Parrot Care

Increasing in popularity, owning a parrot as a pet can be a very rewarding experience. To enhance the experience, pet owners should be properly informed about how to care for their parrot friends. Owning a parrot is a lifelong commitment, and caring for them properly is a necessity. By learning to properly house, groom, and feed a parrot, pet owners can enrich the lives of their parrots and help to rear them into becoming the best pets and friends possible.

Cage Care and Grooming

Cage care is essential for the well being of a parrot. Cages should, first of all, be the proper size for a parrot. The larger the cage the is the easier it will be for a parrot to relax, stretch their wings, and feel at home. Cages come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Depending on a parrot’s size and owner preference, cage options should be researched well. Informed choices should be made for the well being and proper care of a parrot friend.

Typically considered to be "dirty" birds, parrots have gotten a bad reputation in that regards. However, that need not be the case. Caring properly for a parrot pet includes cleaning and maintaining a healthy cage environment. Cages should be lined with clean paper or newspaper and changed daily. Food and feces should be wiped off the cage and perches daily. Food and water dishes should be washed twice daily. And, finally, every 2-3 months the entire cage, including perches and toys, should be washed thoroughly with mild soap and water.

The personal grooming of a parrot is also a vital part of caring for a parrot pet. For the most part, a parrot will groom themselves. However, it is important to trim a parrots claws, beak, and clip their feathers (which is optional, but something that many owners choose to do) on a regular and routine basis. This is for the well being and safety of the parrot. Parrot care should also include the daily bathing of a parrot. Lightly misting the surface of a parrot’s feathers with a water bottle filled with lukewarm water mimics the rainforest type environment that parrots love. Lightly dry the parrot with a towel, and they will be quite grateful to their owner’s for their superb care.

Proper Nutrition and Love

Another important aspect of parrot care is the proper feeding and meeting their nutritional needs. Parrots require a healthy, well-balanced, and creatively varied diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, soft foods, protein pellets, and enriched seed and nut mixes. Keeping a parrot’s curious nature alive with a stimulating diet plan will increase their quality of life and overall happiness.

Lastly, but most importantly, love, patience, and quality time should be the basis of excellent parrot care. Research and understand a parrot’s needs. Their happiness, health, and safety depend on the quality of care that their owner’s provide. Love your parrot friends. Care for them properly. Spend time bonding with them. You’ll be glad you did, and it will earn you in return a valuable best friend for life!