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Regular cleaning and disinfection of a bird cage and accessories is one of the keys to keeping a bird healthy. Learn how to clean a bird cage, what to wear.
Updated on July 17th, 2026
Learn how to take care of a Chicken, recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
Being a sustainable pet parent involves good practices and habits. Learn more about eco-friendly dog products, eco-friendly cat products and other solutions.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Egg binding & dystocia are serious health threats in birds, especially in canaries and finches. Learn more about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of these conditions on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Learn about animal shelters, humane societies & breed rescue groups. Visit your neighborhood Petco pet care center & meet adoptable pets in your area.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025
Thanks for reaching out with all of your questions. The cage that you have listed would be an appropriate size, however one thing that should be ensured is that it needs to be powder coated. This is important as heavy metal toxicity from chewing on the cage is fairly common in parrots. For sleeping, birds need to have complete darkness and quiet. This means that yes, an audiobook would keep your bird awake. As far as flying - this depends on the bird. Many Amazons do not fly a great deal, and need to be strongly encouraged to exercise. It is very effective exercise to have a bird fly, but you will need to ensure that the environment is safe for them. Ensure that doors are closed, there are no ceiling fans turned on, that all toilet lids are closed, and that no cooking is occurring. I hope this gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
It is not uncommon for birds to chew at one particular spot on a perch. It looks like you have a number of wooden dowel perches in the cage - you could try to vary these by providing Manzanita wood perches (they look more like branches) and this may provide them with some areas that they can clean their beaks and wear their nails as well. For your question about the food dishes - it is very common for birds to only utilize materials (including food, water, toys, and perches) that are at the top of their cage. The reason for this is that they typically live in the trees, so they like to be high up the majority of the time. I would advise removing the dishes that are down low, and only providing dishes high in the cage. You can still provide multiple dishes if desired, in case you have some competition for food among the birds in the family. I hope that answers your questions, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Julie looks like she may be a Quaker parrot by looking at the side view of her in the picture. You can post additional views in this forum for confirmation. Small parrots should be fed a varied diet with a commercial pelleted diet being the base. A fortified seed diet can be offered in limited quantities to prevent obesity and finicky eating. Most fresh fruits and vegetables can be offered daily as well. Favorites are grapes, apple, cooked egg and pasta. Limit fruit to prevent loose droppings. The cage should be cleaned weekly, if not more frequently depending on how messy she is. Provide different sized perches to exercise her feet. Parrots are chewers so care must be taken that they don't chew wires or toxic plants. Provide plenty of bird safe chew toys and other toys to keep her engaged. Rotate them out to prevent boredom. Ideally, she should be examined by an experienced avian veterinarian yearly. Please peruse the Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach Library for articles regarding bird care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Thanks for reaching out about your birds. Quite the dilemna. The answer really depends on the size of the cage, on how long they can be left in it. Out of cage exercise is important for health, just as exercise for humans. Could you limit to the one room? Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Parakeets, also called Budgerigars, are small members of the parrot family and they can become good mimics. The average adult size is 7 inches long, head to end of tail. The average life span is between 10 to 20 years with proper care. A well-balanced Parakeet diet consists of: Specialized pellets should make up 60-70% of diet, fresh vegetables and fruits and small amounts of fortified seeds Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water, changed daily. Do not feed birds: avocado, fruit seeds, chocolate, caffeine or alcohol; it can cause serious medical conditions. Avoid sugar and high fat treats. Things to remember when feeding your Parakeet: Fresh food and water should always be available. Vegetables and fruits not eaten within a few hours should be discarded. Remember, treats should not exceed 10% of total food intake. Housing Parakeets acclimate well to average household temperatures, not to exceed 80°F; be cautious of extreme temperature changes. The habitat should area that is well-lit and away from drafts. A habitat approximately 18"W x 18"D x 18"H, with metal bars spaced no greater than 1-2" apart, makes a good home for one Parakeet. A flight habitat is strongly recommended. It is best to provide the largest habitat possible. Perches should be at least 4" long and 3-8" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. Perches should be at least 4" long and 3-8" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. A metal grate over the droppings tray will keep the bird away from droppings; line the droppings tray with habitat paper or appropriate substrate for easier cleaning. To avoid contamination, do not place food or water containers under perches. Parakeets can be kept alone to bond with pet parent or in pairs to bond with each other. Different birds she not be housed together. Normal Behavior Parakeets are talkers, but their little voices are sometimes hard to hear. Active and need daily time out of their habitats to interact with family. Keep in pairs if unable to devote daily interaction time. Provide foraging toys, which provide important mental stimulation. Housing Maintenance Clean and disinfect the habitat and perches regularly; replace substrate or habitat liner weekly or more often as needed. Replace perches, dishes, and toys when worn or damaged; rotate new toys into the habitat regularly. Ensure that there are no habitat parts or toys with lead, zinc or lead-based paints or galvanized parts as these can cause serious medical issues if ingested by your bird. Do not use a lot of cleaning agents around your bird a natural cleaner. Grooming & Hygiene Provide filtered, chlorine-free, lukewarm water regularly for bathing; remove the water when done. As an alternative, mist the bird with water. Clipping flight feathers is not necessary, but when done correctly it can help prevent injury or escape; consult an avian veterinarian on what is best for your bird. Nails should be trimmed by a qualified person to prevent injury to the bird. Signs of a Healthy Animal: Active, alert, and sociable Eats and drinks throughout the day Dry nares and bright, dry eyes Beak, legs and feet normal in appearance Clean, dry vent Smooth, well-groomed feathers Common Health Issues Chlamydiosis: Appetite loss, fluffed feathers, nasal discharge, green stool. Seek immediate avian veterinary attention. Diarrhea: Fecal portion of stool is not formed. Multiple causes from diet change to internal parasites. Consult with an avian veterinarian and ensure proper diet. Feather plucking: Bird plucks own feathers; may be due to boredom, poor diet or other illness. Consult your veterinarian and relieve boredom with attention, new toys or new space. Mites (scaly face and leg disease): White deposits on eyes, beak, legs, and feet. Consult your veterinarian. Red Flags Beak swelling or accumulations Fluffed, plucked, or soiled feathers Sitting on floor
Updated on September 24th, 2025