Birds

How to Keep Your Birds Healthy

Keeping a pet bird as healthy as possible involves more than just providing adequate nutrition. Just like people and other pets, birds need exercise, sleep and occasional medical attention (preventative and emergency) to keep them in tip-top shape. Getting a running start at life helps, too, so when selecting a bird choose an avian breeder who makes health a priority by insisting on clean conditions, proper care/treatment and striving to maintain a disease-free facility (www.birdbreeders.com has a directory by state, but be forewarned: they are not pre-screened).

Once the bird is settled into its new home, the first thing on the agenda: schedule a visit to a veterinarian — preferably one who specializes birds (this may take some research, as the majority of vets specialize in cats, dogs and large animals). Find one that you, and your bird, have good rapport with, as the vet will serve as an important part of the bird’s life, particularly if it ever gets sick or injured. At the first visit, the vet should perform a well-bird exam (similar in theory to the exam a baby receives a week or two after birth), identifying any illnesses or potential concerns. Usually, healthy birds can live for years and years (as much as 30 years, sometimes even more depending on the breed), however some diseases can shorten their life span or reduce the quality of their life, such as heart disease and arthritis and an extensive list of common bird-specific ailments and only a vet can identify these illnesses and provide a plan of action to combat them.

Presuming the bird is in good health overall, an annual check-up should suffice thereafter. In between exams, however, pay close attention the bird’s behavior — their natural tendency is to hide pain and suffering as a form of self-preservation (in the wild, weak birds are easy prey). If the bird stops eating, seems lethargic, has bloody or otherwise unusual droppings, or has any evidence of bodily injury, get to the vet as soon as possible. Also, keep it away from other sick birds and do not give it a taste of fruit salad from an already-soiled spoon (it is OK for birds to eat some “people food,” but not after a human has already had a bite) — this could lead to bacterial or fungus infections. And if you think the bird needs medicine, talk to the vet. Pet stores do sell antibiotics, but it is risky to administer medication to a bird that hasn’t been diagnosed with an illness.

Giving the bird the right set-up is important, too. Shop for a size-specific cage, and purchase toys that encourage activity, such as swings, bungees, wood balls and mazes. At night, the bird’s environment should be dark and quiet (cover the cage and place it away from loud children or surround-sound stereos) to ensure it gets adequate rest.

Finally, a clean environment is a must. Cage liners should be changed daily, and the cage, toys and any attachments should be scrubbed with mild soap and water weekly (do not use harsh household cleaners).

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