Dome Top vs Play Top Bird Cage: Which One Is The Best For Your Pet Bird?

Birds need a safe space to live, eat, play, and rest. As a proud bird owner, it becomes your duty to provide adequate living space for your avian friend.

Obviously, birdcages would serve as that safe space. But they come in so many models, colors, and sizes. It can become quite overwhelming to decide the right fit for your bird.

In this article, we would consider two of the most popular types of bird cages - dome top and play top bird cages. We’ll compare, contrast, consider the pros and cons and then decide the best fit for your bird.

Let’s get to it...

Dome Top Bird Cages

Dometop cages are ‘traditional’ enclosures and the most popular type of bird cages we have today. 

It is so named because the cage features a top curved section instead of a regular flat one. The roof is usually fixed shut. There are some which may have doors at the top of the cage, providing another exit point from the cage. These are referred to as Victorian bird cages.

A curved top means there’s extra space for your bird to climb and flex its wings without requiring more floor space. Also, there’s just something more attractive about a curved roof than a regular flat one.

The cage is usually equipped with a perch, feeder, and hanger all attached inside the cage. This is to ensure that your bird has everything it needs inside the cage.

Whether you’re keeping a small or large bird, this birdcage is suitable for birds of all sizes.

Pros

• Attractive design
• Suitable for most types of birds
• Extra space
• Birds are safe in the cage; little risk of flying out the window.

Cons

• More cleaning required
• Birds may become lethargic in the cage.

Play Top Bird Cages

Play top cages as the name suggests are cages built with a play area on top of the cage’s roof. This ‘play area’ usually consists of perches, feeders, and toy hangers.

Some birds are energetic and need time to explore out of their cage, hence the need for this type of cage. It serves as a great way to give your bird a living cage and a recreation area.

The play top cage has a tray under the play area which may also serve as the roof. Food droppings and waste usually drops here and is cleaned regularly.

This cage is an excellent choice if you want more bonding time with your bird and trust it not to fly away.

Pros

• Suitable for all types of birds
• It is easy to collect bird wastes
• The play area keeps birds active and exercised.

Cons

• A large bird might be uncomfortable in the cage because it isn’t spacious
• The tray at the top of the cage might restrict light from entering the cage
• There’s a risk of birds flying away.

Choosing a Bird Cage

Your home is a place where you feel the most comfortable, secure, and happy. It is true for humans and it’s true for birds too.

As you consider certain factors when looking for a home, so should you consider factors when seeking an ideal birdcage. Some important factors to consider include:

• Location: You should know where you want to place your birdcage before getting one. The chosen area should be well lit but not close to the window. It should also not be too far from the most active part of your home to help your bird’s social development.
• Size: Here, you would consider the size of the bird and the cage. It’s reasonable to assume that large birds would require large cages. A cage that’s too small could cause undesirable behaviors such as screaming, biting, psychological disorders, etc.
• Bar Spacing: Birds need to perch and bar spacing is important for proper perching. Smaller birds like lovebirds and parakeets would require cages with bars not more than a half-inch apart. This would prevent them from squeezing through or getting stuck between the bars. 
• Shape and Style: Birdcages can either be hung or placed on a stand. The shape of the cage is also important. It is believed that round cages can be detrimental to the psychological health of some birds. Therefore, other shapes would be preferred.

Which Is The Most Suitable Bird Cage?

Dome top and play top cages have more differences than similarities. However, they are both reliable cages for your birds. Your choice would depend on your preference.

If you’re into aesthetics as well as ease of use, your preferred choice would be the Dome top bird cage. Its sleek design as well as the extra space it gives your bird makes it a great choice.

A great choice for a dome top cage is the Avian Adventures Mediana Dome Top Bird Cage. It is spacious and made from quality materials, so it is expected to last for a long time. It is a roomy cage for most parrot species at a mid-range price so you don’t have to spend beyond your means.

View all of our Dome Top Bird Cages here.

Playtop bird cage is a great choice for bird owners that want a close bond with their birds. Bird owners who don’t like their birds cooped inside the cage all day would fancy this. Separating the living and play area means it would be easy to clean.

The Avian Adventures Chiquita Playtop Bird Cage is an excellent choice for play top cages. It is constructed with quality materials and easy to clean. Birds can easily access the feeder at the top of the cage.

View all of our Play Top Bird Cages here.

Wrapping Up

There’s no wrong choice choosing either of these bird cage styles. Your preference would depend on aesthetics and practicality and of course what would best suit the species of bird you have.

Just ensure that whichever birdcage you go for is ideal for you and your bird.