Cats and dogs are the most popular pets. However, they are not for everybody. Looking after a cat or a dog requires time and effort, and not everybody can provide them. Sometimes, cats and dogs are not welcome in apartment buildings, so another option has to be found in case we want to own a pet. Have you ever thought of owning a bird?

Birds provide company and even though you have to feed them and clean their cages, you don’t need to walk them like a dog or clean cat litter. Another advantage of having a bird, as a pet is that they don’t need much space. A proportionate cage is all the space they require.

Therefore, looking after a bird is not a hard job. However, some aspects need to be considered. For example, the bigger the cage a bird lives in, the happier it will be. Try to get a cage with a removable metal tray at the bottom to allow easier cleaning and natural wooden perches for exercising. Place the cage in a room with a window and take it outside when weather permits but always keep it in a shaded area. Provide your pet with fresh drinking water (make sure that it does not run out of it) and water to bathe in several times a week.

Turning to food, you should also consider these aspects. Firstly, up to 50% of a bird’s diet should come from grains, cereals and seeds (but avoid sunflower seeds). Secondly, up to 45% of its diet should come from fresh vegetables in bite-sized pieces. Thirdly, up to 5% of its diet should include a combination of protein (tofu, beef, chicken…) and dairy.

Easy, isn’t it? Having a pet always requires responsibility, but as you see, birds are much easier than other types of pets, so if you think about getting a pet as companion, adopting a bird can be an excellent decision if you can’t look after a cat or a dog.