Bird Cage Heating Solutions You Should Consider

In addition to dogs and cats being the most popular pets, birds are fairly common as well among households. They are not only interesting but also easy to look after. However, some bird species come from a region that is hot and humid and do not have the ability to withstand cold weather. So, if you have a pet bird that needs to be kept warm, you need a heater for pet cage. Here are some solutions you need to consider.

1. Ceramic Heaters

One of the best ways to keep your birdcage warm is by using ceramic heaters. The best thing about ceramic heaters is that they are totally safe and will do a great job keeping your pet bird warm, especially if it is sensitive to cold temperatures.

Ceramic heaters as compared to other types of bird cage heaters tend to be relatively large. They are designed to provide warmth to the entire room. Therefore, if you have a special room dedicated to your bird, a ceramic heater will be a great addition.

Furthermore, if the dedicated room for your pet bird is pretty large, make sure that you opt for a heater that comes with a fan so that the heat is distributed both evenly and effectively. On the other hand, you should keep in mind that ceramic heaters consume a sufficient amount of electricity.

So, unless you are willing to pay the price, you should be smart with its use.

2. Oil-Filled Heaters

Oil-filled heaters are yet another impressive option for pet owners who need a heater for pet cage. Perhaps the best thing about oil-filled heaters is that they are safe to touch unlike ceramic heaters since they do not produce heat. Oil-filled heaters use radiation to heat up a space.

That said, you wouldn’t have to worry even if the heater is placed too close to the bird cage. However, if you place a ceramic heater too close to the bird cage and if the bird happens to come in contact with the heater, it can even result in death in serious cases.

Moreover, oil-filled heaters are specifically designed to evenly distribute heat from all sides. As a result, you won’t have any areas that are either too warm or not warm enough at the same time.

Another noteworthy feature of oil-filled heaters is that they are comparatively more cost-efficient as compared to ceramic heaters. While running, these heaters hardly produce any sound. And since humidity is an important factor for many bird species, these heaters help keep a perfect humidity balance than the other types.

3. Infrared Heaters

Infrared heaters just like oil-filled heaters neither produce any noise nor emit UV light that would otherwise keep your pet bird awake all night. The reason is that birds are programmed to wake up as they sense UV light from the sun. Therefore, infrared heaters are a great option if you wish to keep your pet bird warm and prevent them from staying up all night.

However, unlike the other heater types, infrared heaters are not used to heat the entire room but have a heated bird house. You should make sure that the heater is not placed too close to the cage as the bird might come in contact with it.

4. Heated Perches

Heated perches when compared to the other types of bird cage heaters are not that popular but are effective when it comes to heating a bird cage. Perches utilize electricity to generate heat instead of radiation or any other source. Your bird can easily stand on it and take in warmth without any concerns about being electrocuted. However, heated perches are not made to warm up the entire cage. If your bird wants some heat, it can stand on it and keep itself warm.

5. Heating Pads

If you own pets other than birds, then you might want something like heating pads that will not only keep your pet bird warm but also other pets. Heating pads as the term suggests are not made to heat the entire room and will not emit radiation or light. At the same time, heating pads do not produce enough heat to warm up the entire room.

Just like perches, heating pads are made for pets to snuggle up near and feel the heat. They are simply designed to retain heat. One of the reasons heating pads tend to be one of the most popular options is that they are both cost-efficient and safe for pets. However, if you have multiple pets and cages, you will be needing separate pads for each one.

6. Fan Heater

Fan heaters as the term suggests are heaters that come with a fan to distribute heat. They function like ordinary fans but have a heating rod that helps produce heat. Fan heaters run on electricity and are completely safe for all types of pets. The reason is that the heating element is located inside and cannot be accessed. However, if you were to place it too close to the cage, your pet bird might get burns.

Therefore, you should carefully position this heater for pet cage and place it at a safe distance. Moreover, you can opt for smartphones as well that can be controlled via apps and will shut down if they become too hot. So, if you were to leave the fan unattended for hours, a smart fan will automatically shut down, preventing the bird from getting affected.

7. Put Birds Together

If you own multiple pet birds and can’t get a bird cage heater for each pet, it probably might be a good idea to place them together as the heat generated by their bodies will help keep the cage warm. But the downside to this solution is that not every bird likes to be placed with other types. So, you will have to make sure the birds do not fight and injure each other.

In addition to that, birds will take some time to get to know each other and you will need to observe them closely. But if you have birds like parrots as a pet, you shouldn’t have much problem making pairs.

8. Warm Up Your Home

Another way of making your pet bird’s cage a comfortable living place during the winter season without a bird heater lamp is by warming up your home. If you have an HVAC installed or any other heat source, you can turn it up to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure your bird is safe. However, the temperature will depend on the type and species of bird you own. This way, you won’t have to rely on separate heaters for your birdcage.

9. Bird Warmer

Bird warmers are safe and convenient cage warmers considering the fact that they do not utilize a huge amount of electricity for safety reasons and you have a heated bird house. These warmers usually come with 12V heating elements and can reach a maximum temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tips To Ensure Your Pet Bird Is Warm

1. Keep The Cage Away From Doors And Windows

You might have come across several bird cages being placed near the doors and windows to let natural light provide heat and keep the pet birds entertained. However, when the temperature outside is chilling, chilly drafts can quickly make them too cold even when they have a bird heater lamp. This is why you should place your bird cage somewhere where the bird does not get too cold and gets a sufficient amount of natural light.

2. Cover The Cage At Night

Even though it is obvious, the majority of homeowners ignore this basic tip. When the temperature is freezing outside, you wouldn’t want the birdcage to be naked. Instead, you should cover it with a warm material cloth or blanket so that cold air is not able to make its way inside. However, you should ensure that the bird is able to breathe.

3. Extra Feeding

Birds and several other types of animals have a high metabolism rate, which helps them keep warm. So, in order to protect your pet bird during the cold season, you can offer it extra food to increase its metabolism rate. Foods such as corn tend to keep the birds fuller and provide healthy nutrients for growth and strength.

4. Offer Physical Activity

Birds are intelligent animals. Similar to cats and dogs, birds live to play around as well. In fact, a little bit of exercise on a daily basis helps keep their muscles intact. However, it is important during the chilly season to offer some physical activity to your pet bird. This will not only keep your bird entertained but also warm it up. Moreover, make use of a bird heater lamp to heat the cage.

Conclusion

When it comes to heating solutions for your bird cage, you should make sure that it offers a perfect balance of safety and effective heating. Your decision should rest on factors such as the type, number, and size of pets you own. And if you are not able to figure out the perfect option for a heated bird house, you should consult an expert on the matter.