Steps You Should Take to Care For Your Cockatiel

People tend to think that keeping a bird is more difficult than keeping a dog or cat, but this is definitely not the case. Here is a list of the basic steps that any cockatiel owner should do to keep their bird healthy and happy.

Step 1:

A safe a secure cage is a must, and the cage must be in a safe location in your home. The cage should be the wide bar type and should be fitted with various accessories and perches that are made especially for cockatiels. The cage should be in a place in your home where you can make your pet cockatiel part of your daily routine.

Step 2:

You will need to clean the paper out of the bottom of the cage each day or two, and replace the food and water bowls daily. Be sure to wash the bowls thoroughly with soap and water and rinse properly. The cage should also get a good scrub once a week to prevent your cockatiel from picking up germs and getting ill.

Step 3:

Give your cockatiel a varied diet. The cockatiel diet should include a variety of seeds, pellets, and small portions of fresh vegetables and fruits and perhaps some healthy people food. Remove all discarded and partly eaten food before it spoils.

Step 4:

Keep your cockatiel safe. It is a good idea to keep your cockatiels wings clipped to ensure his or her safety. It is a good idea to keep your pet indoors when out of its cage, so that it doesn't eat anything harmful. Also beware of poisoning from toxic fumes when cooking with overheated nonstick cookware as well as household detergents.

Step 5:

Establish a relationship with your avian veterinarian, and take your cockatiel for regular checkups. Prevention is always better than cure.

Step 6:

Provide an interesting environment for your cockatiel. Make your bird part of your family life, and provide toys for her that you can rotate to prevent boredom. Discard any toys that go into disrepair.

Step 7:

Try to get a routing going for your cockatiel. Feed your bird at around the same time each day and take her out at around the same time. Establish a bed time when you cover up the cage for the night.

Step 8:

When no one is home, leave the radio playing or the television on, as cockatiels can find a quiet environment quite stressful.

Step 9:

Set aside time each day to bond with your bird. Don't lavish so much attention on your cockatiel at the beginning of your relationship and let it dwindle into almost nothing. Birds are intelligent and sensitive and will not understand the change. The more time you spend with your cockatiel, the more your relationship will improve and grow.