Parakeets are very friendly birds and are the top choice when it comes to selecting a pet bird. A parakeet’s life span would be about seven to ten years if you wonder how long does a parakeet live. It makes for a great companion and is not very high-maintenance at all. Their great colours and flamboyant personality will also keep you entertained. If you plan to bring a parakeet home, you should know a few things to make their stay with you as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. Here are a few pointers on how to care for your pet parakeet.
1. Accommodation
A parakeet needs a large cage because they are not very tiny birds. The minimum cage size should be around 18 inches by 24 inches. The floor of the cage should be ideally lined with eco-friendly paper or paper liner. You should replace this liner every alternate day. Or else the cage could become messy from accumulated droppings. The cage should be kept away from windy outlets and not placed in the sun all the time.
On the other hand, you should also keep them away from odour or smoke as they are susceptible. You could keep them in a bright but shaded part of a terrace or balcony.
2. Diet
In the wild, parakeets enjoy a wide range of food since they can fly far and wide. You can give them the traditional bird food and pellet blends. Make sure you are not overfeeding them, so their cup should not be more than 3/4th full. Also, you could feed them beans and sprouts.
You can give them some fruit every once or twice a week as a treat but stay away from sour fruits like oranges. Pulpy fruits, melons and papaya would be more suitable. You should also change their drinking water every day. Special treats could include honey sticks once or twice a month. To prevent monotony, mix up their food every once in a while.
3. Social Behavior
Parakeets have great social skills, which is why they make such splendid companions to humans. However, if you are away for work most of the day and do not have much time to spare for them, then consider buying another parakeet to keep the first one company.
Loneliness and monotony affect animals as much as they affect humans, and prolonged negligence could give rise to emotional distress, although you might be feeding and cleaning them regularly. Always find some time during the day to interact with your pet parakeet.
4. Regular Cleaning
While cleanliness is vital for all pets, parakeets, in particular, hate dirty cages. They can fall sick quickly or retreat to a corner if they are not happy with their habitat. The easiest way to keep the cage clean is to change the paper liner on the floor. However, sometimes you might have to scrape the cage bars too. The best way to do this is to bring out the cage and hose it down once a week. It will dislodge any accumulated dirt or droppings very easily.
5. Buying Bird Toys
Parakeets have a very playful nature, and they would love to play with their bird toys. In fact, you won’t even have to spend a ton on buying the toys because they will fall in love with almost anything as long as it is shiny and makes some noise. They would love it even more if the toy can roll or spin.
However, since they have sharp beaks, make sure that the toy is not very soft or will unwittingly rip it apart. You should also not introduce anything too small in the cage.
6. Building a Bond
The most crucial aspect of ascertaining that your parakeet stays healthy is when you know they feel safe around you. Like most animals, parakeets are very intuitive. They will take time to trust you, but they will be your lifelong companions when they do. Do not show displeasure when they are screeching because you feel they are loud. Do not try to touch them forcefully. Instead, let them come to you and see if they will hop on your hand when you stretch them out. You can also teach them to respond to simple commands.
No matter how long does a parakeet live; ensure you visit a vet once in a while to make sure that your parakeet is healthy. Give some time for your bond to grow, and they will make the most delightful pets ever, with your love and care offering them a long and secure life.
