Parakeet and a Pet Rat

User Question
Where would you suggest I get a little birdbath?

Would it be okay if my pet rat and the parakeet be out at the same time?

Can you start out with about one toy until you raise enough money for more?

What type of temperature do they need to be in?

Lisa's Answer
If you don't currently have a parakeet bathtub, they're available at any petstore near you, or at PetSmart.com.

Rats are omnivores meaning they eat anything - including birds. You are of course best to judge the temperment of your own pets. Maybe you have a very docile rat that rarely moves and doesn't pay attention to flying food-like-items over his head. If your parakeets always stay high and your rat is always on the ground, I might risk it as long as I was always in the room with them. But remember, it only takes a momentary plummet of a parakeet, and a cranky bite by the rat, to end a life.

Sure, one toy is better than no toys!! But I have a whole set of instructions on making your own toys - Making Toys for Parakeets - so you can easily have a new toy a week for your parakeets with little to no cash out ...

Parakeets are originally from the Australian grasslands. This means they lived life in temperate weather. This wasn't the broiling desert - but neither was it the frigid arctic. You want your budgies to be at normal house temperature - between 65F and 85F - without having any giant fluctuations on a day to day basis. Be sure to keep breezes away from your budgies, especially at night. Budgie cages should be covered at night so they feel safe and secure, and the cover will help keep them warm, too.

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