Your Bird's Health

 Checking on Your Bird's Health

Like cats, dogs, and other animals, birds are not very good at communicating when they are sick, hurt, or otherwise unwell. In fact, birds often try to hide when they are not quite right. This is due to instinct of trying not to appear weak near predators, and unfortunately, this is not a behavior that many domesticated birds will drop. So, it is up to you as a caretaker to pay attention to your bird and look for early signs of heath problems. However the best solution is often prevention.

A healthy diet, a clean living space, and exercise are the best ways to prevent your bird from being injured or sick. This was discussed in earlier blog posts, and are steps you should always take when considering your bird's living conditions. However, even then, you will not be able to completely prevent your bird from becoming ill or hurt. That is why it is important to know what you must do in the event that your bird needs medical assistance.

Find a vet with experience caring for birds. There is far less information about bird health compared to other animals, and it is not something all veterinarians have experience with, and not all vets have the credential to work with birds. Check your vets credentials before seeing them. Having the vet see your bird once a year can help prevent illness early on, and can help the vet to understand your bird better for future visits. If your bird does fall ill or get hurt, take it to your vet as soon as possible. Birds can get sicker quickly, and taking them to the vet can prevent that.

How do you tell that your bird is sick, however? There are many early signs, and an attentive bird owner will see be able to spot them out.

Your bird's feathers may look a bit ratty. Birds often pluck out or lose feathers when they are under stress, so your birds physical appearance can often signal to you if something is wrong. A sick bird might also have a change in eating habits. They may stop eating altogether, even, as some illnesses cause reduced appetite, or they might eat much faster than normal. The same can be said for drinking water. Drooping wings can be a sign of weakness in your bird, usually caused by a possible injury or sickness. Lastly, your bird's behavior in your cage can be a sign of sickness. Often, sick birds will huddle up in the corners of their cage, their feathers may get very puffy, and they may stay there for long periods of time. This is a huge sign that something is wrong with your bird, and you should get them checked out immediately.

Unfortunately, you will not always notice these sorts of things with your bird. It is important as a caretaker to learn your bird's behavior and pay attention to when this changes. This is vital to understanding your bird's health.

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