How to Sanitize a Parrot Cage

Parrot cages need a thorough cleaning occasionally, to prevent infections and smells. Depending on the size of the bird and the size of its cage, this may be once a week, once a month or more. Daily cleaning involves changing the liners, and washing the food bowls, which only takes a few minutes. The full clean takes longer, so schedule one or two uninterrupted hours for the task.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber gloves
  • Buckets
  • Dishpan
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Trash bag
  • Dustpan and brush
  • Cleaning cloths
  • Cleaning brush
  • Pet-safe disinfectant or household bleach
  • Sponge, garden hose or showerhead
  • Paper towels
  • Cage liners or newspapers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your parrot in a spare cage. Alternatively, release them into a room that they frequent. Whichever you decide, clean the cage in a different room, to prevent the parrots from inhaling fumes.

    • 2

      Put on the rubber gloves.

    • 3

      Remove toys, perches and any other accessories. Place them in a bucket, add hot water and a couple of squirts of dishwashing liquid and leave them to soak. Put food and water bowls or bottles into a dishpan with more hot water and dishwashing liquid.

    • 4

      Remove the old cage liner and sweep up any loose seeds or droppings. Place it in the trash bag.

    • 5

      Scrub the accessories with the cleaning brush, throw out the water and replace with more hot water and disinfectant. Leave to soak for about 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and leave to dry, preferably in the sun.

    • 6

      Scrub the food and water bowls, rinse and leave the bowls to dry with the accessories.

    • 7

      Fill one of the buckets with hot water and dishwashing liquid and scrub obvious messes from the cage with a cloth and cleaning brush.

    • 8

      Empty the bucket and fill it up with hot water and disinfectant and wipe the cage with another cleaning cloth. Leave it for about 10 minutes.

    • 9

      Rinse the cage. You can do this either by repeatedly wiping with a sponge soaked in fresh water -- or outside with a hose -- or in the tub with a shower attachment. Try to remove all traces of disinfectant.

    • 10

      Dry the cage with paper towels.

    • 11

      Replace the accessories and food bowls, once everything is completely dry. Add a new cage liner.

    • 12

      Move your parrots back into their cage.