A lot of people are discovering that parrots make perfect pets and companions. But do you know whether parrots need a lot of care? The answer is yes!
Parrots are social animals regardless of their surroundings. In the wild, they interact with other parrots and birds. However, to keep your parrot safe and happy, you should get friendly with your parrot and give them a lot of attention.
Read | How Many Species Of Parrots Are There
How Much Care Do Parrots Need?
Parrots are beautiful yet super smart creatures. They need a lot of care and time to interact and socialize. So, if you don’t have much time for your pet mate every day, consider getting another one since they flourish well in pairs and groups.
A pet partner is a significant factor in nourishing your parrot. It is seen that a pet that is left alone is likely to develop mental problems. Notice the unusual behaviors of your parrot, like feather plucking, biting feet, etc. For this, you would need veterinarian care.
However, you must learn a lot about caring for your parrot before running out to the breeder. Here, we will share useful tips to help care for a parrot.
1. Parrot Housing
Parrots live happily in the wild, so providing the same enriched environment is the best way to keep your parrot healthy and happy. Developing such an environment inside the house is recommended than outside because of easy access to predators in the outside environment.
Moreover, they should be given time to spend out of the cage daily for exercise, enrichment, and social interaction.
2. Cage Selection and Cleaning
Think big while buying a cage for the parrot. The case is a very important factor for the health and nourishment of the parrot. According to the DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), a parrot should be able to open both wings fully in the cage.
Moreover, turning a spare room into a parrot’s room is also a great idea. If you have such spaces, go for them rather than the cage.
3. Keeping the Parrot Cage Clean
Keeping the parrot cage is also an important factor. The cage floor should be covered. We are all newspaper readers so the brown paper would look nicer!
The pet shops have cages that contain no-spill food containers; buying a similar cage would be a better idea.
Getting plastic food dishes for parrots is a terrible idea. These dishes stain easily and are chewable. Buying a stainless steel dish is a cost-effective investment. Ceramic bowls are also a good idea.
Parrots are amazing but are the messiest pets too! So, you have to invest time to keep the cage clean. Changing the floor coverings, renewing water, and washing the food dishes would be the task you need to perform multiple times a day.
4. Arrange Exotic Parrot Toys
Toys can help to keep parrots busy. It will help them develop positive mental health and keep them entertained and happy. As a caring parrot owner, make sure the toys are made of natural materials such as raffia, untreated wood, etc.
However, toys made of metal, plastic, or rubber should be avoided. This is because these materials can easily be destroyed and can pose serious risks to parrots if ingested with toxic lead or zinc toxicity. These toxic materials can make you sick and, in some cases, lead to fatality.
5. Visit the Vet Regularly
Some parrots remain fit and healthy their entire life. However, most of them do face health problems. Don’t worry! These problems can be solved with some preventative veterinarian consultation.
Just make sure the vet is competent in consulting the parrots specifically. Otherwise, you will just waste your time and money.
When looking for a parrot, it’s best to get two or more birds. Parrots live longer happily when they’re not alone. Humans can’t stand loneliness and pets, so keep it in mind when buying a parrot. Are your parrots happy? What do you do for their happiness?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common parrot health concerns?
There are many common health problems that could affect your parrot. Watch your pet parakeet carefully and bring them to a vet if you notice any unusual behavior or symptoms. Here are a few things that we commonly see:
- Metal toxicity
- Heart disease, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis
- Viruses such as Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease, Polyomavirus
- Reproductive diseases such as egg binding, cloacal prolapse, gonadal tumors
- Yeast and bacterial overgrowth in the GI tract
- Trauma
- Nutritional deficiencies
How do I keep my parrot happy?
You need to understand the psyche of your parrot to keep him happy and entertained most of the time. However, the general ways are as follows:
- Provide your parrot with exercise toys
- Provide them with a mix of different food
- Dance with them
- Talk with them
- Go outside for a walk along with your parrot
- Put the cage outside
Is a parrot easy to take care of?
Parrots are easy to take care of but need attention and devotion. You must make them feel that they are part of the family. You need to put a lot of effort into making your parrot comfortable.
Related Articles:
- Can Parrot Eat Blueberries?
- Can Parrot Eat Radish?
- Can Parrot Eat Celery?
- Can Parrots Eat Asparagus?
- Can Parrot Eat Pomegranate?
I’m Amna, and I absolutely adore birds, especially parrots. I’ve been immersed in the world of these colorful feathered friends for over 10 years. While I’m not a bird doctor, I’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge on how to care for and understand them.
My experiences extend to various bird species like parrots, macaws, cockatoos, canaries, and finches. In addition to my personal adventures with birds, I’ve dedicated time to volunteering at a local bird rehabilitation center.
My true passion lies in sharing what I know about parrots and birds with you. Through my articles, I aim to share the information you need to provide the very best care for your avian companions. So, let’s embark on this journey together and make your feathered friends’ lives as joyful and healthy as possible!