All birds need regular deworming to protect them from internal parasites. The most common parasites to affect avians include tapeworms, coccidia, and hookworms. If your dog or cat happens to consume the feces of infected birds, they can contract parasites, too.
Even if you only have one pet bird, they should be frequently dewormed to protect them and other pets from diseases. To help you protect your feathered companion from infections, we explore seven facts about deworming birds.
1. Indoor Birds Can Contract Internal Parasites
Pet birds including canaries, budgies, and parrots can become infected with parasites. Worms are the most common internal parasites that affect our feathered friends, wreaking havoc on their overall health.
If you have one pet bird, you may wonder whether it’s necessary to worm them. Well, some parasite’s eggs remain dormant for months to years before rearing their ugly heads. Whether a tiny finch or a colorful macaw, pet birds can get infected by worms by interacting with natural toys, wood perches, and consuming insects. These items should always be cleaned before being introduced to the cage.
Your bird could also contract parasites from new cage mates.
2. Birds Can Infect Others with Parasites
Common types of worms that infect birds are roundworms, pinworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. These parasites are among the culprits that affect cats, dogs, and humans too. People and pets can contract these parasites when infected droppings dry inside the cage and blow into the environment. Pets can ingest the particles, while handlers may inhale the dry fecal matter while cleaning the cage.
When you have caged birds, it’s important to deworm them to prevent the spread of these nasty critters to your fur companions. A bird can contract tapeworms when it consumes an insect or a beetle infected with the parasite. Roundworms impact birds when they consume the eggs in the droppings of another pet. Just like with tapeworms, birds can pass these worms to cats, dogs, and people. So, have a regular deworming schedule to keep your pets and family safe!
3. Roundworms Are Life-Threatening for Birds
A roundworm infection will make your avian companion very sick. This particular parasite makes its way into the digestive tract, where it affects organ function, more specifically, the stomach. Birds with roundworms will lose a drastic amount of weight, and they’ll become lethargic. Not treating a roundworm infection can clog the animal’s digestive system, and many birds die from this condition. Most pet birds will contract roundworms when they come into contact with wild birds, or they will carry them from the pet store. All internal parasites are bad for your feathered friends and should be controlled before it becomes life-threatening.
4. Liquid Dewormers for Birds are The Least Effective
Whether you have caged birds or backyard chickens, liquid dewormers are the least effective. That’s because birds will avoid drinking the water that contains the medicine, and in most instances, they won’t consume enough of the liquid to receive an adequate dose.
Consulting with a professional vet is best when deworming your avian companions; they will prescribe a dose of dewormer based on the bird’s weight. If birds have a severe infestation where you notice weight loss and find worms in their droppings, it is best to have them assessed by a professional veterinarian.
5. Birds Should be Dewormed Regularly
The only way to treat internal parasites and prevent reinfection is to deworm birds every three months. Sticking to a deworming program will not only keep your feathered friend healthy, but it will also protect you and your pets. In addition to routine worming, a pet bird’s enclosure and the surrounding floors must be cleaned with an avian-safe disinfectant.
Handlers should wear a mask while cleaning enclosures to prevent inhaling any dander or dirt that may transfer eggs or cysts. There are many types of dewormers, but consulting with an experienced avian vet can help you choose the right one to promote your pet’s health.
6. Not All Natural Dewormers are Safe
Certain types of foods, such as pumpkin pips, carrots, and papaya, are high in fiber and are said to act as natural dewormers. Some suggest adding garlic to water, but exercise caution when using these alternative remedies for birds. The chemical in garlic, allicin, is harmful to our feathered friends and should never be fed to them. In addition to the toxicity that garlic and onions cause, not all parasites can be managed naturally.
Birds affected by the parasite coccidiosis will have diarrhea and poor growth. It is known to infect exotic birds, including parrots and chickens. It requires a fairly aggressive treatment using veterinary-approved chemicals to prevent its spread and life-threatening symptoms.
7. Birds Don’t Always Show Signs of Infestations
You might think that aviary or indoor birds only need to be dewormed if they show signs of parasites. Ruffled feathers, loose stools, feather loss, and weight loss are all indications of internal parasites.
But not all animals will show obvious signs they’re infected with worms or coccidia until it reaches a very severe stage. The life cycle of most parasites makes them hard to control as dried fecal matter spreads and is inhaled or ingested by birds. Even if your parrot or budgie isn’t showing any symptoms of internal parasites, they could be getting reinfected from their environment. This makes consistent deworming a necessary part of caring for your pet bird.
All caged and domestic birds require deworming to prevent internal parasites such as worms and protozoa from causing harm. Keeping them up to date on their worming will protect you and other pets in your house from getting infected too. Whether parrots, pigeons, or parakeets, always keep your avian companions dewormed and healthy.
