Parakeets make for great pets because they are very entertaining, low-maintenance and have a longer life span. In fact, they can live for as long as ten to fourteen years as long as they are well taken care of. These have made them a popular choice among many bird pet owners.

If you are a first time parakeet owner, or thinking of getting a parakeet for your pet, here are some things that you need to keep in mind to make your parakeet flapping happily and healthily.

Parakeets love company. Parakeets, also called budgies, are highly sociable birds, thus they love company. If you do not have much time to hang with your pet budgie, then have something that would keep him from being lonely. You can get him toys such as beads, bells, rings or swings. Parakeets love shiny objects that make sounds and which they can move around. Just make sure not to give him toys that easily chip or flake and those that may become potential choking hazards. You may also want to get a second budgie for his companion as well. However, it may be smart to keep these keets separate while they are young so that they can better learn to bond with humans instead of just being with birds of their kind.

In addition, budgies also love to sing and can be very loud when they do. They love singing along to music or your own. A good way to bond with your keet is to sing to him or play music and see how he reacts. If you do not have time however, you may want to leave music on at moderate volume.

Parakeets love food variety. Birdseeds sold in grocery stores may be a little old and have little nutritional value so you may want to buy at a pet store or feed shop instead. Some popular budgie diet products include Abba, Kaytee, Kellogg and Scarlett. But while birdseed may be the core of a budgie’s diet, feeding him exclusively with such may not give him a balanced diet. Budgies need adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals so you may want to try giving them other treats such as pellets; mashed hardboiled eggs for protein with shell for added calcium at least once or twice a week; any dark green or orange vegetable for Vitamin A; fruit such as oranges and apples and cuttlebone for calcium. You may also want to give your parakeet special treats such as boiled lentils, cooked chicken, cooked pasta or peanut buttered whole-wheat toast. Avoid fatty, spicy and junk foods.

Parakeets need exercise. Limiting your parakeet within the confines of the cage can only do so much to keep him fit. Make sure you regularly take out your budgie to freely move about and fly around. Make sure that drafts and doors are closed before taking your bird out.

Parakeets need clean, safe living. Budgies can make droppings once every twelve minutes. Make sure to clean his cage every so often to keep your pet keet healthy. Remember that a clean living environment makes for a healthy budgie. Moreover, parakeets are not comfortable at temperatures below 70 degrees so place the cage away from an air-conditioner or drafts. Also, the refrigerator top and kitchen are not good places for keeping your parakeets, as they can be very sensitive to vibrations, cooking fumes and cleaners.

Simply put, parakeets can make for wonderful pets if you care for them well. By knowing what your pet parakeet’s needs are, you can be able to gain his trust, nurture a special relationship and be the happiest pet owner you can ever be.