Doves can make great pets for the right owner. They are gentle, peaceful birds that bond strongly with their human companions. However, owning a dove does require certain care requirements, space, time, and financial commitment. Here are quick answers to some key questions about having doves as pets:
Are doves legal to own as pets?
In most areas of the United States and Canada, it is legal to keep doves as pets. However, some municipalities may have restrictions on owning certain bird species, so check your local laws. Many types of doves are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so you cannot capture wild doves – pet doves must be purchased from an authorized breeder or seller.
What are some common types of doves kept as pets?
Some popular types of pet doves include:
- Ringneck doves – Small, peaceful doves with a distinctive black and white ring around their necks. These are one of the most common pet dove species.
- Diamond doves – Tiny, Australian doves that get their name from white spots on their wings resembling diamonds. They are gentle but skittish.
- White doves – Completely white doves often used at events like weddings or funerals. Not recommended as pets as they cannot be released into the wild.
- Eurasian collared doves – Larger soft gray doves with black neck rings. More active than other pet doves.
What are the best living conditions for pet doves?
Doves need a securely enclosed aviary or bird cage to live safely and happily. Recommendations for dove housing include:
- Minimum cage size of 3-4 feet long by 2 feet wide by 4 feet high for 1-2 small doves
- Bar spacing no greater than 1/2 inch apart so birds cannot squeeze out
- Predator-proof outdoor aviaries should have small gauge mesh wiring
- Plenty of perches at different heights for roosting
- Nesting box for breeding pairs
- Easy to clean pan for waste
Doves will be healthiest with access to fresh air, sunlight, and room to fly around safely either in an indoor aviary or outdoor enclosure.
What should I feed pet doves?
A dove’s diet should consist of:
- High quality dove seed mix
- Pigeon grit to aid digestion
- Fresh fruits and vegetables like kale, peas, corn, carrots
- Oyster shell for calcium
- Fresh water available at all times
It’s healthier for doves to eat a dry pellet dove diet supplemented with some seeds, rather than only eating seeds. Never give them avocado, chocolate, or caffeine as these are toxic to birds.
How much care and handling do pet doves need?
Important dove care includes:
- Cleaning the cage 1-2 times per week
- Refilling food and water daily
- Showering doves with water occasionally if they cannot bathe themselves
- Clipping wings to prevent escape
- Providing toys, mirrors, and activities in the cage
- Daily interaction and handling to socialize the birds
- Watching for illness and checking droppings
- Taking birds to an avian vet for yearly checkups
Expect to spend about an hour each day caring for and interacting with your pet doves.
Do pet doves make good companions for owners?
When hand-raised, doves can form close bonds with their owners and enjoy interacting. However, they are independent creatures and do not need as much attention as dogs, cats, or more high-maintenance birds.
Benefits of doves as companion pets include:
- Generally quiet – They coo softly rather than squawking loudly
- Relatively small and easy to handle
- Entertaining to watch them fly and interact
- Very little odor compared to other bird pets
- Peaceful temperaments and cannot bite hard
The gentle nature of doves makes them good options even for children or elderly owners under supervision. But remember that all birds are fragile and require diligent care and responsibility.
What health problems can pet doves have?
Some common health issues to watch for in pet doves include:
- Respiratory infections – Coughing, wheezing, discharge from nostrils
- Parasites like worms, external mites or lice
- Obesity if overfed and under-exercised
- Egg binding in female doves that cannot pass an egg
- Loss of feathers due to stress or poor nutrition
- Splayed legs caused by slippery cage floors
- Impacted crop if they eat something inedible
Ill doves may act lethargic, have ruffled feathers, or show changes in droppings. They need veterinary care for any concerning symptoms.
What is the lifespan of pet doves?
With proper care, doves can live 5-15 years depending on the species. Smaller breeds like diamond doves typically live 5-10 years. Larger ringneck and Eurasian doves may reach up to 15 years.
Do pet doves make noise? What do their sounds mean?
Doves are relatively quiet, but they do make some peaceful cooing noises. Understanding dove noises helps communicate with your pet.
- Soft coo – This is the dove’s standard sound, communicating contentment
- Louder coos – Males may coo this way to court females or show dominance
- Distressed cooing – Higher pitched when frightened or angry
- Nest cooing – Deep grunts/groans from males guarding nests
- Begging calls – Repeated coos when begging for food
- Contact calls – Short coos to locate other flock members
Doves generally make gentle cooing sounds rather than loud squawking typical of parrots. But they will vocalize more loudly when communicating aggressiveness or alarm.
Can you keep multiple pet doves together?
Doves are highly social flock birds, so they will be happier living with other doves. Keep at least 2 doves together for their social enrichment.
Some tips for keeping multiple doves:
- Get all birds at once so they bond as a flock
- Keep an even pair to prevent fighting over a mate
- House in largest enclosure possible to prevent territorial issues
- Provide multiple perches, feeding areas to reduce competition
- Observe for signs of bonding or aggression
Male and female doves can live together peacefully without breeding. Keep bonding pairs with their own nest box. Monitor for fighting, over-mating behaviors.
Are doves good pets for kids?
Doves can make good starter pets for children, with proper supervision and expectations set. Things to consider include:
- Younger children need help caring for doves
- Older kids may enjoy interacting with hand-raised doves
- Kids must handle birds very gently
- Teach children not to chase or startle doves
- Doves may react to loud voices, quick movements
- Adults should monitor interactions and care
- Consider homing doves before kids leave home
While doves are usually tolerant pets, they are still fragile birds easily injured if handled roughly. Guide kids to be calm and gentle during supervised play.
Where should I get a pet dove from?
Purchase pet doves only from reputable breeders or avian specialty stores, not general pet stores. Ensure doves are:
- Captive bred, not captured from the wild
- Hand-raised for friendliness
- Weaned and eating independently
- Active, healthy, proper feathering
- At least 2 months old for small breeds
Rescue organizations may have adoptable doves needing new homes, but the bird’s history will be unknown. Do your research to find the best dove breeder or seller.
Can I keep a white dove from a ceremony?
White doves released at weddings or funerals are trained homing pigeons, not suitable cage pets. They are bred to fly home, not live indoors.
Issues keeping a ceremony dove include:
- Stress and health problems in captivity
- No experience being handled or living indoors
- Difficulty adapting to an enclosed cage
- Inability to survive if released
- Strong homing instinct to escape
White homing pigeons need aviaries for racing and performing. Carefully consider if you can meet a rescued bird’s needs before attempting to make one a pet.
How much does it cost to own pet doves?
Expect the following estimated costs for pet dove ownership:
- Purchase price: $20-$50 per dove
- Cage or aviary: $100-$500
- Accessories like perches, toys: $50-$150
- Initial veterinary exam: $50-$100
- Yearly veterinary costs: $100-$200
- Monthly food costs: $20-$50
- Annual upkeep costs: $400-$800
The initial cost to purchase doves and set up proper housing ranges from $300-$1,000. Budget for ongoing yearly expenses between $500-$1,000 for food, vet care, cage maintenance.
Average estimated costs of owning pet doves:
Expense | Cost |
---|---|
Dove purchase | $20-$50 per dove |
Cage/aviary | $100-$500 |
Toys and accessories | $50-$150 |
First vet visit | $50-$100 |
Yearly veterinary care | $100-$200 |
Monthly food | $20-$50 |
Annual supplies | $400-$800 |
Are there any alternatives to keeping pet doves?
If you want to enjoy interacting with doves without the commitment of owning them, consider:
- Volunteering at an aviary or bird sanctuary
- Visiting a zoo dove exhibit
- Offering to bird sit for a dove owner
- Joining a bird watching group
- Photographing wild doves in parks or nature
You can connect with your local dove or pigeon fancier club to learn more about the birds by interacting with experts.
Conclusion
With proper space, time, care, and financial commitment, doves can make interesting and rewarding companion pets. They are gentle birds that bond strongly with their owners. However, doves are fragile animals with sensitive respiratory systems and specialized care needs. Be sure you are prepared to diligently care for pet doves and provide them with a healthy, enriched life before bringing them home.