Toys give pet birds a way to chew, shred, forage and play, which are all natural behaviors. A few simple habits, such as choosing the right size, checking toys each week and cleaning them the right way, help keep playtime safer. This page explains how we suggest choosing, introducing, inspecting, cleaning and replacing the toys we sell at El Nuevo Neighborhood Pet Shop, operated by EL NUEVO NEIGHBORHOOD PETSHOP CORP.
This guide is general information. It is not veterinary advice. If you have a concern about your bird’s health or behavior, please talk to an avian veterinarian.
What our toys are made of
Each product page names the materials used in that toy. Across our current range, which grows over time, you will find:
- Untreated natural beechwood and maple hardwood
- Dyed hardwood beads
- Natural balsa wood
- Natural dried loofah
- Woven natural bamboo, natural woven palm leaves and natural woven vine
- Paper shreds, paper strips and paper rope
- Acrylic rings
- Stainless steel bells, chains and hanging hardware
Where a toy carries our logo, it is a shallow laser engraving in the wood or steel. Our toys have no batteries or power source. Because many of these materials are natural, the grain, color and texture vary slightly from piece to piece.
Choosing the right size
Our current toys are sized for small and medium birds such as budgies (budgerigars), lovebirds, cockatiels and conures. When choosing a toy, keep these points in mind:
- Match the toy to your bird’s beak strength. A toy that is too small for a strong-beaked bird can be broken apart quickly, and the pieces may be small enough to swallow.
- Check gaps and openings. Rings, chain links and spaces between parts should not be sized so that your bird’s head, toes or beak could get stuck.
- Consider your bird’s cage. A toy should hang without crowding perches, food and water dishes, or your bird’s room to turn around and spread its wings.
If you are not sure whether a toy suits your bird, contact us before ordering and we will help you decide.
Introducing a new toy
Some birds go straight to a new toy. Others are cautious and need a few days.
- Place the toy near your bird’s favorite perch, or outside the cage at first, so your bird can look at it before touching it.
- Supervise the first few play sessions so you can see how your bird uses the toy.
- Once your bird is comfortable, hang the toy securely inside the cage with its hanging hardware.
- Watch for any part your bird is able to remove or break off, and adjust or remove the toy if needed.
Inspecting toys every week
Chewing and shredding wear toys down, which is expected. Check every toy in the cage at least once a week and look for:
- Loose parts: beads, bells or pieces that have come loose or are about to come off
- Frayed fibers: paper rope, palm, vine or paper strips with long loose threads that could wrap around toes or a neck
- Cracked acrylic: acrylic rings with cracks or sharp edges
- Opened chain links: links or hooks that have been bent open, which can catch toes, beaks or feathers
- Worn wood: wood pieces chewed down to thin or sharp splinters, or blocks that have come loose from the toy
Trim loose threads, tighten hardware and remove any toy you cannot make secure.
When to replace a toy
Replace a toy when:
- Most of the chewable or shreddable material is gone. Shredding and foraging toys are meant to be taken apart, and this is a sign the toy has done its job.
- Fibers are badly frayed and trimming no longer fixes them.
- Acrylic is cracked, or metal parts are bent, rusty or broken.
- The toy is soiled in a way that cannot be cleaned, or a natural material has become damp or moldy.
Cleaning by material
Different materials need different care. Remove a toy from the cage before you clean it.
| Material | How to clean |
|---|---|
| Beechwood, maple and other hardwood | Wipe with a damp cloth. Let the toy air-dry completely before returning it to the cage. |
| Balsa wood, loofah, palm leaf, vine and paper | Keep dry. Shake out or brush off debris. Do not soak these materials. Replace the toy if it becomes heavily soiled or damp. |
| Acrylic rings and stainless steel bells, chains and hardware | Wash in warm water with a mild, unscented soap. Rinse well and dry completely. |
A few rules apply to every toy:
- Never use harsh chemicals, aerosol sprays or bleach-based cleaners on toys or in the cage.
- Do not put any toy in the dishwasher.
- Make sure a toy is completely dry before your bird uses it again.
Rotating toys
Birds can lose interest in toys that never change. Keeping a few toys in storage and swapping some of them in and out every week or two helps keep the cage interesting. Rotation also gives you a natural time to inspect and clean each toy. Try to keep at least one familiar toy in the cage when you add a new one.
Warning signs
Remove a toy right away if you notice:
- Your bird swallowing large pieces of wood, acrylic, paper or fiber rather than chewing and dropping them
- Your bird’s toes, beak, head or wings getting caught in the toy
- Damage you cannot repair, such as broken hardware or sharp edges
If you are worried that your bird has swallowed part of a toy or has been injured, contact an avian veterinarian.
If you believe a toy we sold you is defective, please contact us. Defective items can be returned within 30 days of delivery in any condition, as described in our Return & Refund Policy.
Keep bird toys away from children
Our toys are made for pet birds, not for children. Please store them where young children cannot reach them, and do not let children play with them.
Contact Us
If you have a question about a toy, its materials or how to care for it, please get in touch.
- Store name: El Nuevo Neighborhood Pet Shop
- Legal business name: EL NUEVO NEIGHBORHOOD PETSHOP CORP
- Business type: Florida Profit Corporation
- Florida registration number: P17000069250
- Business address: 544 Hialeah Dr, Hialeah, FL 33010, United States
- Phone: +1 305-883-5304
- Email: support@elnuevoneighborhood.com
- Website: https://elnuevoneighborhood.com/
- Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Sunday, closed (Eastern Time)
We reply to emails and contact-form messages within 1 business day.