Is It Cruel To Keep A Parrot In A Cage?

Raising a parrot comes with a lot of responsibility, with many going back and forth with how much freedom a parrot should get. As odd as it might sound, you want to ensure your parrot is safe, and letting them roam can lead to them getting injured, sick, or worst. Thus, many parrot owners wonder how to find a nice balance between keeping a parrot safe and whatnot. With this in mind, is it cruel to keep a parrot in a cage?

To answer this question…no, it’s not cruel to keep a parrot in a cage as long as you treat them well and take them out of their cage frequently. They should be put in their cage when no one is home, it’s time to sleep, or if they’re acting up. Basically, make sure you don’t leave your parrot in their cage every day, and you should be fine.

We all know how challenging it can be to be strict with what your parrot does, especially when it comes to something like a cage. Now, some of you might be completely fine with leaving your parrot in a cage a lot since it keeps them safe, but remember, a parrot shouldn’t spend all of their time in a cage. After all, they’re from the jungle, a place where they roam free and do whatever they want.

What it comes to a subject like this, it’s vital to know what the benefits and negatives are, while also knowing when you should look to the cage as a solution. Keep in mind, every parrot needs a cage, but how long they’re in the cage depends on the day. Nevertheless, down below will take an in-depth look at this subject by discussing if it’s good to keep a parrot in a cage, how often you should let them out, and much more. Let’s get started!

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Is it reasonable to keep a parrot in a cage?

Some parrot owners might disagree with this notion entirely, and that’s fine. There are undoubtedly many cons to relying on the cage a lot for a parrot’s life, but every parrot needs a cage. It’s practically impossible to find a parrot owner who doesn’t have a cage for their parrot.

Basically, be mindful of your parrot and what they’re doing as some days may require the cage more than others. If one thing is for sure, most parrots tend to like chilling in their cage from time to time. Now, if they’re in a playful mood, they definitely don’t want to be locked in a cage.

However, if it’s time to sleep or they’re stressed out, the cage is a comfortable solution for them tor to relax in. Think of it as a bed in a sense. All of us don’t mind laying in our beds and prefer it on occasion, but that doesn’t mean we want to spend every waking moment in our beds.

How often should I let my parrot out of its cage?

Even if you know it’s good and safe to keep a parrot in a cage, you may wonder how often you should let your parrot of its cage. If that’s the case, realize it all depends on the day. Nighttime should always be where your parrot hangs in their cage, as it’s never a good idea for them to roam at night.

If your parrot is home alone, they should also be in their cage as it’s never a good idea to leave them alone without their cage. Lastly, if they’re sick, anxious, or being bothered by another parrot or pet, then it’s a good idea to have them relax in their cage. See how it works?

As a good rule of thumb, make sure your parrot isn’t stuck in their cage for long periods unless they’re sleeping. Take them out, play with them, and so on. If you can manage to comfortably play with your parrot, it should go a long way in their overall happiness.

Can caged parrots survive in the wild?

Asking if caged parrots can survive in the wild is the equivalent if all humans can survive in the wild. Obviously, some humans can’t, whereas others can. The same rules apply to parrots as it depends on their age, health, and experience at handling themselves in situations like the wild.

If they’ve been in the wild before, they can easily handle it without any issue, unless they have health issues. Parrots tend to not last long on their own when they’re old or have severe health issues. That’s part of the reason why the average of a parrot is so much shorter in the wild.

With the question of caged parrots, it’s easy to assume a caged parrot will have a more challenging time in the wild, but that doesn’t mean they can’t survive. Parrots have natural instincts, and you’d be surprised at how well they can adapt. Again, not all parrots can, but some can certainly accommodate.

Benefits of keeping parrots in cages

At this point, you more than likely want to know about the various benefits of keeping a parrot in a cage. For whatever reason, many people have a weird association of keeping any pet in a cage. Even though it’s such an obvious thing to do with parrots, people still have a hard time understanding.

In reality, people mean well when they feel that way, but they need to understand the benefits. As a result, we’re going to take a look at a few of the main benefits associated with keeping a parrot in their cage. Keep in mind, there are undoubtedly other benefits, but let’s take a look at these:

It keeps parrots safe

The notion that a cage keeps a parrot safe is undoubtedly true. Other pets can’t get to your parrot when they’re safe in their cage, while they themselves lower the chance of injuring themselves. Since parrots can be oblivious to potential injuries, it’s always good to know they’re safe.

It reduces stress

Right next to keeping their physical health safe is ensuring they’re fine mentally. Parrots can be extremely stressed out pets, primarily due to their surroundings and feeling overwhelmed. Since cages promote a sense of relaxation, it allows them to reduce stress and calm down.

It promotes companionship between other parrots

If you happen to have multiple parrots who get along great, cage life will hope to promote companionship between the two as they’re spending a lot of time together. Think of it as them being roommates, which can either go good or bad. Make sure you monitor which route it takes.

It builds a relationship quicker between you and the parrot

As you’re the one responsible for the health and longevity of your parrot, the cage helps build a relationship much quicker between you and your parrot. After all, you’re feeding and playing them, while putting them in the cage when it’s time to rest or relax. It’s a win-win for the two of you.

It can separate parrots easily

Going back to being the parent of multiple parrots, if there are issues between some of your parrots, you can easily separate them with cages. If the parrots are hanging out in cages away from one another, you don’t have to worry about them fighting or causing a big ordeal.

Negatives of keeping parrots in cages

Right next to the idea of benefits and their association with keeping a parrot in a cage are negatives. The negatives are the main reason why you shouldn’t keep your parrot in a cage all the time, as it needs to be a nice balance between being in and out of the cage. Let’s take a look:

Your parrot can get overly dependent on you

If your parrot spends all of their time in a cage, they’ll become overly dependent on you. Since they won’t have the ability to roam around, waste time, etc., it’s effortless for them to spend all of their time waiting for you. As great as it sounds, parrots do need alone time, and too much dependency can be bad.

Your parrot can develop bad social anxiety

Parrots who spend all of their life in cages have a challenging time interacting with other parrots. It’s similar to how homeschooled people typically aren’t as sociable as people who attend school. Thus, it’s never a good idea to keep your parrot locked away too much.

It makes your parrot feel isolated

Isolation is a massive issue with parrots, and it’s a lot more common than most people realize. Never leave your parrot alone too much, or they can be hopeless, bored, and much worst. Do what you can to ensure your parrot is happy and healthy, otherwise it can be bad for them.

Your parrot can get bored easily

Although it’s true that parrots don’t get as bored as humans, they still get bored. If your parrot sits in a cage all day waiting for food and nothing else, that can take a massive hit on their happiness. Take your parrot outside with a leash, play with them, and whatever else you can to ensure they’re doing okay.