What to Do If Your Bird Hasn't Had a Drink of Water in 2 Days?

Pet birds, from tiny finches to great parrots, need to have fresh water in clean dishes provided daily. Sometimes, such as during shipping, it is not practical or rules do not allow for fresh water that might spill. There are some tricks that wholesalers use, and there are some things bird owners might think of that shouldn't be done.

  1. Sick Birds

    • A pet bird that is dehydrated will show wrinkles around the eyes and the turgor of skin will be poor (if skin is pinched, it "tents" or does not snap back into place). A sick bird needs to be kept warm. This can be done with a low wattage light bulb or by covering the cage or box and placing it on a hot water bottle or heating pad. An ideal temperature is between 85 and 95 degrees.

      If the bird will drink voluntarily, regular water can be replaced with a pediatric electrolyte solution. It is dangerous to give water or thin liquids with an eyedropper. Birds do not have the same epiglottis structure as humans. Their swallow involves a delicate mechanism; liquids can easily be forced into the airway, with dire consequences. Birds have fragile lungs and usually die from choking this way.

      If dropper feeding is necessary, mix the water or electrolyte solution with dry high protein baby cereal (Gerber makes a brand that comes in a box). The mixture should be the consistency of applesauce. Load the dropper and put it through the side of the beak, pointed diagonally toward the opposite side of the back of the throat. Slowly and evenly discharge the dropper. Depending on the size of the bird, one to 30 drops might be taken at a time. A parrot can take several droppers.

      Stop when the crop at the base of the throat bulges--on a middle-sized bird such as a cockatiel, the crop will be the size of a shooter marble, or two centimeters in diameter, when it is full. The crop is easy to see on baby birds with few mature feathers; it may be harder to gauge on an adult bird.

    Traveling Birds

    • A bird that is traveling can be given a shower with a spray bottle, as long as he is protected from drafts or chill. Another method of hydrating birds being shipped is to place fresh-washed grasses, lettuce, carrots, celery, chopped apples, grapes or citrus slices in their cage to provide moisture when water is not available. Never feed birds avocado because of poisonous substances near the skin of the fruit.

      Pet birds should have a choice of drinking dishes. Not all birds will know how to drink from the type of water bottle that is commonly used for rodents. Mannerisms of particular breeds can be a factor in the type of dish to pick; for instance, parakeets (budgies) will not put their heads into a covered dish to feed or drink. Many pet birds also appreciate a shallow bathing bowl in addition to a drinking cup.