Raising A Healthy Pet Bird-5 Ways To Keep Your Pet Bird Healthy

Even the healthiest pet birds can fall ill from disease and infection. Avoiding health issues is a crucial part of proper bird management, because they can be transmitted quickly from one bird to another, and sometimes from birds to humans.

Making sure that you know how to prevent health problems from occurring should be one of your first considerations when purchasing any bird.

It is essential that you give your avian friend a good environment if you want it to have a long and happy life. When provided with a good home, they enjoy good health, are colorful, energetic, and make wonderful companions.

Although diseases occur with birds in the wild, they are very common with birds in artificially produced living areas.

Cages in your home, can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses that can endanger your pets' lives. Here are 5 suggestions that will help keep your bird happy and healthy.

1. Whenever you purchase a bird you should always use a breeder or company that know, or that has been referred to you by someone whose opinion you trust. Check credentials and ask for references before committing to the purchase. An on-site inspection of the premises should be available if you are making a local purchase.

Never choose a bird that appears weak, listless or out of sorts. You may really be in love with that Amazon Parrot, but if it is ill you could be bringing viruses and bacterial infections into your home.

2. Always insist upon a vet clearance certification before you purchase any bird so that you will have a guarantee of its good physical condition. Most savvy owners will quickly follow up with a check up at their personal vet's office just to be on the safe side. Make sure you continue to take your bird in for routine checkups.

3. Keep the cage and the surrounding floor area as clean and dry as possible. This can be done by using newspapers and disposable tray liners; these items are both inexpensive and extremely convenient.

4. Make sure that your bird has toys, swings and other interesting objects to occupy their time. This is very important to smaller birds that may live their lives in cages. Creating a comfortable environment will keep them busy and occupied which will make them less likely to become depressed. Birds that are unhappy and depressed are more susceptible to viral infections and other diseases.

5. One of the easiest steps that you can take to prevent disease and infections is to use a high efficiency particle arresting (abbreviated as HEPA) air purifier in the room where you house your birds.

This type of cleaner by definition will reduce 99,997 out of every 10,000 airborne contaminants and pollutants greater than .3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. Having a HEPA air purifier in your home will reduce bird related pollutants such as dander, dust, and feathers.

A HEPA cleaner will also reduce other normal household pollutants such as household dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, pollen, bacteria, and viruses. This is important because many viruses are able to travel from one bird or human to another by attaching to these bigger particles. Removing them from your air greatly reduces the chances of that happening.

And by eliminating these irritants that exacerbate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions, it makes it easier for everyone in your home to live and enjoy your pet bird.