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Caring for a Sick Bird - New York Bird Supply

Caring for a Sick Bird

What to do when your pet bird is sick

It’s difficult to care for a sick loved one. Sometimes loved ones refuse to be medicated, and other times only a doctor can care for their symptoms. Just like humans, birds can get sick, unwell, and die from their symptoms. When in the wild, birds hide their symptoms to avoid the dangers of being attacked by predators. As a bird owner, you must pay attention to your pet and keep track of any unusual changes in weight, dietary needs/wants, droppings, temperature, feather color, how they perch, nail length, and anything else that may be out of the ordinary. Always seek out the veterinarian when symptoms worsen or if you’re unsure about symptom changes. 

Why Is My Bird Sick?

Birds are more sensitive to repository diseases and digestive disorders versus other animals. In fact, the most common reason why birds get sick is from malnutrition, improper care, or stress from the environment. Most bird owners don’t realize how easy it is to starve a pet bird. Something as simple as abruptly switching diets, not giving your bird the right proportions, or not cleaning their food and water bowls can cause them to become starved and suffer from malnutrition. Taking care of your pet improperly includes not cleaning their cage, not bathing their birds, and not interacting with them enough. 

How do I care for my sick bird?

It’s impossible to prevent your pet from ever getting sick due to the nature of their sensitive immune systems, however, when they do there are a few things you should do. Diseases and disorders such as Psittacosis, Psittacine Beak, and Feather Disease, Polyomavirus, Candidiasis, Giardiasis, Goiters, and Pacheco’s Disease require specific medication, vitamins, and veterinary care. At the NYBird Supply, we sell vitamins and multivitamins for birds that can help care for your little bird. These vitamins and multivitamins will provide the necessary nutrients your bird needs to have a healthy recovery. Each vitamin is packed with However,  that is not all your bird needs to recover from their illness. 

An adequate amount of food and water is important for any recovery. Throughout the day there should be fresh and clean water available in the habitat that is changed frequently. Changing the water is important because bacteria can grow quickly in it.  If you notice that your bird is starving itself and is on the verge of dying, you need to resort to force-feeding. If force-feeding is unnecessary then simply feed your bird foods plenty of fresh fruit, greens, and easily digestible grains. Any foods that are high in fat or sugar should be avoided until your bird gains its strength. 

While your bird is resting they will be a little more anxious and hyper-aware of the environment. The best way to make them comfortable is to give them privacy alone and to not startle them. Try to keep children and other pets away from the bird during this period of recovery. Consider moving the habitat to a new room or a more isolated environment where they won’t be disturbed as much. Without privacy, your bird will react aggressively and might hurt themselves or the caretaker, and no one wants that. 

Regardless of what happens, always remember that your bird is relying on you to do what’s best for them. When all else fails or you don’t know what to do, consult your vet. Never try to do anything without speaking to your vet first because that will endanger their birdlife. 

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