What is the reason for the sandpaper at the bottom of a bird cage when news paper does the job?

Question

What is the reason for the sandpaper at the bottom of a bird cage when news paper does the job?

Answer 1

Birds need a certain amount of grit in their diet to aid digestion. They can peck this grit from the sandpaper. Newspaper does not provide this. If you use paper, there is bird gravel in pet stores you can give them.

I just read the other answers you got. I didn't think about it being good for their feet as well. It is true. They need the sandpaper. They make sandpaper perch covers, too.

Answer 2

Gives them something to read when they have a dump!

Answer 3

the sand paper keeps its nails trim so yeah you do need it

Answer 4

I use sandpaper on the bottom because I prefer it. It saves time- just having to scrape it off each day instead of searching for a newspaper and replacing it each time.

My budgies rarely touch the bottom of the cage- most birds prefer being up high. They do not need sandpaper either on their perches or on the bottom to keep their claws worn down. It doesn't work, and the sharp grains of sand can scratch their feet introducing infection, so it is now advised not to use sanded perches.

If their claws do get a bit long they are easily clipped. You can also buy a huge bag of grit for very little money in pet shops. The grit on sandpaper is not a good source- if your budgie is down their pecking at faeces-covered sandpaper then he is probably desperate. You can buy a little hook-on bowl and fill it with grit and it'll last ages.

It just comes down to personal preference what you put on the bottom of your bird's cage. sandpaper is fine, as is newspaper or kitchen towel. If people decide to buy sandpaper why does it matter? Their choice!

Answer 5

The sandpaper is supposed to help keep their nails worn down.

Answer 6

when the bird goes down to the bottom is keeps the nails trimmed