Parrot Pet Supplies 101: Essential Products to Keep Your Bird Happy and Healthy

parrot pet supplies 101

Parrots are fun and highly rewarding pets—they chirp, sing, play, cuddle, and even talk. Be that as it may, you should never buy one on a whim, especially if you can’t commit to lifetime care. Although our winged pals have a potentially long lifespan, without proper handling and care, it would be difficult for them to survive, let alone lead a happy and healthy life.

From here, the question naturally arises as to whether keeping a parrot is hard. Not to burst your bubble, but it can be a handful. Of course, with them being intelligent and social creatures, at the end of the day, all that effort is worth it.

Still here? Sweet! This means you are serious about joining the flock of proud parrot parents. It also means that you probably need a bunch of questions answered ASAP before you visit your local or online parrot pet store. What kind of cage? What type of food? Are toys and accessories necessary? Keep reading for the essential know-how.

Cages

A good cage is one of the most crucial components for keeping your pet safe and healthy. It should provide a secure and comfortable environment for your bird to live and thrive in and protect it from potential dangers in the home. There are a variety of styles and sizes of cages available in the parrot pet store, and choosing the right one is crucial for the well-being and happiness of your bird.

One thing you should never do is disregard your bird’s needs to suit your own. There are cases when pet owners take the colour, style and price of the cage as top priorities instead of the size, behaviour and needs of the bird. That said, even if the cage doesn’t exactly match your interior aesthetics, it may be the perfect fit for the animal, and that’s what matters the most.

When it comes to size, many would agree that bigger is better. Ensure that your pet can comfortably move around and stretch its wings to encourage natural behaviours such as climbing, foraging and playing. Of course, how large the bird is will help you determine the right cage size.

Another thing to consider is the quality and safety of the materials. You should make certain that the bird can’t escape due to flimsy components or ingesting zinc or lead from wires and clips as they are the most commonly reported avian toxicoses.

Toys and Perches

Highly intelligent animals get bored easily. Even the most attentive bird owner can’t be around their winged pal all day. You both have to eat, right? To prevent unwanted and destructive behaviours while you’re busy or out and about, you need to ensure that your feathery friend has a comfortable and stimulating environment.

This can be effortlessly achieved with parrot pet supplies such as ropes, bells, ladders, puzzles, foraging toys and more.

As with the cage, you need to choose high-quality and safe accessories that can be easily cleaned and maintained. Durability isn’t a strong factor to consider since birds like to get busy chewing and throwing stuff—even if it may be bad for your budget, it’s good for their health.

One thing you can do is regularly rotate and change the toys. This won’t only protect them from being destroyed too soon, but it’s bound to keep your bird engaged and interested. Yes, it won’t be long before your smart feathery friend grows tired of its toys and moves on to the fun stuff, such as cables, keyboards, plants—heck, your fingers and hair, too.

Food and Snacks

When shopping for parrot supplies UK-wide, you’ll come across various foods and snacks to suit different species. There’s a lot of misconception regarding bird diets resulting in pets being heavily fed seeds or poorly balanced mixes. While parrots certainly enjoy munching on seeds, they should not be their primary source of nutrition due to their high-fat content.

Nutritionally balanced pellets made from natural ingredients make a far better and healthier choice. These come in various sizes to suit different birds from small budgies to large macaws.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are also excellent sources of vitamins and minerals. However, you should know that some are toxic to birds. Avocado, chocolate, coffee, onion, garlic and mushroom should be on your no-no list. Foods that contain artificial ingredients or excessive amounts of salt, fat and sugar should also be avoided.

As for the seeds and nuts, they should be given in moderation, comprising no more than 10-20% of their diet. You can use these treats to reward your pal for good behaviour during training or keep them mentally stimulated while you’re not around.

It’s worth mentioning that not all parrots eat the same things. Moreover, some may have preferences or dietary restrictions, so if you aren’t certain what the safe way to go about it is, consult a vet or avian nutritionist to ensure your bird is getting proper nutrition.

Health and Hygiene

There’s a variety of hygiene and health supplies to help you keep your bird and its environment clean and healthy. These items can include cage liners, bird baths, grooming tools, cleaning and disinfection products etc. It’s also wise to keep a bird first aid kit at hand because accidents and injuries can occur no matter how careful you are.

Closing Thoughts

Although parrots require a significant amount of care and attention, they make wonderful and affectionate pets that can develop strong bonds with their owners. A quality cage, healthy diet, regular exercise and good hygiene are vital to keeping your pet bird in prime condition.

That said, you can now explore and shop for the supplies mentioned above and provide your new companion with the essentials for a long, fulfilled, and above all, happy life.

Gretchen Walker
Gretchen is a homemaker by day and writer by night. She takes a keen interest in life as it unfolds around her and spends her free time observing people go about their everyday affairs.