Before you go ahead and decide to adopt a bird, there are going to be certain things that you will need to consider.
The more cautious you are about doing this, the more likely you will be to get all of your needs met without any issues.
Know that You’ll Have to Wake up Earlier
It is a fact that you will most likely have to start waking up sooner than you typically do. This is especially true if you fail to put a thick blanket over your bird’s cage. You can expect to start hearing them as soon as the sun rises. This can be a major adjustment for some, so you’ll want to keep that in mind before adopting a new feathery companion.
Stop Smoking Inside the House
If you are going to adopt a bird, you will absolutely have to stop smoking inside the house. The cigarette smoke will be too irritating for your new pet, so make sure that you completely refrain from doing this. The last thing you want is to irritate your bird’s lungs. It can actually shorten their lifespan significantly.
Get an Excellent Vacuum
Anyone who is planning to get a big bird will also need to make a point of getting a solid vacuum to pick up all of the feathers and food that are going to fall onto the floor. Take the time to look through your options so you can make the best possible decision.
The more time you spend looking into these options, the better off you are going to be. You don’t want to buy any vacuum before knowing what your choices are like. This will help you keep your home clean, which is important for preserving your bird’s overall health.
Take Out Any Toxic Plants
If you have any toxic plants in your house, you’ll need to get rid of them immediately. The last thing you want is for your bird to munch on any of them while it is out of its cage.
This can lead to a severely negative reaction and even death. This includes lilies, amaryllis, and philodendrons. There are plenty of beautiful plants you can get that are perfectly safe for virtually all birds. Take the time to look into some of these options.
Set Aside a Good Amount of Time for them Each Day
It will be necessary for you to set aside at least a couple of hours each day to interact with your bird. This will help keep your pet healthy, both mentally and physically. The fact is that you neglect your bird even a little can have hugely negative effects on your bird.
You absolutely need to spend a good chunk of time with your bird on a daily basis. The last thing you want is for it to feel bored or neglected. This can lead to it plucking out its own feathers, which is extremely unhealthy. If you don’t think that you will have at least a couple of hours to devote to your bird each day, you should think twice about getting one.
Consider Your Current Pets
It’s a good idea to also consider the pets that you currently have in the house. There is a chance that there will be a real problem between your new bird and whichever pets you have right now, especially if it is a cat or a big dog. There’s also a possibility that they will really get along.
You will need to make a point of watching your pets carefully, especially when the bird is out of the cage. This way you can see what kind of a relationship they have. You don’t absolutely need everyone to get along, but it is always ideal.
Anticipate an Increase in Noise
There is definitely going to be an increase in the amount of noise in your home when you get a new bird. There are some birds that are noisier than others, so you need to consider the breed you are planning to get. A lot of parrots and parakeets can be quite noisy and are therefore not well-suited for apartment living.
This increase in noise could be especially problematic if you have a baby in the house. It can be frustrating to constantly have your bird waking up your child with its various vocalizations. This is certainly something that you will want to think twice about. A baby and a bird is usually not a very good combination in general.
Get All of the Necessary Supplies
It is important for you to already have the cage, food, toys and everything else you are going to need for the bird before bringing it home. This way you will already have exactly what it needs. This will make the very first day a little bit less overwhelming for both you and the bird.
Make a checklist of all the things you need to get before heading to the pet supply store. You might also want to get some of these things online to save some money. There are tons of websites where you can find exactly what you need.
Conclusion
- You should expect to start waking up earlier when you get a pet bird for the first time.
- You will need to make a point of not smoking in the house anymore if you currently do so.
- Invest in a great vacuum that can effectively pick up bird feathers and food that spills out from the cage.
- Find out which plants are toxic to birds and remove any that might be in your house right now.
- Plan to spend a good amount of time with your bird each day. Some breeds need more attention than others.
- Expect an increase in noise to some extent. Again, this varies depending on the specific breed you get.
- Make sure that you pick up all of the necessary supplies for your bird prior to bringing it home.
