How to Treat Sick Parrot at Home

As a parrot owner myself, I am kinda a familiar with parrot sickness; I raised parrots for the 18 years of my life, and let me tell you that learning how to treat sick parrots is essential for every parrot owner. Parrots, in general, are prone to many health problems, especially those that are related to the respiratory system. Other infections can also happen. To the eyes, beak, and the parrot’s body.

I am not a specialized vet or anything, but the time that I’ve spent with the parrot made me able to provide the care for my sick parrot. Of course, sometimes I needed to go to a vet for medications. What I’m saying is, That I can with high accuracy identify what is wrong with my parrots when they get sick, and either I nurse and care for them at home, or taking to the vet if the condition is more complicated.

So, if you noticed that your parrot is suffering from sick parrot symptoms, highly recommend you to visit the vet as soon as possible, and this article will help on how to treat your sick parrot, and how to care for it while he is healing.

sick cockatiel in blanket

How To Treat A Sick Parrot

If you insist that you try to treat your parrot at home, then let me tell you that there are limited options you can do as help for your parrot. Some diseases will require prescribed medications, some diseases will require you to let the veterinary center for a while, which meant that not all home remedies will help your lovely parrot.

So, if you want to treat your parrot at home, you have to be able to assess the severity of the condition your parrot is suffering from. If you found out that this sickness will go away, or your parrot faced the same illness before he healed and got back his health without prescribed medications.

Then it’s ok to try home remedies for sick parrots, and for all my parrots, when they get sick, I only try 2 things with them.

  • Increase Their Immune System Efficiency
  • Increase Their Appetite

I don’t do medications for them unless the vet stated that they need them.

To strengthen the immune system, enhance liver function, and help the digestive and respiratory systems of your parrot. There are multiple remedies you can use, the most effective option is to use garlic and lemon solution.

And to prepare it, all you have to do is to mash only one clove of garlic and put it in 300-500ml of water. Let the garlic soak in the water for 8-10 hours. And then, filter the solution, and squeeze the lemon in it.

Notice that you have to remove the water bowl away from your parrot, make him thirsty for 4-5 hours, and then give him the garlic-lemon solution. and replace the mixture once every 12 hours with a fresh one. Keep giving the garlic-lemon solution to your bird for 3-5 days.

To increase your parrot’s appetite, you can add more pepper to his food, especially cayenne pepper.

9 Caring & Nursing Ways

Recognize A Sick Parrot Symptoms

Recognizing and understanding the sick parrot symptoms can make you able to help your sick parrot and sometimes save his life. As there are multiple symptoms that show serious health problems. And without immediate intervention from the vet, the parrot may die.

Visit The Avian Vet

After you suspect there is a problem and your parrot is showing bad symptoms, you need to go to the vet to get a diagnosis and medication. Remember that giving your parrot any kind of medication without consulting a vet could lead him to death. Also, ask the vet about any side effects the medicine could cause to your bird.

Serve Medication as Instructed

You should follow the exact instruction your vet gave you regarding the medication use and dosages.

Let Your Parrot Rest

Give your parrot resting time and remove any source of stress around him, you can change the cage to a more private place, far from family members, noises, and any other pets.

Food & Water

You need to make sure that your sick parrot is eating food and drinking his water. If he keeps rejecting the food after you visited the vet, try to notify him about it.

Provide Warmth

Provide your parrot with a warm temperature, especially if he was suffering from cold or fever, or as the vet instructed.

Keep The Cage Clean

You should maintain the hygiene inside your parrot as much as possible, even if your parrot is not suffering from sickness. This routine can prevent your parrot from getting infections or prevent his conditions from getting worse.

Observe The Condition of Your Parrot

You need to observe the status of your parrot, especially if he is sick. You need to notice if the parrot is getting sicker, and if so, you should notify the vet.

Be Supportive

The healing process for humans, cats, dogs, and any other living being is both mental and physical, so you should be supportive toward your parrot.

When you move his cage in a quiet area, make sure that you check on him every here and then, make him feel your existence, especially if he is bonded to you.

Some parrots could show aggression toward the owner, because all they want while sickness is to leave them alone, but it’s ok to see if your parrot can handle petting or any other interaction.