Basic care of a parrot so that it is healthy and happy
Parrots are prized for their beauty and intelligence, which is why more and more people, upon meeting them, fall in love with these birds and decide to take care of one at home. However, before making that decision, it is important to know what are the basic care of a parrot so that it is healthy and happy, and not everyone knows them. Here you will find a list of them!
The attention that a parrot requires will directly influence its health and general well-being. Therefore, it is essential to keep in mind what these main needs are.
1. Food
Without a doubt, it is one of the main care that any animal requires. A balanced diet is essential for the correct development of your parrot.
Their food has to be varied, mainly composed of vegetables and fruits, on the one hand, and seeds and grains on the other.
The most ideal thing is to combine quality parrot feed with mixtures, in order to provide it with the correct nutrients. In addition, among the most appropriate fruits and vegetables for him are apples, peach, bananas, peppers, carrots, broccoli, tomato, zucchini and melon, among others.
In addition, 1 or 2 times a week, it is recommended to offer other foods, such as hard-boiled eggs, rice and yogurt.
On the other hand, it is important to also keep in mind which foods are toxic to parrots, thus avoiding offering them and making the mistake of making them sick. Among those foods is onion, garlic, mushrooms, cookies, bread, avocado or chocolate.
Basic care of a parrot so that it is healthy and happy
2. Hygiene
Parrots are animals very vulnerable to infections by internal and external parasites. These microorganisms can also multiply easily and «attach» both to the animal and to its cage and accessories.
For this reason, it is essential that you thoroughly clean your parrot’s cage, including all its toys and accessories, at least twice a week. Of course, food remains and excrement must be removed daily, as they are a source of bacteria.
3. Check your body
Another of the basic care of a parrot so that it is healthy and happy is something as simple as observing it. Yes, as you read.
Looking carefully at your parrot will provide you with a lot of information about its state of physical and emotional health. For example, you will be able to detect injuries to their legs, beak problems, loss of feathers, apathy, strange movements, or any other type of alteration in their appearance or behavior.
4. The cage and the environment
The parrot must have a large cage where it can live with some freedom of movement, that is, where it can make short flights.
Within it, you will have to have certain essential elements, such as your food bowl and drinker, toys, hangers at different heights, and even a shelter in case you need it.
The cage must be located in a suitable place. This cannot be left out in the open, it has to be protected from the weather. However, at the same time it is advisable that it receive sunlight (not direct) and be outdoors.
For this reason, it is important that you move your parrot’s cage whenever necessary to place it according to need without putting its life at risk. Think that a heat stroke or hypothermia can make you seriously ill or kill you.
5. Toys
A fundamental part of the parrot’s body is its beak, which, in its natural habitat, it spends the day using to release energy and wear it down.
For this reason, among the basic care of a parrot so that it is healthy and happy, you cannot miss making appropriate toys for parrots of different textures, materials and hardness, so that they can interact with them with their beak.