Parakeets have been popular for pet owners since being raised in captivity. They are a favorite among bird lovers due to their small size and their ability to mimic human speech. These birds provide hours of fun and entertainment, making them a great household pet besides the usual cats and dogs. Before you decide to get one for yourself, read on to know some of the things you have to consider in taking care of your feathered friend.
How much does a parakeet cost?
Buying a pet parakeet will typically cost anywhere from $10 to as high as $500 depending on its breed and rarity. Other factors like the condition of the parakeet (including the color of its chest feathers), and from where you’ve purchased it (such as from breeders or pet stores) will also come into play. Besides the initial cost of the bird and its housing, you should also prepare for its care, food, and entertainment as a monthly expense.
How many parakeets should I buy?
It’s perfectly fine to get a single parakeet so long as it will have a companion at home for most of the day. Parakeets are highly social animals so leaving them alone will make them quite lonely and miserable. While you may get a single pet, it is recommended by breeders and most pet stores to purchase parakeets in pairs as they are pack animals and are meant to flock. The birds are very social and tend to bond immediately with each other.
Buying from the same breeder or pet store is the most ideal as the birds will get along perfectly. This is to avoid unwanted aggressive behaviors when buying from different sources. Another thing prospective pet owners should take note of is the gender of the birds if you’re going to get them in pairs. You’ll accidentally become a breeder yourself if you get one male and one female because the pair will definitely have a very high chance of laying eggs.
The best possible combination when getting parakeets in pairs is either to get two females or two males. This shouldn’t be a problem as they will still bond with each other. If you do decide to get two parakeets, then it’s best to get a bigger cage, a lot more accessories, food and treats, and double the vet bills.
What are the factors that can affect the price of a parakeet?
Parakeets are widely abundant at pet stores and online. If this will be your first time to get a pet bird of your own, parakeets are the right bird for you because of their affordable price. They’re the least pricey avian pets on the market which is why they’re popular for beginner bird owners. The cost though varies from one seller to the next and the final price tag will also depend on several factors that can dictate the value.
The first thing that will increase the price of the bird is its rarity. The most common breeds are the green ones and you can get one for as low as $10. Some of the rarer birds meanwhile can cost as much as $500 or even higher for more exotic variants. The variety of colors available on their feathers also plays a role and will increase the cost. Another reason that can drive up the price is the age of the bird during the time of purchase. If you’re buying a younger parakeet, then it’ll be more expensive than the older ones because you’ll be able to enjoy their company for a lot longer. Younger parakeets usually have lines right above their beaks so take particular notice of it when searching one for your home.
What essentials and accessories do I need to take care of a parakeet?
Cage
Before you even consider bringing a parakeet at home, it’s best to have a cage ready once they arrive so the birds can adjust quickly to their new environment. Your cage should remind your pets of their natural habitat so getting a bigger cage is better than getting a smaller one. Upgrade along the way as they grow in size and numbers should you add more of them. The average price of an adequately sized cage for parakeets is $75 to $100. It should be at least 50” tall and 50” deep. If you can get a bigger one, then the better as parakeets are very active and like to move around on the daily.
The bars of your pet’s home should not be more than half an inch apart to prevent the parakeets from being stuck with their heads between the bars. It’s also ideal to have horizontal bars inside the cage to provide entertainment as well as exercise for them to be able to climb the side of the cages. Most cages for parakeets are rectangular or square in shape as they normally use the corners for a sense of safety and security.
Accessories
Once you have chosen the right cage for your pet, it’s time to stuff the insides with essentials to decorate their new home. The first thing you should add is their bedding. There are all sorts of beddings you can use like sand, sand sheets, aspen wood pellets, recycled paper, or cage liners. The beddings for your parakeet have different pros and cons so it’s better to test which one works best for your pet by observing what they like. You should expect an expense of at least $10 to $30 per month for your parakeets’ bedding as your bird has a tendency to kick out the bedding over time.
After you’ve prepared the bedding, be sure to add food plates as well as a water container. It’s recommended to have a food plate that can be clipped to the sides as parakeets prefer to eat in the air rather than on the ground. The food plate should preferably be made of plastic as this is easier to clean and is safer for the bird. They cost around $10 in most pet shops and online. The water container, on the other hand, must be placed away from the food bowl as parakeets tend to be messy and will spoil the food or their feathers in the water. There are a lot of special water containers specifically designed for birds at most pet shops and online stores. They’re often called “water silos” and cost anywhere between $5 to $15.
Toys
Now that you’ve completed your avian friends’ abode, it’s time to stock up on their toys as providing just the necessities and nothing else will quickly make them bored. Since parakeets are very playful animals, giving them a variety of toys should keep them occupied for hours. It’s better to get them indestructible plastic toys to help you save money in the long run. Hanging, and push-and-pull toys are also well-liked by parakeets for their perches. The toys will cost you anywhere from $20 to $50 annually to satiate their entertainment needs.
Food
Parakeets have a unique digestive system and prefer specific foods when it comes to eating. They thrive on a seed-based diet as well as on pellets, pasta, and more. If you’re feeding them fruits, they usually prefer pears, apples, seedless melons, seedless grapes, seedless oranges, kiwi, and berries. If it’s vegetable time, it can be squash, cooked corn, sweet potato, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce. You can supplement your pet’s diet with a mineral block to keep their beaks in top condition, and a multivitamin supplement for their health. Keeping your parakeets with a full stomach will cost around $70 to $100 per year.
Health Care
Like other living things, birds also need health care so be ready for when there will be unforeseen vet trips aside from their routine check-ups. An trip to the vet for your pets averages around $100 to $200 annually per bird. The common problems for parakeets you should look out for include obesity, viral, and renal disease. They’re also susceptible to mites and will need medicine to get rid of them so keep a close eye on their beak or feet if it’s covered with a scaly build up. Keeping a close eye on your bird friends and looking for any signs and symptoms when they may be in pain will come a long way. Keeping their cage clean and safe at all times can also significantly reduce the chances of them developing injuries and disease.
Your parakeets should also have ample time for physical activities to keep them happy and healthy. Letting your pets out of their cages from time to time in order to flex their wings is essential to exercise their wings. Before letting your pets out, ensure the room has all the windows and doors closed at all times to prevent the birds from flying through them. Parakeets can easily assume they can fly through open areas which will cause them to get hurt or lost when unsupervised.
Do not forget to remove poisonous plants and unplug and hide electrical wires and cords as parakeets may chew on these and potentially harm them. Turning off the ceiling fans, stoves, ovens, as well as transferring other pets like cats or dogs to another room is also recommended as another animal’s presence can cause distress for your pet bird.
Cleaning Supplies
Your parakeet’s hygiene is crucial to prevent diseases and unwanted visits to the vet. Spot cleaning their cage at least once a week is recommended and disinfecting their bedding every month is preferable. Use a disinfectant that’s safe for your birds instead of soap when cleaning the cage. The birds also need a bath every one or two days so a gentle spray bottle with lukewarm water should do the trick. Spray it directly to their feathers until wet so they can clean up after. It’s best to do it in the morning when they wake up so they’re dried up by bedtime.
This goes hand-in-hand with your maintenance for your bird’s home as routinely changing their bedding, perches, and other items inside the cage to ensure they’re always fresh is important to keep them healthy and happy.
Do I need to ensure my parakeet?
When it comes to taking care of your pet, there are a lot of insurance companies that offer pet plans to cover your birds. These plans can be quite expensive so it’s best to research what they offer before diving in. They do save money in the long run if you routinely schedule your bird for vet visits. Pet insurance also helps cover the cost of emergencies like medical treatments. Find a plan that fits your budget and will definitely come in handy for your avian friends.
What’s the annual cost of owning a parakeet?
Parakeets can stay with you for a long time and can live for up to 8-20 years. To ensure your pets will be with you for many years to come, you should be prepared to spend upwards of about $400 to $700 per year per bird to get them the best care possible. This is already an overestimation so some of these expenses can be managed with smart budgeting. It’s best to take note of the potential budget you’ll need to set aside per month before even considering bringing a parakeet home. The total lifetime cost of owning a parakeet should be around $4,000 to $10,000 per bird.
Conclusion
For first-time bird owners, it’s recommended to get a parakeet as they’re the most affordable avian pets around. It’s totally fine to buy a single bird, but it’s ideal to get them in pairs as the birds are very social. They’re highly trainable, and will easily bond with you when you give them proper care and attention. Parakeets are excellent mimics so don’t be surprised if they learn to speak words or phrases that they often hear in the household. They also love to sing, chirp, and screech so be prepared to have a cheerful companion every day.