Do you have a pet bird? Polly is definitely and adorable animal companion. Birds are very playful and curious, so they need plenty of toys. You can of course buy your winged pal’s playthings, but you can also make your own. Read on as a Greater Cincinnati vet lists some DIY bird toys.
Popsicle sticks can make some very versatile and fun bird toys. You can color them with nontoxic dye if you like, to make them colorful. Hang them from strings, using colorful beads as separators. Or, make little ladders out of them.
Hanging toys are very popular with our feathered pals. String several items together. You can use things like plastic shower curtain rings, plastic bottlecaps, the cardboard tubes from paper towel rolls, rice cakes, coffee filters, paper cupcake holders, and even wine corks.
Get a clean wicker basket, and make sure there are no sharp pieces sticking out. Then, fill it with fun toys. Many toddlers’ toys are safe. You can also include the things we listed above, as well as children’s blocks, uncooked spaghetti, waxed-paper cups, and other suitable items.
Poker chips can be lots of fun for our winged buddies. You can drill holes in them and hang them on strings. Just pick ones that Polly can’t bite through.
Take a cardboard egg carton. Put a small toy or a treat, such as millet, in each cup. Golf balls, bottlecaps, and wooden thread spools will all work. Close the lid and let your feathered friend have at it. Just don’t let Polly eat the carton.
Poke some holes in the side of an old phone book, and then string it up in your pet’s cage. Many birds love destroying these!
Always put your winged friend’s safety first. Don’t give Polly anything that has been chemically treated, or anything covered in varnish, stain, or dye. You’ll also want to avoid sharp items, anything small enough for her to choke on, and anything she could break into small pieces. Be careful with rope toys as well: they can be dangerous when they get frayed. Ask your vet for more information on safe and unsafe bird toys.
Please contact us, your Greater Cincinnati vet clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!
