Mental stimulation is very important to birds’ health. Having a variety of toys available to your pet bird will prevent boredom and can also assist your avian friend with keeping their beak and nails in good condition. Rearranging your bird’s toys or rotating which toys are in your bird’s cage can help prevent boredom without the added expense of purchasing new toys each time your bird tires of playing with their current ones. Toys should be appropriate for the size of bird that you own and should be non-toxic. Wood should not be splintered and should be painted with non-toxic lead free paint only. Toys should be closely monitored for any pieces that may have become loose or broken during play as these may become potential hazards as well.
Owners may also want to consider being creative with the toys they offer their feathered friend; think of items that you can recycle into toys for your bird, which may include: phone books, paper towel tubes, and cardboard boxes. Be sure to remove any staples, plastic, magnets, or other objects from these items prior to sharing them with your bird to prevent injury or choking hazards. Hanging a phone book in your parrot’s cage allows them to tear and shred to their heart’s content. Great toys are toys that provide mental stimulation and activity for your bird without risk of injury to your feathered friend. White pine and pine cones are example of wood products that are healthy for birds. There are literally hundreds of options available when it comes to toys for your bird and some are certainly better than others. It is best to research a toy for your bird prior to purchase, and if you are uncertain, please consult with your avian veterinarian or bird professional. Toys should be durable, non-toxic, and free of small objects that may pose choking hazards if you plan to leave them in the cage for an extended period of time unattended.
For more information on appropriate toys specific to your bird, please contact us at Animal Central.
Dr. George Stroberg, DVM and Staff
