My budgie keeps eating his sanded sheet. What should I do about it?

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. This is fine to use a paper sheet bottom. Budgies are very destructive and will tear anything they can apart. Paper will not hurt your budgie. I've been doing the same with my budgie for the last 3 years and he is absolutely fine. You can continue using the paper towel and at the end of the week clean out the plastic tray.

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.

It's definitely normal and is more of a nesting/boredom behavior rather than an indication of a vitamin or mineral deficiency. You can get them to chew on other toys or other objects if you want to minimize the damage to the perches and ladders. Below is a link to some good ideas for keeping them busy. http://www.parrotenrichment.com/ I hope that helps and all is well with the Budgies.

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.

He is bored. Provide a variety of toys and puzzle feeders for him. Increase play time, both in the cage and out, to keep him distracted. When the behavior is seen, a stern "No" should stop him and then he can be distracted. Be firm and be consistent.

Just like people- birds can become picky eaters. We love to eat potato chips over our veggies, and many birds will enjoy millet over their regular diet! You may need to remove all the 'extras' to see if it will encourage Pepper to start eating his diet again, or mix a little millet in to his regular food (however some birds will pick out their favorites). If he's acting ill in addition to not wanting to eat his regular food, and isn't still improving as you mentioned, or he absolutely refuses even if all millet is removed, seeking vet care is always a good idea to rule out an illness or something such as GI upset that could be causing his preferences to be changed. Until you can get to the vet, keeping him warm, in a separated hospital cage, and with easy access to food and water can help.