How much time should I spend with my budgie?

Keeping budgies as pets is an interesting journey. It teaches you how to be patient, loving, and utterly caring. But truth be told, it takes a lot of work as well. As such, it’s normal to wonder whether it truly is worth it, especially if you’ve had a budgie for 10 years or more.

Well, wonder no more – that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today. In this post, we will discuss all the factors that make keeping a budgie worth it or not. We are going to answer all the popular questions related to this matter and promise to leave you thoroughly informed.

Can a budgie love you?

Yes, a budgie can love you. Over time, they can recognize your face and voice even after periods of separation and get attached to them. So when they see you coming or hear your voice, they can show affection by flying towards you, following you around, cuddling with you, or even singing with you.

The more you oblige to your budgie’s affectionate acts and spend time with them, the more they love and get attached to you. So when you leave them for long periods, they usually miss you and get stressed out. If you regularly leave them alone, they can even get depressed.

Is spending time cleaning your budgie’s cage hard work?

Truth be told, regularly cleaning your budgie’s cage can be hard work, especially if you have more than one bird. First of all, you have to change the cage’s liners and wash their bowls daily. Secondly, you have to wash the cage and all the toys at least once a week and remember to disinfect them as well.

Finally, you’ll have to regularly clean the room that the cage is located in. When this kind of cleaning is combined with regular bathing, feeding, and playing with your budgie, it can feel like a lot of work. Ultimately, whether or not it’s too much work depends on how tight your schedule is and how much you enjoy cleaning.

How much does it cost to take care of a budgie?

While you can buy a budgie for as low as $10, taking care of one isn’t that cheap. Keeping budgies as pets may be or may not be expensive but it is worth it 🙂

In fact, here is a rundown of the things you’ll need to spend on and what they’ll cost you:

A cage

An average cage will cost you anywhere between $50 and $200 depending on its size and quality of construction.

Toys and accessories

Apart from a cage, your budgie will need toys, bowls, and perches. This can cost you anywhere between $30 to $75 depending on which type of products you choose. Going forward, you should also budget around $5 per month for occasionally replacing broken toys and accessories.

Food

To ensure your budgie stays healthy and strong, you’ll need to feed them a balanced diet. This means that you’ll have to invest in buying pellets, vegetables, fruits, and seeds. This will usually cost you $10 to $20 per month.

Medical fees

Once you get a budgie, you’ll need to take them to the vet at least once a year. On average, a single visit will cost you $35 to $50. This usually covers only a checkup though – anything extra will require you to pay more money.

Fortunately, healthy budgies don’t need a lot of medical procedures -they don’t need any vaccinations, microchipping, or neutering. Unless there’s an emergency, you won’t have to spend more than $50 a year on your budgie’s medical bills.

All things considered, taking care of a budgie will usually cost you $125 to $345 per month. So if these figures are way out of your budget, keeping a budgie won’t be worth it for you -it’ll just make you broke!

How to deal with the death of your budgie?

When your budgie dies, it is usually devastating, especially if you two spent a lot of time together. It is normal to feel sad, confused, and lonely. But there’s one thing you need to keep in mind during this trying time – things will get better. Keeping budgies as pets is not so simple, they become family.

So to help you out, here are a few tips to help you out with your grief:

Have a funeral

It may seem silly, but having a funeral for your budgie can help you find peace, especially if you have kids that love the bird as well. You could even invite some friends and sing a song or recite a poem.

Create a memorial website

In this digital age, it has become commonplace for people to create memorial sites for their deceased loved ones. It’s therefore not surprising if you want to do the same for your bird. All you have to do is gather some of their greatest photos/videos and upload them to the site – some websites can even offer you a free page to do this.

After everything is set up, you can share a link to the page with your friends and family. This way, they too can remember your precious bird.

Get rid of items that remind you of your budgie

During the period right after your budgie’s death, it can be difficult to be around their stuff. That’s why it’s a good idea to remove these things from where they usually are and store them out of sight, even if just temporarily. When you’re finally feeling better, you can then decide what to do with them permanently.

Consider going for counseling

If you feel like you need to talk to someone about the death of your budgie, consider going for pet loss counseling – some veterinary schools offer this service. But if this isn’t available in your locale, consider joining a bird club. This will provide you with a safe space where you can talk about your situation with fellow bird owners, some of whom have experienced the loss you’re experiencing.

Keeping budgies as pets – It’s worth it for me

While budgies aren’t for everyone, they are for me. I am thankful to spend my days with my budgies – they soothe me and provide me with a more natural way of life. What’s more? I love how small and gentle they are. Honestly, I can’t imagine how my life would be without them!

how much time should I spend with my budgie?

The amount of time you should spend with your budgie depends on various factors, including its personality and preferences. As a general guideline, aim for at least 15-30 minutes of direct interaction daily. This time can be spent talking to your budgie, offering treats, or engaging in gentle play. Budgies are social birds and thrive on companionship, so the more time you can devote to bonding activities, the happier and healthier your feathered friend is likely to be. Additionally, ensure your budgie has a stimulating environment with toys and activities to enjoy when you’re not around. Regular, positive interactions contribute to a strong bond and a contented pet bird.