Budgie Constipation (Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment)
Last Updated on December 23, 2023 by Ali Shahid
Budgies rarely experience constipation. A properly fed budgie should have no problem eliminating. Still, it isn’t impossible. In Budgie constipation, birds become very inactive, irritable, and strained to defecate.
Taking immediate action is necessary because this is a very bad health problem. A healthier diet and better access to water can solve this problem. The signs of a constipated budgie are easy to detect because they poop every 15-20 minutes.
Constipation occurs when budgies don’t get enough soluble fiber, oil, and water. As a result, hard, dry, and lumpy stools cause slow, painful bowel movements.
A constipated budgie tends to withdraw from social activities and experiences inappetence. Furthermore, budgies may become irritable and even self-destructive.
How do I know if my budgie is constipated?
Budgies with constipation will have no droppings at the bottom of their cage. The average budgie poops 40-50 times per day, even while sleeping and napping. Constipated budgies will still produce irregular droppings, but they’ll be less frequent and firmer.
Symptoms of budgie constipation include:
- Lethargy
- Straining while passing feces
- Depression
- Less vocalization
- Angry behaviors
When your budgie’s waste patterns suddenly change, take a closer look at his behavior and attitude. An active digestive tract is a sign of a happy and healthy budgie.
Why Do Budgies Get Constipated?
There are many reasons for constipation in budgies. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
- Loss of Appetite
Many illnesses cause loss of appetite. However, if your budgie stops eating or doesn’t eat much, it may be constipated. Even when hungry, a bird may find it difficult to eat if it cannot eliminate waste.
2. Gastrointestinal Blockages
Budgies have a digestive system that breaks down most food and ensure it passes through. Dr. Ali states that some foreign objects may cause gastrointestinal obstructions. Budgies can develop this issue when they ingest small stones.
Therefore, the solid object clogs up the intestines and prevents food from entering. The budgie will likely expel anything it tries to eat if it has an intestinal blockage. If this blockage is not removed, the lack of nutrition will soon prove fatal.
The use of laxatives and oral lubricants can help pass foreign objects as waste. The rest must be manually removed by a veterinarian using an endoscope.
3. Lacking Fiber and Oil
As per nutritionists, budgies prefer seeds over other foods. Consequently, a nutrient-deficient diet will result in constipation. A high-fat diet can cause diarrhea, while a high-protein diet can cause constipation.
Providing budgies with seeds in moderation can provide them with adequate nutrition. If your budgie’s diet lacks fiber or has the wrong fiber, his stools will be tough, lumpy, and painful. A dehydrated budgie suffers the same fate.
Adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your budgie’s diet can help solve this problem. Fibrous materials allow waste to pass freely. Your budgie should eat some seeds (pumpkin, flax, etc.) since they are rich in oils.
4. Water
Drinking regularly is essential for the maintenance of a healthy bowel movement in the budgie. No matter how often they visit the water bowl, budgies drink one teaspoon of water a day.
The loss of moisture and the difficulty passing waste will result in constipation in dehydrated budgies. Make sure your budgie has plenty of water and hydrating snacks. The ideal temperature for a budgie is 75°F, while 85°F is too hot.
5. Pregnancy
Female budgie may be exhibiting breeding behaviors and having difficulty eliminating. The larger the egg grows inside her reproductive system, the less space she has.
As more of her metabolic processes go into egg production, her poop will become bigger, but more infrequent. You may need to take a pregnant budgie to your veterinarian if she seems to be straining and not dropping any waste.
6. Blocked Vent
Budgies with gastrointestinal viruses are likely to get diarrhea. Budgies with poor bowel control will release wet and runny stools. If your budgie has diarrhea, clean his bottom to prevent waste from drying and clumping, which can clog the vent.
To fix this, the vent must be cleaned so waste can be passed normally again. The following steps will help you clean the rear of a budgie:
- Get a warm water source going. Avoid using scented soaps or shampoos.
- Take a cotton ball or pad and dip it into the water.
- Use the wet cotton ball to wipe the stained area.
- Until the area is clean, keep replacing the cotton.
- Use a soft cloth to wipe the budgie dry.
Give your pet a warm bath if the stain is stubborn. Poop won’t fall away on its own. Unclean bottoms can attract bugs, causing birds to suffer from flystrike.
How Often Should My Budgie Poop?
It depends on the size of your bird. You may not believe it, but it is kind of the opposite. Pooping is less frequent in larger birds. The reason is that smaller animals tend to have a faster metabolism.
Additionally, they process their poop faster to remain light to fly efficiently. Budgies can poop up to fifty times a day, almost every fifteen minutes.
In a short period, that’s a lot of little poops. A disruption in their fecal routine could be concerning given the frequency of these movements.
How to Treat a Constipated Budgie?
- Fiber And Water
Leaving constipation untreated will result in illness. Water and fiber are the first things your budgie should consume. Ensure that their cages are filled with plenty of water as well as fiber-rich foods.
2. Cleaning
Make sure the area is clean. A blocked anal opening might require your assistance. Dirt, seed casings, or any other matter in the passageway could block the anal opening. Remove them if possible.
3. Oil
Give the oil a try. Dip their food in vegetable oil. Oil may lubricate the stool and help it pass. Directly inject oil into your bird’s body with a dropper of oil placed in its mouth.
4. Consult a veterinarian
A veterinarian should be consulted if constipation does not improve.
Conclusion
Generally, budgies eat anything without considering the benefits or side effects. Poor eating habits or dry intestines are common causes of constipation in birds.
Constipation can happen even to pet birds if they don’t get a balanced diet. Proper medical attention can easily cure constipation in birds.
The consumption of foods rich in fiber, oil, and moisture can prevent constipation. The best advice is to take precautions to avoid constipation in budgies.
