How to Keep Your Pet Bird Warm and Cozy This Winter

When temperatures start to plummet, your pet bird may show signs of discomfort. For most birds, a temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. However, indoor temperatures can slightly fluctuate during the colder months, which can make it more challenging for your pet to keep warm. Many factors can also impact a bird’s preferred temperature, such as their weight, location in the home, and whether they are exposed to drafts around open doors or windows.

Keeping your pet bird warm and cozy is essential in winter. Let’s look at some pet bird winter care tips for keeping your pet comfortable when the weather is chilly.

Invest in a Cage Cover

As the name suggests, a cage cover is typically a piece of fabric designed to be placed over a bird cage. Cage covers can serve multiple functions. First, they block out light to provide a safe haven for smaller birds who naturally seek cover from predators at night. Cage covers can be made in warm materials to help trap heat within the cage. During the day, remove the cover to allow sunlight to warm your birds. At night, place the cover over the cage to retain heat.

Provide Adequate Shelter for Your Bird

While the bird cage itself may serve as your pet’s home, consider adding smaller shelters inside the cage where your bird can go to feel safe and warm. Cage tents can be found in warm, fuzzy materials that many birds enjoy during the winter. These tiny tents are often insulated, allowing birds to snuggle inside when temperatures drop. Bird-friendly tents can often be hung from the top of the bird’s cage or secured to a perch.

Install a Heated Perch

Birds spend much of their time sitting on their perches, watching their environment. Heated perches for birds allow them to sit in their favorite spot while remaining warm and cozy. Look for heated perches equipped with protective features to keep your pet safe, such as chew-resistant cords and an auto-shutoff function to prevent overheating. These products are suitable for most types of birds, such as parakeets, parrots, and other species, and are suitable for use in most bird cages.

Set Up a Heater or Heat Lamp in Your Bird Cage

If your home tends to be cooler during the winter, a portable heater or heat lamp can help create warmth for your pet bird. However, you’ll want to use caution when choosing a heating solution for your cage. Bird-safe heating methods include bird cage heaters specifically designed for use in bird cages. These lamps typically have steel covers that prevent burns and other injuries caused by the heating element. No light is emitted as these bulbs only generate safe amounts of heat.

Provide Plenty of Bird Food

Birds that are cold and uncomfortable may be less likely to eat. However, their bodies use up more energy trying to stay warm, meaning adequate food is essential for health and well-being. During the winter, feed your pet bird a high-quality diet rich in vitamin A to help strengthen their immune system and promote good feather health. You can also help fight winter stress by adding bird-safe foods with antioxidants to your bird’s diet, such as blueberries or pomegranate seeds.

Maintain a Fresh Water Supply

Just like your bird needs access to healthy food, it also needs a fresh water supply at all times. As your pet may not drink as much during the winter, they are at a higher risk of dehydration. Ensure that your bird always has plenty of fresh water, checking several times a day and refilling the dish as needed. Also, change the cage bedding daily and keep tabs on how damp the bedding is to see if your bird is getting enough fluids.

Use a Bird-Safe Dehumidifier

Cold winter weather can dry out the air and irritate your bird’s skin and feathers. By setting up a dehumidifier in the same room as your bird’s cage, you can moisten the air and prevent uncomfortable symptoms associated with dryness. Ideally, you want to keep the humidity in the room above 30 percent to help keep your bird comfortable without creating a mold hazard. Diet also plays a key role in preventing excess dryness of your bird’s skin and feathers. Introduce foods like walnuts, flaxseeds, and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to nourish the skin and feathers.

Keep Your Pet Bird Warm This Winter Season

It can be challenging to navigate winter care for birds, especially if you’re new to bird ownership. These small creatures are fairly tolerant to chilly temperatures but can become uncomfortable when temperatures drop too low or there are cold drafts in their environment.

Making simple changes, such as covering the cage with a cover at night and upgrading their diet, can make a world of difference in your bird’s comfort and overall well-being. By making these important changes in the winter season, you can keep your pet bird warm and cozy until spring arrives.