Welcome to

Dr. Michelle Ravich & Dr. Laurie Hess  on Pet Life Radio


Birds are very social and generally live in large flocks in the wild. As the bird’s owner, you are essentially his or her flock mate, so the bird’s cage should be placed in an area in your home where there is a lot of activity. Cages should not be placed in the kitchen because of potential risk to the bird from cooking fumes and flames on the stove. Teflon pans should never be used around birds, as the toxic chemicals they release into the air when they are heated to high temperatures can be instantly fatal to birds.

Birds should never be exposed to cigarette smoke or other aerosolized toxins to which they are very sensitive. Caution should also be taken with birds around open doors and windows, near mirrors and ceiling fans, and around other potentially predatory pets, such as cats and dogs.

While birds should be taken out of the cage as much as possible to socialize them and provide exercise, they should never be left unsupervised. To provide mental stimulation and physical exercise, birds should be provided with safe toys that are good to chew on, such as items made from soft wood, cardboard, paper, or chewable food items such as coconut husks and corncobs.


"Bird's Eye View " Theme Song Written & Produced by Mark Winter
© Copyright Such Fun Music (ASCAP)

Episode 12 -

Coming soon


Episode Info

Episode 11 - It's the Most Dangerous Time of the Year... for Birds

This week the topic is health hazards in your home related to the holidays for birds.   This time of year it comes up very frequently that people are concerned about what can go on in their homes when they have visitors coming.  We have Thanksgiving coming, Christmas, New Years, all types of people traveling in and out of our homes, all kinds of new foods, drinks, toys, children... all types of things that can be hazardous to your birds.   


Episode Info

Episode 10 - Travel 101: Tips to Make Traveling with your Bird Safe, Happy, and Fun for Everyone

In this episode, Dr. Laurie Hess, and her guest Dr. Lauren Theilen, both veterinarians who specialize in bird care, will offer bird owners tips to make their trip with their pet bird safe and fun. They will focus both on travel by car and by plane and how best to be prepared for any situation, including emergencies.  


Episode Info

Episode 9 - Vacation Time: What to Ask When Seeking a Pet Sitter or Boarding Facility for Your Bird

This show will focus on the obvious and not so obvious questions all bird owners should be asking when they are choosing a pet sitter or boarding facility for their bird. Dr. Laurie Hess and her guest, Dr. Lauren Thielen, both veterinarians who specialize in bird care, will discuss what to think about to be ready if you are going on vacation and leaving your precious feathered family member at home or at a boarding facility.


Episode Info

Episode 8 - Different Types of Birds for Different Types of People

A lot of people think of parrots as being the birds primarily owned, but you may be surprised at some of the other types of birds that are also owned as pets.  From canaries to chickens, birds make great pets, so tune in to find out the do's and don'ts of owning the many varieties of these fun feathered pets.  


Episode Info

Episode 7 - Parrots, Pigeons, and Peacocks… There’s a Bird Out There For Everyone!

Today we have a fun topic... all the common types of birds people keep as pets, where these animals come from and why people keep these particular types of birds.  Well also cover the uniqueness  of each group or species of bird.   


Episode Info

Episode 6 - Birds of Another Feather

In this episode Dr. Laurie and Dr. Michelle talk about behavior issues in birds, and there are quite a lot of them, including feather-picking, screaming, aggression towards other birds or people, and biting.  Tune in to find out how to correct these unwanted bird behaviors.


Episode Info

Episode 5 - Bird Nutrition

In this episode Dr. Laurie and Dr. Michelle talk about the different types of birds and their nutritional requirements, as well as specifically what parrots require nutritionally.  They also cover some of the diseases they see as a result of poor nutrition. 


Episode Info

Episode 4 - Household Emergencies in Birds

Today we’re going to talk about household emergencies in birds.  There are quite a few, so we’re going to go through them one at a time to better prepare you.  We’ll discuss common emergencies, how to avoid them, and what to do when they happen.


Episode Info

Episode 3 - Behavior Problems

In this episode Dr. Laurie and Dr. Michelle talk about behavior issues in birds, and there are quite a lot of them, including feather-picking, screaming, aggression towards other birds or people, and biting.  Tune in to find out how to correct these unwanted bird behaviors.


Episode Info

Episode 2 - A Look at Illnesses in Birds as They Age and Change

Dr. Laurie and Dr. Michelle talk about common diseases found in birds at various stages of their lives.  These are interesting to people that own birds of all ages, and they discuss what to look for in your bird regardless of what age he or she is.


Episode Info

Episode 1 - Preventative Medical Care is for the Feathered Too, Not Just for the Furred

In this week’s show, our hosts, bird specialist Dr. Laurie Hess and her associate, Dr. Michelle Ravich, will focus on why preventative medical care, including regular annual check-ups, is very important for your bird, just as it is for your other pets. With routine check-ups, veterinarians not only can pick up subtle signs of illness before your bird becomes very sick, but also can discuss with you the latest information on bird nutrition, housing, and other aspects of care so that you are kept as up-to-date as possible on how to keep your bird as healthy as you can. With the proper education, you can help your bird live a longer, happier life.


Episode Info