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Related Articles & Questions
- Care Sheets
Conure Care Guide: Food, Habitat, Health & Tips for a Thriving Conure
Learn how to take care of Conures, recommended diet and housing setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
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- Food & Nutrition
Bird Food & Nutrition Guide for Pet Parents
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- Training & Behavior
How to Train a Pet Parrot: Step-Up & Beyond
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- Training & Behavior
New to parakeets? Essential care tips for first-time owners.
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
- Food & Nutrition
Lovebird has diarrhea. What food and medicine should I give?
If your lovebirds are having diarrhea a good first step is to remove any extras such as treats, fruits, and veggies for a few days as these can cause diarrhea in some birds. Making sure they are on a lovebird diet. [This shop page](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/bird/bird-food-and-treats#facet:430577611111810198105114100&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&) can give you some examples is best for optimal care. If the diarrhea continues, deworming the birds to remove any parasites is another step you can take, however if the problem persists it is best to bring them into a vet for an exam and care to rule out any more serious issues such as illness or infection.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Vet Q & A
Where can I buy the best budgie toys online for my bird?
There are many places to look for budgie toys online, and doing a simple google search can help you find them. Looking at places such as Petco (if available in your area), Drs Foster Smith, etc, or other online pet stores can give you an idea of what's available and can be shipped to you. most places will also mark the size of the toy so you can pick out ones appropriate for budgies.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Training & Behavior
First parakeet: What do I do for care, taming, and habitat?
Hello and congratulations on your new friend, King! Parakeets make wonderful pets, and they are a great first bird for a new bird owner. It sounds like you have everything in order, but I'd definitely get King some toys sooner rather than later as parakeets do require mental stimulation - they are very intelligent! Taming will take some time and patience. Using a perch to entice him to step up can be a good place to start, though I recommend waiting a few days to allow him to adjust to his new surroundings first. Yummy treats can be helpful - dried fruits and veggies are a good choice. Here are some good tips on taming your parakeet: http://www.budgiekeet.com/taming.html Good luck, and I hope King adjusts well! :)
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Health & Wellness
How to ensure a bird's safety with dogs and cats in your home?
Yes, it sounds like you would provide a safe and loving home for a bird. I like your plan to keep it separate to reduce stress on the bird. Gradually introducing it to the other animals would be good once it’s very relaxed and settled in. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
