Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Follow These Easy Tips And Keep Your Pet Bird Healthy

By Margaret Burgess


In order to have a long, healthy life, birds need a balanced diet. Improper feeding can lead to malnutrition and disease resulting in a shorter lifespan. Start off by feeding your bird right from the beginning.

Parrots and most other birds in the same family can eat a large variety of different foods. Seeds should not be the only thing you feed a parrot. Unfortunately, most new owners don't know any better, and that is all they feed them. Seeds contain mostly fat and not enough protein and very few vitamins.

Birds are able to eat most foods humans eat, though it is best for them to eat whole grains, pretzels, pasta and bread. They should avoid eating foods high in fat. Make sure that, of all fruits, you don't feed birds avocados, since they are toxic to them.

You should feed your birds beans and legumes, and also fruits and vegetables. Some birds resist new foods at first while others are open to trying many new things. Even if your bird is stubborn, do your best to offer new foods for the bird to try at all times.

Introduce new things slowly. Offer fresh foods for about an hour twice a day. Fresh food left there for too long can develop bacteria and make the bird sick.

Feed the bird a couple of times a day. The bird will be hungrier and much more active that way. Having a good appetite will also make your bird more willing to try new foods you introduce. Feeding at set times twice per day will also allow you to be able to monitor how much your bird is eating. If your bird is not eating well this can tell you that it is not feeling well or has a health problem.

If your bird is fussy and will only eat certain foods, try cooking its vegetables. Keep seeds away, aside from mealtimes, until your bird decides it is going to try other healthy foods.

And, healthy birds need water as well. Your bird's water bowl should be full of fresh water at all times. Bird bowls can become very dirty and should therefore be cleaned each day with hot soapy water. Also, clean it every two weeks with a weak solution of bleach. Some water soluble vitamins that can be added to your bird's water every day are also a wonderful addition.

If properly taken care of, birds can make good pets and they can live a long, happy life. Taking good care of birds includes feeding them a balanced diet of seeds, fruit and vegetables.




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