Doves are gentle, reserved birds that can make delightful pets. They typically coo rather than squawk and may not be as social with humans as some other bird species. Doves are peaceful and calm birds that can bring joy to your household. With proper care, doves can live 10-15 years, making them a long-term commitment for pet owners.
In this comprehensive care guide, we've compiled everything you need to know about caring for a Dove, including cage setup, habitat requirements, diet, grooming, enrichment, and all essential supplies. We've evaluated each product based on quality, safety, appropriateness for doves, ease of use, and value. All products reviewed here include direct Amazon purchase links with our affiliate tag.
Quick Answer: Essential Dove Supplies
If you're in a hurry, here are the must-have items for a Dove:
- Habitat: 24" W x 16" D x 20" H Cage - Minimum size, flat bottom (not wire), room for wing flapping
- Food: High-Quality Pelleted Dove Food & Seeds - Balanced diet, pelleted food and seeds
- Grit: Grit and Gravel - Required for grinding seeds in gizzard
- Perches: At Least One Perch - Slightly above floor for roosting
- Toys: Variety of Toys - Straw wreaths, foraging toys, mirrors with bells
- Water: Automatic Waterer or Water Bowl - Fresh, cold water always available
About Doves
Doves are gentle, reserved birds that can make delightful pets. They typically coo rather than squawk and may not be as social with humans as some other bird species. Doves are peaceful and calm birds that can bring joy to your household.
Dove Characteristics
Average size is approximately 10 inches. With proper care, doves can live 10-15 years, making them a long-term commitment for pet owners. Doves are known for their gentle nature and peaceful cooing sounds rather than loud squawking.
Doves are ground-dwelling birds that spend considerable time on the floor of their cage. They require a flat surface (not wire) at the bottom of their cage since they spend considerable time on the ground.
Dove Habitat Setup
Choosing the Right Enclosure
Cage size should be a minimum of 24 inches wide, 16 inches deep, and 20 inches tall. Ensure the cage is large enough for the dove to flap its wings without hitting the sides. The cage bottom should use a flat surface (not wire) since doves spend considerable time on the ground.
If housing multiple doves, increase the cage size accordingly. Always provide the largest habitat possible to give your dove plenty of room to move around and exercise.
Key Features: Minimum 24" W x 16" D x 20" H, flat bottom (not wire), room for wing flapping, appropriate for ground-dwelling birds
Cage Placement
Keep the cage off the floor in a warm, bright area, away from drafts and direct sunlight. Avoid placing it near the kitchen, as fumes from self-cleaning ovens and overheated Teflon-coated cookware can be fatal to birds.
Key Features: Off the floor, warm bright area, away from drafts, away from direct sunlight, avoid kitchen
Décor and Accessories
Perches: Provide at least one perch slightly above the floor for roosting. Doves are ground-dwelling birds, so perches should be positioned lower in the cage compared to other bird species.
Toys: Provide a variety of toys to keep your dove stimulated, such as straw wreaths, foraging toys, and mirrors with bells. Ensure all toys are safe and appropriate for your bird's size and species.
Key Features: At least one perch slightly above floor, variety of toys, straw wreaths, foraging toys, mirrors with bells
Product Comparison Table
| Product | Key Features | Best For | Size/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove Cage | Flat bottom, room for wing flapping, ground-dwelling appropriate | Housing doves, ground-dwelling birds | 24" W x 16" D x 20" H minimum |
| Pelleted Food & Seeds | High-quality, balanced diet, pelleted and seed mix | Base diet, balanced nutrition | Daily feeding |
| Grit and Gravel | Required for grinding seeds, gizzard health | Digestion, seed processing | Always available |
| Water Source | Fresh, cold water, automatic waterer or bowl | Hydration, always available | Daily cleaning |
Dove Diet and Nutrition
Seeds and Pellets
Offer a balanced diet consisting of high-quality pelleted dove food and seeds. This combination provides the essential nutrients your dove needs for optimal health.
Key Features: High-quality pelleted dove food, seeds, balanced diet, essential nutrients
Grit and Gravel
Since doves eat seeds whole, they require grit and gravel to help grind up harder seeds in their gizzard. This is essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
Key Features: Grit and gravel, required for seed grinding, gizzard health, proper digestion
View Grit and Gravel on Amazon
Fresh Produce
Provide fresh vegetables and fruits daily, such as dark leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, apples, pears, melon, and kiwi. Remove any uneaten food after a couple of hours to prevent spoilage.
Key Features: Daily fresh produce, dark leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, fruits, remove after couple hours
Water
Ensure fresh, cold water is available at all times. An automatic waterer can be an effective way to provide water. Clean and refill the water bowl every day to maintain hygiene.
Key Features: Fresh, cold water always, automatic waterer or bowl, daily cleaning
Dove Care and Maintenance
Daily Cleaning
Replace the paper lining the bottom of the cage daily. Clean and refill the water bowl every day. This helps maintain a clean and healthy environment for your dove.
Key Features: Daily paper lining replacement, daily water bowl cleaning, maintain cleanliness
Weekly Cleaning
Perform a thorough cleaning of the cage once a week using warm, soapy water. This includes cleaning all perches, toys, and cage surfaces to prevent bacterial buildup.
Key Features: Weekly thorough cleaning, warm soapy water, clean all surfaces
Bathing
Doves enjoy bathing. You can use a spray bottle filled with water to give your bird a shower or place a shallow dish at the bottom of the cage for them to bathe in.
Key Features: Spray bottle shower, shallow dish for bathing, regular bathing
Exercise and Enrichment
Toys
Provide a variety of toys to keep your dove stimulated, such as straw wreaths, foraging toys, and mirrors with bells. Ensure all toys are safe and appropriate for your bird's size and species. Rotate toys regularly to maintain interest and prevent boredom.
Key Features: Variety of toys, straw wreaths, foraging toys, mirrors with bells, rotate regularly
Exercise
Ensure the cage is large enough for the dove to flap its wings without hitting the sides. This provides essential exercise and helps maintain muscle tone and overall health.
Dove Health
Veterinary Care
Schedule annual check-ups with an avian veterinarian. Regular veterinary care is essential for maintaining your dove's health and catching any potential problems early.
Signs of Illness
If you notice signs of illness, consult your veterinarian promptly. Signs to watch for include:
- Fluffed feathers
- Sitting quietly on the cage floor
- Changes in droppings
- Weight loss or gain
- Sneezing or coughing
- Blocked nostrils
- Labored breathing
- Crusty beak or eyes
Early detection and treatment of health issues is crucial for your dove's well-being. Don't hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you notice any concerning symptoms.
Important Considerations
Ground-Dwelling Nature
Doves are ground-dwelling birds that spend considerable time on the floor of their cage. The cage bottom should use a flat surface (not wire) since doves spend considerable time on the ground. Provide at least one perch slightly above the floor for roosting.
Gentle Nature
Doves are gentle, reserved birds that can make delightful pets. They typically coo rather than squawk and may not be as social with humans as some other bird species. They are peaceful and calm birds that can bring joy to your household.
Safety Considerations
Keep the cage off the floor in a warm, bright area, away from drafts and direct sunlight. Avoid placing it near the kitchen, as fumes from self-cleaning ovens and overheated Teflon-coated cookware can be fatal to birds.
Long-Term Commitment
With proper care, doves can live 10-15 years, making them a long-term commitment for pet owners. Ensure you are prepared for this commitment before bringing a dove into your home.
Final Verdict
Doves are gentle, reserved birds that can make delightful pets. They typically coo rather than squawk and may not be as social with humans as some other bird species. Doves are peaceful and calm birds that can bring joy to your household.
With a proper habitat (minimum 24" W x 16" D x 20" H with flat bottom), a balanced diet (high-quality pelleted dove food, seeds, grit and gravel, fresh produce), appropriate perches and toys, regular cleaning and maintenance, and annual veterinary care, your dove can live a long and healthy life of 10-15 years.
Quality supplies are an investment in your dove's long-term health and happiness. Choose products that are safe, appropriate for doves, and designed to meet their specific needs as ground-dwelling birds. With proper care and attention, your dove will be a peaceful and delightful companion for many years to come.
Use this care guide as a reference when setting up and maintaining your dove's habitat, and don't hesitate to consult with an avian veterinarian if you have questions about your dove's specific needs or notice any signs of illness.