Best Cockatiel Toys: Ultimate Cockatiel Fun Guide

Types of Cockatiel Toys 🦜

Cockatiels love to play and explore, and providing them with a variety of toys is super important for their mental and physical well-being. Here are some popular types of toys for cockatiels:

Soft Chew Toys 

Chew toys are key for keeping your cockatiel's beak healthy and trim. They can be made from bird-safe materials like untreated wood, natural fibers, and veg-tan leather. Some popular options include:

• Softer Woods: Woods like balsa and thin-cut pine are soft enough for cockatiels to chew easily. They provide satisfaction and help maintain beak health.
  
  
• Plant-Based Products: Toys made from pesticide-free yucca, sola, vine, and other plant materials are great for chewing. These materials are safe, natural, and offer a different texture that birds love.
  
  
• Vegetable-Tanned Leather: Ensure the leather is vegetable-tanned and untreated, making it safe for birds. Leather chew toys can be durable and engaging for your cockatiel.

Puzzle and Trick Toys for Cockatiels 🧩

Puzzle and trick toys stimulate your bird's mind by challenging them to solve problems to get treats. They encourage mental activity and can help prevent boredom. Some exciting options include:

• Foraging Wheels: These require your bird to spin or manipulate parts to access hidden treats.
• Miniature Basketball Hoops: Teach your cockatiel to pick up small balls and drop them into the hoop.
• Color Rings: These toys involve stacking rings by color or size, which can be both fun and mentally stimulating for your bird.
• Tiny Trash Cans in Primary Colors: Birds can learn to pick up small objects and place them in the correct colored bin, enhancing their cognitive skills.

Cockatiel Foraging Toys 🌿

Foraging toys are super important for cockatiels since they are natural ground feeders. These toys mimic the foraging behavior they would do in the wild and keep them physically and mentally active. Here are some ideas:

• Foraging Boxes: Fill boxes with fun "chewables," paper, and small toys. Hide nutritious foods among these items so your bird has to dig and forage to find them.
  
  
• Shreddable Toys: Toys made from paper, cardboard, and natural fibers that birds can tear apart to find hidden treats.
  
  
• Hanging Foraging Toys: These can be hung in the cage and filled with treats, encouraging your bird to work for their food.

Natural Cockatiel Toys 🌳

Natural toys are a great option for cockatiels as they mimic the textures and materials birds would encounter in the wild. Here's what you should know about natural toys:

Cockatiel playing with Planet Pleasures Bird Toys

• Materials: Look for toys made from natural materials like sisal, cotton rope, coconut shells, and untreated wood. These materials are safe for birds to chew on and interact with.
  
  
• Benefits: Natural toys not only provide mental stimulation but also help satisfy your bird's instinctual behaviors, such as chewing and shredding.
  
  
• DIY Ideas: You can create simple natural toys at home using materials like untreated wooden blocks, natural fiber ropes, and bird-safe branches. Ensure that all materials are non-toxic and safe for birds.

Rotating Toys for Mental Stimulation 🔄

To keep your cockatiel engaged and prevent boredom, it's important to rotate their toys regularly. Here are some tips:

• Variety: Have a collection of different types of toys and swap them out every few days to keep things interesting for your bird.
  
  
• Observation: Pay attention to which toys your cockatiel enjoys the most and incorporate those into the rotation more frequently.
  
  
• Condition: Regularly inspect toys for wear and tear. Remove any damaged toys to prevent potential hazards.

DIY Foraging Toy Ideas for Cockatiels 🛠️

Creating DIY foraging toys can be a fun and cost-effective way to keep your cockatiel entertained. Here are a few ideas:

• Foraging Toys: Hide nutritious treats inside tiny kraft paper bags, small paper cups or cardboard tubes and let your cockatiel work to get the treats out.
  
  
• Shredding Toys: Use bird-safe paper or cardboard for shredding activities. You can hang strips of paper or cardboard in the cage for your bird to tear apart. These little birds love to nibble!
  
  
• Climbing Toys: Use untreated natural branches or bird-safe ropes to create climbing structures inside the cage.
  
  
  

Cockatiel Play Grounds 🏞️

Creating dedicated play areas for your cockatiel can enhance their environment and provide additional stimulation. Consider these options:

• Cockatiel-Sized Tabletop Bird Stands: These are perfect for giving your bird a safe space to perch and play outside of their cage. They often come with attached toys and perches.
  
  
• Bird Climbing Nets: Made from safe materials like abaca, hemp, and untreated sisal, these nets can be hung in or out of the cage, providing an exciting climbing and foraging area for your cockatiel.

Choosing Safe Toys for Cockatiels ✔️

Providing a variety of engaging toys will help keep your cockatiel happy, healthy, and mentally stimulated. Remember to always choose bird-safe materials and regularly inspect and rotate the toys to maintain your bird's interest and safety.

When selecting toys for your cockatiel, consider choosing American-made options. While it may be tempting to save money on cheap toys from places like Amazon or Temu, these products often come from sources that use unsafe materials and parts that can injure or even kill your pet. Prioritizing high-quality, safe toys will ensure your bird's safety and well-being.

Bird Toys You Should Avoid 🚫

It's important to know what to avoid to keep your cockatiel safe. Here are some things to stay away from:

• Avoid Cheap Chinese Toys: These often contain unsafe materials that can harm your bird.
• Staples: Small metal parts can be swallowed and cause serious injuries.
• Chemically Treated Woods and Ropes: These can be toxic to birds.
• Cotton Rope: It can fray and cause intestinal blockages if ingested.
• Happy Huts and Bird Sleep Tents: These can lead to nesting behavior and hormonal issues.
• Small Parts: Anything that can be broken off and swallowed poses a choking hazard.
• Metals: Avoid toys with unsafe metals that can be toxic to birds.
• Pet Safety Around Dogs and Cats: Always supervise interactions to prevent accidents.
• Prevent Fly-Offs: Ensure your bird is safe and secure during outdoor time.
• Supervised Flying: Keep an eye on your bird to avoid accidents with windows and ceiling fans.

Conclusion 🎉

Now that you know all about the best toys for cockatiels, it's time to get creative and have some fun! Your feathered friend will love the variety and excitement of new toys, and you'll love watching them explore and play. Remember, a happy cockatiel is a healthy cockatiel! 🦜❤️

Don't forget to share your toy ideas and cockatiel adventures with us! Tag us on social media and let's create a playful and enriching world for our beloved birds together. 🐦🎈

Related Posts:

How Long Should a Cockatiel Be Out Of It's Cage? 

Cage Setup Guide for New Cockatiel & Budgie Parents

Forage to Flourish: Revamping Your Cockatiel's Diet

References:

Zayas, M. (2023, March 24). Cockatiel care sheet. PetMD. Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/bird/cockatiel-care-sheet

Gorman, M. (2010). The cockatiel handbook (B.E.S. Pet Handbooks). Barron's Educational Series.

Link to this blog

Burroughs, D. (2024, July 21). Best cockatiel toys: Ultimate cockatiel fun guide. BirdSupplies.com. https://birdsupplies.com/blogs/news/best-cockatiel-toys-ultimate-cockatiel-fun-guide

Diane Burroughs, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist trained in ABA therapy techniques. She specializes in avian anxiety disorders and is certified in Nutrition For Mental Health. Diane has written a number of bird behavior books and she offers behavior consultations. She's developed a range of UnRuffledRx Science-backed Parrot Wellness Supplies.

Diane's products have been featured in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery and at Exoticscon, a conference for exotic pet veterinarians. Her bird collars & supplements are stocked in avian vet clinics and bird stores throughout the US. With over 30 years in the field of behavior, Diane has created thousands of successful individualized behavior plans that help pets thrive.

TAGS: #CockatielToys #CockatielFun

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