Safely Painting A Bird Cage is Easier than You Think

Does your bird cage need a new paint job? Not sure what kind of paint to buy? Using conventional paints releases toxic VOCs that may pose health risks to your bird. Also, the last thing you want is your pet bird chewing on the cage rungs and ingesting flakes of paint that could potentially be harmful to its health. Choose ECOS Paints non-toxic*, pet-preferred** paints and use our tips below for safely painting a bird cage. It’s easier than you think!

What makes a paint safe for your bird cage?

In general, a bird safe paint will feature the following:

• No VOC’s, lead, chromate, zinc, or other chemicals that can harm your bird
• Designed to properly bond with a bare metal cage - Learn more here
• High durability and lack of chipping
• Quick Drying

Supplies:

• Wire brush
• Sandpaper
• Cleaning cloths
• Drop cloth
• Paint brush
• Pet friendly paint

How to Safely Paint a Bird Cage:

1. Clean the cage. After putting down a drop cloth to protect the surface under the cage, scrub the cage wire with a wire brush to remove any loose flakes, and then sand smooth. Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any dust. If the cage isn't cleaned properly, the paint won't adhere correctly, so don't rush through this step.*

2. Choose a paint. Opt for something hard-wearing such as ECOS non-toxic Pet Dwellings Paint in semi-gloss or gloss finishes.

3. Apply paint in thin coats. Paint can get drippy and messy very quickly on the small rungs of a bird cage. Have patience and take it slow with thin coats (at least 2). Depending on how small the rungs are, you may want to use an artist's brush or small foam brush instead of a traditional paint brush.

4. Wait. Give your freshly painted cage at least 5-7 days to dry (curing times vary, so refer to the manufacturer's application instructions for details, ECOS paints continue to cure for up to 30 days).

5. Provide plenty of perches. If you want to prolong the life of your bird cage and minimize paint damage, then create an environment with plenty of distractions, so your bird isn’t tempted to chew on the cage. Wire a variety of perches and branches to the inside of your bird cage and make sure there are plenty of toys to play with. That way your bird will be more preoccupied with what’s in the cage rather than the cage itself.

*Metals that are prone to rust, such as galvanized metal or cast iron, are not recommended for use with ECOS water-based products. ECOS primer and paints should not be applied directly to metal surfaces.Spot-prime where bare metal is exposed with a direct-to-metal primer that can accept ECOS water-based paints. ECOS water-based primer and paint may be applied over water-based compatible direct-to-metal primers.

Ready to start your bird cage makeover? Order some color cards today!

Here are even more ways to keep your home safe for your bird:

Infographic courtesy of the Bird Channel.