I have a question about my lutino cockteil's eating habits.... for a REALLY long time now, by bird has been eating a lot of paper... people say that there's something missing in his diet, and I think that's it... we had cuttle bone for him... and it just hit me that we threw it away a long time ago because it went bad... we can get that anytime, and I know he needs it, but is that the reason he eats paper (and sometime these wood straw chairs in our sun room...!) HELP!
2007-12-24 16:16:34 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
Cockatiels and most other hookbills, love to destroy and chew things. That's normal.
I highly doubt that your 'tiel is eating the newspaper. Newspaper is printed with non-toxic soy-based ink. It will not harm your bird.
However, many materials can harm your bird. Like the toxic glue used on cardboard sleeves from toilet paper and paper towel rolls. These are not safe for birds. Safe products, like Birdy Bagels, are available - made of thick colored cardboard tubes.
And do not, as another suggested, ever use grit, sand litter, liners or perch covers. It is believed that ingestion of this material can cause crop impaction.
You should have a clean cuttlebone and/or mineral (calcium) block in your bird's cage at all times. These help provide essential minerals.
Bird-safe chewable toys and build-your-own toy parts are also available. I prefer natural products that can be chewed like wood, vine, palm, leather, and rope. Make sure you purchase these from bird-supply sellers only. Similar items at craft stores are usually coated, treated or dyed with toxic chemicals and are not safe for pets.
One of my favorites for bird supplies is Drs Foster and Smith. The have low prices, great service and lots of helpful articles on pet care. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/
Don't worry about the paper. Try to find something better for your bird to shred.
Good luck!
2007-12-24 18:54:43 · answer #1 · answered by Suzi 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He is not eating, he is chewing. It is quite normal.
Get him some shredder toys, let him chew on 'safe' stuff, straws, plastic pop bottle tops, wood toys, etc.
The cuttle bone does not 'go bad'... it can become fouled, get wet and nasty but it won't just 'go bad'.
He does need it for chewing and calcium, but not for digesting his food.
Cockies shell their food before they eat it, so they have no need to 'grind' it in their gizzard. They do not even have a gizzard. If you use grit, remove it. It is only for birds that swallow their seeds whole (like a dove).
2007-12-25 00:26:37 · answer #2 · answered by Nature Mother 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1st answer is great. Also if your still worried your bird is actually eating it use bird sand (can buy at pet store for the bottom of the cage instead. If its newspaper he might be ingesting the ink from the print which cant be good for him.
2007-12-25 00:37:13 · answer #3 · answered by Chinchilla Lover 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Cockatiels love to chew on things, i give mine the used bathroom tissue rolls tubes.
2007-12-25 00:41:54 · answer #4 · answered by jon_mac_usa_007 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋