Everything You Need to Know About Buying and Caring for Budgies at PetSmart - The Ultimate Guide for Bird Owners

PetSmart Services

Petsmart is a large retail chain that specializes in selling pet supplies, accessories, and food, as well as offering various pet services. They have stores located throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. PetSmart is a privately held American chain of pet superstores, which sell pet products, services, and small pets. It is the leading North American pet company, and its direct competitor is Petco.

PetSmart also offers a variety of services, including pet grooming, training, and boarding. They also host adoption events for local animal rescue organizations to help connect pets in need with loving homes. PetSmart also sells a wide variety of pets, including birds. The birds available at PetSmart can vary depending on location and season, but they generally carry a selection of popular bird species such as parakeets, cockatiels, finches, and canaries.

PetSmart strives to ensure the birds they sell are healthy and well-cared for. They have strict protocols in place to ensure that the birds receive proper care, including regular check-ups by veterinarians and a diet that is appropriate for their species. They also provide information and guidance to new bird owners on proper care, feeding, and housing. Pets purchased at PetSmart are part of their exclusive Vet Assured program, designed by PetSmart veterinarians to help improve the health and well-being of their pets. Their vendors meet a high standard in caring for pets and screening them for common illnesses, including zoonotic diseases. This program also includes specific standards for in-store pet care. If your pet becomes ill during the initial 14-day period, or if you're not satisfied for any reason, PetSmart will replace the pet or refund the purchase price. 

Budgies at PetSmart

Budgies at PetSmart cost 44.99$ at the moment of writing this article (April 2023). This price is affordable. Because they are not super expensive, I would recommend getting a companion for your bird. If you have the means and time to care for multiple birds, then both pets will live happier lives. In Germany, many pet stores only sell birds in pairs. Budgies cost around 90 EUR. I am personally against selling birds at low prices. Many people see that the price is relatively low and often impulse buy birds. 

PetSmart has a care guide that tells you everything you need to know about taking care of your bird. It may seem simple to keep your bird alive because it’s small. I have come to realize over the years that the opposite is true, the smaller the animal the more fragile it is. 

Before purchasing a bird from PetSmart or any other pet store, it is important to do your research and consider whether you are prepared to provide the necessary care for the bird. Birds require a significant amount of attention, including daily feeding, cleaning, and social interaction, so it is important to be prepared for the responsibility of bird ownership. When buying a bird from Petsmart there are some things you need to consider before you move forward and purchase one. You won’t be purchasing a budgie only. It may be necessary to also buy them a companion, food, cage, and accessories. 

A budgie's cage should contain a variety of items to keep them healthy, happy, and engaged:

1. Perches: Budgies need perches to rest on and exercise their feet. It's important to provide perches of varying widths and textures to promote foot health and prevent foot problems.
2. Toys: Toys provide mental stimulation and prevent boredom in budgies. Toys can include swings, mirrors, bells, and puzzles, and should be rotated regularly to keep the budgie interested.
3. Food and water dishes: Budgies require fresh food and water daily. The food and water dishes should be securely attached to the cage to prevent spills and contamination.
4. Cuttlebone or mineral block: Budgies require calcium for healthy bones and beaks. A cuttlebone or mineral block can provide a source of calcium for the budgie to gnaw on.
5. Nesting box: If you plan to breed budgies, you may need to provide a nesting box. However, if you don't plan to breed your budgies, it's best not to provide a nesting box as it can encourage breeding behavior.
6. Cage cover: I always cover the cage for the nighttime so they won’t get spooked when I move around at night. There are cage covers for sale at PetSmart, I personally use a blanket. 

When buying a bird, the most important aspect is that the chosen specimen is healthy, therefore I suggest being there in person at the moment of purchase or adoption. A healthy bird is markedly different in appearance and behavior from its sick counterpart. Apart from resting time, a healthy bird is almost never at rest, it observes its surroundings and reacts to everything, it moves, “talks”, eats, and preens its feathers.  The sick bird is passive, with ruffled feathers, sits contentedly, is not interested in its environment, and it does not respond to stimuli. Bird diseases are often spread virally, so it is not worth buying from breeding or trade where there are many sick birds because the others can also be carriers. 

It is also important to note that there are many wonderful birds available for adoption from local shelters and rescues. Adopting a bird can be a rewarding experience and provides a loving home to a bird in need. I personally prefer adoption over buying and I would never buy a pet again, regardless of the species. Adopting a pet provides a loving home for an animal in need, and it gives them a chance to experience a happy and healthy life with a caring family. Moreover, adopting from a shelter or rescue helps to reduce pet overpopulation, which can lead to fewer animals in need of homes and fewer animals being euthanized.

Choosing the right budgie at a store can be a bit tricky, but there are a few things you can look for to help ensure that you pick a healthy and happy bird:

1. Look for alertness and energy: A healthy bird will be alert and active, with bright eyes and a curious demeanor. Avoid birds that seem lethargic or uninterested in their surroundings.
2. Check the feathers and skin: Look for birds with smooth, glossy feathers that are free from bald spots, lumps, or bumps. The skin around the beak and eyes should be clean and free from any signs of discharge or crustiness.
3. Observe the breathing: Listen for any wheezing or rasping sounds when the bird breathes, as this can be a sign of respiratory issues. Healthy birds should breathe quietly and smoothly.
4. Check the vent area: Make sure the area around the vent (the bird's cloaca) is clean and free from any signs of fecal matter or irritation.
5. Interact with the bird: Spend some time observing the bird's behavior and temperament. Look for birds that seem friendly and curious, with a willingness to interact with humans. Avoid birds that seem skittish or aggressive.
6. Consider the age: If possible, choose a budgie that is at least a few months old, as younger birds may be more prone to health issues and require more specialized care. Older birds can be just as loving as their younger counterparts, but you would need more patience with them as they take longer to form a bond with people. 

Choosing the right bird requires careful observation and attention to detail. In my opinion, all budgies are good budgies. Adopting a bird is a big commitment because it involves taking on the responsibility of caring for another living being for its entire life. Pets, whether they are dogs, cats, birds, or any other type of animal, require regular attention, care, and love to thrive. They deserve nothing less than the best possible life. 

Here are some of the reasons why adopting/purchasing a bird is a big commitment:

1. Financial responsibility: Birds require food, shelter, medical care, and other supplies, all of which can add up to a significant expense over time. Adopting a bird means committing to providing for its basic needs and being willing to invest in its health and well-being.
2. Time commitment: Birds need daily attention and care, including feeding, exercise and playtime. Adopting a bird means committing to spending the time necessary to meet these needs and provide the social interaction and stimulation the pet requires.
3. Emotional responsibility: Birds are living beings that have feelings and emotions. Adopting them means committing to providing love, attention, and care to help them feel safe, secure, and happy.
4. Long-term commitment: Many birds, especially larger parrots, can live for 80 years, and adopting a bird means committing to providing for its needs for its entire life. This means being willing to adjust your lifestyle and priorities to accommodate the needs of your pet as it ages and its needs change.

Thus, keeping companion birds is a big commitment that requires careful consideration and preparation. It is a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it is important to be aware of the responsibilities involved and to be ready and willing to take on the challenges of ownership. I have had birds for more than half of my life, and they have always played a significant role in my life. They have become an extension of my being. I can’t imagine a life without them. Whenever I go on vacation for the first couple of days I enjoy the silence but as days pass, their absence starts feeling like a gaping hole in my chest. Budgies might be small but I still can’t call them low-maintenance birds because their size isn't indicative of how much care they should get in comparison to bigger companion birds. In my personal experience, the smaller an animal’s size the more care and attention they require.