FAQ: Toys for birds

Many birds, especially cautious or nervous ones, react poorly to sudden big changes in the cage. Change toys one or two at a time, leaving familiar items in place.

Check toys daily and wipe off dirt, then wash them thoroughly along with the cage, usually once a week. Toys that had fresh food on them need washing the same day.

Scrub wooden toys with a brush in hot water, with a bird-safe cleaner if needed, and rinse well. They must dry completely before going back into the cage so they do not go mouldy.

Many acrylic and stainless steel toys can be washed in hot water or a dishwasher, but check the manufacturer’s instructions. Rinse off any detergent residue well before returning them to the cage.

Rope toys can be washed in hot water or laundered without fragranced products, rinsed well and dried completely. If the rope is frayed or the dirt will not wash out, it is better to replace the toy.

Clean toys mechanically first, then, if the material allows, use a bird-safe disinfectant according to the label and rinse thoroughly. Paper, cardboard and other single-use toys are not worth disinfecting; simply replace them.

Throw away a mouldy wooden, rope or natural-material toy, because mould can harm a bird’s airways. In future, dry toys well after washing and do not hang them next to the water dish or bath.

Throw a toy away when it is badly chewed, its parts have come loose, metal is exposed, the rope is frayed, sharp edges have appeared or it will not come clean. A damaged toy can become dangerous even if the bird still loves it.

Diluted vinegar works for cleaning dirt and limescale off hard toys. Afterwards rinse the toy well with clean water and dry it, and soak wooden and rope toys only briefly so they do not swell.

Strong household cleaners, undiluted bleach and aerosols can leave harmful residues and fumes. Use hot water and bird-safe products according to the label, and always rinse thoroughly.

Acrylic and metal toys only need wiping dry, while wooden and rope toys must dry until completely dry, sometimes for a whole day. It is handy to have a spare set of toys to hang while the others dry.

First place the new toy next to the cage so the bird can see it from a safe distance, then move it into the cage away from the favourite perch. You can also play with it yourself in front of the bird to show that it is harmless.

Introduce the toy gradually: leave it in view outside the cage for a few days, then put it in a corner of the cage, and finally hang it closer. A treat attached to the new toy helps some birds.

A bird may not play because it does not know how, is afraid of new objects, the toy is the wrong size or material, or it dislikes where the toy is placed. If a bird that used to play suddenly stops and becomes lethargic, it may be a sign of illness, so contact a vet.

Play with the toy yourself in front of the bird, show interest and praise the bird when it touches the toy. Start with simple, soft, easily shredded toys that can have a treat tucked into them.

Birds that lived a long time without toys or in a small cage often do not know what to do with toys and are afraid of them. They need more time, patience and very simple toys, and sometimes simply more interaction first.

Some birds react warily to bright or unusual colours, especially ones they have not seen before. For such a bird, natural wood or familiar-coloured toys are a better start.

Biting and hitting a toy is often normal play, especially with bells or balls. If the bird seems tense or angry and it keeps happening with a mirror or a particular toy, it is worth removing that toy.

Many parrots are social birds and feel safer exploring when their person is close. Over time you can encourage independent play by gradually extending the time the bird plays alone with a foraging toy.

Throwing things is a game for many parrots and sometimes a way to get attention. It is normal, but if the bird only throws one particular toy, it may dislike it or the toy may be in the wrong place.