Gear Guides
Honest recommendations from someone who owns the animals and reads the labels. I'm a pharmacist by day, so I'm annoyingly careful about what goes in the feed bowl and the fish tank.
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All guides
Updated for 2026.
Best Budgie Cages for Two or Three Birds (2026)
Wide beats tall, bar spacing matters more than you think, and the cage our three actually live in.
What Do Pekin Ducks Eat? A Backyard Duck Feeding Guide
Everything Dabodabo eats, what she's not allowed to eat, and the niacin thing nobody tells you.
Best Goldfish Tank Filters for a Healthy Tank
Goldfish are messy. Here's the filter setup that keeps Snowy's water clear without a weekly panic.
Backyard Chicken Coop Essentials: What I Actually Use
The short list of coop gear that earned its keep, from the auto door to the rat-proof feeder.
Best Budgie Toys to Keep Smart Birds From Getting Bored
Bored budgies scream. These are the toys that keep Carmella, Plantain and Plantini busy and quiet(er).
How to Keep Ducks and Chickens Together (Lessons From Dabodabo and Lady Peck)
A duck and a hen can share a yard. The water situation is the whole ballgame.
Goldfish Care for Beginners: Snowy, Pumpkin, Peaches and Goldie's Setup
Tank size, cycling, feeding, and the weekly routine that keeps four goldfish thriving.
Best Squirrel Feeders That Keep Squirrels Happy and Bird Seed Safe
Feed the squirrel on purpose so he stops robbing the birds. Our tested picks.