Choosing the right bird cage or house

Small and large bird cages are "Home, Tweet Home"

Your bird's cage is her home, and it's up to you to make sure it is as comfortable, clean, sturdy and safe as possible. A well-made cage and accessories can be expensive –especially those for larger birds – but it's the most important investment you'll make for your pet.

Always buy the largest, most well-constructed cage you can afford. No matter the species, your bird should have enough room to stretch and flap her wings and fly from perch to perch. A typical cage for smaller birds should be at least 18 inches tall and 15 inches from front to back. Canaries and finches prefer a cage that's wider, rather than taller, and parakeets like a tall cage with horizontal bars they can climb. The bars should be spaced only .4 inches apart to prevent escape or injury. Larger birds such as cockatoos need roomier accommodations. Go for a cage three or four feet high and three feet across.

Location, location, location

Ready to set up your new pet's digs? Location is everything. Place the cage in a warm, bright part of the house, close to where the action is but away from drafts and off the floor. Avoid the kitchen at all costs – birds are extremely sensitive to fumes, and those from self-cleaning ovens and Teflon-coated cookware, if overheated, can be fatal. Do not place the cage in direct sunlight. This could cause your bird to overheat. 

Accessorize with perches

Once you've found a prime location for the cage, you may want to install several perches at differing heights – one, of course, at level with the food dishes. Opt for varying sizes so your pet can exercise her feet. Wooden perches work great, and fruit-tree branches, if you can find them, are preferred by many avian caretakers. Be sure they have not been sprayed with any chemicals, and wash and dry them before fitting them in the cage. Avoid cherry wood, which is toxic, and sandpaper perches that can be tough on tender avian feet.

Tips on cleaning metal and wood bird cages

Most cages are equipped with a removeable grate for easy cleaning, but you'll 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. Change the paper daily.

To keep the cage in tip-top condition, it must be thoroughly cleaned twice a month or so. Droppings and other debris left to sit can cause bacteria to build up, which can make your bird ill. Wash the cage, perches, toys and dishes with a disinfectant solution. Rinse well, and make sure everything's dry before you return your bird to her castle.