Bird Home Care - How to Keep your Birds Happy and Healthy

New bird owners have plenty of things to consider in order to provide a safe and happy home for their new pet. It can sometimes be overwhelming worrying about everything that needs to be done.

Many new bird owners believe that since their bird is native to tropical climates, they need to provide a warm and humid environment for their new pet. This is not necessarily the case. Actually, a temperature range of mid fifties to high eighties can suit your bird just fine. Drafts blowing into your home are, in fact, more of a concern than the temperature.

Check for drafts by moving a lit candle around the edges of windows and doors if you plan to place your bird near them. Electrical outlets are also good places to check for drafts. Seal up or block any drafts that you might find using caulking or some type of weather stripping. Covering the back and sides of your bird’s cage will prevent drafts from doorways from reaching your new pet on cold nights or during the winter.

The quality of your water should also be taken into consideration when caring for your new bird. Well water should be tested before you allow your bird to drink it. Giving your bird bottled water or using the public water supply does not guarantee that it is safe enough for your pet to ingest. The best thing to do is to make your water as pure as possible by putting a filter on your tap and supplying your bird’s water from there.

Your bird’s new environment should be as comfortable and stress free as possible. Other pets in the house, especially cats, can be very dangerous, and possibly fatal for you new pet bird. Do not allow your dog or cat to stare at the bird without blinking for extended periods of time.

Take measures to prevent your cat from reaching into the cage with it’s paw. This can be very stressful and dangerous for the bird. Excess amounts of stress can be deadly for birds. Your bird could also die from the smallest of bites or scratches from a cat due to the amount of bacteria on their claws and teeth.

Make sure your home is free of pests such as mice and roaches. The bacteria and disease that these animals could be carrying may well be deadly for your bird. The bird could also get overstressed by watching them scurry about outside the cage.

Finally, many owners are tempted to hang bird cages on the porch on nice days since birds often like to stare out the window. Nowadays, there are numerous dangers waiting for your bird if you take him outside. West Nile virus, carried by mosquitoes could be deadly if your bird is not at least kept on a screened in porch. Taking your bird outside anytime is not advised when you add in the dangers of other animals and the possibility of your bird escaping from it’s cage.

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