Avian Wellness- Basic Care Tips
posted by Dr. Deb on October 6th, 2009 in Birds
Birds can be wonderful pets, but like all exotic, non-domestic animals, they require time,knowlege and commitment to keep them looking and feeling their best. Below are several areas that address the unique nature and needs of these pets.
Housing:
Birds require safe cages to keep them from getting loose and hurting themselves. A safe cage should have the proper distance between the bars to prevent a bird from getting caught (a bird should not be able to get its head in between bars) and to provide easy climbing on the bars. Bird safe paints and materials should be used (no galvanized metal or lead based paints). A bird needs at least enough room in a cage to spread its wings and turn around without tail damage. When it comes to space, the more the merrier, as there is more room for toys and for play! Many birds enjoy a separate roost cage for sleeping. This smaller cage can be placed in dark, quiet part of the house to allow for adequate rest. Feather plucking and other destructive behaviors often arise from lack of sleep and too much stress. Provide a cuddly hammock or towel and bowl of water for overnight. Bring your pet bird out to his day cage every morning!
Location: Birds should be located in an area where they can get plenty of attention. Most behavior problems occur when pet birds, especially large parrots, don’t get enough personal time. Steer clear of places that may be drafty, get too hot or cold due to placement too close to a window. If your bird is in a location that will be brightly lit late at night, you can use a sheet or cage cover to provide privacy and dark to sleep by-or use a roost cage. Be careful when changing the location of your pet’s cage, as this will sometimes tigger stress activities such as feather plucking. (While other birds love the change of scenery!)
Food: Our most commonly kept species have distinctly different food needs. Parrots do best with complete pelleted diets supplemented with seeds, fruit, vegitables, and occassional protein based treats such as cooked chicken, fish, cheese. Finches and canaries can also be kept on pelleted diets with fruit and vegetable treats. There are some parrots who are nectar eaters, and require a specialized diet mimicking their natural diet. Vitamins and minerals can be added to the food and water to complete the diet. The best words of advice we can give is to provide a healthy, varied diet – don’t just stick to a seed mix. Research your particular bird’s special dietary needs before purchasing! And think about what that bird would eat in the wild…
Foraging: Feeding your bird in challenging ways keeps his brain and beak active on productive activities. Birds spend 80% of their time in the wild foraging for food. Feed in different bowls. Cover the food place it in toys that have to opened, turned or rolled to get the food. Invest in some commercial foraging toys. You and your bird will love the discovery process! This is one of the best things you can do for your pet bird’s mental health!
Grooming: Most owners don’t think of grooming for birds, but there are benifits to keeping your pet looking top notch. Keeping a beak trimmed can avoid painful bites for you, and avoid cracks and breakage of the tip. Nails that are too long can cause stress on the toes, as well as on the skin of the owner. And most importantly, a well trimmed set of wings won’t allow a pet bird to fly into ceiling fans, fireplaces, or out the window or door while still allowing them to float to the floor and not crash.
Wellness Care: The best wellness care will be done at home as you provide the best and most appropriate housing, husbandry, and food that you can. A pet that is not stressed and is well-nourished, will maintain within its own healthy parameters.
Regular Veterinary Check Ups: will step up your Wellness Program. All exotics, and birds in particular, tend to hide illness from owners or the animals who prey on them. Your veterinarian can sometimes see things that you don’t recognize on a daily basis. Also, a short blood screen once a year will help you and your vet detect problems before they are a crisis. Many issues can be managed with simple husbandry and diet changes or nutritional supplements
Signs of Illness: When your pet bird shows illness, it has generally been going on for at least a bit of time. Because of this, do not hesitate to seek assistance once a problem is noted.
” puffy feathers “ eye or nose discharge “ lack of appetite,
loose stools, discolored stools (“greens” that are too bright or too brown, white sections that are too watery or too yellow) “
weight loss. (One of the best aids you can have in monitoring your pet’s condition is a scale. A scale will pick up weight loss before an owner can by feel.)
Common diseases in pet birds include Polyomavirus, Psitticine Beak and Feather Disease, Proventricular Dilitation Syndrome, Gout, Mineral imbalances, fatty liver disease These can be tested for and Treated. Not all can be completely cured, but knowing the disease is there allows for better care and a longer, happier life!
