The Basics:

Beautiful plumage and delicate cooing voices have made Doves popular pets. They may not be as intelligent as Parrots, but respond well to handling and interact with their human owners.

Cage:

Doves need room to fly, particularly since they do not climb like some Parrots do. Smaller species need a cage measuring at least 3’ long by 3’ wide by 3’ tall, while the larger species require at lease 3’ by 6’ by 3’. However, bigger is always better, and larger cages in width or height are well worth the investment. Bar spacing should be no more than ½”.

CAUTION

In most cases, more space is more desirable for birds. However, when increasing the size of a Dove’s cage, the bird’s human companion must be careful to maintain a safe (narrow) space between the bars. The bars of a cage have to be narrow enough to prevent a bird from sticking his head in between. Bars that are spaced too far apart for the bird’s size can result in serious and even fatal injuries.

Positioning The Cage:

Above all, do not place the cage in a kitchen or bathroom, which have harmful fumes or temperature fluctuations. A Dove’s human companion should provide him with a sense of security by placing the cage high and positioning it so it’s against walls on two sides. The idea is to keep anyone from being able to walk completely around the Dove’s cage. Otherwise, the location of a Dove’s cage can actually have an impact on its temperament and should be carefully considered. When taming a Dove for companionship, the cage should be placed in an area that exposes the bird to all family members, but care should be taken to avoid startling the bird. Doves that are startled regularly may become increasingly nervous. For a pair of Doves, who are not intended to be tame, the cage can be placed nearly anywhere, so long as it is easily accessible for daily tending.

Playthings:

Unlike most other birds, toys hold little to no appeal for a Dove. They need the companionship of a person or another Dove to be content. If the cage bottom is wire (as is recommended), a pan or dish filled with sand should be provided.  Doves enjoy playing, scratching, and sitting in sand. The sand should be replaced whenever it becomes soiled or moist.

Perches:

At least two perches, of different sizes, should be placed in a Dove’s cage, along with a roosting or nesting ledge. A cluttered cage may lead to aggression, so ample space is required between any perches and ledges, and the sides and top of the cage. Remember never to place a perch over food or water supply to prevent soiling. A perch should be placed in front of, but not above, food and water dishes. Perches should measure around 5/8” in diameter.

Play Time Outside The Cage:

When living alone, Doves require human companionship and time outside of the cage for mental stimulation. These birds respond well to handling, though early and constant exposure to humans provides the best results. Over time, a Dove will become attached to its human family, and consider them members of her flock. A pair of Doves will not require as much attention as a single Dove, but each bird must be handled daily if companionship is expected. Most species of Doves do not have a homing instinct. Like Parrots, Doves may fly off if given an opportunity, and be unable to find their way home.

Grooming:

Consult veterinarian or literature about trimming nails and possibly flight feathers.

Misting:

Mist 3-4 times weekly with chlorine-free water. Water must be lukewarm to room temperature.

Diet:

Unlike most birds, a Dove can eat a diet that consists mainly of seeds without compromising his health. Seeds can make up about 70% of a Dove’s food intake.  A high-quality mix formulated for Doves will provide most of the nutrients they require. If a specialized seed mix is not available, Hookbill or Canary mixes will suffice. Smaller Doves may not eat large seeds, but will do well on a Finch seed mix. If necessary, vitamins and minerals can be mixed in with their seeds, since Doves do not shell their seeds, but swallow them whole. Calcium additives are commonly given to Doves, particularly before breeding season. Doves will not use a whole cuttlebone or mineral block, but these can be reduced to a powder to mix into seeds. Provide additional calcium i.e. cuttlebone during egg laying. A veterinarian should be consulted before offering any supplements. Manufactured pellets can be offered as a small part of a Dove’s diet, but currently none are formulated to be a proper diet for a pet Dove. Shredded dark, leafy greens should be offered a couple times a week, though droppings should be monitored for solidness. Small amounts of other fruits and vegetables, along with hardboiled eggs and some cooked grains, are an important addition to a proper Dove diet, but should only be offered to the bird as long as they are not spoiled. Fruits and vegetables should be rinsed, dried and cut into appropriately sized pieces before being offered to this bird. Live mealworms or dried insects can be an occasional treat. Water containers with a hood to prevent soiling are best

A Note About Water:

All water given to birds for drinking, as well as water used for misting, soaking or bathing must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals.  (Not all home water filtration systems remove 100% of the chlorine and heavy metals from tap water, so check your system's specifications before using it to filter water for your pet.) We recommend that you use unflavored bottled drinking water or bottled natural spring water and never untreated tap water. Do not use distilled water, which can cause severe medical problems, since it lacks minerals that are essential to important body functions.