can cause illness in birds.
A nutritious and well-balanced diet for a dove consists of:
7.1 High-Quality Pelleted Food
A nutritionally complete and balanced pelleted food should make up at least 60–70% of a dove’s diet.
7.2 Digestible Grit
Digestible grit, made of crushed oyster shells, is a calcium supplement that promotes healthy egg-laying and bone development. Offer digestible grit daily in a separate dish.
7.3 Indigestible Grit
Unlike parrots, doves eat seeds whole and need very small amounts of indigestible grit to break down seed hulls in their stomachs. Overfeeding grit can lead to nutritional deficiencies and gastrointestinal obstruction.
7.4 Treats, Vegetables, and Fruits
Treats should not make up more than 10% of a dove’s diet. Offer soft fruits and vegetables that are shredded or cut into bite-sized pieces. Treats can include chopped greens and shredded orange and yellow vegetables, such as sweet potato, squash, and carrots.
7.5 Small Seeds
An assortment of small seeds (such as millet, canary seed, hemp seed, milo, and wheat) can be offered as an occasional treat along with a grit supplement. However, seeds are not nutritionally complete and should not be the mainstay of a dove’s diet. Doves can be fed very small amounts of hard-boiled egg as an occasional treat.
7.6 Fresh, Clean Water
Change the water daily.
Avoid feeding doves avocados, fruit seeds, chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol, as they are all toxic and can cause serious illness or death. Also, avoid treats high in salt or fat. Discard any uneaten fruits and vegetables after 10 hours to prevent spoilage and infection.
| Food Group | Examples | Portion Size | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelleted Food | High-quality dove pellets | 60-70% of daily intake | Daily |
| Digestible Grit | Crushed oyster shells | Small dish | Daily |
| Indigestible Grit | Small, insoluble particles | Very small amount | Sparingly |
| Treats | Chopped greens, shredded carrots, sweet potato, squash, millet spray | Up to 10% of daily intake | Occasionally |
| Fresh Water | Clean, chlorine-free water | Sufficient for drinking and bathing | Daily |
| Toxic Foods (Avoid) | Avocados, fruit seeds, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, salty or fatty treats | None | Never |
8. Essential Dove Care Tips: Ensuring a Happy Life
8.1 Safety Precautions
Avoid using nonstick cookware and other appliances with a nonstick coating, such as Teflon™. Nonstick coatings contain a polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). When heated, PTFE releases colorless, odorless fumes that can kill pet birds if inhaled.
8.2 Socialization
Socialize your doves by allowing them to spend time outside their enclosure every day. Supervise doves whenever they are outside of their habitat to prevent injuries. Close any open windows and doors, cover mirrors, and turn off ceiling fans.
8.3 Wing Clipping
Wing clipping temporarily prevents a bird from gaining lift and flying away. A properly performed wing trim allows a bird to sail safely to the ground without lift. Only a trained professional or someone taught how to trim feathers should clip a dove’s wing feathers. Improper trimming can cause severe injury. When done correctly, clipping the outermost “flight feathers” can help keep birds from flying away accidentally and becoming injured. Consult an avian veterinarian for help before attempting to trim a bird’s feathers. Wing clipping must be repeated every few months as feathers grow back in.
8.4 Bathing
Water dishes should be large enough for a dove to bathe in. You can groom birds that do not regularly bathe themselves by gently misting them with warm water from a clean spray bottle a few times a week.
8.5 Nail Care
Trim nails on an as-needed basis, which can range from every few weeks to months. Nails should be trimmed by a trained professional, avian veterinarian, or someone otherwise trained to trim birds’ nails to prevent injury. If bleeding occurs, a styptic powder can be used to stop the bleeding quickly.
8.6 Beak Care
Most birds will not need to have their beaks trimmed, as they should stay in good condition with daily use. Underlying conditions, such as liver disease or deformity from trauma, can cause abnormal beak growth and must be addressed by an avian veterinarian.
8.7 Personality and Behavior
Some doves may become tolerant of gentle handling over time, while others may prefer hands-off interaction. Enjoy watching your dove and listening to their pleasant coo. Doves do not make good pets for children who want to pet and hold their bird frequently.
8.8 Dove Sounds and Noises
Doves do not screech or squawk like parrots but make a constant “cooing” sound, especially when kept in groups.
9. Monitoring Dove Health: Recognizing Signs of Illness
Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial for maintaining your dove’s health.
9.1 Annual Care
Doves should be examined by a veterinarian at least once every year as part of their annual care schedule. They can be transported in a travel cage that limits flying and falling space. Bring food and water and, if applicable, their bonded partner. Take pictures of their enclosure and all food, bedding, and accessories, including their packaging, to show the veterinarian. Limit exposure to extreme temperature changes during transport.
9.2 Signs of a Healthy Dove
- Clean, clear eyes
- Clean beak
- Pink gums
- Clean and smooth feathers
- Feet with smooth, intact skin
- Clean vent
- Regular vocalizations
- Strong appetite
9.3 When to Call a Vet
- Eyes that are cloudy or have discharge
- Beak is cracked, bleeding, excessively shedding, or has debris or discharge from the nares
- Pale gums
- Discharge or drooling from the mouth
- Plucked or broken feathers
- Growths or cracks on the feet
- Staining in feathers around the vent
- Changes to voice or vocalization behaviors
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Lumps, bumps, or swellings
- Changes in droppings
9.4 Common Illnesses in Doves
Common dove illnesses include:
- Canker: A parasitic infection causing lesions in the mouth and throat.
- Pigeon Pox: A viral disease causing wart-like lesions on the skin.
- Respiratory Infections: Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, and discharge from the eyes and nose.
- Parasites: Including mites and lice, which can cause itching and feather loss.
- Egg Binding: Difficulty laying eggs, which can be life-threatening for female doves.
10. Common Questions About Dove Care (FAQ)
10.1 Can you have a dove as a pet?
Absolutely Doves are fantastic pets and a great choice for beginner bird parents.
10.2 Do doves make good house pets?
Doves are great house pets. They are friendly, curious, easy to feed and keep clean, and quieter than some other popular avian pet species such as parrots.
10.3 Are doves affectionate?
Doves are very affectionate, especially with their people and cage mates.
10.4 What is the best dove for a pet?
Ringneck doves are a great choice of pet and one of the most common types of doves kept in homes.
10.5 Do doves bond with humans?
Doves that aren’t kept with another dove and receive regular interactions from their humans will almost certainly bond with them.
10.6 How do you bond with a pet dove?
Spending time with your dove, offering food, playing music, and offering toys will help a dove bond with you.
10.7 How often should I clean my dove’s cage?
Spot-clean daily and perform a thorough cleaning weekly, replacing bedding and washing all surfaces.
10.8 What do doves eat?
A diet of 60-70% high-quality pelleted food supplemented with seeds, grains, and occasional fruits and vegetables is ideal.
10.9 Do doves need toys?
Yes, toys provide mental and physical stimulation and prevent boredom.
10.10 How long do doves live?
With proper care, doves can live for 10 years or more.
Conclusion: Welcoming a Dove into Your Life
Doves can indeed be excellent pets for beginners, offering companionship and joy with relatively simple care requirements. By understanding their needs and providing a suitable environment, you can enjoy a fulfilling relationship with these gentle birds.
At PETS.EDU.VN, we are committed to providing reliable and comprehensive information to help you care for your pets. If you’re considering bringing a dove into your home, remember that thorough preparation is key to ensuring a happy and healthy life for your new feathered friend.
Need more in-depth information or personalized advice on dove care? Visit PETS.EDU.VN today. Our expert resources and services will help you provide the best possible care for your dove. Contact us at 789 Paw Lane, Petville, CA 91234, United States, or WhatsApp: +1 555-987-6543.
Remember, a well-informed pet owner is the best kind. Let pets.edu.vn be your trusted guide on this exciting journey!
