Discover everything you need to get set up for your new cockatiel, including their food, cage, toys and more. Create the perfect home for your new pet.
Cockatiels are beautiful birds and make lovely companions as they are very sociable pets. If you’ve settled on a new cockatiel for your home, be sure you have everything you need to make them comfortable. Here’s our checklist.
Housing
- A good-sized cage – Cockatiels are intelligent birds that need a lot of stimulation. When you’re looking for the perfect cage or aviary, it’s best to go by the saying ‘the bigger, the better’. They need to stretch their wings!
- A cage cover – If your home tends to get a little draughty, a cage cover is a good idea. Your cockatiel will feel safe and secure and the cover will help them develop a sleep routine.
- Bird bath – Cockatiels are known to be quite dusty birds, so having a bird bath will allow them to clean themselves. You can find plastic options that clip onto the side of the cage.
- Cage liners – Keep your cockatiel’s home spick and span with cage liners that can be easily removed.
- Cleaning pad – Choosing a good cleaning pad will help you keep your cockatiel’s cage in good shape. You’ll use it to scrub the sides and bottom of the cage so make sure its texture will be able to cut through any dried mess.
Nutrition
- Food and water dishes – Depending on the height of your cage, it can be a good idea to have dishes at the top and bottom to ensure your pet is able to access their food and water at all times. You might consider a water feeder rather than a bowl.
- Seed or pelleted food – Find a high-quality food specifically formulated for your cockatiel to give them a good start in life and keep them healthy.
- Millet spray – Cockatiels will love eating from the long branch of millet. You can find differing varieties of this seed at your local Petbarn store.
- Vitamin supplement – Talk to your vet or Petbarn team member about supplements that your pet will need.
- Cuttlefish or mineral block – Make sure your pet is getting all the nutrients they need and keeping their beak in top shape with a mineral block or cuttlefish for them to gnaw on.
- Grit – Shell grit will help your pet’s digestion, so they should be able to access it at the bottom of their cage.
- Treats – You can find all sorts of treats for your cockatiel, including millet sprays, but just be sure that treats only make up 10 per cent of their diet.
Health
- Grooming spray – These dusty birds should be kept clean. Your cockatiel should take to their bird bath like a natural, but if they’re hesitant, don’t be afraid to groom them with specialist sprays.
- Wormers – Talk to your vet about the best one for your pet, but using a syrup that’s added to their water works well for most cockatiels.
- Parasite powder – These birds can contract mites or lice, so your best bet is to have a treatment powder ready. Talk to your local Greencross Vets to find out more and get the best treatment for your cockatiel.
Toys
- A variety of toys – Cockatiels are bright sparks that need a lot of stimulation. They love toys and we recommend rotating their toys to avoid boredom. Toys that can be shredded are great for them.
- Perches and swings – Your playful pet needs different zones in their cage to keep them entertained. Your cage should come with a perch, but it’s good to include additional perches or swings so they can play. Note: Don’t place their food or water bowls under a perch or swing as they could get messy.
- A ladder – Let your pet climb up the sides of their cage and have fun with a ladder.
- Chews – Those active beaks need things that will keep them busy. Your cockatiel is likely to chew everything, so make sure they have things in their cage that they can chew.
Visit your local Petbarn for a variety of great products and advice on giving your cockatiel the care they deserve.