Can My Parakeet Breathe When I Cover Her Cage?

There’s nothing quite as comforting as curling up in bed after a long day under a fluffy, warm blanket.

Being covered up can provide a sense of security and comfort.

Your parakeet doesn’t sleep with a blanket, but covering her cage can be beneficial in many ways.

Because you want to make sure your bird is always safe and comfortable you may be wondering, can my parakeet breathe when I cover her cage?

The answer is yes, as long as you do it right. Covering your parakeet’s cage is a common method used to help regulate your bird’s sleep routine. As long as you choose breathable fabric and only cover three sides of the cage, you can have the peace of mind that your parakeet is able to breathe.

This article will walk you through the reason behind covering the cage, when to cover it, what to cover it with, the pros and cons of covering the cage, and how to do it properly.

Let’s get into it!

Can my parakeet breathe when I cover her cage?

Covering your bird’s cage is a common technique used at night.

While some view it as a normal practice, others might be concerned whether or not the bird can breathe through the covering.

While you may be worried that your parakeet can’t breathe when you cover her cage, if you use a safe covering then you have no need to worry.

In fact, covering your parakeet’s cage has many benefits and is a safe practice.

Parakeets should have no trouble breathing in their cage if the covering is safe.

Clearly, you should never seal off the covering because this will cut off their oxygen supply.

As long as there is space for air circulation a covering will not prevent your budgie from safely breathing.

Common reasons for covering your bird’s cage is to stop their surroundings from negatively affecting their sleeping patterns.

Budgies typically sleep longer than their owners, and things such as lamps, televisions and other bright lights can disrupt your parakeet’s sleep.

 

Should I cover my parakeet’s cage at night?

Covering a parakeet’s cage at night is the same as turning off the lights in your own room before going to sleep.

Darkness is a sign that it’s time to sleep.

So covering your budgie’s cage can signal to them that they should fall asleep.

Just like humans, parakeets need to get rest in order to feel good and function properly.

Parakeets typically need at least eight hours of sleep in order to feel themselves, although the norm is about 10-12 hours of rest.

Negative health issues are associated with a lack of sleep and it can greatly impact your bird’s behavior and overall health.

As a pet owner, you can make sure to provide the best sleeping conditions for your bird.

It’s important to keep in mind that every parakeet is different.

While some buddies may love a covered cage at night, others may become anxious or afraid in the dark.

You can test the sleeping conditions for a few days to see how your parakeet reacts in order to make an informed decision.

If your bird displays cranky or abnormal behavior following sleeping with the cage uncovered, try covering the cage for the next few days and look for improvement.

 

What can I cover my bird’s cage with?

Can you cover your bird’s cage with a blanket?

The answer is, it depends.

Rather than using a thick, heavy wool blanket to cover their cage you should opt for a lightweight, single-layer blanket or covering.

Consider finding fabric similar to your bedsheets and ensure the material is breathable.

A cotton or cotton blend generally works just fine.

You can also opt for a darker colored cover to help block out stronger lights or shadows so your parakeet can sleep worry-free.

You should also find material that doesn’t easily shed so nothing falls into your bird’s cage.

It’s also recommended that you keep the cage away from the wall at night for better airflow.

Only cover three sides of the cage to help air circulate better.

 

Pros and cons of covering the cage

Pros

Covering your parakeet’s cage at night can help establish good sleeping patterns, and in turn improves their mood and health.

Your bird may be sensitive to light, so covering the cage can block out harsh lights and lead to better sleep.

Covering the cage can help regulate the temperature inside the cage.

Don’t expect the cover to increase the temperature and make it warmer in the cage, but covering the cage prevents drafts and maintains consistency.

In the wild, birds often find holes in trees or make cozy nests to sleep in.

Covering their cage can help to imitate their natural nesting areas and make them feel more comfortable and at ease.

Cons

Covering your parakeet’s cage can cause unnecessary distress.

Each budgie will react differently, so you should closely monitor your bird to ensure they feel comfortable and are not experiencing excessive anxiety.

Your budgie is already dusty, so covering up the cage and cutting off the circulation of fresh air traps the dust and dirt inside.

This has the potential to lead to health problems, so make sure you are regularly cleaning your pet’s cage.

It’s not uncommon for parakeets to start chewing through the covering, and depending on the material of your covering, this could be dangerous for your bird.

Your parakeet might become frightened when they can’t see their surroundings. Shadows moving across the covering might appear as menacing predators to your budgie.

If you don’t cover the cage properly, you might inadvertently cut off your bird’s air supply.

 

How to properly cover the cage

As mentioned above, choose a breathable fabric covering.

You can find specially-designed cage covers at pet stores and online that are made with your bird in mind.

Only cover three sides of the cage.

This ensures that you aren’t cutting off air circulation.

You can use clamps to secure the cover to the cage.

Clamp the material on both sides and the front of the cage, making sure that the back side is open.

You should position the back of the cage away from any light sources.

If you follow these easy steps you have no need to worry, your parakeet will be able to breathe just fine in her cozy cage.


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