Do parrots make good pets?
Birds can be extremely fun and rewarding pets, but if you or your grandchildren have been considering adopting a pet parrot, there are a few things you need to consider before you take the leap.
1. Are you willing to learn?
Parrots are a relatively uncommon pet compared to cats, dogs and fish, and as such, you might acquire one and realise you have no idea how to care for it. Do you know what food your parrot needs? Do you know when it wakes up and goes to sleep? Do you know how much attention it needs or how to handle it?
Many parrots have different lifestyle needs. Some can be handled while others cannot. You may find you need to do your research before you invest in an exotic new pet.
2. Do you have enough money?
Parrots are not exactly an inexpensive pet to have. Firstly, the parrot itself can cost thousands of dollars. After that, you have to pay for toys, cages, perches, food, and vet bills. Many parrot owners end up spending at least hundreds of dollars a year in order to keep their pet healthy and happy. If you’re not willing to invest that much money into your next animal companion, a parrot might not be for you.
3. Do you have enough patience?
Many people buy parrots not realising the specific traits their bird has. Again, for each species of bird, do your research and decide if that type is really for you. Many parrots have very loud, harsh screeches. Others are prone to biting. Others, still, can be messy and defecate on your floor, requiring extensive and regular clean up. Are these all things you are willing to put up with for your new bird friend?
4. Are you willing to compromise your lifestyle?
Many substances that are safe around other pets can be harmful to birds. Certain cookware, such as Teflon and other non-stick varieties, can emit chemicals that, when used, are toxic to your parrot. The same can be said about air fresheners, candles, and many houseplants. And if you’re a smoker, you need to make a choice between a bird and cigarettes. Cigarette smoke can be fatal to parrots.
5. Do you have enough time?
This one is huge: parrots take up a whole lot of your time, and not just on a daily basis. Many parrots can live for decades. It isn’t uncommon for some species to live for longer than 80 years. If you’re going to buy a parrot, you might have to consider placing it in your will.
Additionally, parrots need anywhere from two to six hours of human interaction per day. It’s almost like having a human child. When you go on vacation, you will have to find someone willing to house and take care of your pet for you. If this seems like too much commitment, a parrot is probably not the right animal for you.
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