Pet birds bring their owners an abundance of joy and companionship.
And in return, their owners give them attention, affection, a clean environment, and both physical and intellectual stimulation.
Birds require just as much care and maintenance as other pets.
This includes regular health check-ups, cleaning up after them, and making provisions for their nutritional needs.
Don't forget that birds are extremely intelligent animals that can figure out how to get out of their cages and need toys and playtime to stay happy.
With playtop cages, owners can ensure their birds' physical and intellectual needs are met.
The material that playtop cages are made out of is the most important factor when purchasing one.
The best cages are made out of powder-coated wrought iron, powder-coated steel, or stainless steel and boast durability and strength.
The advantages of these materials are that they are not like the bird cages of yesterday.
Older types of cages (be careful when buying a used cage) can be poorly painted and can eventually begin rusting and allow bacteria to grow.
The poor-quality paint in these units can deteriorate quickly because of the highly acidic and moist conditions that bird droppings create.
This can cause the paint to chip and peel, thus exposing toxic paint to the bird.
But wrought iron and steel that have been powder-coated with non-toxic paint, as well as stainless steel, are the best types of recreational bird enclosures.
When choosing playtop cages, consider the size needed in addition to the materials they are constructed from.
A small bird will require a small to medium enclosure with an appropriate play top whereas a larger bird may require an extra-big sized cage.
Most manufacturers and pet stores have information for purchasers about which size is right for their particular type of bird.
Habitats with a place for playing on top are one of the best ways to get a parrot, parakeet, or other feathered friend out and enjoying some unfettered open space.
Many play areas come with perches made of one of these materials: dowels, thick branches, metal, or plastic.
The branch perches are preferred by many pets due to their interesting texture and their easily-graspable surface.
Some other available features include ladders to develop agility through climbing and strength by gripping.
Another advantage of ladders is that they are mentally challenging because they require beak and foot coordination; something bird don't get through normal activities.
Toys can be added to the play environment such as bells, seed feeders, chain links in bright acrylic colors, or even swings.
These additions make a more diverse and interesting place for the bird to unwind and get their exercise.
Swings are especially fun to watch them use because they get so excited when they get swinging! Another addition to a cage can be a dometop, which gives birds more vertical space to move inside.
You can purchase a conversion kit from many retailers and, along with a play area, the enclosure can then serve a 3-in-1 purpose: playtop, regular, and flight habitat.
Explore what's out there and you'll be sure to find something that's perfect for your pet!