How to Choose the Proper Bird Cage

Getting a pet can be very exciting – there is the anticipation of having a new friend to care for and get to know, and the fun of buying cute toys and accessories.

Maybe you’ve already met the bird you want to take home at a local rescue shelter or pet store. Being excited is great – that’s part of the fun of adopting an animal – but make sure you have everything your new pet will need to thrive and enjoy its new home.

One of the first concerns you may have is finding the right bird cage. There are many different varieties of cage out there, including decorative bird cages that range from stunningly attractive to outright bizarre. However, you have to be careful with these, because some cages may not be an appropriate size for your new pet. The most important things to consider before making this purchase are cage size and bar spacing – these are essential to the health and well-being of your pet.

Consider the cage from the perspective of the bird you would like to take home. This might sound silly, but if you take this viewpoint, you can see the importance of having room to hop around, stretch out your wings, and just generally stay comfortable. After all, this is a place where your bird will be spending large amounts of time. Your bird should be able to stretch out its wings and have plenty of room to spare on either side, and it should be able to stand on a perch inside the bird cage without its tail touching the bottom. Keep in mind cage accessories like perches and toys; these can take up more room than you might think.

Smaller birds, such as budgies, will require at the very least one-and-a-half feet of space, both front-to-back and side-to-side, and a minimum of a couple of feet in height. Budgie cage sizes are comparatively small, and the bar spacing should be no more than half an inch across. On the other end of the spectrum, a bird as large as a macaw parrot will need at least three or four feet of stretching room, width wise and depth wise, and at least five feet of height. Bar spacing for these larger birds can be as much as one-and-a-half inches.

Because there is so much variety out there, you will need to stick to the appropriate size requirements and bar spacing for your pet. Other things to consider are openness and visibility, and the use of materials that may be harmful. Some decorative bird cages are designed to look like little houses or other structures and – while they may be beautiful and elegant – they may not be the right choice if the bars or decorative elements impede your pet from having a relatively unobstructed view of the outside world.

If you take the time to consider your pet’s needs and safety before purchasing a bird cage, your bird’s happiness and good health will be more than worth it. After all, having a pet is about sharing your life with another creature and caring for it as well as you can.