Parakeets use toys to keep themselves entertained in their cages. It gives them something to do and provide them with ways to get the exercise they need and to keep their brains occupied.
Toys are matters of taste and personality. Your pet may turn his beak up at something you considered an instant hit. But he may also find hours of pleasure with just a plain plastic bottle top or ball – click here if you want to see the best toys to buy for your Parakeet.
Never be offended if your parakeet ever rejects one of your offerings. But do look out for what appeals. Rejects can, of course, be reintroduced later because like us, birds change their minds.
Tame parakeets quickly engage with new objects in their cages. There may be some circumspection and standoffishness but it’s bound to subside. Those single birds that are less tame tend to take more time to accept new objects. They may even get in a flap of panic when something unusual is introduced.
But varying a parakeet’s environment with new things like toys is important to keep them alert and occupied. Swapping things around on a regular basis is recommended and beneficial. Birds soon become accustomed to the idea of having their toys changed.
Parakeets Love Toys
When choosing the best toys for parakeets remember toy sizes depend on cage size. Though, never forget that parakeet toys can be used outside in the room where the parakeet is able to fly free. Larger aviary setups should be stocked with plenty of toys. These can include multi-level climbing frames, obstacle courses, and hanging feeders.
Safe Parakeet Toys
Ensure that any toy that you introduce into the parakeet’s cage is safe for the bird. Don’t try things unless you are sure. Sharp edges need to be avoided. As do any objects that have gaps or bits of loose thread, which could catch a foot, a toe, a beak or a head.
Panicking parakeets that are trapped can die of stress. Loose strings that hang from the top of a cage can pose a hazard too.
A toy that is intended for larger birds may not be suitable for your parakeet. If you suspect any pet shop staff advice is no more than a guess and not an expert response, apply your own common sense.
Parakeets tend to benefit from excellent colour vision and may find toys in different hues more interesting. But plain dowelling ladders or climbing frames are still bound to provide lots of fun.
When you choose coloured wood, be certain the wood dye is suitable for parakeets. Natural food colouring and vegetable dyes are used to colour most wooden parakeet toys but always check with the pet shop first. If in doubt, don’t buy. Avoid everything that has a varnish or another painted surface. Having said that, the sort of non-toxic paint as used in toys for babies should be OK.
It’s a good idea to avoid purchasing any toy that is flavoured. They do exist but it’s not a good idea to encourage any parakeet to devour lots of wood: chewing should be just a game, and not treated as a way of getting extra food! There may be sugar in the flavouring. This is bad for a bird’s health and could also help spread bacteria.
The sort of plastic toys and other cage attachments that are available today would be perfectly good as substitutes for wooden toys. They are also non-toxic.