Foot toys for birds are an essential yet often overlooked part of enrichment for parrots and other pet birds. Unlike hanging toys, bird foot toys sit on the bottom of the cage or play area, encouraging birds to pick them up, toss them, chew, and manipulate them with their beaks and feet. These interactive toys come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, providing both mental stimulation and physical exercise. Adding foot toys to your bird’s environment helps reduce boredom, supports natural foraging instincts, and keeps your feathered friend entertained and engaged every day.
How Birds Play with Foot Toys
Foot toys are smaller toys that birds can pick up with their feet. They often lay on the bottom of a cage. Birds often pick up the toy with one foot and chew on it with their beaks. Foot toys are more popular with medium-to-large-sized parrots that tend to hold objects with one foot. Smaller birds don’t often use their feet to hold onto something.
Why Foot Toys Are Important for Birds
Foot toys for birds may look simple, but they play a big role in your pet’s overall well-being. These small toys encourage birds to grip, toss, and chew, which provides vital exercise for both their feet and beak. Regular play with foot toys helps strengthen leg muscles, improve coordination, and enhance dexterity—skills that are crucial since birds spend nearly all of their time standing and balancing. Supporting foot health with interactive toys not only keeps your parrot or pet bird active, but also promotes long-term mobility and comfort.
Different Types of Bird Foot Toys to Try
Foot toys are created for any playing style, so whether your bird likes to shred, chew, explore or manipulate his toys, there is a foot toy for him. Be creative and keep things interesting! Offer a rope with beads or blocks, plastic rings, rattles or balls stuffed with goodies. Place a bowl or basket with multiple foot toys at the bottom of your bird’s cage or in a coop cup attached to the side of his cage—hours of entertainment and variety!
Tips for Introducing Foot Toys to Your Bird
Some birds take time to warm up to new toys—especially foot toys. If your bird avoids the bottom of the cage, try placing foot toys in more inviting spots, like a flat-top cage surface or a cup attached to the side of the cage. Offering toys in different locations encourages curiosity and makes your bird more likely to interact with them. Rotating toys regularly and keeping them within easy reach helps build confidence, stimulates natural play behaviors, and ensures your bird stays mentally and physically engaged.
Creative DIY Bird Foot Toy Ideas
We offer an assortment of foot toys to keep your feathered friend entertained. In addition to manufactured toys, there are do-it-yourself options like baby blocks or corn on the cob. You could also take the good parts off old toys and place them in a bowl for your bird. This makes an old toy seem like new and allows him the option to choose what he wants to play with or chew on. Choose toys based on your bird’s interests—with a little imagination, it’s not hard to find toys your bird will enjoy!
Keep Your Bird Happy with the Right Foot Toys
Adding foot toys to your bird’s environment is one of the simplest and most effective ways to enrich their daily life. These small but powerful enrichment tools support natural behaviors like chewing, tossing, and foraging while providing vital exercise for your bird’s feet, legs, and beak. By rotating different shapes, colors, and textures, you’ll keep your parrot or pet bird mentally engaged and physically active, helping prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors. Whether you choose ready-made bird foot toys or safe DIY options, offering a variety will keep your feathered friend entertained, healthy, and happy for years to come. If you have questions or need help choosing the best bird toys, call our Animal Care Specialists at 800.786.4751 for guidance.
