Cockatiel Health Checklist

We all love our cockatiels, and if you look after them properly, they will live happy and healthy lives for many years. If you want to ensure your cockatiel stays healthy and lives a long time, here is a cockatiel health checklist for you.

1. If you want your cockatiel to live a long life it is important to feed it in a nutritionally sound way.  Cockatiels often die too young because they are malnourished or they pick up a disease because they were not being fed correctly.
2. All birds who are part of the parrot family should be fed a variety of foods. Seeds are used by most as the main food source in the bird’s diet and this is a mistake. Seeds have too much fat, not enough protein, and almost no vitamins. So, therefore, seeds should not make up more than 50 percent of your bird’s diet.
3. Try healthy table foods like items that contain whole grains and pretzels, pasta, and whole wheat bread. Many birds can be persuaded, given time and encouragement, to eat dairy and poultry products. Try serving your cockatiel with low-fat cheese, yogurt, and chicken. Avoid any food that is high in fat and stay away from avocados and chocolates as they are toxic to birds! You can even try making homemade food.
4. Beans and legumes as well as fruits and vegetables are good sources of nutrition for the pet bird. It may take quite a while to get your fine-feathered friend to accept these changes, (up to a year) but it will be the best thing for your cockatiel.
5. Make small changes slowly. Offer fresh foods twice a day for about an hour at each feeding. Don’t leave the fresh food in the cage longer than that. It becomes stale and can develop bacteria.
6. Feeding your bird twice a day can be another good idea for optimum cockatiel health. Your cockatiel will become hungry between feedings and this practice produces a more active bird. With a healthy appetite, your cockatiel is more likely to try new foods. You will also be able to keep a closer watch on how much he is eating. (If your bird is sick, laying eggs, caring for young, or nesting they should always have food available.) When food consumption drops, a bird is usually not feeling well.
7. If your cockatiel is having a hard time getting used to the new diet, try warming the food or cooking the vegetables. It will take a little time to discover what works for your pet. Offer seeds only at mealtime and along with other foods until you see that your bird is eating enough to stay healthy. Cockatiels often do better with new diets when they are fed outside the cage.
8. Water is the final key to your cockatiel’s nutritional success. The water must be fresh and all bowls should be thoroughly cleaned each day with hot water and soap. Disinfect these bowls with bleach every week. Be sure all the bleach is totally rinsed away from the bowls. Adding a multivitamin to the bird’s water daily is also a good idea until you know your cockatiel is getting enough vitamins from the fruit and vegetables.

Cockatiels are delightful pets and feeding them properly adds to their cockatiel health and can extend their life expectancy.