It is not always possible to bring our parrots with us wherever we go. Sometimes we have no choice but to leave them home alone, whether it’s because of work, an emergency, or simply taking a vacation.
It’s usually fine to leave your parrot in its cage while you’re out for just a couple of hours. However, when leaving for an extended period of time, it is better to plan ahead to ensure your parrot’s needs are tended to.
In this article, I will go over how long you can safely leave your parrot alone and also provide a comprehensive checklist to ensure their well-being during your absence.
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How Long Can You Leave a Parrot Alone?
Parrot should not be left unattended for more than 24 hours. They need someone to provide them with fresh food and water as well as attend to their social needs.
Most parrots will manage being left alone for the 8-hour workday as long as their basic needs are being met, but it can often result in boredom and feelings of loneliness.
How To Leave Your Parrot Home Alone Safely
Leaving your parrots alone can be a huge deal because they’re dependent on us for a lot of things. However, it is not impossible to take a day off. Before going out, you need to consider the time period and carefully plan forward. Here are some tips on how to leave your parrot home alone:
Don’t Let Them Know
Now, this is not to say that you should sneak out behind your parrot’s back, but making it overtly obvious can stress them out.
Parrots have the same level of intelligence as a toddler and can be highly perceptive. They can understand that you’re leaving, even if they don’t know why or where you’re going.
Most people when leaving their parrot would say goodbye and walk out right in front of them. This can let the parrot know that it won’t be seeing its owners for a while. It can also instill feelings of abandonment because it thinks you did not want to take it with you.
This is not the same as when you leave for work, however. When you leave at a particular time every day, your parrot adjusts to that schedule and most certainly knows about your absence. It is okay as it knows when you’ll be back.
But in situations when you’re going to be gone for a longer amount of time, it is better not to make a big deal or draw attention to yourself. It would be better if you could just spend some time casually interacting with them before you leave.
That way your parrot will know that everything is okay and you’re probably going to be back very soon. It is an easy tactic that keeps your parrot calm and stress-free when you’re leaving them.
Don’t Leave Extra Supplies
This is a common mistake most parrot owners make when they leave their birds. It might seem logical to fill out their bowl with extra food and water for the time you would be gone, but it can actually do more harm than good.
If you leave extra supplies for your parrot, it may run out of food sooner. When parrots have extra food and water lying around, they can be more wasteful.
For example, it is quite common for parrots to spill their water and throw their food out, but in the absence of anyone looking over them, it can put them at risk of getting starved.
Another reason why putting out extra food for your parrot is a bad idea is that parrots usually do not eat food that’s not fresh. Leaving out extra food increases the chances of it going bad quickly and may even attract worms or other pests.
Ensure Comfortable Temperatures
Parrots do not do well with too hot or too cold temperatures. You should ensure the room temperature is suitable for your parrot. Heat pads can be great if you’re leaving them for the night. It can provide them with warmth and keep temperatures cozy.
Clean Their Cage Before Going
The last thing you wanna see when you come back is a poop-splattered cage. Parrots can get their cages dirty pretty quickly as they poop several times a day.
So to avoid seeing a big heap of dropping when you get back, you should leave your parrots with a cleaner cage. Make sure to clean the cage bars and remove any leftover food because that can cause bacterial growth if left for a long time and make your parrot sick.
Provide A Stimulating Environment
Having enough sources of entertainment will ensure that your parrot won’t miss you much and make that time alone fly by. There are plenty of ways you can help your parrot stay happy in your absence.
Whenever I’m going on a vacation, I like to rejig their cage a bit. This somehow gives them a newfound interest in their surroundings and toys. Here are some of the ways you can make their cage more interesting for them:
- Get additional toys
- Leave the TV on
- Rearrange the toys
- Change perch positions
- Add more foraging opportunities
Choose The Right Pet Sitter
Getting a pet sitter can make your life so much easier and stress-free when planning to go out. It would be better if the sitter is a family member or a close friend as the parrot is usually familiar with them.
However, you could also hire a professional pet-sitting service. I usually leave my parrot with my neighbors when I’m gone. They get along pretty well and I don’t have to worry about teaching someone about caring for my parrot because they also have a bird of their own.
Having a pet sitter becomes especially important when you’re away for more than a day. Leaving your parrot alone for an extended period can lead to several potential problems.
Parrots have the habit of spilling their water and food and if no one’s there to check after them, it can most likely lead to dehydration. They also require a dark environment to sleep at night and light during the day. A pet sitter can help maintain these essential routines and ensure that your parrot is safe while you’re away.
You can write down your parrot’s daily schedule including feeding times, out-of-cage sessions, and sleeping routine so that the pet sitter can take better care of it.
It is not 100% necessary, but you could also set up a security camera near your parrot’s cage. It can provide you peace of mind by keeping you informed on your parrot’s activities.
Consider Getting A Second Bird
Having another bird around can prevent them from feeling lonely. The two birds can keep each other company, and play together, and you wouldn’t have to worry about them getting bored. It can keep them mentally active, however, it’s important to make sure the birds are compatible and have enough space to share.
Train Your Parrot To Be Alone
This one may take some time but I highly recommend that you invest time in teaching your parrot how to engage with its surroundings. Not only will it keep it stimulated but also make it more independent. This can be especially important if you take frequent trips away from your parrot.
Boredom is one of the major issues in highly social birds. Parrots need to be mentally stimulated and they often get that by interacting with their owners.
If they are continually left for hours unattended, they may get bored and frustrated. Boredom is the root of many problems in parrots including stress and behavioural issues.
To help your parrot engage with its surroundings, you need to create a stimulating environment that resembles its natural habitat. Filling out their surroundings with a variety of toys, such as chewables, foraging boxes, and interactive toys can help them explore new ways of playing and staying entertained.
This taps into their natural instincts and encourages them to actively explore their surroundings while seeking out rewards. Slowly your parrot would start to rely less on social interactions and learn how to stay occupied on its own.
