Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
Green-cheek conures are highly inquisitive, bold, and engaging birds. Learn how to care for Green-cheek conures, what to feed them, habitat setup, and more.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025
A number of factors go into finding the best pet bird for you and your family. Read through these questions and tips to select which life long companion is right for you.
Updated on June 12th, 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
Try reusing items around your home for these DIY dog toys.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025
Spoil your cat this holiday season with our favorite treats and toys, perfect for keeping them entertained and happy during the festivities.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
There is no one perfect toy for all parakeets. They need toys that can be destroyed and toys that can't. Cardboard boxed, paperback books work well. Forging toys to stimulate puzzle solving, can be beneficial. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Preening toys are toys used to satisfy a bird's need to preen. They can be used to distract from excessive feather picking or simply to occupy a bird. They are made using rope strands, cotton strands, fabrics or paper. The link below leads to an example of a preening toy.
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
Harrison's Bird Diet is the best food out there. It is pelleted so there can be some resistance from your bird transitioning to the new diet if he has been on a seed diet, but it is nutritionally complete and very high quality. Toys I find that lovebirds like have been cotton rope toys that they can preen and groom like the feathers of another bird.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Hello! You absolutely can get a dome top cage! The bigger the better for birds, as exercise is very important to their physical and psychological health. The major thing to consider if the bar spacing. You don’t want the parakeets to be able to get their heads through the bars, so stick with 1/4-1/2 inch spacing to be safe. Some big cages have wider spacing, around 1 inch and this may be too wide for your birds. Also, make sure the cage is high quality powder coated and not exposed metal, as zinc and lead exposure can be an issue with wrought iron or hand made cages. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025