Parakeet Eating Poop

As humans we are trained that eating poop is a bad thing. However, for animals such as parakeets, eating poop is simply a way to try to get vitamins or minerals they are lacking in their normal diet. The parakeet cannot go to the store and buy different food. They have to try to do the best with what is available to them in their cage.

The technical term for this behavior is coprophagia. Some creatures, like rabbits, do this as part of their natural cycle. By giving food two passes through their stomach they get as many nutrients as possible from their food.

Parakeets normally don't need to eat their poop. They should get adequate nutrition from the mixture of seed, vegetables, calcium blocks, and other food items supplied to them. However, if a pet owner is not providing the parakeet with a full range of nutritional items - for example restricting their parakeet to a seed only diet - then a variety of malnutrition issues can arise. The parakeet will resort to things such as eating her own poop in an effort to survive.

The most common nutritional deficiency to cause a parakeet to eat her own poop is a lack of proper minerals. Make sure you have a cuttlebone and a mineral block in your cage in a location where the keet can easily get to it. Experiment with different brands to see which one your keet enjoys the best. It could easily be that your parakeet hates a plain tasting one but adores a banana tasting one.

Part of your role as a parakeet owner is to ensure your parakeet has access to all the vitamins and nutrients she needs to thrive. Minerals are definitely a part of this.

If the poop eating continues after your parakeet has been supplied with a full range of other mineral options, it is time to take her in to a vet for a check-up, to see what else might be amiss with your little pet.

Good luck!

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Lisa Shea Author


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