Seed Diets Could Kill Your Bird
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011Dear Parrot Lover,
Parrots are very intricate creatures and need to be very well cared for in order to live healthy and happy lives.
One of the easiest ways to ensure that you parrot lives a very healthy and happy life is to provide them with the right kind of food. A captive parrot’s dietary requirements differ from those parrots living in the wild. Suitable parrot nutrition should include a diet that consists of a mix of pellets, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables and grains.
Avoid those commercial parrot seed and pellet mixes that contain too many colored pellets, as these actually consist of food coloring that is high in sugar. Too much sugar, in any form, can be detrimental to your parrot’s long term health. However, there are other foods that are quite toxic, and others that are lethal to parrots. Seven of the worst foods are those that are salty, fatty, contain caffeine, contain alcohol, or consist of chocolate, avocados or rhubarb leaves. Apple seeds should also be avoided because they contain cyanide which is lethal to parrots. Please do your research and learn about the foods that your parrot would eat in the wild. Each particular breed of parrot has a distinctive dietary requirement.
Every parrot must have access to clean and fresh water, even if this means that you have to replace your parrot’s water three or four times a day. There are a lot of bacteria that can grow inside soiled water and parrots should not be allowed to drink dirty water. Some playful parrots have discernable pallets and prefer their food dunked in their water before they eat it. Be sure to remove this water as soon you notice any food residue to avoid harboring bacteria in your parrot’s water dish.
In the summer time, all parrots should have the opportunity to beat the heat by bathing themselves in cool water. This is easily achieved by placing either a large water dish on the bottom of your parrot’s cage for him to bathe in, or by filling up your bathroom basin with a little bit of water and allowing your parrot to bathe in it. Alternatively, if you have a very large parrot, you can fill a spray bottle with cold water and gently mist your parrot with the water to cool him down. Do not shoot water at your parrot as this can hurt them.
All parrots should be seen by a certified avian veterinarian for a health checkup at least once a year. Regular veterinarians lack the qualifications necessary to properly care for a parrot. These checkups are sometimes referred to as ‘Well Bird Exams’. Keep in mind that in the wild a parrot that is sick will not survive very long. Therefore parrots are masters of disguise and will usually not show any outer signs of being ill until it is almost too late to do anything about it. So, always keep a close eye on your parrot and take note of any change in their behavior, mood, or eating habits. As soon as you notice a significant change, you should immediately take your parrot to see an avian veterinarian.
Seed Diets Could Kill Your Bird
Do You Know How to Care for Your Bird?
Become An Expert On Parrot Care Health!
People are often surprised to learn that malnutrition is a big factor in bird illness and death. For example, seed diets are the number one cause of death in pet birds. Surprised?
Birds are beautiful animals and are a popular pet, but without the right knowledge on how to feed, house, and care for them, they become sick, ill behaved, or even die.
Click here to read what you should be feeding your bird for optimal health
Proper nutrition along with knowing all about cage/aviary care, vet care, and common diseases will help you keep your bird healthy for a long time.
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Regards,
Nathalie Roberts