The best way to feed and hydrate pet birds is to place their bowls directly inside their cage. Bowls
can be made from plastic, ceramic, or stainless steel. Although
plastic is inexpensive and great for smaller birds like finches and
canaries, larger birds will chew and destroy the plastic. Ceramic bowls
are much heavier and virtually chew proof. Try the colorful Super Pet “Scatter-less” Ceramic Bird Feeders
as an option. They are also much more stable, will last a long time
but require frequent cleaning. Stainless steel is the best but also the
most expensive. Some bowls are attached by hooks, bolts, or clips
while many cages today have built in bowl holders to keep the bowls
secure. There should be a minimum of one food bowl and one water bowl
for drinking in each cage. It’s always recommended to have additional
bowls available so you can use a fresh one while you are cleaning the
others. Dishwasher safe bowls are recommended to ensure thorough and
safe cleaning.
Bowls should be easily accessible and at a comfortable height for use
from perches. Bowls should never be placed directly under perches to
avoid getting contaminated with bird droppings. Food and water should be
change frequently to ensure a happy bird. Birds are notorious for
making a mess with bowls of water. They try to bathe in them, leave
bird droppings, and also drop food into them. The net result is the
water get dirty, and bacteria can grow quickly for an unhealthy
environment. Water bowls should be replenished many times during the
day, while food bowls should be replenished daily. Consider using one
of our water bottles
for a safer and healthier solution. To avoid unhealthy bacteria growth
we recommend you change your birds water bottle daily. Try our Super Pet Chew Proof Water Bottles
that are available in various sizes. As a bird eats, it may leave the
bowl full of left over seed hulls that are often mistaken for full bowl
of food. Don’t be fooled, check the food bowl often! It’s very
important to maintain clean food and water sources for your pet.
The best diet is a balanced or complete diet that includes grains,
fruits and vegetables. Every bird type has a diet that is unique to its
species, so there is no perfect diet that works for all birds. Many
bird food manufacturers offer food diets that are formulated for each
specific bird’s dietary requirements. Diets can be obtained both in
extruded form (often the most complete and nutritiously balanced) as
well as in a blended seed and grain mix. Consider the Kaytee Exact, Fiesta Max and Forti-Diet Pro Health
fortified foods for a well balances diet. Also include a variety of
vegetables, greens, and fruits as a supplement. Don’t forget the
mineral supplements like cuttle bones and calcium blocks (more commonly
used with smaller species). When feeding an extruded diet like Kaytee
Exact the use of additional supplements is not recommended, unless
prescribed by an Avian Veterinarian. (note: over supplementation can
lead to health issues in your pet bird) Some dangerous foods to avoid
include: chocolate, avocados, mushrooms, fruit seeds, alcohol and
caffeine to name a few.
All good pets deserve a treat from time to time and birds are no
different. Be sure to remember that treats are just treats, and should
not be replacement for a balanced diet (Treats should not exceed 20% of
your birds diet). Bird treats range from stick treats that will keep a
bird busy for hour to loose treats that can be hand fed. Or try
putting loose treats in a treat holder. Consider Kaytee Healthy Bits, Munchables, and Treat Sticks as nutritious treat options.http://www.superpetusa.com/pet-birds/feeding/
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