Caring for Your Bird

• The cage must be big enough for your bird to stretch his/her wings and fly.
• The cage must be made from nontoxic (nonpoisonous) material.
• The cage base must be so hard that your bird can't ruin it by chewing.

• Make sure the cage can't be knocked over or fall.
• Put the cage in an area like a family room, so your pet can be around everyone - birds are very social.
• Avoid drafts and kitchens. Kitchen fumes like burnt Teflon from a cooking pan can kill a bird.

• Use non-colored newspapers with soy ink, paper towels, or brown paper.

• Get both fat and thin perches — like manzanita branches. This helps birds exercise their feet and prevents pressure sores.
• Never use sandpaper perches, they will hurt your pet's feet.
• Large birds like Amazons or African Grey Birds need a freestanding perch outside the cage.

• Must be attached, so they can't be tipped over.

• Birds like mirrors and other toys. Make sure all toys are made from nontoxic material.

• Clean cage of any droppings.
• Change water once or more if needed.
• Provide fresh fruits and vegetables, and remove food after a couple hours.
• If your bird is hand-tamed, take him/her out to play for at least an hour each day.

• Breakdown and clean cage with mild soap and make sure you rinse off all the soap.

• Ask your veterinarian to recommend a disinfectant cleaner that you can use to clean the cage each month.

• Birds, like all pets, should see their veterinarian each year.

• Birds need a balanced diet — with food from all the major food groups.
• Birds are one type of pet that benefits from eating many "people foods".
• Birds must have fresh fruit and vegetables daily.

• Never feed your bird a "seed-only" diet.
• Never feed your bird houseplants, avocado, cherry pits, rhubarb, apple seeds or raw milk products.