Last updated on April 22nd, 2022 at 11:38 pm
There are many reasons why it costs a lot to own a parakeet. You should make sure that you think these factors through before you decide to adopt.
Here are 7 reasons why parakeets are so expensive:
1. You’ll Need a Cage With Lots of Accessories
One reason parakeets are so expensive is that they come with many costs, including the cage, and the accessories you’ll need to fill the cage.
If you have multiple birds, you’ll spend an especially large amount on a cage.
This EVIEUN Large Bird Cage from Amazon.com is a great example of the cage you’ll need to house a parakeet.
This wrought-iron cage is a roomy, safe choice for your bird, but you need to budget.
Remember that you’ll also need to include several perches, a feeder, a waterer, and toys.
Although none of these accessories is that expensive, the costs do add up. Also, you can pay more for special features.
For example, you can invest in an automatic feeder for slightly more than what you’ll pay for a traditional feeder.
2. Parakeets Are Often Raised by Expensive Breeders
Although you can save money by purchasing from a pet store, your best choice is often to purchase a parakeet from a breeder.
Parakeets raised by breeders rather than in a store are more likely to be social and well-behaved around humans, and so many pet owners choose to adopt from breeders.
However, this also drives up the cost of parakeet adoption.
You can also save money by adopting a parakeet from a shelter rather than a store or a breeder.
But keep in mind that it’s always wise to check on the health status of birds adopted from a shelter.
Although most abandoned shelter birds were simply let go by owners who couldn’t afford them, some might have been left due to health issues.
3. Parakeets Are Often Adopted at a Young Age
Another factor driving up the price of parakeet adoption is the age of the birds at the time of adoption.
Older birds are typically less expensive, but the parakeets you’ll find available for adoption are usually younger.
Because of this, the parakeets you’ll find in stores or from breeders will typically be expensive.
4. Veterinary Costs Can Be Quite High
Parakeets need to be seen by avian veterinarians.
Usually, they aren’t that expensive, but the cost of regular check-ups can add up.
And you could have to take on large costs at any point in time if a serious health condition develops in your parakeet.
Veterinary expenses can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, especially if your bird needs surgery.
You can reduce the costs of veterinary care for your parakeet by taking your bird in for regular check-ups.
This is because catching an illness early on will prevent the disease from developing further.
Also, try to pay close attention to symptoms to catch things early on, and take steps to prevent injuries as well.
5. Some Kinds of Parakeet Food Are Expensive
Parakeet food varies a lot in price. You can buy perfectly healthy parakeet food for just $1.00/lb, but you have to be careful about what brand you’re buying.
If you’re not careful, you could find yourself overpaying for brands that offer no true extra benefit for your bird.
Also, remember that buying food in bulk is more likely to be cost-effective than buying small amounts.
If you want to save money, try this Kaytee Parakeet Food from Amazon.com.
By investing in this 25-lb bag of food, you can save money while providing a high-quality mix of seeds for your bird.
6. Parakeets Can Live a Long Time
Parakeets are also expensive because they can live for up to two decades. That means that the costs can add up over time.
So even if you’re only spending $500 a year for your parakeet, that amounts to $10,000 over the parakeet’s lifetime, plus the startup costs of adoption and accessories.
7. Most People Adopt Parakeets in Pairs
Another reason for the high cost of parakeets is that most people who adopt them do so in pairs.
This is for the benefit of the birds, as parakeets are highly social flocking birds, but it also doubles many of the expenses associated with adopting birds.
If you’re planning to adopt multiple birds, be ready for twice the cleanup and twice the cost.
Which Parakeet Breeds Are Most Expensive To Adopt?
The English Parakeet is the most expensive parakeet breed to adopt, and so it’s usually reserved for bird shows and exhibitions.
More common is the Australian Parakeet, a smaller bird, which is green in the wild but bred in many different colors.
As a general rule, bigger birds are more expensive to adopt and care for, which is true among parakeets and other birds as well.
Large parrots can cost ten times the adoption cost of a parakeet, and they also eat more and require larger cages.
Keep in mind that, as a rule, parakeets are still less expensive than most other birds.
They often make good first-time pets for bird lovers because they are easier to take care of and require less financial investment than, say, a conure.
Still, do your research and ensure that you’re getting the right kind of parakeet, as an Australian Parakeet is probably your best bet.
Other Things To Consider Before Adopting a Parakeet
In addition to cost, you should consider whether you have the right time and space to offer a pet parakeet.
Parakeets require bonding time and patience, as they can be good companions and make some noise.
Make sure that you’ve considered what it will take to provide comfort and safety for a new bird before you make a purchase.