How to Clean Oil Off of a Parakeet

While most birds that run into oil are water-based birds such as ducks, pelicans and seagulls, a parakeet can also run into oil in certain places, such as if it escapes from home or flies into cooking oil while loose at home. The same method used for cleaning oil off of sea birds will work equally well for cleaning oil off of a parakeet. Make sure to work gently so that you do not traumatize the bird. Have a friend or family member help with the bathing process or else you will have a disastrous mess on your hands.

Things You'll Need

  • Degreasing soap
  • Large bucket
  • Soft toothbrush
  • Pet dryer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure the parakeet is warm and dry before cleaning. Feed the bird for several days before trying to clean the bird. Make sure the bird stays warm and in an indoor location.

    • 2

      Create a mixture of 1 percent degreasing soap and 99 percent warm water. Keep the water at about 100 degrees.

    • 3

      Have someone hold the bird while you clean its feathers. A parakeet will not be happy about its bath. Scrub the bird with a soft toothbrush moving from close to the body out toward the tips of the feathers. When the water starts to get cold or dirty, change it and keep cleaning.

    • 4

      Continue cleaning the bird until no more oil is released into the water. Rinse the bird with warm water.

    • 5

      Dry the feathers with a pet dryer. A human hairdryer can be damaging to a parakeet's feathers.

    • 6

      Allow the bird to recover at its own pace. Some birds sulk and are grumpy for several days or weeks after their bath.