How To Bathe Your Bird

Just like any pet, birds too need baths. The problem comes when new owners aren't sure about how to bathe birds and some birds haven't been conditioned to accept baths yet. Many tamed birds don't realize that daily showers would be a part of their natural daily grooming activities in the wild. It can take an effort on your part to learn what grooming methods will work the best for your new bird, but even the most reluctant birds can be conditioned to accept it. Here are some helpful rules to follow when bathing your bird:

1. Plain clear water ONLY: Even though some pet stores and companies offer commercial "bird shampoos", the best way to wash a bird is with plain water. Since birds produce a special oil that they preen their feathers with, soap can easily strip this oil away and cause health problems with your friend.

2. Bathe only during the warmest part of the day: Wet birds can easily get chilled and this can be a major health hazard. So, make sure that you bathe your bird during the warmest part of the day so that their feather's have a chance to dry completely before the temperature drops before nightfall. You also want to make sure that your home isn't too cold inside before you give your bird a bath.

3. Water temperature is key: Make sure that you check the water temperature before you allow your bird to get in it. Too hot or too cold water can shock a bird's system, or cause serious health problems like burns. Always check the temperature of the water before hand and make sure that it isn't too hot or cold. It should be right at room temperature or lukewarm.

4. Don't saturate your bird's feathers: Since wild birds don't allow their feathers to get completely soaked through, you should not allow this either. This can lead to your bird losing body heat and impare their flight.

5. Don't rush or force your bird: If your bird seriously fights against bathing, you want to make sure that you ease them into bathing. It might take a while for them to be completely comfortable, but it will happen. If you force your bird to get in the water or rush them to do so, they may rebel against it even more.

Simply follow these few rules when bathing your bird and you will find that they will start to truly enjoy bathing.

How to Tell if Your Bird is Sick

Does it seem like your feathered friend is not him or herself lately? Maybe they are acting odd or not wanting to eat? When birds get sick, it can be hard to tell if you don't know what to look for, and as bird owners, it's our responsibility to ensure that they don't get sick or that we get them to a doctor when they are. To help you protect your friend, here is a list of tell-tale symptoms that every bird owner should know about and be watchful for when they are taking care of their birds:

Unusual Droppings: The color of your bird's droppings will vary slightly depending on what you feed him. Nonetheless, you should watch out for droppings that are yellow, rusty brown, or tarry black. These can be indicators of internal bleeding, amongst other serious problems. You should also notice if there is a major change in the consistency of your bird's droppings. If they are too runny or too firm, it can cause complications for your pet.

Ruffled Feathers: Birds that sit with their feathers fluffed out for prolonged periods of time are often affected by respiratory problems or other disorders. Ruffled feathers are also good at concealing weight loss, which can be life threatening for a bird. If you observe this behavior in your pet for more than a day or so, you should contact your vet as soon as possible.

Red, Inflamed, or Runny Cere: Your bird's cere is what we perceive as his nose -- the little patch above his beak that holds his nostrils. Pay close attention to your bird's cere. If you observe any redness, inflammation, or discharge, there is a very good chance that you pet could be seriously ill. Make sure to keep your bird wrapped up and warm on the way to the vet.

Cloudy Eyes: If your bird's eyes look cloudy or have a discharge coming from them, he may be affected by a respiratory, nervous, or muscular disorder. You should rush to the vet as soon as possible as your bird needs immediate treatment.

Reduced Appetite: Birds have extremely high metabolisms, so it is vital that they receive adequate nutrition every day. If your bird stops eating and begins to lose weight, it may be a sign of an intestinal blockage or impaction, in which case he could die very quickly without medical attention. Make sure to clean out the bottom of your bird's cage every day before you feed him. This provides an easy way to monitor food consumption, not to mention changes in droppings.

Open-Mouthed Breathing: Respiratory problems are among the most common bird illnesses, and unfortunately the most serious. If you see your bird breathing with his mouth open while at rest, there is a good chance that he is not only sick, but has been for quite a while. This is one of the most serious symptoms of illness in birds, and requires immediate veterinary attention, with probable hospitalization.

Dirty Feathers: Birds are, by nature, hygienic animals that bathe often and preen their feathers daily to keep them clean. If you notice feathers around your bird's face or rump that appear messy, clumped up, or stuck together, it is an indication that your pet could be sick. Food consumption and droppings should be monitored closely for a day or so, and any changes noted and relayed to your vet as soon as possible.

Weight Loss: Many sick birds ruffle their feathers when they don't feel well, effectively concealing any changes in body mass and loss of weight. Weight loss can be devastating to a bird's health, not only in terms of reduced strength, but inhibition of organ functions as well. Weigh your bird regularly so that you will know if your pet is having trouble maintaining his weight.

Tail Bobbing: As with many common signs of illness in birds, prolonged and repetitive bobbing of the tail can be indicative of a respiratory infection. Unlike people, birds lack a diaphragm to separate the chest cavity from the stomach. The muscles located at the base of the tail help birds breathe by playing a part in expanding the lungs to take in air. If a bird is having trouble breathing, the tail muscles will work harder, causing the tail to bob up and down. Tail bobbing is often not noticeable until later, more serious stages of illness, so if you see your bird behaving in this manner, report to the vet immediately.

Changes in Vocalizations: Much like humans, birds who don't feel well often become less talkative than usual. Pay close attention to your bird so that you can learn his normal vocalization patterns. If you stay in tune with the way your bird behaves, it's possible to pick up on clues to that way that he feels. If you notice any changes in frequency or general tone of your bird's vocalizations, he should be monitored for additional symptoms for the next few days. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Hygiene and Pet Birds

A lot of hard work can go into keeping our pet birds healthy and happy, but one of the most important points to remember is to practice proper hygiene around your bird. Read on for some simple hygiene tips that will help make sure that both your bird and your family aren't put at risk for illness or disease.

Wash your hands. While it's true that there are some diseases people can catch from pet birds, it's far more common for pet birds to catch diseases from their owners. Make sure that everyone stays healthy by washing your hands both before and after you handle your bird.

Keep the cage clean. Making sure that you clean your bird's cage properly can go a long way in reducing bacteria growth in your pet's living space -- which therefore reduces the risk of illness to your bird as well as any people that come into contact with it.

Be careful sharing food. While sharing fresh foods with your bird is a great bonding exercise, bacteria can be transmitted between you and your bird if you allow him to eat or drink from dishes that you are using. To stay on the safe side, fix a small dish of food especially for your bird. He will likely enjoy having his very own plate!

If you keep these tips in mind, you will greatly reduce the chances of passing disease to your bird, as well as catching a disease from your feathered friend. As always, safety first!