I have always been one of those people who is overly concerned about keeping their animals safe, which is why I started visiting local pet stores to look for solutions. I talked with the owners about the products and services that could help me to eliminate common problems, and it was amazing to see the wide range of products that were available. Within a few weeks, I had finally gathered enough supplies to keep my animal safe and sound. This blog is all about understanding pet safety and learning to provide for your animals in a safe, effective, and convenient way.
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If your parrot is constantly picking at its feathers and plucking them out, there could be a medical reason why. Feather plucking in parrots is troubling to you because you hate to see your bird self-harm, and it is often difficult to understand why the behavior is happening. Here's a look at what can cause this condition and how to treat it.
Medical Reasons For Feather Plucking In Parrots
Your parrot may pick at a certain area of the body if there is internal pain. In that case, feather plucking could signal a problem with an internal organ or bone. Plucking could also be a sign of a skin condition, such as dryness or itching that irritates your bird. Your parrot might also have mites or other parasites that cause discomfort. Toxins in your home might be to blame as well if your bird is allergic to them or if they cause irritation to the skin.
Psychological Reasons Parrots Pluck Their Feathers
If there is no medical reason for feather plucking, then your bird might have a psychological problem. One primary cause could be boredom. Your bird could also be plucking due to anxiety or frustration. Parrots are social birds in the wild and they need stimulation to be happy and healthy. If your bird is isolated and doesn't have enough toys or adequate room to roam around, then plucking could be a way of dealing with general unhappiness.
Treatments That Help With Feather Plucking
The only way to stop feather plucking is to find out what's causing it and treat the cause. Feather plucking is a symptom of some other disorder. You'll need to take your bird to a veterinarian trained in bird care. A thorough medical examination may identify a reason for the disorder. Your bird may be treated for a medical condition or allergies. Once the condition clears, the plucking should stop. If your bird is physically healthy, then it's time to look at how you care for the bird. Be sure you provide plenty of mental stimulation and space for your parrot and interact with it frequently.
While you're waiting on the medical or psychological causes of plucking to heal, you may want to try some other treatments that discourage plucking. Misting your bird with water might soothe irritated skin. You can even buy products at a pet store you can spray on your bird's feathers that help stop plucking. The sprays contain a safe but bitter substance that discourages plucking. Just keep in mind these sprays don't cure the underlying problem, so you'll want to seek help from a veterinarian too.
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