- Heat stress: Cockatiels are native to warm climates and can overheat easily. Panting is one way that they try to cool down. If your cockatiel is panting, make sure that its cage is in a cool, shady spot and that it has access to fresh water. You can also try misting your cockatiel with cool water.
- Stress: Stress can cause panting in cockatiels. Some of the things that can stress a cockatiel include:
- changes in routine
- loud noises
- being handled too much
- being around other animals
If you think that your cockatiel is stressed, try to identify the source of the stress and eliminate it.
- Respiratory infection: Panting can be a sign of a respiratory infection, such as pneumonia or aspergillosis. These infections are often caused by bacteria or fungi, and can be serious. If you think that your cockatiel has a respiratory infection, it's important to take it to an avian veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Heart disease: Panting can also be a sign of heart disease. Heart disease is more common in older cockatiels, but it can also affect younger birds. If you think that your cockatiel has heart disease, it's important to take it to an avian veterinarian as soon as possible.