How to Teach a Child to Care for a Bird

When you get a child any kind of pet, you need to make sure he knows how to properly care for the animal. Pet birds require particular care from their owners, so you should teach your child how to care for his pet bird before you even buy it. Help the youngest members of your family learn to care for the family pet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Help your child to understand that a pet bird is a living, breathing creature--not a toy. Talk to your child about how to handle her pet. Tell her that just as she experiences pain when someone squeezes too tightly on her arm, the bird will hurt if a person squeezes it.

2. Show your child how to feed the bird. In addition to food pellets, your child should know to give the bird fresh fruits and vegetables. Tell your child that just like he needs to eat different things to grow up healthy, so does his pet.

3. Demonstrate to your child how to line the bottom of the bird's cage. Tell her that taking care of the bird means making sure it has a clean home. Your child should know to change the lining every day. She should completely clean the cage every week.

4. Fill the bird's water feeder and show your child how to do it. Taking care of a pet means making sure it has fresh water every day.

5. Let your child know how important it is to make sure the bird stays in the house. Impress upon him the fact that he needs to close all windows before taking the bird out for exercise.

6. Make your child aware of items dangerous for birds. You shouldn't have those in the house and your child should know not to bring them near the bird.