Do you have a feathered buddy for a pet? Birds make wonderful and charming animal companions. Polly is not only adorable, she’s lots of fun to watch. Living in a cage can get rather dull, however, so it’s very important for you to make sure your cute pet has lots of playthings to keep her entertained. You can buy some great bird toys in stores, but you can also make your own. Read on for some great DIY bird toy ideas from a McHenry, IL vet.
Ring Toys
Plastic shower curtain rings can make great bird toys. Attach several together, and then hang other objects from them. Popcorn strings, playing cards, and popsicle-stick toys are a few suggestions.
Rice Cakes
Run a string through a rice cake, and hang it in your winged pal’s cage. Just check the ingredients first, to be sure they are all safe for Polly.
Popsicle Sticks
Popsicle sticks can form the basis for quite a few fun bird toys. You can make little ladders or other shapes out of them. Or, just put several in an old tissue box for your adorable pet to play with.
Phone Book
Punch holes in the corner of an old phone book, and use twine to hang it in Polly’s cage. Some birds go nuts for this!
Bottlecap Toy
Start saving bottlecaps from soda and water bottles. When you have a handful, drill holes in the centers. Then, use twine to string them into a hanging toy. To make it even more fun, add beads, pieces of cardboard, paper cups, or playing cards. Cupcake holders are also a good option.
Basket of Fun
Pick up a large wicker basket. Choose one with handles that Polly can perch on. Next, wrap a soft cloth around the handles, so your colorful pet won’t hurt herself on them. Then, fill the basket with fun playthings. Some good options are golf balls, wooden thread spools, small cardboard boxes, plastic bottlecaps, and poker chips.
Tips
Be sure to only give your pet safe, suitable toys. Avoid giving Polly items that are sharp or breakable. You also want to be careful with strings and ropes: make sure your bird can’t get entangled in them. Ask your vet for specific advice.
Please contact us, your McHenry, IL pet clinic, with any questions about your bird’s care. We are happy to help!