Why Is My Budgie Not Eating? Reasons And Remedies
Budgie is an omnivorous parrot species. Although they consume all types of food, you can’t feed them forcefully if they refuse to eat. And if this situation arrives, you should know why your budgie stops eating.
Budgie keepers frequently ask, Why is my budgie not eating? Pet budgies won’t eat if they find their new surroundings too stressful. Additionally, digestion problems, new types of food, and mental stress are possible reasons for budgie not eating.
In this article, I will share my experience and other common reasons why a budgie doesn’t eat. Without further delay, let’s dive in.
5 Possible Reasons Your Budgie Is Not Eating
Budgie is a cheerful parrot. When he is physically and mentally stable, he takes food properly and does everything usually, including playing and sleeping. So when he stops eating food, it is something to worry about.
I have an experience in this regard. When I got my first budgie, he hardly ate the food for the first two weeks. He took only 2 to 3 grams of the food during the day. However, pet nutritionists recommend feeding 15 to 16 grams of the meal daily.
Then I took him to the nearest veterinarian. The doctor examined him and found no health issues. Then he advised me to get my budgie a partner. So I brought a female budgie partner for my little buddy. Surprisingly, I got the result just in two days. Both the budgies are now eating properly.
During the whole process, I learned a lot about why a budgie stops eating. And here they are-
New Environment
People ask, “Why is my new budgie not eating?” Generally, budgies won’t eat or make noise until they get used to a new habitat. You can see the budgie’s personality develop after you bring it home from the pet store. Since the budgie is a social bird, it is best to adopt two of them rather than one.
You should not panic if your newly purchased or collected budgie is not eating food. Stay and play with your new friend as much as you can. If you take care of him properly, you will see the change in 3 to 4 days. Once the budgie suits in the new condition, he will start eating the right amount of food.
New Types Of Food
Although budgies are omnivorous, they are picky regarding their food taste. All budgies are not the same regarding food preferences. Some love to eat seeds, and some love fruits only. Here, you must make a balanced diet for budgies with seed mix and pellets as a base. You should also add a variety of veggies and fruits as a snack item.
But sometimes, when you try something new to feed, they may not like it and refuse to eat. If the budgies’ don’t like the taste, they will not eat it. But when they like the food, they will first play with the new food. Once they get used to it, they will eat it.
Mental Stress and Irritation
When under pressure, a bird can pass through various unpleasant emotions and mental breakdowns. In that situation, you may notice some unusual behaviors.
A budgie can experience anxiety, mood swings, and anger. When confined for an extended period of time, boredom can set in. There is also a possibility that budgie has experienced trauma due to human abuse or losing a fellow partner. All these could lead to his loss of appetite.
In this situation, he requires extra care and time. Try not to feel him alone. Give him a friendly environment. Hopefully, in 2 to 3 weeks, your budgie will start eating again.
Parasite Issues
One possible explanation for the budgie’s lack of appetite is that it is infected with a parasite. Some budgie parasites are mites, lice, worms, aspergillosis, etc. Your budgie may lose his taste in food and become weak due to the infection.
If your budgie remains untreated for a long time in this condition, all his feathers may flutter. So you have to take him to the veterinary as soon as possible. With proper treatment, your budgie will recover in 1 to 2 weeks.
Probable Diseases
Apart from parasite issues, some probable diseases can also cause your budgie to lose appetite. Avian gastric, sour crop, candidiasis, psittacosis, and fledgling disease are some common health conditions for budgies.
If your budgie is not eating because of any diseases, take your buddy to a pet nutritionist or veterinarian. The doctor will examine your little friend and prescribe the proper medication. Your budgie should recover in 2-3 weeks with the right medication.
There is also the possibility that your budgie’s mental health will suffer if he contracts a disease. Therefore, you should not abandon him when he is taking his medication.
Uncleaned Budgie’s Cage
Have you ever noticed the cage for your budgie? It could affect your budgie’s mind and health if it is dirty and uncleaned. It can also cause parasite problems. Remember, a dirty environment gives rise to many diseases. So keep your budgie’s cage always clean.
Why Is My Budgie Not Drinking Water?
When new budgies enter your home, they might not want to drink. It is a typical reaction to stress and panic, but it should improve with time. Make sure your parrot doesn’t become dehydrated.
Some young budgies may avoid drinking water because they are afraid of dipping their heads down, a position that can feel exposed and uncomfortable. Additionally, they may be confused about where their water bucket is kept.
Moreover, they may not like the flavor of harsh mineral water and may be repulsed by the presence of the water’s chlorine. So, you have to check how they react to their water. You must feed them purified water.
Why Is My Budgie Not Eating From My Hand?
Once Budgie starts eating food from your hand, it means he trusts you. But, if it suddenly stops eating from your hand, it means he might be angry with you. However, for a new budgie, it is normal that he will not eat from your hand.
So, you should give your budgie some time to form a bond with you and the try feeding him with your hand. You may spend more time with your little feathered friend.
Is It Serious If Your Budgie Not Eating?
If your budgie is not eating his food, it is dangerous for his health. He may become sick. And if it continues for a long time, you may lose your little friend. But, if your budgie is your new pet, he will need some time to adjust to the new place.
The issue turns severe when your budgie stops eating due to health or parasite problems. Take your feathered friend to the nearest veterinary clinic for medication in this situation.
FAQs
When you are a budgie owner, you should know what other budgie owners ask regarding their birds’ eating issues. Find out some more FAQs here.
How long can a budgie go without eating?
Though a healthy budgie may survive without food for up to 48 hours, this is not recommended. The best action is to train the budgie to expect food at regular intervals. This little parrot can go without food for up to 24 hours and water for up to 48 hours.
How do you know if your budgie is hungry?
If your budgie starts making a lot of noise, he’s probably hungry. Head bobbing is another comparable action that birds exhibit while hungry and wanting to be fed. Once you see any of the signs, give them food.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you got your answer to why your budgie is not eating. When you get a budgie at your home for the first time, he needs time to adjust to the new place. And you can easily make him comfortable with you by spending enough time with him. But if he is one of your old budgies and suddenly stops eating, there is a possibility of health issues. So consult a doctor to know the remedy.
