Health6 min
Bird Health Essentials: What Every Bird Owner Must Know
Birds hide illness until it's serious. Learn the warning signs, proper diet, and cage setup for a healthy bird.
🇺🇸 Association of Avian Veterinarians
1
Warning Signs of Illness
Fluffed feathers, sitting on cage floor, loss of appetite, tail bobbing while breathing, discharge from eyes/nose, change in droppings color.
2
Proper Diet
Pellets (60-70%), fresh vegetables (20-30%), seeds as treats only (5-10%). Avoid avocado, chocolate, caffeine, and onions — these are toxic to birds.
3
Environmental Hazards
Teflon/non-stick cookware fumes are lethal to birds. Also avoid aerosol sprays, scented candles, air fresheners, and cigarette smoke near birds.
Practical Tips
Keep cage away from kitchen — cooking fumes are dangerous
Provide 10-12 hours of dark quiet sleep time
Offer foraging toys to prevent boredom
Annual checkup with an avian vet specialist
