5 Ways to Pamper Your Parrot

We are all busy these days and I know it's hard to meet all the demands in your life. But, it's time for a breather. Take an some time with each of your feathered kids and give them the royal treatment. I know some of you out there have multiple birds, so it doesn't have to be all the parrots in the same day! Get into the habit of doing at least a short version of this regularly. Your parrots will thank you!

Some birds are more 'social' than others. Two of mine I can pick up and snuggle with without fear of needing stitches. The other one I have to be really careful with. I use a stick as his main form of transport. No matter what level of 'snuggliness' your parrot prefers, you can adjust each step to your parrot's comfort level.

I hope both you and your feathered kids have a great time. Not only is this a great time for your bird, but you get a relax a bit as well. For an added bonus, turn the phone off!

Spend some quality one-on-one time
Just hang out together. Let them help you pick up around the house. My cockatoo likes to help me fold laundry. One of my African Greys prefers to chat in English back and forth. My other African Grey likes to sit on me and get scratches while I lay on the couch.

He runs up and down me, the couch and sometimes perches on my knee and just sits there. You could put on some rainforest or classical music and just sit quietly together for a little bit. There are no rules, the point is just to give your bird your undivided attention.

Share a meal
Fix up some nice vegetables, fruit, pasta or any other bird-safe dish that pleases your parrot's palate. Share with your bird, heck, eat off the same plate. One bite for you, one little bite for them. Of course, remember to give them their own spoon or fork so you don't give them your icky human germs.

Interactive Play
Hand toys like birdie bagels, barbells or marbella shapes; a piece of rope, a popsicle stick, a towel, even a wadded up piece of paper can be really run interactive bird toys.

There are hundreds of safe and fun things to play with. Lighten up and show your bird a good time. One of my African Greys loves to play catch with a wadded up piece of paper. When catch time is over, he loves to shred it up. It doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to be fun!

New Toy
Give your parrot something new to do when hanging out in inside the cage! Remodel a little. Rearrange the toys that are in there and purchase a new one. Parrots get board! Why not buy an extra toy or two for later while you are at it. You could rotate the toys when your parrot loses interest in it. I have a birdie toy box that all my toys go into. Periodically, I pull their current toys out and put some from the box in. The others go back into the toy box for later use. If the toys are damaged quite a bit, see if you can use the parts from several toys to make a new toy. Rotating and recycling toys prevents boredom, saves you money and gives your parrot a change of scenery regularly.

Shower
What pampering session would be complete without a nice shower or bath? Depending on your parrot's preference, let them splash around in the sink or tub. Mist your bird with a squirt bottle or for a finer water spray you could use a birdie mister like Mr. Mister. I use a Mr. Mister for all my parrots, in fact they have their own shower perch. Whatever they prefer, make it fun!

-----------------------------------------
Your Parrot Place
Taylor Knight is President of Your Parrot Place, providers of the highest quality parrot food, toys, cages and supplies available. YourParrotPlace.com - Only the Best for Your Parrot!

Free Parrot eBook
140 pages of parrot tips, information, nutrition advice, safety and more!http://www.yourparrotplace.com/ebooks/ypp2004ebook.htm

Latest News


A Season of Responsibility for New Pet Owners
MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
Will the owner have a safe, pet-ready household? -- Will the owner be capable of caring for the pet for its lifetime, both in terms of time and financial ...

How to protect your house and pets during a freeze freezing ...
Dallas Morning News, TX - 43 minutes ago
Bring pets inside. Provide adequate shelter that is elevated and facing away from the wind for pets that must remain outside.
That's a chilling wind Waco Tribune Herald
all 2 news articles

Homeless pets still need to eat
Reuters - 22 hours ago
With foreclosures of homes on the rise, so are stories of pet abandonment, but pet food maker Del Monte says sales of dog and cat food and treats hasn’t ...
Earnings Note: Del Monte Foods 2Q09 - Taming Pets The Alacra Store (subscription)
all 2 news articles

Pet-centric Retail Site Muttropolis.com Included in Internet ...
MarketWatch - Dec 3, 2008
Featured alongside some of the world's most highly regarded brands, Muttropolis is one of only three pet related sites to be included among the honorees and ...
ToolKing.com Makes Internet Retailer’s Hot 100 Retail Web Site List WebWire (press release)
Ritz Interactive Named to Internet Retailer's 2009 Hot 100 Best ... International Business Times
Ritz Interactive Named to Internet Retailer's 2009 Hot 100 Best ... MarketWatch
all 12 news articles

Make sure pets have safe, happy holidays
Pioneer Press Online, IL - 7 hours ago
As families start pulling out their favorite holiday recipes and shopping lists and decorations, it's easy to overlook one hairy detail: The family pets. ...

Bob Shallit: New animal hospital to offer hotel luxury for pets
Sacramento Bee,  USA - 9 hours ago
"It won't look like an animal hospital," says Dr. Schenck, who has run Mueller Pet Medical Center near Sac Executive Airport for the past 30 years. ...

Hilary Duff Has Precious Pets
Just Jared, NY - 5 hours ago
Hilary Duff buys a couple of fluffy toys for her cat on her trip to Maxwell Dog pet store in LA on Wednesday. Last week, Hilary attended the Rodeo Walk of ...

Weekly Vista

Pets as presents: Cute, but is it practical?
Weekly Vista, AR - 22 hours ago
Adopting a pet at Christmastime may bring joy to the family, but it also comes with responsibilities and expenses for years to come. ...
Exponential potential Arkansas Democrat Gazette
all 2 news articles

InSight UT: Pets line up to take their pictures with Santa Claus
Tennessee Journalist, TN - 17 hours ago
23 pet owners took their animals to the Agri Feed Pet Supply store to get their pictures taken with Santa Claus. Many owners said they participated in the ...
Have your pet pose with Santa to benefit animal organizations Clarksville Leaf Chronicle
Santa Paws is coming to town State Gazette
all 3 news articles

Animal Angel Tree seeks donations for needy pets
Mid Columbia Tri City Herald, WA - 47 minutes ago
By the Herald staff Holidays are a time for helping the less fortunate, and that can include pets too, say organizers of two Tri-City pet assistance efforts ...

Resources