You’ve thought about it, and you’re ready for a pet. What do you choose? Dogs are “man’s best friend,” and cats make loveable cuddle-buddies. If you’re looking for a friend for life, though, how about a parrot as a pet?
Parrots can make great companions. They’re trainable, affectionate, social, intelligent, and loyal. They can form strong bonds with their owners and bring people a lot of joy. The truth is, though, parrots only make great pets for people who can actually take care of them. These beautiful birds need some pretty specific things, and they aren’t always easy to care for. If you can meet their needs, however, you can really enjoy having a parrot as a pet.
If you’re interested in a parrot, here are a few factors you need to consider:
Can You Afford It – Not only do you need to buy the parrot and a big enough cage or habitat for it, you have to afford a diverse diet made up of seeds, fruits, nuts, veggies, and bugs. You also need to provide plenty of toys and replace them when they wear out. Veterinary care can be expensive, too, since you need a vet who understands bird care.
Can You Spend the Time – These birds are highly social and need lots of brain stimulation. They need plenty of free time with you, the owner, so they stay friendly with people. These birds require plenty of interesting toys to engage their minds, too. Also, training is a must to encourage appropriate behavior.
Do You Have the Patience – Parrots vary from species to species, and just like people, each bird has its own quirks. It will have occasional bad days. These birds also live for decades—sometimes more than 80 years! When you get a parrot as a pet, you get a friend for life, so you need to be prepared for that.
Owning a bird is rewarding and provides you with a fun, intelligent pet that can learn from and interact with you. Know that when you adopt a parrot and take good care of it, you’re investing in a friend who will love you for life. Don’t take that kind of relationship lightly! We’d love to help you with raising and caring for an exotic bird. Call our Easton, PA bird sanctuary at (908) 303-9804 or e-mail mandeesteinmann@gmail.com for more information.
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