Keeping Cockatiels Healthy

Like any other pets, how the animal is raised, handled, and kept has a very impacting effect on the temperament of the animal. It is important that cockatiels are well taken care of so that they stay physically and socially healthy. Keeping cockatiels happy include having quality sleep, good diet, and the absence of any illness are all vital to a cockatiel’s general well being.

Following a natural daylight schedule, cockatiels need a good night’s sleep in a clean place where there is very little noise and disturbance. Natural daylight is vital to your pet cockatiel’s quality of sleep. The effect of exposure to dusk and dawn to a cockatiel is something that cannot be replicated. Dusk triggers the production of melatonin which makes birds drowsy. Also, some birds react negatively to a sudden change in their daylight schedule causing them to get confused and scared. They might start thrashing around in their cage because of this forced simulation of day and night.

In terms of their diet, cockatiels in their natural-habitats mainly eat grass seeds while their captive counterpart feeds on either dry, sprouted or soaked seeds. Keeping cockatiels healthy means a good diet, and a diet composed of only dry seeds is not adequate for a cockatiel’s optimum health. Supplements like pellets, fruits and vegetables, edible weeds and flowers, and other fat-free, healthy and nutritious human foods are highly recommended by avian veterinarians. Adding them to a cockatiel’s diet provides additional nutrients but care must be taken because oftentimes cockatiels are not readily adaptive to additional diets. Moreover, foods like avocado, chocolate and others with caffeine and alcohol, and lactose containing products, onions and garlic could be a cause of toxicosis and must not be given to cockatiels.

In their natural habitat, cockatiels tend to conceal their illness for as long as possible. If they let their guard down and show signs that they are unwell they will become the victims of predators. Observing your pet cockatiel daily is an activity you must make into a habit so that you will learn its normal behavior. If you observe anything that is out of the ordinary, your attention should be drawn at it immediately. When your cockatiel looks sick it normally means it is really ill and its health can deteriorate extremely fast.
There are signs and symptoms of illness to watch out for in your pet cockatiels. Be vigilant with abnormalities in sleeping pattern, breathing, droppings and feather appearance and growth.

There might also be changes in your pet cockatiel’s usual activities like whistling, preening, playing and interaction with other birds and human beings. It may also show signs of disorientation, weight loss, hunched over posture and low energy level. It might also experience bleeding, presence of body discharges, swelling of body parts, loss of appetite and vomiting. When you observe any of these signs and symptoms of illness you should take your cockatiel to your trusted avian veterinarian the soonest possible time you can. Visit a veterinarian who is well-experienced with birds so a correct diagnosis can be given.