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Related Articles & Questions
- Care Sheets
How to Care for Pet Doves: Food, Habitat, & Health for Happy Birds
Learn how to care for your pet dove, recommended diet and cage setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
- Care Sheets
Conure Care Guide: Food, Habitat, Health & Tips for a Thriving Conure
Learn how to take care of Conures, recommended diet and housing setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
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Button Quail Care: Essential Food, Habitat & Health Guide
Learn how to take care of Button Quails, recommended diet and housing setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025
- Health & Wellness
Your Bird's Feathers: Anatomy, Types, Color, Molting & Care Guide
As there are different types of hair on furred animals, birds have different kinds of feathers, each having a particular function.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025
- Grooming
Dog Nail Trimming Guide: How to Cut Dog Nails Safely
Learn more about dog nail trimming and paw caring for your pet to help them look good and feel great.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
- Grooming
How to trim a sparrow's nails? Why is my sparrow scratching and flaky?
Small nail clippers can be used to take the points off. Sandpaper perch covers or concrete perches can be used to maintain length. Consider an exam with your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet to diagnose mites or skin infection. Bathe or mist with warm water once or twice weekly to promote preening and healthy plumage.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Training & Behavior
My untamed zebra finch got olive oil on him. How do I clean it?
Thanks for reaching out about Keaton. Just because he is not tame does not mean you can't bath him. Dawn dish soap or Johnson's baby shampoo work well. Hold under luke warm water under the skin, lather and rinse, fairly quickly. Provide heat support to dry off. If you leave him matted with oily feather, he can not insulate himself and is more likely to get ill. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Training & Behavior
New to parakeets? Essential care tips for first-time owners.
Parakeets, also called Budgerigars, are small members of the parrot family and they can become good mimics. The average adult size is 7 inches long, head to end of tail. The average life span is between 10 to 20 years with proper care. A well-balanced Parakeet diet consists of: Specialized pellets should make up 60-70% of diet, fresh vegetables and fruits and small amounts of fortified seeds Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water, changed daily. Do not feed birds: avocado, fruit seeds, chocolate, caffeine or alcohol; it can cause serious medical conditions. Avoid sugar and high fat treats. Things to remember when feeding your Parakeet: Fresh food and water should always be available. Vegetables and fruits not eaten within a few hours should be discarded. Remember, treats should not exceed 10% of total food intake. Housing Parakeets acclimate well to average household temperatures, not to exceed 80°F; be cautious of extreme temperature changes. The habitat should area that is well-lit and away from drafts. A habitat approximately 18"W x 18"D x 18"H, with metal bars spaced no greater than 1-2" apart, makes a good home for one Parakeet. A flight habitat is strongly recommended. It is best to provide the largest habitat possible. Perches should be at least 4" long and 3-8" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. Perches should be at least 4" long and 3-8" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. A metal grate over the droppings tray will keep the bird away from droppings; line the droppings tray with habitat paper or appropriate substrate for easier cleaning. To avoid contamination, do not place food or water containers under perches. Parakeets can be kept alone to bond with pet parent or in pairs to bond with each other. Different birds she not be housed together. Normal Behavior Parakeets are talkers, but their little voices are sometimes hard to hear. Active and need daily time out of their habitats to interact with family. Keep in pairs if unable to devote daily interaction time. Provide foraging toys, which provide important mental stimulation. Housing Maintenance Clean and disinfect the habitat and perches regularly; replace substrate or habitat liner weekly or more often as needed. Replace perches, dishes, and toys when worn or damaged; rotate new toys into the habitat regularly. Ensure that there are no habitat parts or toys with lead, zinc or lead-based paints or galvanized parts as these can cause serious medical issues if ingested by your bird. Do not use a lot of cleaning agents around your bird a natural cleaner. Grooming & Hygiene Provide filtered, chlorine-free, lukewarm water regularly for bathing; remove the water when done. As an alternative, mist the bird with water. Clipping flight feathers is not necessary, but when done correctly it can help prevent injury or escape; consult an avian veterinarian on what is best for your bird. Nails should be trimmed by a qualified person to prevent injury to the bird. Signs of a Healthy Animal: Active, alert, and sociable Eats and drinks throughout the day Dry nares and bright, dry eyes Beak, legs and feet normal in appearance Clean, dry vent Smooth, well-groomed feathers Common Health Issues Chlamydiosis: Appetite loss, fluffed feathers, nasal discharge, green stool. Seek immediate avian veterinary attention. Diarrhea: Fecal portion of stool is not formed. Multiple causes from diet change to internal parasites. Consult with an avian veterinarian and ensure proper diet. Feather plucking: Bird plucks own feathers; may be due to boredom, poor diet or other illness. Consult your veterinarian and relieve boredom with attention, new toys or new space. Mites (scaly face and leg disease): White deposits on eyes, beak, legs, and feet. Consult your veterinarian. Red Flags Beak swelling or accumulations Fluffed, plucked, or soiled feathers Sitting on floor
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Grooming
My budgie preens neck a lot after bath. Is it normal for new feathers?
If he is getting new feathers in that area of the body, that could be a reason for him to preen in the neck area. If, however, he begins to lose feathers and you aren't seeing new feathers coming in/ you are seeing bald areas of skin then this could be a sign of a problem (such as mites/parasites) that require veterinary attention. If your bird had a bath today that could be another reason for his extra grooming habits today.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Grooming
My budgie is itchy. How do I safely bathe it with warm water mist?
You can definitely use a warm water mist from a spray bottle and see if your budgie enjoys it. If he moves away or acts scared, it may be a little too much for him. The water should be warm enough to be comfortable, but not too hot it burns. Testing it on yourself first is smart. Another option is to place a shallow dish filled with warm water in it for your budgie to bathe himself. Most budgies enjoy having a bath to play in. The water should be changed daily or as needed if it becomes dirty.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
