When you bring home a new parakeet, you need to know how to care for them properly. There are many things that you should do to make sure they are happy and healthy beyond just providing a cage.
With all the options available, it's hard to know what your parakeets need in their cage throughout the various stages of development. For starters, it's essential to have plenty of toys to keep their minds stimulated. However, you do not just want to go out and buy every parakeet toy you can find; that would be a huge waste of time and money.
Keeping a parakeet happy can be difficult if you don't know what they need in their cage, which is where they will spend most of their life.
This article will help you to create the perfect home for your new pet!
It will also help you to understand that there are different toys for different developmental stages and that you will need a variety of different types of toys to rotate so your parakeet doesn't become bored (or start to dislike you).
The best cage toys are interactive and engaging toys that are designed for parakeets. You also want to make sure to keep their cage clean, as this is where all the bird waste goes. (There is no point having all the toys in the world if they are kept in a filthy cage!)
Finding The Best Parakeet Cage
Before we discuss what they need INSIDE the cage, let's briefly discuss the cage itself – you will want to buy a good-sized cage – Parakeets need plenty of space to fly around in their cage and spread their wings without being cramped up or hitting the sides.
What Makes A Good Parakeet Cage?
The parakeet cage is not just a place for your pet to stay and sleep. It should be fun, spacious, safe, and offer plenty of room for the bird to move around. To create a good environment in your parakeet's cage you need to make sure that it has plenty of places to perch, including a high spot where he can get some fresh air from an open window or grate if possible.
Additionally, a good-quality parakeet cage is made from durable, non-toxic wire. So if you want one that will last and can withstand some bird chewing, be sure to pick a strong, non-toxic metal cage.
How Much Does A Parakeet Cage Cost?
The average parakeet cage costs about $90-$150, which can be pretty expensive. So, you may be wondering where to start when looking for a cage. I hope this will help. Firstly, you need the main cage to house your parakeet – there are plenty of these on Amazon, and we have listed our top picks below, which are a combination of a good price and high durability and quality. It also needs to be big enough for the parakeet to move around and climb on, so it has to be made of wire.
Horizontal Parakeet Cages
30-inch Rectangle Stackable Parakeet Bird Cage
Stainless Steel Small Bird Cage Open Top
Divided Breeding Parakeet Cages
41.5-inch Stackable Divided Breeding Parakeet Bird Cage
Metal Bird Cage & Feeder with Detachable Rolling Stand
Vertical Standing Parakeet Cages
64-inch Open-Top Standing Parakeet Bird Cage
39-inch Roof Top Medium Parakeet Bird Cage w/Toys
Once you have chosen a suitable cage for your parakeet to grow in, here are the next items you need to focus on:
1) Perches.
It's important to have plenty of different-sized and textured perches, as these are where pet birds spend most of their time. Perches are where they sleep, where they eat and drink from a dish or water bottle, and where they hang out with their friends.
Some people also believe that perches help to keep a bird's nails trimmed by giving them something to scratch on.
4 Pack Natural Wood Parakeet Perch For Bird Cage
Natural Wild Grape Stick Toy Branches for Parakeet
10 Pack of Small Parakeet Natural Wood Fork Perches
2) Parakeet Feeding Dish & Water Bottle.
You will need a feeder and water dispenser for your birdcage. There are many different options available when it comes to feeders and water bottles. Some birds prefer a stainless steel dish, while others like their food in a cup. There are also some really great automatic parakeet feeders on the market which would take a lot of hassle out of the feeding event.
Sometimes your bird will eat from the palm of your hand, but this would be inconvenient to do every time your bird is hungry. (However, it is a great way to bond with your parakeet.)
3) Get Your Parakeet A Mirror
A mirror is especially important if you only have one bird; this is because birds enjoy the company of their reflection. Parakeet owners usually buy mirrors when they are not buying a second companion bird.
However, if you have more than one bird in your home, you can still have a mirror for their entertainment, but you may want to purchase a larger mirror that is hung on the side of the cage.
We have written a post all about why parakeets like mirrors and why they are a good addition to your birdcage.
4) Buy A Bird Bath
Birdbaths are great and clip onto the side of the cage. Birdbaths help to maintain your bird's health. In addition to removing dust from your parakeet's feathers and keeping it clean, it also acts as a natural moisturizer for their skin and helps dissipate heat.
5) Parakeets Love Toys.
As mentioned before, you will need a variety of toys at different stages in your parakeet's life. Luckily, you do not have to buy these all at once and can stagger your purchases as you rotate toys.
Additionally, if you are good at DIY, you can upcycle and make many of these toys with household items. Check out our post about what parakeets like to play with as we go into depth about all the ways you can play with your bird.
Toys are an essential component in keeping your parakeet happy. Without toys, your parakeet will get bored, and you will have a noisy bird that may start to pluck its feathers or chew on cage bars for entertainment.
Parakeets also use mineral blocks to groom their beaks. You can buy them in a pack of three to save money and hang them in their cage by a perch.
6) Adorn The Cage With Colorful Accessories
Parakeets LOVE color. It may be helpful to provide them with colorful items and ornaments. You can scatter these around the cage.
It's not enough to just provide a nest box and some toys, though; parakeets need a variety of accessories and necessities to ensure that they are enjoying their new home.
Check Out These Colorful Parakeet Accessories
7) Food & Treats
Last but not least, food!
Now that you have everything else set up, now it's time to think about what they are going to eat! A healthy diet is important for all pets, so choose the best food within your budget.
We recommend this organic parakeet food by Bird Street Bistro.
It is 100 natural – they use all natural dried fruits, organic whole grains, air dried vegetables and superfoods like cayenne pepper and quinoa.
You can mix it up with a healthy variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. We recommend having at least one serving of fresh fruit or vegetable, some dry seeds and pellets, and something crunchy in the cage at all times.
Check our expert parakeet guide to learn about what fruits, vegetables, and plants you should avoid in order to keep your bird healthy and safe. We also welcome you to download our free parakeet shopping checklist if you haven't bought your bird yet.
What Shouldn’t You Put In A Parakeet Cage?
You should not place anything in the cage that your pet can get caught up in. This includes, but is not limited to, toys with strings and plastic ties on them. Loose strings can wrap around your parakeet's leg or nail and potentially cause injury.
Another thing you should not put in your bird's cage is old or broken toys as well as children's toys. Children's toys are not made in the same manner as bird toys and can have small parts that could easily be chewed off or swallowed.
The same goes for old, broken toys that could contain small pieces that are no longer safe for your pet to play with.
You should also not place anything in the cage that will allow your parakeet to chew on it without you knowing about it. Parakeets like chewing on a variety of items, but if they get into something dangerous, you may not find out until it's too late.
Conclusion
So these are the basics happy and healthy parakeets need in their cage. In addition to love and frequent communication, you will have provided the perfect sanctuary for your pet. Remember, cleanliness is essential, as is providing plenty of space for playtime and flight time.
