A cockatiel pooping water can be very concerning.
When a domestic bird suffers from this digestive issue, you may be left wondering what may have been the cause and what you can do about it.
In a nutshell, there are many reasons why birds may poop water. It may be diet-related, or it can also be a stress reaction when your pet recently has a change in environment. But whatever the reason may be, you need to keep in mind that diarrhea in birds is a serious concern that should never be taken lightly.
It is also possible that this symptom is only the surface. There may be a more serious problem happening, which can develop too quickly when ignored.
With this in mind, it is best to know the proper diagnosis and right treatment for a cockatiel pooping water, so you can prevent things from taking a turn for the worse. Let’s have a look at these common reasons why birds suffer from diarrhea and the best course of action to take.
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Why Your Cockatiel Is Pooping Water
First, let’s talk about the normal types of droppings in birds. First, the feces should be solid greenish or brownish. As for the urine, it must be a clear liquid. The in-between is called urates, which is semisolid and whitish in color.
On the other hand, when your cockatiel has liquid feces, it means there is more urine than feces and urate in it. Thus, it could be caused by a sudden change in your pet’s diet, or your bird may have accidentally eaten something that is not good for its digestion.
In other cases, this may simply be a sign of your bird overeating. If that is the cause (overeating), then it is not really an emergency issue. Yet, you should still observe your pet’s stool quality closely.
If the feces remains watery in the next 24 hours or so, this is not simply a case of overeating. So, you need to contact your vet to provide the best diagnosis and treatment for your pet’s condition.
Now, it is important to understand that there is such a thing as polyuria and diarrhea. These are two different things, although they are both determined by too much urine in your pet’s droppings. However, it is not caused by a disease. But it may happen when your pet has eaten more fruits that are easily digested by the body.
Moreover, an increase in water intake can cause watery poop in cockatiels.
As for the most common causes of liquid poop in birds, there are a few to keep in mind. Diarrhea is not exactly an illness. But it is a symptom of some underlying diseases linked with your pet’s digestion. It can also be caused by pathological or nutritional aspects.
When your cockatiel poops water, there are a number of reasons why this may happen. These include stress, food allergies, tumor, bacterial or viral infection, poor diet, and a sudden change in the diet.
It is also possible that poisoning has occurred, as well as parasite infestations including protozoa, tapeworms and roundworms.
What To Do With A Cockatiel Pooping Water
When you are dealing with a cockatiel that is pooping water, there are a few things you can do to help your pet feel better. The following steps can guide you better in providing the best support for your cockatiel.
1. Observe any changes in behavior.
Be sure to check your pet’s behavior. There may be other symptoms of an illness that you may not be aware of including lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, blood in the stool, and nasal discharge.
If your pet is also not preening its feathers and the feathers appear ruffled, these can also be signs of a medical problem that needs to be addressed appropriately.
2. Avoid changing the diet abruptly.
A cockatiel’s digestion may react negatively when you change the diet quickly. For instance, if your pet is used to eating seeds and pellets, then do not change it up without any gentle transition. Avoid giving fresh food that has a higher moisture content such as fruit or vegetables that may cause diarrhea or stomach upset.
Moreover, you may want to provide probiotics to your cockatiel to support a healthy gut. But be sure to consult your vet about this supplement instead of self-prescribing.
3. Give clean and fresh water to drink.
A possible cause of problems with a cockatiel’s health is a lack of hydration. When your pet is having diarrhea, then it may cause dehydration. So, it is important that you provide clean drinking water to your pet.
However, if you notice that your pet is displaying other worrisome symptoms such as not drinking, listlessness, and weakness, then you need to contact your vet urgently. Some more intensive rehydration processes will be required to get your pet back in good shape.
4. Alleviate stress in your pet.
With your pet not feeling like its normal self, the last thing you want is to expose it into a stressful environment. This is why you should consider moving its cage to a quiet and stress-free location in your home. Be sure the ambient temperature is comfortable – not too cool or warm.
Read More: Cockatiel Breathing Heavy – Why This Happens
Your Next Steps
Birds are not immune from infections. Diarrhea is one of the symptoms of an infection in birds, among a few other signs such as labored breathing, tremors, weight loss, and drowsiness. But most importantly, diarrhea can cause dehydration, which can lead to further issues.
This is why if your pet cockatiel is suffering from diarrhea, you need to perform the right steps that will not only alleviate the symptoms but also prevent greater concerns from developing. You may want to contact your vet if more serious symptoms start to develop or provide a stress-free environment and clean drinking water to help ease the condition of your pet.
