You are thinking of adopting a pet bird? So much so that you’ve already picked out a name, picked a location for your pet’s cage, and scoured the internet for information on your favorite species. While you may think that you are pretty well-prepared to immerse yourself in the world of bird ownership, there are many aspects to owning a bird that most owners don’t know about until after they buy a bird – and most of the time, they wish they would have known beforehand. Read on to learn what it really means to care for a bird every day.
Birds
Cookware
You may need new cookware. Teflon or non-stick cookware can be deadly to parrots and other animal birds. The coating, when heated, produces an odorless smoke that can kill a bird in minutes. This means any non-stick cookware you own has to go away, and you have to invest in pots and pans made from stainless steel or some other safe fabric.
Candles
Say goodbye to candles and air fresheners. As with Teflon and other vapors, scented candles, scented oils, and air fresheners can be harmful if used around your pet. Birds have extremely sensitive respiratory systems and are easily overcome by chemicals and fumes.
No Smoking In The House
No smoking in the house. Period. You guessed it – cigarette smoke is just as bad for your bird as it is for you. (If not worse) If you use tobacco products, use them outside your bird to keep them safe and healthy. If you’ve smoked recently, don’t forget to wash your hands before handling your bird!
Wake Up Early
Plan to get up early. Birds wake up with the sun or when you uncover them every morning. You are then ready to start your day bright and early. They will expect the same. Prepare to customize your sleeping schedule to suit your feathered friends. Your bird needs breakfast soon after it wakes up and you need to be there to serve it.
Invest In A Really Good Vacuum
Invest in a really good vacuum. Birds are pretty messy, to say the least. In many cases, you’ll need to sweep or vacuum daily to keep up with the constant flow of vegetable crumbs and other debris that builds up around your pet’s cage. Make sure you are up to the task before you take a bird home with you.
You Have To Put Up With Some Noise
You have to put up with some noise. Sure, some birds can talk, but all of them can scream, chirp, cackle, screech, tweet or coo, among other things. Your bird will likely make a variety of these noises, and it may not always be when you want to hear them. If you want to own a bird, you have to find a way to deal with it.
Choose Your Clothes Wisely
You have to be careful of what you are wearing. Birds are naturally drawn to shiny objects, which makes jewelry and sequins great targets. You will need to remove these before handling your bird to protect yourself, your pet, and your belongings. You should also be prepared to lose a lot of buttons to your feathered friend. It’s a good idea to have some spare parts and a small sewing kit on hand.
