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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Tips for Caring for Your Parakeet

Parakeets are a very popular choice for pets.  They can be very sociable and playful.  They also come in many different colors. So you can easily find the perfect one for you.  If you're thinking about buying a parakeet there are a few things you'll need to know first.  Here are some tips to taking care of a parakeet.

What type of cage should I use?

The type of cage you buy is very important.  Make sure that the cage is big enough for your parakeet to spread its wings completely without hitting the side.  Also, the door should be big enough for you to easily reach inside to get your parakeet out.  Although there are cages available in many shapes, it's best to get a rectangular design.

How do I bathe or clean my parakeet?

When taking care of parakeets, it's important that you bathe them frequently.  It's best to do so two or three times each week. This may sound weird but think about how often you see wild birds "bathing". Some birds like a dedicated water dish that they can use for bathing.  Others like it better if you use a spray bottle to mist them with water.  Whichever method your parakeet uses, make sure they are bathed in the morning.  This will give their feathers time to dry off before night when it will be cooler.

What about trimming the feathers?

It's important that your bird gets exercise time out of its cage.  If you let your parakeet out, it's best that you have their wings trimmed (also known as clipped) so that it can't fly away.  You will also need to trim their toe nails periodically whenever they get too sharp.  The beak will also get sharp and need to be trimmed with an emery board too. You can also purchase products that your parakeet will "nibble" on while also trimming its beak.

Will my bird get lonely without a mate?

When taking care of parakeets, you should know that they are very sociable.  Your bird will feel a lot less lonely if you provide them with another parakeet to keep him company.  However, this will severely reduce the bond that you share with your bird.  This is due to the fact that birds would rather bond with each other than humans Just as humans would rather bond with humans before birds. Well maybe not all of us ;)

Check back tomorrow for another great post on parakeets.

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