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What
does it take to keep your feathered friend feeling
fine? A lot. To be a responsible owner, you'll need
to be involved in your pet's care every day. Once
you've got the routine down, you may find yourself
enjoying these daily tasks--and, of course, there's
no better reward than a happy, healthy bird.
Nutrition Tips for Pet Bird Care
Whatever
pellet or seed mixture your bird eats, a fresh supply
should be available at all times. Once a day you
should clean and refill food and water dishes. Water
may need to be changed more often if it becomes
soiled with droppings or food. Offer your pet fresh
fruit and vegetables every day, just be sure to
remove any food that goes uneaten after a few hours.
The
paper lining the cage tray must also be changed
daily. Leaving it for even a few days can foster
the growth of molds and bacteria that can make your
bird sick. Wipe clean any food debris or droppings
that have soiled the sides of the cage, perches
and gratings.
You'll
notice that your pet spends a lot of time preening,
and you can help keep her plumage looking perfect
with a bath as often as your pet likes it. You can
provide a shallow dish at the bottom of the cage
or spritz her gently with a plant spray bottle;
just make sure the nozzle is set to "Mist."
Social, tame birds may enjoy their baths in the
shower, but you will need to provide a perch. If
your bird bathes in her cage, it's a good idea to
let her indulge just before you plan to change the
cage tray paper and clean the food dishes.
Mental Stimulation Is Part of Care for a Pet Bird
Companion
avians crave mental stimulation and attention from
you, so if you have a parrot or other bird who's
been properly tamed and trained, she'll need at
least an hour of exercise out of the cage in a safe,
secure room every day. Think of it as gym class,
and you're there to monitor. If you're in the process
of taming or teaching your bird to talk, regular
lessons are crucial--and it helps if you commence
"class" at the same time every day. If
you have a smaller species or a bird who doesn't
need time out, offer her a favorite toy during daily
playtime, or you can rotate toys during the week
to keep her interest. Playtime is the best time
to bond with your pet, and this daily ritual should
not be overlooked.
A
more thorough cleaning of the cage is required once
a week. Remove and wash the cage tray and perches,
and wash the area around the cage. Inspect all toys
to make sure they are clean and damage-free, without
any loose or broken parts that could hurt your pet.
The entire cage should be cleaned about once a month
with a disinfectant solution. Rinse well, and make
sure everything's dry before you return your bird
to her home.
Spending
time with your bird and maintaining her environment
also gives you a chance to catch any unusual symptoms
or behaviors that could signal illness. Sick birds
will often fluff out their feathers in an effort
to keep warm; others sit lethargically on their
perch or, worse, on the cage floor with their eyes
closed. Other symptoms include red, watery or dull
eyes, unkempt plumage, shivering and shaking, compulsive
feather picking and changes in the color and consitency
of fecal matter. If you think your bird may be sick,
do not wait until your yearly check-up to consult
the vet. And P.S., even if your bird seems a model
of avian health, it's still important that you schedule
that annual check-up with a veterinarian specializing
in avian medicine!
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