Caring for your pets always involves time and a touch of tender loving care. And when it comes to cockatiels, you should care for it a little more differently as you would other pet birds. Here are some ways on caring for your pet cockatiel.

Bathing. Bathing your pet cockatiel is important especially if it is housed indoors. Bathing also encourages your cockatiel to clean itself. When it is wet, it preens to dry its covering, which is also a way of cleaning its plumage in the process. Moreover, bathing reduces dusk produced from your pet cockatiel’s plumage.  Dusk, when inhaled, may be harmful to your body. Especially if you have two or more cockatiels, the problem of dusks can become worse, especially if you don’t bathe them.

You can bathe your cockatiel daily or twice a week. However, you also need to consider the weather when deciding how often you are going to bathe your pet. For instance, it may be advisable to bathe your cockatiel regularly if the weather is usually hot. You can use a water spray to bathe it, just make sure to avoid spraying directly into the eyes. Water is enough – avoid using soaps or cleansing agents as this can also irritate your cockatiel.

Exercise. Do not always lock your cockatiel in the cage. Let it go out and move and fly about around a room at least once a day. Flying helps tighten its muscles, which is necessary to keep it strong, fit and healthy. However, if your cockatiel is not really tame, you may consider clipping its wings. Always have a professional to do this procedure. But if you are not too keen on such an idea, you may want to provide a bigger cage that allows your untamed cockatiel to freely move around inside it.

Night Flight. Night flight can be troublesome if you keep your pet cockatiel inside a cage or an outdoor aviary that is located far from your house or in a dark place. Night flight can injure your cockatiel. This is because when it becomes frightened, it normally flies towards the mesh, and since it is dark, it can injure its head, eyes, legs, wings and plumage. You can prevent your cockatiel from experiencing night flights by keeping it away from cats, owls or other creatures trying to catch your pet bird prey. Cockatiels can also be sensitive to, and may be frightened with lighting and other effects so you may want to keep it away from these elements. Also, rats can pose a serious threat to your pet cockatiel. Rats are huge carriers of serious diseases that may be transmitted to your pet bird’s food container and may endanger your cockatiel’s health.

Toxic Air. A cockatiel’s respiratory system is very delicate and sensitive. And some odors may not be suitable for them, as these may cause your pet bird to get sick and even die. Keep your cockatoo away from ammonia, bug bombs, glues, hair sprays, nail polish, naphthalene, pesticide strips, self-cleaning ovens, tobacco smoke and others. Direct inhalation of these substances’ odor can be fatal to your pet bird.

Toxic Plants. Some plants can be injurious and/or poisonous to your pet bird. Make sure that these plants should be kept away from your cockatiel’s reach. Among these include cactus, ivies, poinsettias, Calla Lily, Honey Chestnut, Indian Turnip, Iris, Moutain Laurel, Nutmeg, Sweet Pea and Tobacco.

Household Safety. Your cockatiel may be more at risk to possible dangers inside your house than when it is outdoors if you do not take measures to keep your pet bird safe. Always check for escape routes, other pets that might harm the cockatiel, aquariums and electrical fittings.

By following these simple measures, you can be sure your confident is safe and sound.