If you ask anybody who’s ever taken care of a bird, they’d tell you they’re delightful pets. Birds are creatures with noteworthy personalities and lifespans that can rival even humans! Because of this, they make great lifelong companions and wonderful pets.
On the flip side, caring for them is a whole different ballpark. Luckily, keeping your birds safe, happy, and healthy with the right tools and know-how is within your capabilities. We’ve taken the liberty to compile everything you’d need to know in this comprehensive guide to bird care.
General information
Your pet birds may be unique, but their needs are more or less universal. They require clean enclosures, fresh food, water, fun and safe toys, plenty of exercise, and some of your attention. Ensure that their cages have enough space for them to move around and a grate so you can keep your bird away from the substrate.
Feeding them
The first thing all bird caretakers have to know is how and what to feed them. In general, their diets are made up of bird seed – a food that provides them with all the necessary vitamins. However, only feeding your bird pre-packaged, dry seeds will not suffice. They also need to be fed vegetables, the greener, the better. These can include spinach, parsley, or even celery. For additional strength, milk and fruit can significantly benefit their health.
Their upkeep
Here are some things you can do to ensure that your bird will thrive with you:
- Shower them! Unlike other pets, birds love playing in the water. It goes a long way in ensuring their sanitation as well.
- Let them bask in the sunlight during the daytime, but they enjoy complete darkness at night. You can use a blackout cover to achieve this effect.
- Make sure they get enough exercise! Toys are great for keeping them up and flying around in their cages. You can even let them out of the cage weekly for a bit of supervised exercise. Just pick a safe place and let them soar.
Socialisation
Learning about the behaviour of birds in the wild is essential to learning how they’d act as pets. For example, birds like undomesticated parrots are quite sociable. They are used to doing everything in their flock. When you keep them as pets, your parrot considers you and your family their flock and longs to be included in your activities. If you’ve ever wondered why your parrot screeches when it is away from your family, it’s probably just trying to get the “flock’s” attention. It’s also good to note that parrots, like many birds, mate for life. If your parrot already has a companion, it will most likely be unfriendly towards other birds in an attempt to protect their “mate.”
Conclusion
Taking care of a pet bird is a huge commitment, but it is ultimately worth it. Birds are exceptionally intelligent, compassionate, and fascinating animals. If you take care of them, they will pay you back in kind, trying their best to be great companions to you. For the tools and accessories needed to provide them with the care they deserve, turn to aPetMart. We reliably provide high-quality online pet supplies in Singapore. Contact us today to learn more!