These days, it’s hard to ignore how much tougher it’s become to afford the things that used to feel simple — and sadly, pet care is no exception
Across Canada, I’ve been hearing from so many caring pet owners who are struggling to keep up with rising costs. Some have even had to face the heartbreaking decision of surrendering their pets, not because they’ve stopped loving them, but because they can no longer provide what their pets need.
As a lifelong bird owner and small business owner myself, this truly hits home. The challenges bird owners face are real. Most parrot owners know the biggest expense isn’t the bird itself, the cage, or even the food — it’s the toys. Birds are intelligent, curious, and active; they need enrichment daily to stay healthy and happy. But those costs add up quickly, and I’ve noticed this more than ever as I talk with customers at Feather Beautiful.
After listening to so many bird lovers share their concerns and creative solutions, I wanted to put together some heartfelt — and practical — advice. These tips can help bird owners (and other pet owners, too) stay frugal, smart, and resourceful without compromising their pets’ happiness.
1. Make DIY Bird Toys
Even as a pet store owner, I’ll say this with complete honesty: the best cage is one filled with toys your bird can actually play with — not necessarily ones you’ve bought from my shop or any other. DIY bird toys are a fantastic, budget-friendly way to keep your bird entertained.
Reuse old toy parts that haven’t been fully chewed through and create new ones using safe materials like jute, hemp, or 100% cotton rope from your local dollar store. Your creativity can save you money and reduce waste — and your bird won’t know the difference!
2. Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk might seem like a bigger expense upfront, but it pays off long-term. For example, if one bag of pellets costs $15 and shipping is another $15, that’s $30 total. If you buy three bags, shipping might only go up slightly, saving you a good amount overall.
Even better, buy directly from your local bird store or vet clinic. You’ll skip shipping fees entirely and save gas by making fewer trips. Supporting local also helps small businesses stay strong during these tough times.
3. Shop Clearance and Sales
Many bird and pet stores offer clearance sections or seasonal sales. Feather Beautiful runs four sales a year — you can click [this link] to check the upcoming sale dates. Why pay full price when you can get high-quality toys at a discount?
Shopping sales can also help offset shipping costs, especially if you stock up wisely.
4. Batch Prepare Food
Batch cooking isn’t just for people! Chop your bird’s fruits and vegetables ahead of time, divide them into portions, and freeze them. This reduces waste, saves time, and ensures your bird always has fresh, ready-to-serve meals.
5. Plan for Future Expenses
Whether it’s a surprise vet bill or a cage repair, unexpected costs happen. Setting aside a small emergency fund for your bird can make those moments less stressful. Even saving a few dollars weekly adds up over time and provides peace of mind.
6. Do Grooming at Home
Trimming nails doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re unsure how to do it safely, ask your vet or a vet technician to show you during your bird’s next visit. With some practice, you’ll build confidence and save money on regular grooming appointments.
7. Practise Contentment with What You Have
I know this one’s not easy — especially when new toy collections come out (even mine!). But it helps to pause and ask: do I really need this right now, or can it wait? Sometimes, simply reorganizing or refreshing your bird’s existing toys can make everything feel new again.
8. Grow Your Own Food
While this can be tricky year-round in Canada, growing herbs, greens, or sprouts in the spring and summer months can be rewarding and cost-effective. Birds love fresh produce, and you’ll love knowing exactly where it came from.
9. Buy Food Seasonally
Your bird doesn’t need watermelon in November. Buying produce that’s in season is more affordable, fresher, and environmentally friendly. Seasonal shopping helps stretch your budget and ensures your bird enjoys high-quality food all year.
10. Rethink Your Shopping Habits
It’s easy to assume that a $20 toy is “too expensive,” but price doesn’t always equal bad value. Often, there are solid reasons behind certain price points — like higher-quality materials, durability, or more complex designs. However, if you’re trying to stretch your budget, consider this: instead of buying one $20 toy, you could buy two or three smaller toys under $10 each.
This approach adds variety and keeps your birds engaged with different shapes, colours, and textures — especially useful if you have multiple birds.
It’s also worth thinking about the materials you choose. Some materials, like sola, are softer and easier for birds to shred — great for fun but not always long-lasting. For instance, sola crepe balls are incredibly easy to destroy and might only last a few minutes, while sola ata balls offer more challenge and last longer. Your bird will still shred them — just not in ten minutes!
Then there are materials such as seagrass, which might cost a bit more but hold up far better, making them a great option for durability. The goal is to strike a balance between price, texture, and beak suitability. You want your birds to enjoy a variety of materials — something soft enough to chew, yet challenging enough to keep them occupied. If the material is too hard, they’ll quickly lose interest.
Finding that middle ground helps ensure enrichment stays affordable, engaging, and enriching for your flock.
11. Be Aware of Scams and “Fake Sales”
Unfortunately, I’ve been noticing more scams than ever lately — especially targeting pet owners. Some companies claim to be offering big “sales,” only for customers to realize that the so-called sale price is actually higher than the regular price!
Ethics and honesty aren’t always top priorities for every business, but as a small Canadian business, I believe it’s vital to talk about this openly. Here are a few common scam tactics I’ve seen:
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Inflated discounts: A product might be marked “50% off,” but the price was quietly increased beforehand. Always compare prices across multiple stores.
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False urgency: Phrases like “last day to save!” or “only 2 left in stock!” can pressure you into rushing a purchase. If you’ve seen that message for weeks, it’s likely not genuine.
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Shipping mark-ups: Some “discounted” items come with exaggerated shipping fees, wiping out the savings entirely.
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Copycat shops: Be cautious with social media ads from unfamiliar pet stores. Some fake websites use photos from legitimate businesses and never ship the products.
Always research before buying. Check reviews, confirm a business’s location, and look for clear contact information. If a deal feels too good to be true — it probably is.
These are difficult times, but being resourceful, cautious, and community-minded helps us navigate them. Every small effort — from DIY toys to smart shopping — makes a difference.
Our birds rely on us, not for perfection, but for love, safety, and creativity. Together, we can find ways to care for them with both heart and wisdom, even when times are tough.
Let’s keep supporting one another, sharing ideas, and reminding ourselves that compassion and honesty will always outshine greed and shortcuts.
