EmilyPringleAnimaltalk

Birds are intelligent, sociable,inquisitive, and beautiful ani-mals that can be excellent com-panions.

Without the specialized carethey need, however, pet birdscan develop significant physicaland behavioral health problemssuch as malnutrition, featherplucking, excessive vocalizationand aggression.

In the wild, seed-eating birdseat a wide variety of foods, whichprovides them with a balanceddiet.

Wild budgerigar parakeets, forexample, may eat as many as 60different types of seeds. Pet birdsfed only mixed seed diets oftendevelop signs of malnutrition,since commercial seed mixescontain only a few types of seedsand birds may eat only theirfavourites. A diet lacking in es-sential nutrients may lead toobesity, poor feather quality, anda weakened immune system.

A pet bird should eat an ap-propriate pelleted diet - freshfruits and vegetables and someseeds. Treats like plain, whole-wheat toast or cooked whole-wheat pasta can be offered insmall amounts. There are manyrecipes available for homemademashes and salads for birds. Be-fore making changes, speak toyour veterinarian or a reputablebird breeder.

Pet birds raised on seed dietsmay have difficulty acceptingnew foods and will need carefulmonitored. Your veterinarianmay recommend a vitamin andmineral supplement if your birdis only eating seeds. Avoidchocolate, coffee, tea, onions,garlic, avocado, artificial sweet-eners, fruit pits (like peach,

plum), apple seeds, or foods con-taining high amounts of fat, saltor sugar. Among the potentialhazards in a normal household,some may be obvious (ceilingfans), others may not (glasses ofwater). Birds are inquisitive bynature, and they will use theirtongue and mouth to feel and in-vestigate objects.

Supervise your pet carefullywhile it is out of its’ cage and bemindful of the following:

— Nonstick cookware, airfresheners, scented candles andcigarette smoke can create po-tentially fatal fumes. Never keepyour pet bird in the kitchenwhile you are cooking.

— Windows, mirrors and ceil-ing fans can all be dangerous toa flying bird. Lock the outer doorto prevent your bird from acci-dentally being let outside.

— Standing water is another.Pet birds have drowned whiletrying to drink out of a glass ofwater by falling in headfirst andgetting stuck.

See PROPER, B6

B5 THE GUARDIANMONDAY, APRIL 18, 2016

www.theguardian.pe.ca

features

Providing the best care possible for your avian companion

Feathered friends■ ANIMAL TALK

KIRA KOZMA-ALLAIN/SPECIAL TO THE GUARDIAN

Mr. Bean, a mustached parakeet, developed lead poisoning in 2015 as result of chewing painted wood trim. Hesuffered from seizures and other neurologic signs. With prompt veterinary treatment he made a full recovery.

NANETTE JOHNSTONE/THE GUARDIAN

Nanette Johnston adopted Bones from the P.E.I. Humane Society inApril 2015. Here they are getting their dog-carting certificate from RedDog Training Services. Johnston says that after a couple of months oftraining they’ve become quite the team.

■ A happy ending

PAM MAKER/ SPECIAL TO THE GUARDIAN

Niko, a Lovebird, was part of theSouthport Animal Hospital team for10 years.

At a glance— Pet birds often suffer fromboredom and frustration. Pro-vide mental stimulation andphysical activity by creating aForaging Tree. Follow this link:www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/captive-foraging-video.— Other good birding sites in-clude the Eastern Canada AvianAssociation: www.ecavianasso-ciation.com; Pet birds LafeberCo.: lafeber.com/pet-birds.

FROM B5

Keep the toilet lid down anddon’t leave dishes soaking in thesink.

— Lead or other heavy metalpoisoning is a potentially fatalcondition. Lead sources includepainted surfaces, fishing sinkersand stained glass.

— Galvanized metals maycontain high levels of zinc,which is also toxic. Chewing onelectrical cords and fabrics canlead to electrocution or damageto the digestive system.

— If you are considering get-ting a pet bird, do some carefulresearch to learn about thespecies’ natural habitat, socialinteractions, behaviour, diet andlife expectancy. Consider joininga bird club or going to a birdshow to meet with breeders andtheir birds. Speak to your veteri-

Proper care for birds narian about your pet’s health care needs that will include rou-tine physical exams, bloodwork and fecal analysis, as well as reg-ular beak, wing and nail care.

Next month in Animal Talk: Open farm etiquette.

Dr. Emily Pringle is a member of the P.E.I. Veterinary Medical Association, one of the member groups of the P.E.I. Compan-ion

Animal Welfare Initiative (CAWI), the goal of which is to improve the welfare of

owned and unowned companion animals on P.E.I. CAWI consists of the P.E.I. Hu-

mane Society, SpayAid, Cat Action Team, P.E.I. Veterinary Medical Association, P.E.I.

department of agriculture and forestry, P.E.I. 4-H, and Sir James Dunn Animal

Welfare Centre at AVC. For more informa-tion, see gov.pe.ca/agriculture/CAWI.

Readers may send questions related to the well being of owned and unowned

companion animals toaskcawi@gmail.com