If you have a pet bird, then you don’t need to be told what special and fascinating companions they make. Birds are intelligent and inquisitive. They can be incredibly affectionate and loving as well. However, the sheer uniqueness birds bring to the table can really leave less experienced bird owners guessing as to how best to care for their feathered friends. Make sure your beautiful avian companion stays, happy, healthy, and well-adjusted with the following tips. 

Keep His Cage Stimulating 

Although it would be nice to be near your bird at all times, you’re naturally going to have to go out and live your life at some point. Your bird’s going to be spending that time in his cage, so you’ll want to make sure it’s a comfortable and engaging enough that he doesn’t actually mind too much. Start by making sure the cage is actually built to house a bird that’s the same size and species as your pet so there’s plenty of room.

Birds really like to play and keep their minds busy as well, so make sure you fill the cage with plenty of perches, mirrors, and other entertaining toys. For best results, buy a variety of different items and rotate them to keep things fresh and interesting for your pet. Birds will quickly become bored with environments that never change or offer anything new.

Feed Him a Tasty, Balanced Diet

Every living creature needs good quality nourishment to stay in the pink of good health, and your bird is no exception. Of course, your pet should be fed seeds and bird pellet products that are appropriate for his age and breed but don’t stop there. Most veterinarians and avian experts recommend also adding delicious fresh produce to your bird’s diet. Not only does this ensure he’s getting plenty of nutritious, wholesome food to eat, but this is another way to keep your bird happy and stimulated.

You’ll also want to monitor your bird for signs of illness or parasites. Like humans, birds often seem listless or depressed when they’re not feeling well. When birds have parasites, they often show signs of intestinal distress like weight loss and diarrhea. If you notice signs of worms or other parasites, you can buy bird worming products at Vet Products Direct, as well as other avian medicines. When in doubt though, a trip to the vet definitely never hurts. 

Socialize With Your Bird

Pets are just like people and children in that social interaction is a very important factor in their overall wellbeing. However, it’s especially important when you’re dealing with exotic animals (like parrots) that can easily feel out of their element in the average home. Regular handling and frequent interaction with you or other members of your household is the best way to make sure your bird’s social, emotional, and mental needs are well taken care of. 

How much social interaction is ideal for the average pet bird? An hour or two is a really good benchmark to shoot for, but many birds are incredibly social and would love the chance to spend even more time with you. If you work long hours or otherwise find it hard at times to spend as much time as you’d like with your bird, you can always consider getting another bird or two as well. They’ll keep each other from getting lonely on days you can’t be around as much as you’d like.

Few pets will provide the joy, companionship, and stimulation a bird will, but special pets definitely have special needs that have to be considered. How do you make sure your fine feathered companion absolutely loves his life?