Are you considering adopting a bird? Polly is a very cute and fun little pet. And, if you’ve ever found yourself watching these feathered comedians on Youtube, you know that birds can also be very entertaining. However, it’s important to think carefully before adopting any pet. Here, a Fayetteville, NC vet lists some things to ponder before adopting a bird.

Noise

Polly’s volume knob settings will depend very much on what type of bird she is. Some birds, such as canaries, just chirp occasionally, and really aren’t very loud. On the other end of the spectrum, we have louder birds, like the Cockatoo and Macaw, who may think that imitating car alarms is a fun trick.  

Messiness

Birds are very cute, but they can be rather messy roommates. Polly tends to drop a lot of food when she eats, so you may find yourself constantly picking up seeds and crumbs. Of course, she also isn’t litterbox trained. In addition to picking up messes, you’ll also need to wash her bowls daily and keep her cage clean.

Time

Birds are very sociable. In the wild, most species live in flocks. Unless you have other birds, you’ll be your pet’s only friend and companion. Make sure that you are ready, willing, and able to spend time with her every day. Polly gets very lonely if she feels too isolated!

Space

Your feathered buddy will spend a lot of time in her cage, so it’s important to make sure that she has a good one. If you have a small home and a large bird, Polly’s ‘room’ may take up a good chunk of your floor space.

Lifespan

Another thing to consider before moving forward is your potential pet’s lifespan. Longevity in birds varies widely from species to species. Some, like finches, may only live about 5 years. Others, such as some parrots, can live as much as 80 years with good care. Keep in mind that Polly gets very attached to her humans. Changing owners can be traumatic for her!

Other Pets

While birds can cohabitate with dogs and cats, it will complicate things a bit if you have other animals. Even the sweetest pup or kitty could seriously hurt your bird with a single paw swipe!

As your Fayetteville, NC Fayetteville, NC veterinary clinic, we’re dedicated to offering great care. Call us anytime!