Choosing a Bird Toy
When choosing a bird toy, address the following issues:
- Is it possible that your bird will be poisoned by the chemicals or metals used in the toys?
- Will your bird get caught or stuck in its toys?
- Can the toy be broken into tiny pieces that your bird might swallow?
To ensure safety, constant supervision is a smart idea when introducing a new toy to your bird.
Bird Toy Safety
Zinc and lead are both damaging to birds. When a bird is ill and brought to a veterinarian, it is first checked for a virus. It is now also common to check birds for large amounts of zinc and lead poising. Sometimes, zinc and lead are found in metal toys. A good alternative to metal is stainless steel. Although they may cost more, stainless steel toys are worth the expense.
Chemicals and dyes are also dangerous to birds. Avoid toys made using glue, paints, tanned leather, and treated wood. Untreated wood and leather are safe; so, too, are toys colored in vegetable dyes. However, bent wires and open chains can trap beaks, nails, and toes. Be sure to cut off the unraveling parts of a rope. Jingle bells catch toes, so use pipe bells if bells are desired. It is crucial to choose the right toys for your bird's safety and happiness. Thankfully, there are a number of available and knowledgeable online resources, pet stores, and fellow bird owners that can help you determine which toys are safe.
Size of Bird Toys
The size of the toy is another key factor to consider when purchasing a toy. Years of play behavior studies have proven that big birds should not be given toys bigger than the bird. Many birds will destroy the big toys they have been given because they are perceived as intruders. People often think that the bird is having a fun time playing with the toy; on the contrary, the bird is trying to destroy the toy as fast as possible. This is not a healthy way to stimulate the mind. However, it is important to note that big birds given small toys will eventually take apart that toy as well. The difference between an overbearing toy and a more appropriate one is exploration. The bird takes its time, and explores the smaller toy in its entirety rather than ripping it to shreds.
Purchasing Bird Toys
Bird toys can be purchased online and in pet stores, but you can also make them yourself. Bird toy pieces are sold online and in stores, too. It is not hard to build your own bird toys. If you get the knack of building your own bird toys, or want to invite fellow bird owners over for a bird toy building party, buy the bird toy pieces in bulk. Of course, be sure to choose the safest pieces for your bird.
Parrot Toys
As an interesting side note, did you know that parrot toys provide parrots mental stimulus? Although parrot toys are commonly perceived as serving the purpose of entertainment, they actually serve as mental stimulation. Parrots are intelligent, social animals that require mental stimulation. Parrot toys keep the bird's mind active.
