Whether or not to put bedding in a bird cage is a common question for bird owners. There are pros and cons to using bedding that need to be considered when deciding what is best for your feathered friend.
What is bird cage bedding?
Bird cage bedding refers to the material placed at the bottom of the cage to line it. Typical bedding options include:
- Newspaper
- Paper towels
- Corn cob bedding
- Wood shavings
- Pine or cedar shavings
- Pelleted paper
- Recycled paper bedding
- Sand
- Cat litter
The bedding provides a surface for the bird’s droppings to fall on and makes cleaning the cage easier. It also gives the bird something to walk on instead of the hard bottom of the cage.
Pros of using bird cage bedding
Here are some of the benefits of using bedding in a bird cage:
- Absorbs moisture and odors – Bedding soaks up bird droppings, spilled water, and food. This helps keep the cage dry and controls odors.
- Prevents sores – A soft bedding can prevent foot sores from developing on birds that spend a lot of time standing or perching.
- Offers traction – Materials like shredded paper give birds something secure to grip when walking around the cage.
- Provides comfort – Bedding makes the surface of the cage more comfortable for birds to stand and lay on.
- Encourages natural behaviors – Foraging birds enjoy digging through and shuffling bedding materials like shredded paper.
- Warms feet – Bedding insulates against the cold metal floor of the cage in colder temperatures.
- Easy to clean – Soiled bedding can be easily scooped out or dumped out for cleaning.
- Low cost – Many bedding options like newspaper are inexpensive.
Overall, cage liners make the environment more comfortable for pet birds and simplify cleaning for owners. Birds are able to display natural behaviors and bedding protects their feet.
Cons of using bird cage bedding
There are also some downsides to consider when deciding whether or not to use bedding:
- Messy – Bedding can be flung out of the cage onto the floor by active birds.
- Requires more frequent changing – Heavily soiled bedding may need replacement every 1-3 days.
- Can cause impaction – Birds may accidentally eat bedding like cat litter or sand, causing digestive blockages.
- Breeds bacteria – Damp bedding promotes bacterial and fungal growth.
- Allergies or sensitivities – Certain birds may be irritated by dust from bedding.
- Poisoning risks – Cedar and pine shavings release fumes that can poison birds.
- Ingestion hazard – Stringy bedding can cause obstructions if swallowed by birds.
- Costly for large cages – Having to frequently replenish bedding for big cages adds up.
The main drawbacks are that bedding requires more maintenance to keep clean and carries some health risks depending on the material. It also adds an ongoing cost for purchasing supplies.
Best bedding options for bird cages
If you do opt to use bedding in your bird’s cage, these tend to be the safest, most practical choices:
- Newspaper – Ink is non-toxic once dry. Go for black and white rather than colored pages.
- Paper towels – Soft, absorbent and disposable. Opt for unscented.
- Pelleted paper – Absorbs well and is easy to scoop. Avoid overly dusty pellets.
- Recycled paper bedding – Economical and compostable. Ensure no loose strings.
- Corn cob – Naturally absorbent and low dust. Spot clean daily.
Avoid options like cat litter, sand, pine and cedar shavings which can cause major health problems if ingested by birds. Never use fabric, strings, or loose fibers either.
Should you use bedding for different types of birds?
Certain species of birds may benefit more from bedding than others:
Good for bedding
- Finches – These small songbirds enjoy burrowing in loose substrate.
- Doves – Bedding helps prevent irritated skin on their feet and keels.
- Quail – Allows them to dig and exhibit natural behaviors.
- Chickens – Absorbs messes from these messy birds.
- Ducks – Helps them grip the floor and stay clean.
Bad for bedding
- Parrots – Tend to ingest bedding and make a mess of it.
- Budgies – Can pick up diseases from damp bedding.
- Lovebirds – Prefer direct cage bottom access for bonding.
Carefully consider your bird’s needs. Messy or inquisitive species may cause more harm than good with bedding.
Spot cleaning vs full cleaning
Here are some tips for maintaining cleanliness both through spot cleaning and full cage cleaning when using bedding:
Spot cleaning tips
- Remove droppings and wet spots daily.
- Use a litter scoop to keep bedding neat.
- Replace bedding beneath food and water dishes as needed.
- Discard old food bits, feathers, and spilled food.
- Add new bedding to maintain proper depth.
- Watch for signs of irritation indicating possible allergy.
Full cleaning tips
- Wash the cage bottom with soap and water weekly.
- Disinfect with bird-safe products when washing.
- Completely change out soiled bedding weekly or biweekly.
- Monitor birds after cleaning for signs of stress.
- Discard old bedding promptly to prevent spreading germs.
Staying on top of minor messes prevents full cage cleanings from becoming overwhelming chores. But regular deep cleanings are still essential.
How much bedding should you use?
Aim for these rough bedding depth guidelines:
- Finches and other small birds – 1-2 inches
- Medium birds like cockatiels – 2-3 inches
- Large birds like macaws – 3-4 inches
Spread bedding evenly across the cage floor. Provide extra depth where your bird tends to poop frequently. Top off when bedding gets low.
For a visual on ideal bedding amounts, see the table below:
Bird Size | Bedding Depth |
---|---|
Small (finches, canaries) | 1-2 inches |
Medium (cockatiels, conures) | 2-3 inches |
Large (macaws, cockatoos) | 3-4 inches |
Bedding that is either too shallow or too deep can cause issues. Maintain the recommended amounts for healthiest environment.
Alternative cage liners
If traditional bedding is problematic, here are some alternative cage liners to try:
- Newspaper – Line the bottom with sheets of newspaper rather than loose shreds.
- Paper towel – Cover the cage floor with layers of paper towel.
- Reusable cage mats – Set washable fabric cage mats on the bottom.
- Disposable cage liners – Use disposable, absorbent liner pads.
- Shelf liner – Cut sheets of non-adhesive shelf liner to size.
- Quarry tiles – Arrange textured rubber tiles on the bottom.
These options provide a protective layer without some of the drawbacks of loose bedding material. However, they require more frequent replacement.
Conclusion
The decision about whether or not to use bedding in a bird’s cage comes down to the owner’s specific situation. There are pros and cons to weigh regarding convenience, cost, health risks, and cage maintenance. Small active birds that enjoy burrowing tend to benefit most from loose bedding. Messy, inquisitive species that tend to ingest substrates may do better with alternative liners. Whatever route you choose, be sure to follow proper cage cleaning procedures to keep your bird’s habitat fresh and sanitary.