APPROPRIATE USE OF SAND PERCHES

In order to ensure that your winged friend enjoys optimal health, it’s crucial to provide them with all the requisite furniture so they can remain healthy. The right perch is one of these conveniences as it helps prevent blisters and sores.

Sand perches can be harmful to your pet, negating the entire point of obtaining a perch in the first place. Sand perches are generally considered a no-no for birds because the tough, scratchy surfaces of these little pews can cause serious harm to your bird’s feet.

Birds spend most of their time standing, and perches, no matter its texture, give birds something to remain perched on, bite on when they are hungry, and something to scratch their beaks on. Perches are also a reliable stance from where they can monitor their entire area and a safe relaxation port.

Sand perches, on the other hand, are often perceived to cause more harm than good. It can cause painful scraped abrasions to the underside of the pet’s feet, giving room for bacteria and muck to blight it. Sand perches can also be a cause of great anxiety and discomfort to the bird.

This doesn’t mean sand perches cannot be used entirely.

Using sand perches the right way

The appropriate use of sand, sand sprayed, or concrete perches starts by appreciating how birds respond to them compared to wooden or rope perches.

• Conures and ekkie parrots like to have their perch located in front of their water bowl so that they can wear their toenails and wipe their beaks after having a drink.
• As an optional appendage, sand perches are best located high up the cage where it can go to have its pedicure. Birds always like to roost as high as possible, so you can get sandy perches that are not gritty at the top. Connoisseurs of sandy perches claim it’s easier than having to wrap the bird in a towel every few weeks, trimming their nails.
• Use sand perches as an additional perch in the cage. Ensure you have at least 5 to 10 perches to enable the bird to enjoy a more naturalistic abode. It’s best to use sand perches with clean, natural, non-dowel wooden perches, and rope perches. Some bird parents prefer sand perches as the lowest perch in the cage setup.
• Look for sand perches with dimples to protect birdy’s footpads. They should also have a sparkling glitter that is both attractive and stimulating.
• Ensure that the sand perches are lightweight and durable as they maintain the right temperature for comfortable settling.
• As with everything else, it is important to monitor your bird’s wellness to see if the sand perch is causing uneasiness in your bird. Sand perches may get a bad rap from bird parents, but it all depends on how well you are looking after your pet.

At King’s Cages, we pride ourselves on being the foremost authority on bird wellness concerns. Need a sand perch? Head over to www.kingscages.com to place an order.