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USING A WATER BOTTLE FOR A PARROT?

May 25, 2009 by Rammi | Posted in Birds

I HAVE DECIDED TO GET A PARROT, A SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED ONE - PROBABLY VARYING IN SIZE FROM A COCKATIEL TO A CAIQUE OR SENEGAL - AND HAVE HEARD A LOT IN BIRD TALK MAGAZINE THAT USING WATER BOTTLES FOR BIRDS IS HEALTHIER AND CLEANER THAN USING A BOWL. I HAVE DECIDED TO USE A WATER BOTTLE. NOW, WHERE IN THE WORLD DO I GET ONE? LOL! IS THERE ONE'S MADE ESPECIALLY FOR PARROTS OR CAN I USE A HAMPSTER ONE OR SOMETHING? ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Thanks. I am just trying to figure out if a hampster water bottle or other small animal water bottles will work?
suzi - just a quick question. wouldn't the water from the bowl cause more of a mess than the water from the bottle? i just figured it would be cleaner and safer if cleaned everyday and refilled every day. i am not planning on using this as a way to not give them fresh water every day but instead as a way to make their cage MORE comfortable! Thanks for your advice!
WOW! Thanks everyone for your input. Okay so let's clarify a few things. I will still be offering fresh water everyday. This just seemed like a better way to offer if because their wouldn't be any way that the poop or food could mix in when I wasn't looking. Also, I am not planning on using plastic dishes, only stainless steal or the water bottle. Thanks and any advice you are giving is great and very appreciated!!!

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Personally, I think that water bottles are a very bad idea.

I've seen bottles fail. During the course of rescues, I've seen it so many times, that I will never use bottles. The floats get stuck and the water either drains out completely, or remains full with no way for the bird to get the water out.

Bottles also drip, leaking water into the bottom of the cage. This commonly causes cage rust - toxic to birds. It also adds moisture to the cage bottom. When mixed with feces and food waste it causes mold and bacteria growth.

More bacteria can be found inside the bottles. Avoid all plastics. Due to the design of the bottle and spout, they are nearly impossible to keep clean. Water left inside bottles may have bacteria forming within 24 hours.

Personally, I use and recommend only stainless steel or glass bowls - cleaned and refilled every day...if not more than once.

I figure that if people don't have the time to give their bird fresh water every day, they probably don't have enough time for the bird.


edit***

No Rammi, in my experience bowls don't make more of a mess. Not at all.

The biggest problem with water bowls is keeping some birds from pooping in them. I found that hanging or mounting ; large non-shreddable toys right over the water bowls prevents them from perching on the bowls, or on the cage wires over them. Always avoid placing perches above the food and water.

If you are really intent on using a bottle, I might suggest that you use both a bottle and a cup. Just mount the water bottle over the water bowl, so it drips into the bowl, not the cage bottom.

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Kili Senegal Parrot - Showering From Her Water Bottle

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Seizures in Green Cheek Conures

Seizures in Green Cheek Conures

by Dani Decker
(Guthrie, Ok)

A few days ago, my youngest Green Cheek Conure started to have seizures shortly after putting the birds to bed for the night. Due to the extent and number of seizures he was having I was unable to get him to the hospital and he passed away. These were very violent seizures, and came about every thirty minutes, Storey showed now sign of anything being out of the normal prior to the onset of these seizures, they were sudden and deadly, are seizures common with the Green Cheeks, I have two other green cheeks , my pineapple has had one seizure before and non since, my normal green cheek, has never had one.
Thank you so much.
Dani,Ok.

Green-cheekeds are not more prone to seizures than any other bird. In fact, I have never seen one in my practice that presented with seizures.

Seizures are a complicated problem and often go undiagnosed. Idiopathic epilepsy does occur in birds. Some nutritional problems can cause seizures. Head trauma is also a common cause. Brain tumors have been found in birds and cause seizures. Certain infections can also cause them. Certain toxins can cause them too.

Did you have a necropsy (animal autopsy) performed on the G-c who died? Necropsy is often the only way to get a final diagnosis in these cases. Since you have a second bird in the same household showing similar signs, I recommend that you have a complete work up done before more seizures occur. Have the veterinarian do CBC, Chemistry panel, zinc and lead levels, and x-rays at the very least.

Dr B Green-cheekeds are not more prone to seizures than any other bird. In fact, I have never seen one in my practice that presented with seizures. Seizures are a complicated problem and often go undiagnosed. Idiopathic epilepsy does occur in birds. Some nutritional problems can cause seizures. Head trauma is also a common cause. Brain tumors have...

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