Would you rather eat French fries or your vegetables?


So, are these diets all I need to help keep my pet healthy and happy? No. You’ll need to supplement the diet to ensure that all of your bird’s nutritional and emotional requirements are met. The addition of vegetables, greens, fruits, and proteins like cottage cheese, hard- boiled eggs and meats, including dog food are all helpful. Birds will eat just about everything you eat. Just make sure it is not toxic to your pet.


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You can Google various websites on pet birds to see what you can feed and what you


cannot. To


supply calcium and necessary minerals, add a cuttle-bone


or mineral block. Grit can be a source of valuable minerals and trace elements, but is probably not


needed to help in digestion except in birds that eat their seeds whole, like pigeons and doves. Use a good avian vitamin supplement to ensure your bird stays healthy. I also like to add a little Omega 3 fatty acids to their


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diet as well, to keep their skin and feathers healthy.


Does my bird need exercise? Yes. Flying, climbing, interactions with toys and the owner are all needed for a healthy bird both physically and mentally. Remember, these play areas need to be safe! Doors will need to be closed to prevent the bird from flying onto a hot stove or into a sink full of water. Also, don’t forget the bathroom. Is the toilet seat up? Did you remember to turn off your ceiling fans? I hope this brief article helps your bird live a long and healthy life. Remember to take time to interact with your pet every day. Not only will this increase the bond between you and your bird, but it will also keep you aware of its health status. If you notice anything abnormal at all, contact your veterinarian at once. Birds hide their illnesses very well and may not show signs of illness until it’s too late. In nature, if a bird appears sick, they will be preyed upon so they naturally try to look healthy no matter how sick they are! I like to give a bird an examination every year that includes a fecal gram stain. That way I hope to either prevent any future illness or uncover something that is troubling your bird.


Dr. Randy H. Turek, DVM, MA, DACVPM, VCA – Desert Animal Hospital, Palm Springs, California, is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine. He is board certified and a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. An Army veteran, Dr. Turek served all over the world during his 26+ years of military service.


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