do parakeets make good pets?

Question

my mom and my oldest brother have allergies to cats and dogs.. would a parakeet affect them at all? and do parakeets make good pets.. because all i have is fish.. and they are really boring so i am looking for a pet that doesnt need hight maintenance but is more responisbility than a fish!

Answer 1

Parakeets can make wonderful pets. They're very friendly and inquisitive, it's a lot of fun to watch them play as well. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

While they typically do not irritate people with cat/dog allergies (my brother was cat-allergic, so I brought home parakeets myself), they do molt. You'll need to be prepared for the flurry of feathers that regular molting can create. Also, they do poop quite a bit for small animals. You'll need to change the liner of their cage at LEAST weekly and give it good scrubdowns to keep it sanitary for your birds. Sometimes you'll need wing clipping or nail clipping (which you should NOT attempt yourself unless you're well practiced, it's best to go to a vet or good petstore for that) among other things.

They also get bored. When they get bored or listless, they can get depressed. Sometimes even sick. Be sure to buy colorful toys and pay attention to them! Parakeets can also be very, very chatty. Make sure everyone else-- including yourself-- is okay with having some shrieking and chirping around.

In effect, like any other pet, they really aren't low maintenance! You will need to do research. But if you give them the proper care, they're lovely companions to have :]

Answer 2

These are all pretty great answers, I agree with most all of them. A decent clean store will not purchase from anyone but an established breeder. And, as kramor22 said, there are too many already, and it is extremely hard to shift a bird to a new home, unlike a dog or cat who accepts new people easier. I too, do the home refuge, and these guys tend to bond to one person. There are two ways of thinking; one is to advertise, and ask around, but be selective, please, a kid will not give it the time and care it needs unless it has a parent very dedicated. It will just get given away again. Some say a free bird is not good, as the person they give it to has the mindset that they didnt spend anything anyway,so no biggee if they cant keep it either, thus starting a bad cycle for the poor little guy. But selling can be hard. Maybe offer in an ad to sell for $20, including the cage, food, toys, etc. that way there is SOME investment at least, then please be selective. They love interaction, and ask how many hours they can spend with it, ask about other animals in house.. dont place with a cat or dog if you can possibly help it. Generally birds are not good gifts, they need to bond to the person, but exceptions can be made. I have heard that there are organizations to put animals with homebound people, elderly, etc, and they might take it free, and it would get a person there all the time to love it. I know sometimes life dictates we cannot keep our critters no matter what we hope, but please, if its just that you are tired of it... dont get another pet for awhile. Take care.

Answer 3

As for allergies, I don't know anybody that's allergic to parakeets, but plenty of people allergic to cats and some to dogs.
A parakeet can make a great pet, but make sure you get a tame one. A lot of the ones they sell in pet stores are not friendly and they don't want to be handled and they bite painfully. Even if you have to pay more, get a friendly one. Look in the newspaper ads, maybe you can find a breeder. Breeders often sell you a tamer bird for a lower price than the pet store.
It's easier to handle a bird if the wings are clipped, and there's less chance of it escaping and getting lost. Parakeets can be very sociable and affectionate, plus some of them learn to say words. You can teach them little tricks. If you get just one and play with it a lot, it will be tamer; but if you don't spend that much time with it, you should get it a companion.

Answer 4

No parakeets won't affect them, they do make good pets, they are high maintenance though, if you really wanted something non effctive to your mom and brother, entertaining, and low maintenance but more than a fish I would suggest some kind of reptile, either anoles, which you can get a bunch of in one tank and are low cost, or a snake of some kind, probably a corn snake, safer snakes. here's an informative website on parakeets:

http://www.sunseed.com/artccatRQLNUNUQ.html

Answer 5

Yes, they are great pets! Personally, I think its a little insulting to call them pets: they're family! Mine is so nice and "tame," he rather be on me than anywhere else! Tame is in quotation marks because all I did to tame him was consistently pick him up and people are always telling me my little Sweetie is the nicest bird they have ever seen/met! Sweetie's his name, by the way. His name fits him perfectly and actually, he just woke up from sleeping on my shoulder for the past hour. Okay never mind, he's asleep again. Good luck on your decision!!

Answer 6

Parakeets and Cockatiels create alot of dust and can irritate some peoples allergies.

Answer 7

They are great pets I used to have two of them. You do need to clean the cage at least once a week. And they do make a bit of a mess around the cage but it can be vaccumed. They are a littel noisy though if tweeting doesn't bother you. They are great though I loved having them they are easy to take care of just make sure to let it out of its cage at times.

Answer 8

I have heard that if you train them well, they can make fun pets! BUT you have to put the time in, I have had a couple and I enjoyed them. BUT I did not have the time to invest in it either so it did become annoying and rather loud at times! I have heard taht you can even teach them to talk. So good luck! :)

Answer 9

No they are messy get stool and food all over the place

Answer 10

yes very good birds . They are a great begginer bird . i have 2