How to Care for a Parakeet

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Enclosure
Substrate
Food and water bowls
Commercial pellets
Fortified seed
Natural perch
Cement perch
Bird toys

Step 1:
Obtain the largest possible sized cage for your parakeet. The minimum size you should buy is 24 inches wide by 24 inches deep and 36 inches tall. The bar spacing should be no more then 3/4 of an inch apart.
Step 2:
Fill the bottom of the cage with an easily cleaned substrate like newspaper or corn cob.
Step 3:
Locate the parakeet's cage in an area of your home away from drafts and direct sunlight.
Step 4:
Keep a dish always filled with clean non-chlorinated water for your bird to drink from.
Step 5:
Feed your bird about 75 percent commercial pellet and 25 percent fortified seed. You can also feed fresh fruits and vegetables as a treat once in a while.
Step 6:
Place several perches, both natural and cement, in the cage with your parakeet. You should also provide a few toys or a play gym to help entertain your bird.
Step 7:
Clean out the bowls, perches and substrate every day and replace the food and substrate. On a monthly basis you should also disinfect the entire cage and all of its contents with a dilute bleach mixture.
Step 8:
Provide a place with dim lighting for your bird to nap in daily. Parakeets naturally will nap for a few hours each day and will enjoy a comfortable place to do so.

Tips & Warnings

If possible you should provide a larger cage for your bird to use occasionally with enough room to fly around. This extra exercise will be very healthy for your bird.
Visit a bird veterinarian annually to help maintain your parakeet's health.
Avoid fruit seed, avocado, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol as these items are poisonous to your bird.
Always replace worn and damaged toys as they could injure your pet if not removed.

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