Parrot Health Care

A sick parrot should always be taken to a vet. Separate him from your other parrots to avoid the disease spreading, and clean out the main cage, using a pet-safe disinfectant, or a mixture of one part vinegar to two parts water.

Ring-Necked Parakeet in the prime of health

There are some other things you can do to make him comfortable before his appointment at the vet’s:

• Set up the solitary confinement ‘recovery cage’ in a familiar environment to minimise acclimatisation stress.
• Make sure the cage is warm – most diseases cause a parrot’s temperature to drop, and a sudden chill can finish him off. You can buy infra-red lamps to provide quick, safe heat; but these should only be used if you have already taken expert advice on where to position them and how to employ them safely and effectively.
• Provide plenty of water, and offer the parrot’s favourite food.
• Don’t let children and pets fuss around him, and keep him in his cage, to minimise added stress.