Pet Bird Care Basics

Taking care of pets is never easy but what is particularly challenging is taking care of a pet bird. Birds get sick quickly that by the time you discover they're ill, their condition is already critical. Get in touch with your bird doctor quickly when this happens. But veterinarians aren't available all the time. Here are some things you can do to help your sick pet until you reach the pet clinic.

Pet Bird Care Step 1: Keep Them Warm

A great way to warm your pet is by using a grow light. Make sure to place this a little further from the bird to give him space to move around. If you notice your bird staying at the foot of the cage repeatedly, then it's time to relocate him into a secure and warm infirmary.

Pet Bird Care Step 2: Create an Infirmary

The best infirmaries for sick birds are aquariums. Just add a soft bed at the foot of the aquarium and put a container for feeding in one area. Place newspapers as the first layer of your base and then paper towels to protect your bird from slipping.

Your infirmary should also have a low perch. A triangle perch will do. Do add some lighting on one side. This will allow your bird to move around the infirmary if he feels too hot.

Your infirmary can also be your bird cage. Just wrap the cage in a cloth to maintain moderate temperature then transfer the perch and the feeding plates at the foot.

Pet Bird Care Step 3: Nourish Them

Feed your sick pet with solids and liquids to keep him nourished. Electrolytes are essential to boost energy. Feed him a spoonful of energy drink and see if he takes it. This is easy for handfed birds unless they are unable to do so because they are too frail. But if you already have a handfeeding formula, then replace the water in the recipe with energy drink. This will hide the taste of the drink.

If your bird doesn't need electrolytes, then monitor his food intake and give him a millet spray to boost energy.

Pet Bird Care Step 4: Apply First Aid

Should your bird require serious care, get him critical treatment before placing him in an infirmary. If you discover some bleeding then it might be from a broken feather. Although feathers don't bleed when fractured, blood or new feathers do since they are still developing.

Take the feather out entirely to control the blood. Remember to wrap your bird's head gently with a towel. Getting the feather out of a bird is extremely painful so watch out if they react by biting. For birds with ruptured nails or toes, just place styptic powder or flour to the affected area.