How to Help a Pet Bird Lose Weight

Excess weight is as bad for a pet bird as it is for you. Many pet birds die of fatty liver disease, hardening of the arteries and diabetes as a result of obesity. Budgies, Amazon parrots and Galah cockatoos are particularly prone to becoming overweight, although most pet birds have some level of risk. Fortunately, most birds shed the extra grams with only a few adjustments to their diet and lifestyle.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gram scale with perch
• Low fat pelleted diet
• Fresh produce

1. Invest in a good gram scale with a perch. These are available at specialty bird stores and on the Internet and usually cost $30 to $50.

2. Weigh your bird at least weekly, at the same time of day and record the weights to track his progress. If you are not certain what your bird should weigh, consult a chart of average weights for pet birds by species.

3. Since birds vary in build and stature, even within a species, you should also feel the keel (breastbone) regularly. You should be able to feel the muscles on each side of the bone, and the bone itself, by touching the bird's chest. Ideally, the muscles and bone down the center of the chest should protrude about the same amount. If the bone feels sunken, your bird is probably carrying excess weight. If the keel is sharp and protrudes beyond the muscles on each side, the bird is too thin.

4. Set a weight loss goal for your bird. In general, this should be the high end of the average weight for that species. You can decide whether your bird needs to lose additional weight after this goal is achieved by feeling the keel bone.

5. Replace your bird's regular pellets with a variety lower in fat, and if possible, higher in fiber. The increased fiber will make your bird feel full and reduce her appetite.

6. Feed pellets only in the morning and evening, and remove them after an hour. This will prevent your bird from munching on them all day long. Pellets, although healthy, are very calorically dense. If your bird eats nuts or seeds in addition to pellets, strictly limit the amount you offer to a few seeds or half a nut per day.

7. Offer your bird plenty of fresh produce throughout the day. Fruits and vegetables are high in water and fiber, but generally have few calories. These foods will prevent your bird from becoming hungry while still allowing her to lose weight.

8. Encourage your bird to exercise. Flying, if your bird doesn't have clipped wings, or flapping exercises are the most effective way to do this. You should also offer your bird toys that he will play with actively, such as swings and climbing toys.

9. Once your bird has achieved her weight loss goal, you should take steps to maintain a healthy weight. Weigh your bird weekly, and adjust her diet if she gains or loses more than 10% of her usual weight. Continue to exercise your bird and limit fatty food intake. Some birds will need to continue to eat low fat pellets to avoid regaining weight.

Tips & Warnings

• Rotate toys regularly to avoid boredom and keep your bird active while he is in his cage.
• Consider purchasing a flight cage, so your bird can exercise while you are out of the house.
• Always check with your avian veterinarian before beginning a weight loss program for an obese bird.

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