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  hether you own an energetic macaw, an agile Amazon, or a curious cockatiel, a good cage is important. It is much more than your bird's home. It is his playland, his diner, and his bed. Just as importantly, it becomes a part of your home’s décor and one more item you must |
| clean. So, it makes sense that you should be able to select a style and color that fits your home and is easy to clean. Powder-coated (where paint is adhered to metal via electrostatic charges) and hammertone (where metallic paint is blended with color) cages are both durable and beautiful selections. However, the recent addition of stainless steel to the line-up has made bird cage selection more fashionable and even more safe for your feathered friend. |
healthy homes
Unlike traditional painted or coated cage bars, stainless steel has no coating for your bird to mar. Not only does this keep your cage looking brand new, but it also means there are no paint chips on which your bird can snack. Stainless steel’s greatest attribute, however, is the ease with which it can be cleaned and sterilized without fear of rust. Medical or surgical-grade stainless steel, a staple in the medical profession for its hygienic properties, is also used for bird cages. It resists the formation of bacteria because it is nonporous; it has no microscopic holes in which bacteria can hide.
super strength
Another advantage to stainless steel is its durability. Stainless steel cages are typically made of an all-weld construction, free from the potentially dangerous nuts and bolts that are often made from harmful lead or zinc. Worse, even the strongest nut and bolt design usually cannot withstand the constant manipulations of a curious bird. In addition, many larger birds can easily bend or snap wire cage bars. But stainless steel cages withstand any abuse your bird can dole out. Plus, since your bird is unable to break off cage pieces, there is no metal for him to ingest, no pointed bars to pierce his skin, and no bent wires or corners in which he could become caught.
cost concern
A stainless steel cage can cost almost double what a hammertone or powder-coated cage costs, which causes many bird owners to hesitate on a purchase. But the benefits of stainless steel far outweigh the initial investment. There is no coating to chip, they withstand even the roughest behavior, and they won’t rust from repeated washes. Stainless steel cages endure beautifully for years. When compared to how frequently you would have to replace a less durable cage, stainless steel cages are actually a bargain.
| cleaning your stainless steel cage |
| Forget hours of frantic scrubbing. Leave the toothbrush
in your bathroom. Even if your bird is a master of food and waste scatter, a soft cloth and warm water wipes away almost any mess. For more thorough cleaning and disinfecting, use the following tips: |
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Dissolve away dried-on messes with a good cage cleaner like Poop-Off |
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Remove fingerprints with a paste of baking soda and water |
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Disinfect surfaces with a 1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon water solution |
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Never use steel wool, steel brushes, or abrasive cleaners |
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Follow any cleaning with a thorough rinse in clean, hot water
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Towel or air dry the cage before allowing your bird access |
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PRODUCTS RELATED TO:
Cages
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