Parakeets are sociable and playful animals, which need physical activity every day, in addition to entertaining themselves by playing with other parakeets or with toys to stay mentally stimulated and not get bored. Otherwise, they would find themselves sad and bored, which would lead to the development of serious he alth and behavioral problems, such as stereotypies.
To prevent this from happening, a wide variety of bird toys and accessories are available in many pet stores. It is for this reason that in this article on our site we want to present you the best toys for parakeets, so that you can provide the care that your little winged friend deserves.
Parakeet accessories
Many of the toys you can buy for your parakeet are accessories that you can place in his cage. There is a wide range of possibilities, among which we highlight:
- Hanging toys: There are many kinds of toys of this style, which hang from the ceiling of the cage and usually have multiple shapes, such as that of a swing, a branch or a rope. These kinds of toys are recommended because they simulate the effect of being on a branch, in addition to making your parakeet strengthen its sense of ebalance and musculature.
- Climbing toys: if you have a parakeet, surely you have noticed how easy it is to climb the bars of the cage, and it is that, the majority of birds accustomed to living in leafy forests not only have the ability to fly, but also to climb to move between the dense vegetation. By performing this exercise with its beak and legs, it not only works its muscles, but also wears down and strengthens its nails and beak. Therefore, it is recommended that you introduce elements such as stairs, branches or perches in the cage of your parakeet where you can carry out this activity when moving.
- Bite Toys: To keep their beaks trimmed and strong, budgies need to bite and sting, which is why if They have no choice but to bite their wooden shed or the bars of their cage. To avoid this, it is advisable that you provide your parakeet with toys designed so that he can chew them to his heart's content. Many of these toys are made of natural and harmless materials for your parakeet, such as wood, paper or mineral stones that serve to supplement their diet.
Before continuing with the list of the best toys for parakeets, it should be noted that all these accessories do not have to be in the cage, you can enable an entire room or even place them throughout the home if your bird has access to all corners.
Gym for parakeets
Lack of exercise can lead to serious long-term he alth problems, including developing weak muscles,brittle bones and, clearly suffering obesity , cause for concern because it can unfortunately end up with the death of the animal. It is for this reason that pet stores offer gyms or activity parks for birds, very complete toys through which your parakeet will be able to exercise and carry out different activities, such as playing with ropes, bells…, and having great moments of entertainment.
You can also make a home gym by placing several elements in the same space.
Parakeet pool
Surprised that parakeet pools exist? These birds love to cool off and wash themselves with water. Parakeets are clean animals that groom each other in the wild and in homes where more than one lives, but they also love cleaning themselves with water when it rains or when they have access to puddles. Therefore, purchasing a bird bath is a good idea if you want to give your parakeet the pleasure of bathing comfortably whenever he wants inside or outside his cage.
Homemade toys for parakeets
You may have considered buying cheap parakeet toys, since your little one destroys them easily or simply because you are looking for a cheaper option. Although most of the toys that you have seen in this article are not especially expensive, you also have the option of building some of the toys for parakeets at home using recycled materials. Here are some ideas:
Hanging rope
This is probably the simplest toy you can make for your parakeet. To do it, you must take a rag that you no longer use or clothes in poor condition that you can cut. Then follow these steps:
- Cuts strips of different sizes and thicknesses.
- Make several knots along the fabric.
- Tie one end to the top of his cage.
This way, your parakeet will have an accessory that it can climb on and climb on. We also recommend adding several ropes in the same cage or room so that it moves between them.
Paper and cardboard balls and spirals
Recycled paper and cardboard, for example, from toilet rolls, can be excellent teethers as they are made of plant material, as long as you make sure they don't contain toxic chemicals for these animals, such as ink (for example, don't use newsprint).
The best homemade toy for parakeets that you can make with recycled paper due to its fragile consistency is one or more balls, and for that you simply you will have to crumple it up and obtain different sizesdepending on the paper.
Finally, because the cardboard is more consistent, you will be able to obtain many more shapes that will arouse your parakeet's curiosity. For example, you can take a cardboard tube and cut it into a spiral shape that you can hang in a corner. The possibilities are limitless.
Hanging tube
To make this toy you will again need a tube of toilet or kitchen paper, as well as a string, which can be a shoelace or a long piece of cloth. Then follow these steps:
- Pull the string through the tube. It must be a long enough string.
- Hang the ends of the rope to the ceiling of the cage, so that your parakeet will perch on it like a swing.
This accessory, in addition to serving as a hanging toy with which you will exercise because you will have to maintain your balance, alsooffers you the chance to chew it.
Bird Bath
Bathtubs for birds that you can get in stores can be hung on the bars and, in some cases, have a lid to prevent the animal from splashing. Now, if you want your parakeet to cool down and you don't see a problem that your bird wets the outside of the cage or the room in which it is, you always have the option of placing a container with water, for example a plate or a “tapper”, with which to bathe and wash yourself at ease.
Why are parakeet toys important?
As a guardian, knowing clearly the needs of your parakeet is key in order to ensure its proper well-being. Now, when we think of animals that need to play, we often think of dogs or cats, as they are the companion animals with which we are most familiar. However, if you put yourself in the shoes of your parakeet, or any other bird you may be responsible for, you'll realize how boring and frustrating can be. become the life of your little one, being locked up all day, with nothing to do and, with a bit of luck, with the company of another parakeet in the same situation.
As you may have deduced, birds, like many other animals, were not born to be decorative objects or so that we can enjoy their sweet song. They need to move, interact with others and face new challenges, since in the wild they spend the day socializing with each other, flying up and down, looking for food, etc. Otherwise, your little one will have he alth and behavioral problems as a result of their stress and discomfort, which are usually not obvious at first, but progress insidiously. Examples of this are excessive vocalizations, biting the bars of their cage and even plucking their feathers.
It is for this reason that there are toys for birds, designed with the aim of providing new stimuli that keep your parakeet active in its daily life. In addition, it is important that you keep in mind that these animals need the company and attention of others, either yours or other parakeets, due to their gregarious nature, as well as flying, so no it is appropriate to keep them confined in a cage 24 hours a day.
Now that you know the best toys for parakeets and how important it is for these animals to exercise, don't hesitate to place various accessories around your home and have fun with your bird. On the other hand, we recommend you consult this article: "Fruits and vegetables for parakeets".
