Good hygiene is a crucial part of keeping birds, as many pet birds are confined to a relatively small housing area where they are forced to perform most of their daily activities, such as eating, drinking, defecating, and play. Due to these confined living arrangements, pet birds commonly defecate in their food and water bowls, on perches, and on other items in their cage. If not cleaned regularly, feces and discarded food can accumulate on the floor of your bird’s cage, resulting in the growth of bacteria and some fungi, such as mold. Provide your loved ones with a sparkling clean home that they can show off to their feathered friends.
Hot water and detergent can be safely used to clean all items in your bird’s cage, as long as they are rinsed thoroughly with clean water. However, for the most effective disease control, use a disinfectant such as Avisafe or F10. These disinfectants are recommended for control of standard bacterial or fungal diseases. Virkon or bleach (1:32 dilution – bleach in water) can be used for resistant bacterial or viral diseases. Regardless of the cleaning agent you use for your bird’s cage, be sure to always follow the instructions on the label, and if in doubt, contact your avian veterinarian.
Food and water dishes should be emptied and cleaned at least once a day. Once clean, rinse well with fresh water and allow to dry. Multiple sets of food and water dishes should be maintained and used interchangeably. At Noah’s Ark Pet Resort we use stainless steel dishes for both food and water as it is much more sanitary than plastic dishes or water bottles which can be difficult to clean properly. We also recommend round dishes rather than square or rectangular ones, as the corners of food and water dishes are the most common areas for bacteria to accumulate. To reduce the amount of food contamination on the cage floor, as well as in your bird’s bowl, only feed what your bird will eat in a day. Any uneaten food will quickly go rancid and can be a breeding ground for organisms detrimental to your bird’s health.
Perches must be kept clean at all times. Hot water and detergent or a disinfectant, combined with a scrub brush or scouring pad, can be used to remove fecal matter and organic debris from the perches. I don’t think any of us would appreciate living in a house where the floors are constantly contaminated with our own fecal matter, so we should expect no less from our pet birds. Natural perches are preferred over herringbone, plastic, or rope perches and can be easily replaced on a weekly basis. The fresh branches will also provide regular environmental enrichment opportunities for your pet bird.
Cage floors should also be thoroughly cleaned at least once a day, as this is the main collection area for feces, discarded food, water, and other unwanted items. The most efficient and profitable floor covering is newspaper. Most newspapers use soy-based ink, so they are non-toxic and completely safe for your bird to chew on. The bottom tray should be removed weekly and the entire cage, along with its contents, thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. Owners should use this time to inspect perches, dishes, toys, and other cage items for wear and rust. Any toys that show signs of rust and frayed strings or hangers should be replaced immediately.
