Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Other animals

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The best bird cage accessories to keep your pet entertained

PawTracks Contributor
By

Birds make wonderful companions and loyal friends. To bond and socialize your bird, offer it cage accessories that ease stress and make its space fun. Birds respond well to toys, and this helps it create a connection with its owners.

Enrich your bird’s life by offering it activities to make sure it’s well adjusted. Screaming, biting, or feather damaging is a sign that your bird needs some variety and stimulation in their life. The bird accessories on our list can give your bird the stimulation it needs to release anxiety and feel relaxed. Let’s take a look at our top picks.

Naturals Rope Ladder Bird Toy by Prevue Hendryx

Best Bird Ladder

The Naturals Rope Ladder Bird Toy by Prevue Hendryx features raw textures and sustainable materials. It features hevea wood branches and natural sisal rope to create a comfortable habitat for your bird. Connect this ladder to your cage to encourage foot exercise and hours of entertainment.

Related

BWOGUE 5pcs Bird Parrot Toys

Best All-in-one Set

With five different toys, the BWOGUE Bird Parrot Toys offer your bird endless hours of entertainment. From chewing to swinging, your parrot will enjoy these pet-safe toys that are bright and colorful. Made with high-quality materials, this all-in-one solution delivers superior durability and fits most cages. It’s designed to suit small parakeets, cockatiels, macaws, parrots, love birds, and more.

Naturals Coco Hideaway With Ladder Bird Toy by Prevue Hendryx

Best Hideaway

Give your birdie a place to hide with the Naturals Coco Hideaway With Ladder Bird Toy by Prevue Hendryx. Handmade from 100% natural materials, this rugged toy offers your bird a cozy nook plus the stimulation of play. It encourages foot and beak exercise in small to medium-size birds with a rustic look that creates a beautiful habitat for your pet.

Healthy birds need exercise and mental stimulation. With the bird cage accessories on our list, you can create a fun environment for your bird to thrive. These pet-safe products are what your bird needs to feel relaxed and content at home with you.

Topics
5 best reptile heating pads to keep your little friend warm
Lizard suns on a rock under a heat source

Lizards, snakes, turtles, and tortoises are all reptiles, which means they have a few specific needs you'll want to think about before bringing them home. Most importantly, most reptiles are cold-blooded, meaning they can't make their own body heat and instead need to absorb heat from the environment around them. As you might guess, this means they like warm, sunny places to bask in order to keep their temperature (and therefore their energy level) up. When you bring home a reptile, it's important to make sure you have a heating pad or your animal will quickly get too cold and might even slip into hibernation. Not sure where to start? Here are some of the best reptile heating pads. 

Tikaton Reptile Heat Pad - Temperature Adjustable Under Tank Heater
A versatile heating pad, this one can go under the tank or stick to the side to diffuse heat. It's important to note, though, that placing any heating pad on top of furniture could cause permanent damage as they're really only made to go on glass or another temperature-resistant material. There are also two different sizes you can choose from depending on your housing and setup. We do recommend putting the heater on one side rather than the front or back, which allows a more secluded basking area that warms a section of the tank rather than the whole thing. A user loves the fact that it can be adjusted to different temperatures, remarking, "Works great! Nice heat control. Purchased this to use with our leopard gecko, works great for a 10 gallon tank. Highly recommend!!!"
FREESEA Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Heater (50W/75W/100W) with LED Temperature Display
We know it's for fish, but hear us out. This one works great for any marine reptiles that really need a heater that can be immersed in the water to heat it a little better. While you absolutely want warmer and cooler areas, you do need a baseline water temperature that won't get too low and cause your aquatic turtle to go into a stupor. Unlike other heating pads that don't do well in water, this one has to be submerged. It runs very efficiently, shutting off when the water reaches the desired temperature and turning back on when it drops, just like the thermostat in your house. Commenters mention that even though it's really designed for fish, it's still "Turtle approved," and one fan even remarks, "My hatchlings love to float over top of it, and they even sleep on it sometimes!"
KABASI Reptile Heating Pad, 14W / 20W Waterproof Reptile Heat Pad Under Tank Terrarium with Temperature Control
This highly energy-efficient and energy-saving heating pad "Works perfectly," according to one reviewer. It goes underneath the tank but does a good job of warming the substrate and delivering heat into the housing. While the pad cannot go in the water itself for long periods of time, you can feel free to clean it with a damp rag since it's mostly waterproof. Your beardie, leopard gecko, or tortoise will thank you for keeping them safe and toasty. Remember to include a thermometer and hygrometer so you don't overheat or under-moisten your habitat.
The best reptile heating pad with thermostat: iPower Reptile Heat Pad 4W/8W/16W/24W Under Tank Terrarium Warmer
The ultimate in a thermometer and heating pad mix, this one's temperature is controlled so you can choose your setting and monitor your tank as needed. It displays the temperature as either Fahrenheit or Celsius and has a range between 40 and 108 degrees, which means you can warm to just about any level that you need for your animal (and make sure that it stays there). You'll also have better insulation across the mat so it works well if you need something a bit more uniform or want to heat a larger area. A happy corn snake owner highly recommends this heating pad and says, "The heat pad hasn’t fallen off & provides good heat throughout the night."
Repticare Rock HeaterMini
More than just a heating pad, this "Awesome Secondary Heat Source," as one happy reviewer puts it, will look good and add a little warmth to your tank. Keep in mind, unlike many pads, it doesn't have any form of temperature control and some users mention that they cover it just to make sure it doesn't wind up burning their pets. One extra bonus is that you can add it as part of the decor and it won't burn your furniture or block your view of your animal as some others will. Even birds and mammals like this, and it's great for bearded dragons or box turtles too (although it is not a good fit for marine reptiles).

Read more
The best low-maintenance fish to keep you company in your office
red and white betta in aquarium

Are you looking for a conversation piece for your office? Consider buying a fish. They are low-maintenance office pets. They’re relaxing to watch and invite more conversation than a houseplant. 

If you work in a cubicle or only have a small amount of space to devote to a fish, consider one of these varieties. As long as you feed them regularly and keep their tank clean, they’ll provide hours of enjoyment for you and anyone who visits your office during the workday.

Read more
6 ways to tell that your bird really loves you
Woman kisses her parakeet sitting on her shoulder

Our birds love us – we're pretty sure. Just look at their chatty and affectionate personalities to confirm how happy they are to see you. Luckily, our little fliers, unlike almost every other pet, can sometimes communicate with us more directly. Therefore, we can certainly teach them to literally say "I love you." But while extremely charming and adorable, it doesn't really mean they understand. Instead, you should look to the more subtle signs that your bird loves you. Here's a few to keep an eye out for to confirm your pet truly worships you.

They talk to you
While we can't put a lot of stock into what birds say, we can certainly take that loquaciousness as a a symbol of affection. Birds love to interact because they are highly intelligent and extremely social creatures. By talking to us, they're really indicating that we've been welcomed into their flock. Encourage this behavior! It's good mental stimulation to keep up your end of the conversation, maybe even for both of you. 
They enjoy playing
Lots of playtime keeps a bird fit and engaged. When your animal loves to chew, swing, and fly, it means she's in a good mood. A bird who ignores toys and chooses to isolate may be sick or depressed. Make sure all the creatures in your care get plenty of exercise and watch them take full advantage of the workout equipment you provide. Games should endear you to them as well. You can work with them on some training, which will maintain your bond and give them an outlet for their energy. 
They like riding on you
One of the great things about owning a bird is taking her around with you while you go about your daily life. Avians enjoy showering and wandering about the house, even working with you in your office. If your companion specifically seeks you out to go for a shoulder ride, that gives you a pretty good idea that she enjoys your company. Don't forget to return the favor and take her to fun and exciting places in the house.
They want to be petted
Keep in mind that most animals only like being stroked in certain ways and you want to carefully stick with those areas on your bird as well. Pet her beak, chest, and head for maximum results (avoid the back and tail). If you gently touch her consistently, she'll grow to love your attention and give it in return. Look for her to rub her head against your hand – it definitely means she wants even more attention.

Read more