Expert Tips for How to Properly Bathe Your Pet Bird

Among the many steps involved in properly caring for your pet bird, regular bathing is important for several reasons. Specifically, bathing helps promote healthy feather grooming, removes excessive dust, and alleviates dry skin—in fact, many birds crave baths during the winter due to the dryness of the air.

If you’re wondering how to properly bathe your bird in order to keep their skin and feathers clean and healthy, consider the following tips from Melanie Allen, an Avian Product Specialist at the Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp and HARI (Hagen Avicultural Research Institute):

Determine whether your bird prefers a shower or a bath

Some parrot and finch species prefer baths, which can be achieved by placing a shallow bowl of clean water in the bottom of the cage. For smaller species, such as finches, canaries, and cockatiels, it may be best to use a bird bath attached to the side of the cage. On the other hand, some birds may prefer to be sprayed with a fine mist; larger parrots may even enjoy a shower perch! It will likely take some experimentation to determine which bath or shower methods are most agreeable to your pet.

Always use fresh, clean water

Regardless of whether your bird shows a preference for showers or baths, it’s crucial to ensure that you’re using fresh, clean water.

Use cool water

While humans may love hot showers, water that is too warm can shock your bird’s system or cause burns and various other risks. Water that is too cold may also be uncomfortable. Therefore, always check the temperature of the water to ensure that it is cool or room temperature before giving your feathered friend a shower or bath.

If you use a mister, be sure the bottle has never been used for anything other than water!

This will ensure that there are no chemical residues in the bottle that could be harmful to your bird.

Encourage your bird to bathe in the morning so he has plenty of time to groom himself and dry off completely

Never put a bird to bed while their feathers are still wet, as they could face serious health risks if they become chilled. If the room is cool, provide a basking lamp or set your bird’s cage near a sunny window when he preens his feathers.

While different birds have different preferences when it comes to bath time, establishing a regular bathing or showering routine that your feathered friend seems to enjoy is essential for keeping them healthy, happy, and clean. For more tips on how to best care for your pet bird, check out our other articles or follow us on Facebook! To learn more about HARI, visit https://hari.ca.