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Keeping a parakeet warm during winter

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Keeping a parakeet warm during winter is easy with the help of a few choice products

Keeping a parakeet warm during winter was not something I ever considered until...

I was sitting here in my chilly living room (I like it that way...) when I looked over and saw my parakeet, Tweetie, all fluffed up; I mean he (or she) is all feathers and looks about to explode! I started to wonder if he was cold or if I was giving him too much millet. The thermostat reads 63F in here at the moment, the wood stove is off so, my first guess - the little fella is cold - must be it. I hadn't ever considered the effect my sub-zero temperatures would have on him. After all, my dogs and cat wear fur coats.

So, I started out to find ways to keep a parakeet warm during winter. Short of relocating to Florida (oh, wouldn't I love that?!), the below items were some of the more interesting I found.

Thermal perches

One of the best ways to keep a parakeet warm during winter is to install a thermal perch in the parakeet cage. The perches have different levels of heating depending on where the bird stands so he or she can regulate their own body temperature. I'm off to buy one for freezing Tweetie now.

Note: heated perches come in all sizes so there's the right size for any size bird.
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Heated mats

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty...only kidding

Warming bed mats which are generally used under a dog or cat's bed will work fine under your parakeets cage and are a great way to keep a parakeet warm in winter. Just make sure to turn it on l-o-w; no need to roast the fella.

Heated pet mats on Amazon.com

The below are some of the best heated pet mats on the market. They're very safe when used cautiously.
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Aside from having a bird, Tweetie, I have a bunch of dogs

Come read some of my other pet lenses and meet my gang.
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Killian, my Australian Shepherd, is 90% fabulous dog and 10% idiot. Come read about how I keep him happy.
Introducing Golden Marguerita - my rescue dog from St. Croix
If there was ever a beach babe dog, Rita is it. Come read her story.
Introducing Gizmo - born to ride!
Decked out in her finest pink doggle goggles, Gizmo happily takes a seat in my convertible - her OWN seat.
The evolution of dog names
If you have a pet, I'll bet you call him or her by about a thousand names
Hops - my 3-legged wonder
Hops came to me already having lost a battle with a car and lost a front leg in the experience. He's about 14 years old now and still hopping along.
Gifts for dog lovers
Some of my favorite gifts for a dog lover like me!
Got Squirrels?
No, I don't have a squirrel for a pet but I do enjoy their antics - unless they're robbing every birdfeeder. Here's some good squirrel-proof birdfeeders.

Wrap your parakeet's cage with a thick down throw

The warmth of the day will be preserved if you put a down throw around your parakeet's cage. You can probably use synthetic down but I'd probably go with real down. There's something ironic about a bird being wrapped in a down throw, eh?

Make sure that you take the measurements of your bird's cage when ordering. If in doubt, get a bigger down throw to toss over your parakeet's cage.
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WARNING!!!!!

Teflon and birds

Never, ever use a heater containing teflon. If heated to a very high temperature, the fumes emitted from a teflon pan can, indeed, kill a parakeet. Now, this doesn't mean that your bird is going to keel over if you make an omelet though.

Here's an article you might be interested in on the subject: Teflon and birds.

Safe infrared heating sources for parakeets

Here's the correct way to keep a parakeet warm during winter if you choose to have a heater. These are all parakeet-friendly.
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My Lenses

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I am the keeper of all animals...

...almost

Besides caring for 95 year old Mom, Gertie (who currently has a broken hip...ouch), I'm kept busy caring for 6 dogs, 1 confused cat and 1 even more confused parakeet. I spend a fair amount of time keeping all healthy and happy but, in my spare time, I write here at Squidoo.

Keeping a parakeet warm during winter" is my 96th Squidoo lens I've built from scratch.
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Got bird?

Do you have a bird or any animal that you keep warm during the winter. I'd love to hear any other tips you may have regarding the healthy and happiness of your animals.

  • vallain Jan 22, 2012 @ 7:02 pm | delete
    No birds here, but I'd love a big parrot, maybe one from Australia, to keep in our big screen room attached to our Florida home. I have lots of tropical plants out there for the parrot to enjoy.

    Smuggle your birdie onto an airplane and come for a visit.
  • SheWritesaLot Dec 2, 2011 @ 11:05 am | delete
    Awwwww....poor Tweetie! 63 degrees? His poor little toes must have been frozen. Good thing you noticed. I love having pet birds. I had a bright yellow canary who sang all day long. So peaceful! And congrats on 99! What topic are you going to use for number 100?
  • OhMe Nov 29, 2011 @ 10:05 am | delete
    We have a Cockatiel who lives on a glassed in porch. I have a small heater out there so she stays pretty warm, I think. I did not know about the Teflon so appreciate the heads up.
  • Frischy Nov 28, 2011 @ 4:31 pm | delete
    Thank you for this information. I have been keeping my heat higher than I like due to my freezing cold parakeet. He actually seems to shiver when he is cold. I am going to get a heated perch. It is the perfect solution and will pay for itself when I turn the heat down! Thanks!
  • Jack-in-the-Box Nov 28, 2011 @ 3:11 pm | delete
    I don't have a bird, but I had no idea they got cold or how I would help them warm up. Great lens. I learned something here that may someday be useful. LOL
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gottaloveit

I used to spend most of my days caring for my adorable 95 year old Mom, Gertie; she died peacefully in my arms Feb 15, 2012.

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