The best chew toys for cockatoos do more than keep your bird busy. They help with beak health, reduce stress, and stop destructive behavior. Cockatoos are smart, curious, and active parrots.
They need constant mental and physical stimulation to thrive. Without the right toys, they can get bored, anxious, or aggressive. Choosing safe, engaging chew toys is one of the best ways to care for your feathered friend.
In this post, we’ve listed the top chew toys that cockatoos love. These durable, bird-safe options are great for climbing, shredding, and gnawing.
Whether your bird likes wood, rope, or foraging puzzles, you’ll find something to keep them entertained and happy every day.
Wooden Blocks
Wooden blocks are great for cockatoos. They love to chew on them. These toys keep their beaks healthy and provide entertainment.
Cockatoos need to chew to stop their beaks from overgrowing. Wooden blocks offer a safe and fun way to help with this.
Giving your cockatoo wooden blocks can cut down on boredom and destructive behavior. It’s an easy way to keep your bird happy and active.
Rope Toys
Rope toys are perfect for cockatoos to chew and climb. They are tough enough for these birds’ strong beaks, making them a smart choice for pet owners.
These toys also help cockatoos exercise and stay active. Climbing and chewing on rope toys keeps their muscles strong and healthy.
Rope toys provide mental stimulation too. The different textures and shapes keep cockatoos entertained and engaged. This is important for their overall well-being.
Foraging Toys
Foraging toys are excellent for cockatoos. They keep birds busy and mentally active. These toys use their natural instinct to search for food. This gives them both physical and mental exercise.
Many foraging toys have puzzle designs. They challenge cockatoos to solve problems. This keeps them entertained and boosts their cognitive skills. As a result, cockatoos become more alert and engaged.
Giving foraging toys to your cockatoo can cut down on boredom. It also helps reduce unwanted behaviors. When cockatoos focus on these toys, they are less likely to chew destructively or scream excessively.
Shreddable Toys
Shreddable toys are great for cockatoos that love to tear things apart. They are made from safe materials, providing a fun chewing experience. This keeps your bird entertained and mentally stimulated.
Cockatoos have strong beaks that need regular exercise. Shreddable toys help maintain their beaks while also preventing boredom. These toys are meant to be destroyed, giving your bird a satisfying challenge.
Offering a mix of shreddable toys can keep your cockatoo engaged for longer. Changing up textures and shapes keeps your pet interested and reduces the chance of destructive behaviors.
Leather Strips
Leather strips are ideal for cockatoos. They offer a tough, chewable material that birds enjoy. These strips help keep their beaks healthy, making them a favorite among bird owners.
Cockatoos chew leather strips for fun and mental stimulation. You can weave these strips into toys. This creates a fun challenge that keeps birds engaged and happy.
Leather strips are not only enjoyable but also durable. They last a long time, making them a cost-effective choice for bird owners seeking great chew toys for cockatoos.
Acrylic Toys
Acrylic toys are strong and durable, perfect for cockatoos that love to chew. They come in various shapes and bright colors, making playtime fun and engaging.
These toys resist wear and tear well, making them ideal for cockatoos with strong beaks. Their playful nature means they need toys that can keep up.
Acrylic toys are also easy to clean. This keeps your cockatoo’s space hygienic and safe. With many designs available, you’ll always find something new to entertain your bird.
Natural Branches
Natural branches make excellent chew toys for cockatoos. They mimic a wild environment and provide a natural surface for chewing. This helps keep their beaks healthy and keeps them engaged.
Using natural branches can also reduce boredom in cockatoos. The different textures and shapes encourage chewing and exploring, keeping them entertained for hours.
Besides promoting beak health, natural branches let cockatoos exercise their jaw muscles safely. This supports their overall well-being and prevents destructive behaviors.
Palm Leaf Toys
Palm leaf toys are excellent chew toys for cockatoos. They are safe and fun. Made from natural materials, these toys are perfect for birds to chew and shred without harm.
These toys keep your cockatoo engaged. When they have something to play with, you can reduce boredom and the behavior problems that follow.
Palm leaf toys also support healthy beak maintenance. As cockatoos chew and shred them, they naturally wear down their beaks. This is important for their overall health.
Coconut Shells
Coconut shells make excellent chew toys for cockatoos. They are tough and durable. These shells keep birds entertained and busy, so they don’t get bored or destructive.
When filled with treats, coconut shells become fun foraging toys. Cockatoos enjoy the challenge of finding hidden goodies. This keeps them mentally stimulated and engaged.
Using coconut shells as toys also supports a cockatoo’s beak health. The rough texture helps birds trim their beaks naturally, promoting overall well-being.
Cardboard Toys
Cardboard toys are a budget-friendly choice for cockatoos. They love to shred them, keeping them busy and happy. This natural behavior entertains and stimulates their minds.
You can easily replace these toys when they wear out. Cardboard is cheap, so you can give your cockatoo fresh toys often without spending too much.
Cockatoos enjoy the feel and sound of tearing cardboard. This activity mimics their natural foraging habits. That’s why cardboard toys are some of the best chew toys for cockatoos.
Bamboo Toys
Bamboo toys are perfect for cockatoos that love to chew. They’re tougher than softer toys, so they last longer and keep your pet entertained.
Cockatoos enjoy chewing, and bamboo toys can keep them busy. These toys are durable and safer for birds. Bamboo is natural and non-toxic.
Choosing the right toys for your cockatoo matters. Bamboo toys offer fun and durability. Your bird will have something engaging to play with while enjoying a sturdy toy.
Corn Husk Toys
Corn husk toys are great chew toys for cockatoos. They are safe and natural, so birds can chew without harm. These toys keep cockatoos engaged and entertained. They promote mental stimulation and physical activity.
Using corn husk toys helps prevent boredom and bad behavior in cockatoos. These toys mimic foraging activities, encouraging birds to use their beaks and claws healthily. It’s a simple way to enhance your pet’s environment.
Corn husk toys are also budget-friendly and eco-friendly. They come from biodegradable materials, making them ideal for eco-conscious pet owners. Plus, they’re easy to replace, so your cockatoo always has a new toy to enjoy.
Willow Balls
Willow balls are ideal for cockatoos. They enjoy chewing and playing with them. These toys keep their beaks healthy and engage them.
As one of the best chew toys, willow balls are durable and fun. They allow cockatoos to satisfy their urge to chew without harming furniture or other items.
Willow balls also support a cockatoo’s mental health. They provide focus and can reduce boredom. This lowers the chance of unwanted behaviors, making them essential for any bird owner.
Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys are excellent for a cockatoo’s mental and physical health. They keep your bird busy and happy, helping to prevent boredom and stress. These toys come in many forms, like mazes and treat dispensers, to challenge your bird’s mind and beak.
Cockatoos are smart and need constant mental stimulation. Puzzle toys make them think and solve problems. This keeps their minds sharp and boosts their overall well-being and happiness.
Besides mental benefits, puzzle toys are good for a cockatoo’s beak. Chewing on various textures and materials helps keep their beak healthy and strong. It also gives them a safe way to exercise their natural chewing instincts.
Vine Balls
Vine balls make excellent chew toys for cockatoos. They are light and easy for birds to pick up and throw. These toys let birds tap into their natural chewing instincts.
Vine balls are not just fun; they are safe for cockatoos. Made from natural materials, they lack harmful chemicals. This makes them a worry-free choice for bird owners who want to keep their pets happy.
Cockatoos enjoy the variety that vine balls provide. They can chew, play, and even try to unravel them. This keeps the birds mentally sharp and physically active, which is vital for their well-being.
Conclusion
Choosing the right chew toys for your cockatoo boosts their well-being and keeps them engaged. Wooden blocks and foraging toys each offer unique benefits. These options cater to your bird’s natural behaviors.
Have a variety of toys to keep your cockatoo mentally and physically active. This helps create a happier and healthier pet.
What Are the Best Materials for Cockatoo Chew Toys?
The best chew toys for cockatoos use natural, non-toxic, and durable materials. Good options include untreated wood, palm leaves, leather, coconut shells, and bamboo. These materials mimic the textures found in the wild, satisfying your bird’s urge to chew.
Avoid plastic toys with sharp edges, paints, or small parts that could be swallowed. Always supervise your cockatoo when you introduce a new toy. This ensures it’s safe and suits their beak strength and personality.
How Often Should I Replace My Cockatoo’s Toys?
Replace cockatoo toys when they get damaged or worn out. This can happen every few days, depending on your bird’s activity. Some birds destroy toys quickly, especially shreddable ones, while others take longer.
Rotate toys weekly and introduce new textures or challenges. This keeps your cockatoo mentally stimulated. Having a few extra toys on hand helps prevent boredom if a favorite one gets chewed up.
Can Chew Toys Prevent Aggressive Behavior in Cockatoos?
Yes, proper chew toys can greatly reduce aggressive behavior in cockatoos. These birds are smart and need stimulation. Without it, they may get frustrated and start screaming, biting, or plucking their feathers.
Chew toys provide your cockatoo a good way to release energy and deal with anxiety. When birds are mentally and physically active, they’re less likely to show destructive or aggressive habits.
Are DIY Toys Safe for Cockatoos?
DIY toys can be safe for cockatoos if you use bird-safe materials. Common safe items are untreated cardboard, paper rolls, leather strips, and stainless steel. Avoid glue, toxic dyes, or small parts that a bird could swallow.
Making toys at home lets you customize enrichment and save money. Always check each homemade toy closely. Remember, safety and simplicity are more important than looks.
How Many Toys Should a Cockatoo Have at a Time?
Keep 4 to 6 toys in your cockatoo’s cage. Offer a mix of chewing, climbing, foraging, and shredding toys. Too many can overwhelm them, while too few may cause boredom.
Rotate the toys each week. This keeps your cockatoo engaged and extends the toys’ life. It also sparks their curiosity and helps them problem-solve as they explore new textures and setups.