What You Need to Know about Parakeet Illnesses
Birds are often thought of as being passive pets, but care and maintenance are still required when dealing with issues such as parakeet illnesses. As living creatures, parakeets are susceptible to acquiring diseases and ailments just like any other pets.
Ideal as pets for those in apartments or confined living areas, birds can be great companions and pets. Depending on the type of bird kept, they generally require little space and equipment. An appropriately sized cage for the bird’s size, a few accessory items for the cage and a few toys are all that are needed to create a happy habitat for your pet. Their care is also minimal; provide food and water on a regular basis, offer a few tasty treats from time to time, keep their cage tidy and clean for a healthy and safe environment.
Various sizes of pet birds offer individuals a wide choice for their specific needs. Large birds, such as parrots and cockatoos are delightful companions with high intelligence that can lead to talking and performing birds. These pets can be quite expensive, however. The bird itself can range in costs between hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the species chosen. Large cages are needed to provide ample space for the bird to move around, large toys and more specialized food will need to be purchased as well. They are not ideal pets for individuals in smaller living spaces, however; partly due to the size of the cages needed but also because the larger birds tend to be quite noisy, especially when left alone.
Smaller bird varieties on the other hand can be kept as pets by virtually any individual. While they are easy to care for, there are still considerations to keep in mind when keeping a small bird pet such as a parakeet. Illnesses can afflict any living creature, and a parakeet is no exception. Often, they can suddenly appear quite sick after exhibiting only the healthiest of signs. Knowing your pet’s habits and characteristics becomes very important when their health is at stake. One of the most telling symptoms of a parakeet’s illness is that they do not behave in their normal manner. This is largely due to the fact that parakeets are birds that are preyed upon, with any signs of weakness giving cause for the bird to be chosen as a victim by their predators. The sick bird will conceal any illness for as long as possible to keep from being marked as weak.
Some of the most common symptoms of parakeet illnesses are: a change in droppings, weight loss, fluffed up feathers, crusted ceres or beaks, cloudy eyes, lack of appetite, plucking at feathers, falling off its perch and a cessation of activity or chattering. Any of these symptoms warrant a trip to an avian veterinarian. Avian vets are more adept at diagnosing and treating birds than a standard veterinarian, and should always be consulted for any health issues with a feathered pet.
There are many steps a pet owner can take to keep their parakeet pets healthy. Environmental concerns can greatly affect a bird’s health. The parakeet should never be exposed to cigarette smoke, household chemicals or toxic elements such as in cleaning supplies. Although it is tempting to allow a parakeet to fly about the house freely, it can pose quite a danger to the bird’s health to do so.
Keeping their pet healthy should be the owner’s goal. Watching for signs of parakeet illnesses in a pet will help to identify problems early, a crucial element in curing the illness and regaining the health of your parakeet.
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