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Things To Consider Before Buying A Pet Bird

Before you consider buying a pet bird, make sure you are willing to provide the level of commitment this fascinating friend deserves.

While a bird is an easy pet to care for, they do need just as much commitment and preparation as any other kinds of pets. Whether you are purchasing a little budgie or an amazon parrot, you should be sure that you are geared up to take care of for your future feathery friend properly.

The most important thing that your pet needs is your attention. If you tend to work long hours and don't get home until late, you might be better off buying a fish as a pet. A bird that is left in it's cage alone all the time will not becomes a close friend when you suddenly want to play with it. Some birds require more attention than others, but all of them are social and need your company. Plan to spend some time each day with your bird. You can utilize this time to show him tricks and bond with your new friend.

When looking into taking a bird into your home, you must consider the birds safety above all. Do you have other animals that could harm the bird? Is your house bird-proof? Do you tend to leave windows or doors open or are there areas he could fly into and get hurt or lost outside? Carefully consider these things before you buy and bring home your new pet.

Picking out and setting up his cage is another thing to consider before you buy the bird. Make sure you get a cage that is big enough for your bird to have room to move around in. Parrots can become quite good at opening the doors to their cage so you should take this into consideration. The cage should be made out of a safe material and have bars spaced in such a way that the bird cannot get his head stuck in between them. Make sure there are no sharp edges to the cage and that it comes with - or you provide- dishes for food and water as well as a couple of perches for your bird to sit on. Cages can be costly, but since this is your birds home, you'll want to provide him with the best one you can get. Also, it might be wise to consider how easy the cage is to clean. A cage with a slide out bottom is usually easiest when it comes time to do the daily cleaning out.

Prior to purchasing the cage, think about where you will be keeping it. It is better if the cage can be placed where the family gathers, but also away from the flow of traffic. Keep it away from direct sunlight and drafts or anywhere that could have a sudden change in temperature like in front of the heater or air conditions. The kitchen isn't a good place since the fumes from cooking can irritate your bird and the hot stove surface can be dangerous if your bird gets out while you are cooking. Fumes from nonstick pans can be deadly to a pet bird, so make sure you get rid of all your non stick pans and buying non toxic ones before bringing your bird home.

Conisder how noisy your bird will be and if that noise will be a nuisance to you, your family or your neighbors. Parakeets and cockatiels make little chirpy noises that, for the most part, are not loud or annoying. Parrotlets make barely any noise at all. Conures and larger parrots, on the other hand have a shrill shreak that pierces your ears. Most happy birds will not yell too much, but keep in mind that it is natural for them to call out at times.

If you are seriously considering buying a pet bird, make sure that you will to commit to the care that is necessary to keep your bird happy and healthy for his lifetime. This involves feeding your bird the proper diet, cleaning his cage daily, providing fresh food and water daily and having him checked by a vet (preferably one who specializes in birds) every year.

Birds can be very rewarding pets and the little amount of time and money you need to keep them happy is well worth it since the rewards of having a pet bird are so great!

About the Author

This Article is owner and editor by ePet Pet Center where you can find information on every type of pet including pet birds.