Bird cage cleaning

As a new pet parent, you've probably discovered that birds are, well, MESSY! They'll fling seed hulls with downright abandon, busily shred the newspaper lining their cage and splash their bath or drinking water with untempered enthusiasm. Although you'll just have to get used to it, there are several things you can do to make your job as a bird housekeeper a little easier.

Tips on bird cage cleaning

It's smart to get a cage with a bottom tray that slides out for easy cleaning. Most companion avian housing does come equipped with this time-saving feature, but you will still need to cover the bottom of the cage with plain paper, paper bags cut to size or processed corn cobs. Newspaper is fine--as long as it's been printed with non-toxic, soy-based inks. Some ultra-efficient owners choose to line the cage tray with multiple sheets of paper, removing just the soiled top layer when cleaning.

Be sure to change this paper every day. Leaving it for even a few days can foster the growth of molds and bacteria that can make your bird sick. During your daily clean-up, you should also take care to:

• Wipe clean any food debris or droppings that have soiled the gratings, perches and sides of the cage. A gentle soap and water will usually do the trick, just be sure to rinse well and let everything dry completely.
• Check your bird's food dishes and water bottles, washing and rinsing as necessary.
• If you are using a water dish and your bird has the charming habit of dunking his food into his water, you'll need to take extra-special care that his dishes remain clean. 

Deep bird cage cleaning once a month

To keep your bird's home in tip-top condition, you will need to thoroughly clean and disinfect it at least once a month. While your bird is having his supervised play time out of the cage, wash the cage in the shower or, weather permitting, hose it down outside. A solution of water and bleach or gentle antibacterial soap will work great, just be sure to thoroughly scrub all cage parts--and toys, too. You can use a toothbrush to remove debris from those hard-to-reach areas, and you'll also find many brushes specially made for cage cleaning at the pet supply store.

As they're easily soiled, the perches in your bird's cage may need extra attention. Scrub them with soap and water or commercial perch cleaner, and rinse well. We've heard good things from pet parents about the new perch-scraping tools, which will readily remove large messes. If you find that the perches are especially and consistently dirty, consider their placement in the cage. If one perch is directly above another, it can quickly become covered in droppings. And always make sure that you do not install the perches so that a bird can defecate in his food dish--or on a cagemate!

And finally, don't forget to vacuum or sweep those seeds, feathers and shredded paper that accumulate around the perimeter of your bird's cage (see, we told you they were slobs!). You can use a little soap and water to clean up any messes, but do resist the urge to use any pine-based cleaners or aerosol sprays. Birds are especially sensitive to inhalant fumes.