Is it safe if my budgie tears and eats paper from its cage bottom?

He may be eating it in an attempt to correct a nutritional deficiency. Place a mineral block in the cage and remove the sheet. Budgies do not require grit, so eating the sand sheet may lead to digestive issues. Provide a variety of toys to keep him engaged and distracted from the paper. Playtime outside of the cage should also be increased if possible.

He will likely be fine. Most birds will simply chew paper or fabric without actually ingesting it. You can monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or loose droppings. See your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating birds if necessary.

It may be due to curiosity or boredom. Provide a variety of foods (pelleted diet, some seed, fresh fruit and vegetables) as well as a variety of toys to keep them engaged. A grate at the bottom will prevent them from reaching the droppings.

It is always best to monitor your birds when they are out of the cage and to not leave them unattended in a room or other area where they may become injured or get into something. If you suspect your budgie has eaten something harmful, or has injured itself while outside of the cage, it is best to seek veterinary care ASAP, especially if they are showing any signs of illness such as listless behavior, refusal to eat or drink, vomiting or loose droppings, etc.

While this is unusual it does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. I would recommend cleaning off the vent with a warm wet cloth and seeing if it accumulates again. I would also recommend examining the stool/droppings at the bottom of the cage and make sure they look normal. If Millet is otherwise acting normal, eating well, and the stools look normal then I wouldn’t be too concerned. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck!

Sky might be a bit stressed out from the change, but that cage looks pretty nice and roomy! I'd put new paper down on the floor of the cage that is easy to see droppings on so that you can monitor for any more signs of blood in the stool, as well as examine Sky if he'll let you to check for any injury such as a broken feather or break in the skin. If he seems to be acting normal and healthy, and you don't see any more blood in the stool or on the body, wouldn't worry too much. if the blood continues in the stool, a vet checkup to rule out issues such as parasites is always a good idea. If you see an injury on the body, stopping bleeding with styptic powder and then keeping the area clean and free of debris can help, however if you notice a broken blood feather or severe injury that isn't healing, having a vet take a look is best.

Lettuce can cause some digestive upset in birds and runny stool. I would recommend feeding fresh fruits and other veggies (like zucchini, carrots, and peppers) instead. There is also an increased risk of E. coli In bagged lettuce products right now so I would stay away from those as well. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.