Pet Supplies

Choosing the right bird cage can be very difficult, especially when so many options are available. However, buying a cage that you and your bird will love can be easily achieved by considering a few features.

Size:
The general rule of thumb is to get the largest bird cage that you can afford. This is where your bird lives and makes its home. The more room that your bird has to move, the happier and healthier your bird will truly be. This is especially important for flight birds such as finches and very large birds like African Greys. It may also be a good idea to buy a smaller more portable cage when you clean your large bird cage and need a place to hold your bird for short times or for trips to the vet.

Safety:
Your pet birds depend on you to provide them with care and shelter. Part of this responsibility includes giving your bird a safe place that they can call home.

Bar spacing is a critical factor in determining which cage is right for your bird. Bar spacing that is too large or small may hurt your bird's feet, wings, or beaks. They may get their heads caught in between the bars or may cause damage to their feathers. As a general rule, the smaller the bird, the smaller the bar spacing will need to be. Also, the species of the bird is important in determining the right bar spacing for your pet. For example, bird uses his cage to play, he will need a larger cage than his sleepy counterpart. The amount of time that your bird spends in his cage is directly correlated with the size of the cage. A longer period of time spent inside the cage equates to needing a larger cage. Some birds prefer climbing and stretching; if this is the case, taller cages are a must. In any circumstance, always consider your bird's feelings and needs when purchasing their home.

Note*** Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for the first hand knowledge you have of your own bird, its size, and activity levels. These are general guidelines, and as such, there are exceptions for individual birds. Please contact your veterinarian for any specific requirements or recommendations.

Choosing the right bird cage can be very difficult, especially when so many options are available. However, buying a cage that you and your bird will love can be easily achieved by considering a few features.

Size:
The general rule of thumb is to get the largest bird cage that you can afford. This is where your bird lives and makes its home. The more room that your bird has to move, the happier and healthier your bird will truly be. This is especially important for flight birds such as finches and very large birds like African Greys. It may also be a good idea to buy a smaller more portable bird cage for times when you clean your larger cage and need a place to hold your bird for short times or for trips to the vet.

Safety:
Your pet birds depend on you to provide them with care and shelter. Part of this responsibility includes giving your bird a safe place that they can call home.

Bar spacing is a critical factor in determining which cage is right for your bird. Bar spacing that is too large or small may hurt your bird's feet, wings, or beaks. They may get their heads caught in between the bars or may cause damage to their feathers. As a general rule, the smaller the bird, the smaller the bar spacing will need to be. Also, the species of the bird is important in determining the right bar spacing for your pet. For example, parrots that use their beaks to climb require horizontal bars so that they may climb on the sides of the cage. Finches and canaries, on the other hand, do not need the bars to be oriented any specific way.

Wire thickness is also a very important variable in the safety of the cage. If you have a larger bird such as a Macaw or African Grey, you will need thicker bars made out of more durable materials. These large birds can easily bite through thin and inferior materials. Metal bars (stainless steel is the best) last longer and are stronger than their counterpart materials used to make bird cages such as wire or bamboo. Although wrought iron or stainless steel may be more expensive than their cheaper counterparts, they last much longer and are worth the additional initial investment. The average life span of a bird differs depending on the species, but for example, African Greys on average live between 40 and 50 years. Doesn't it make sense to buy a cage that will last?

Bird-proof safety latches are essential for a safe cage. Many birds have the same intelligence level as a toddler. Just as houses need to be child-proofed, bird cages must also be equipped with protective features that detour flight. Although no cage has been invented that has been truly inescapable, bird-proof safety latches make it much more difficult.

Personality:
Your bird's personality will greatly influence the kind of cage that you want to buy. You will want to consider whether or not your bird enjoys playing and climbing outside the cage. If so, a playtop cage is a wonderful option that allows your bird freedom to roam. Does your bird use his cage to play or sleep? If your bird uses his cage to play, he will need a larger cage than his sleepy counterpart. The amount of time that your bird spends in his cage is directly correlated with the size of the cage. A longer period of time spent inside the cage equates to needing a larger cage. Some birds prefer climbing and stretching; if this is the case, taller cages are a must. In any circumstance, always consider your bird's feelings and needs when purchasing their home.

Note*** Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for the first hand knowledge you have of your own bird, its size, and activity levels. These are general guidelines, and as such, there are exceptions for individual birds. Please contact your veterinarian for any specific requirements or recommendations.