Death is an unfortunate reality that every owner will have to deal with at some point with their pet. So, when your cockatiel is in its last days, it’s only natural that you start looking for ways to provide it with some comfort in those last few days or weeks, but how do you comfort a dying cockatiel? So, I did some thorough research, and here is what I found out.
To comfort a dying cockatiel, make sure that it has a quiet and peaceful environment and is housed at the right temperature. Encourage him to drink water, and provide high moisture food if he refuses water. Some dying cockatiels enjoy being handled by their owners, while others want some alone time. Visit the vet, if necessary.
Identifying the signs of a dying cockatiel and taking the necessary steps to comfort your pet is crucial for making your pet’s last days pleasant.
Now let us dive deeper into the topic. This is important as when the last days of your pet approach, it is our responsibility to ensure they are as comfortable as possible until they are ready to go.
Signs That Tell You That Your Cockatiel Is Dying
The symptoms of a dying cockatiel can be pretty unique. Also, the reason for the death can vary from bird to bird.
In some cases, the bird might die of old age or illness, in other cases, it might be an injury.
Just some similar behavior patterns may mean the end is near. However, with early treatment, your bird may be able to make a full recovery.
Some of the signs that indicate your cockatiels are dying include:
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of energy
- Difficulty in breathing
- Puffed feathers
- Weird noises
- Shivers/shakes
- Unusual body discharge
- Silence
It is crucial to recognize the signs that your cockatiel is in his last days, which will allow you and your family to prepare.
Ways To Comfort Your Dying Cockatiel
Cockatiels are kept as pets all across the globe. They make a special place in their owner’s heart as they offer us love, company, and many wonderful memories.
However, the sad part is that their lives come to an end like every other living being.
A few years back, I got my first cockatiel. I thoroughly loved every bit of it. However, seeing him in his last days was very difficult for me.
However, I knew he needed me the most then. Thus, I provided them with as much comfort as possible.
There are six major issues that you must take care of to keep your beloved cockatiel comfortable in his last days:
- Keep Them Away From Rest Of The Flock
- Keep The Lights Dim
- Keep Them Warm
- Hold Them In A Light Cotton Cloth
- Reduce Any External Disturbances
- Keep Them Well Fed And Hydrated
- Try To Manage Their Pain
- Make Them Feel Affectionate
Let us dive deeper into these issues and understand the necessary issues that we must consider to comfort our pet in his last days.
Keep Them Away From Rest Of The Flock
If you feel that your cockatiel is sick or is approaching his last days, one of the first things you would want to do is separate it from your other birds.
It is important to isolate your bird to make sure it rests in peace. Isolation will also ensure that your other bird does not cathes whatever is killing your dying cockatiel.
Isolating your precious feathery friend could help keep them more comfortable if they do not like the other birds.
Furthermore, isolating them from other birds would keep your other birds from getting sick and you having more sick and dying birds.
Keep The Lights Dim
You may not realise this but the dim light will keep your cockatiel calm and resting.
Your cockatiel is good at hiding when they are unwell. In the wild, they will have no option or they will be eaten.
Therefore, light will indicate they need to be up and active. Keeping them in an area with low lighting, or the cage cover will make them think it is evening, allowing them to feel calm, quiet and will allow them to sleep more.
Keep Them Warm
As cockatiels get older or are sick, they may struggle to regulate their body temperature. Any temperature too warm or too cold can be dangerous for them.
The optimal temperature for a cockatiel is 60°F to 80 °F. Anything above 90°F and below 40°F can be fatal and cause distress among cockatiels.
Hold Them In A Light Cotton Cloth
A soft cotton cloth or a blanket will keep your cockatiels calm and warm.
If you wish onholding your bird, it may not want to perch on your hands like they normally do.
This may be because they are to sick to balance themselves on your hand and could fall off hurting themselves even more.
The use of a soft snuggly cloth will help keep them calm, as it resembles the soft feather that they would use in the wild to make a nest to keep them comfortable.
Holding your bird close to you will also help keep them calm and stress free. This keeps them from wanting to try to flap their wings and get away. Holding them close, they will feel secure that you are there to protect them.
Reduce Any External Disturbances
Any kind of stressful event will not let your cockatiel rest at all. So if your pet is unwell, it is important to keep make sure that you do everything in your ability to keep your cockatiel free from stress.
There are a lot of things that can easily lead to stress in cockatiels. Some of them include loud noises, temperature fluctuations, and excessive handling. Sometimes the presence of other pets in the same room can even stress them.
Listed below are some of the signs that will tell you that your cockatiel is under stress:
- Your cockatiel spends most of the time hiding
- Your cockatiel is unwilling to eat or drink
- Your cockatiel prefers to stay alone
- Your cockatiel is unusually aggressive
Being prey animals, cockatiels get stressed out pretty quickly. Also, they have the ability to hide their pain till it gets worse. Therefore, if your bird looks sick or unwell, it is best to keep them stress-free to help them recover.
Keep Them Well Fed And Hydrated
One of the first signs that you will notice when your cockatiel is approaching in the last days is that loss of appetite and thirst.
If your pet is dehydrated, please do not serve them with water directly. Doing this will only dilute the already-reduced amount of minerals, salts, and sugars in your cockatiel’s body, making the situation worse.
You must make sure that you do not force the entire content of the syringe into your pet’s mouth in one go. Otherwise, you run the risk that you will force fluid into his lungs, which is likely to be fatal.
Also, if your cockatiel becomes moderate to severely dehydrated, take them to your veterinarian straight away.
Try To Manage Their Pain
The last days can be painful for your cockatiel. The main problem in this situation is that your bird will never vocalize their pain.
Most cockatiels hide their sufferings till it gets worse.
In such cases, I would advise you not to give any medication to your cockatiel unless a qualified exotic vet has prescribed it.
The vet will make sure that your pet gets the correct medication to alleviate their pain and make them feel comfortable.
Make Them Feel Affectionate
Cockatiels are social pets, they can get lonely when left alone. Therefore, they always want to seek comfort and warmth from their companions.
However, never try to hold your cockatiel forcefully. If you do so, there are chances that you will end up being bitten by them.
Whatever your cockatiel wishes, whether it is your companionship or solitude, you must respect their wishes.
If your bird does not like being touched or petted, all you must do is stay close to them at all times and keep a check on their health.
What To Do With A Dead Cockatiel?
If your pet cockatiel has passed away or you have found a dead cockatiel, you might be confused as to what to do now.
The best option is to bury the animal or compost him, depending upon the laws of your state. Unfortunately, not all states allow you to do this.
The second option is to contact your local animal control or a vet. You can even contact the animal help group. They will help you with the process, according to your preference.
However, you will be a disposal fee to pay. Therefore, you need to be prepared for the same.
Related Queries:
Can A Cockatiel Die From Loneliness?
Cockatiels are often known to die from loneliness.
If the basic social needs of your bird are not met, it can be traumatizing for them.
In addition, if you are keeping a single cockatiel as a pet and does not get a second one as a companion, the human will need to fill in otherwise, usually by being available to keep the bird company themselves for multiple hours per day.
Pets struggle with loneliness and isolation too. A cockatiel that is consistently deprived of interaction and stimulation may lapse into poor health and could even die as a result.
Can A Cockatiel Die From A Broken Heart?
There have been cases where cockatiels have died due to their broken heart.
Owners often report that when one cockatiel dies, its mate sadly passes away soon afterward. The second death may occur days, weeks, or months after the first, following a period of apparent depression.
Though it may sound far-fetched, a cockatiel’s grief can be strong enough to cause its demise. Most of the time, if a cockatiel dies soon after its mate, it’s because both cockatiels were sick.
Can A Cockatiel Die From Cold?
A cockatiel can surely die from the cold.
Anything below 40 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold for your cockatiel and at this temperature and below it can be life-threatening.
Instead, cockatiels do best and thrive in moderate temperatures, between the range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can A Cockatiel Die From Fright Or Stress?
Cockatiels can surely die of fright as with their very limited ability to defend themselves, they are vulnerable to a number of predators, hence, any situation that frightens or scares them can also shock them or stress them to death.
The fragile internal organs of a cockatiel like the heart can take so much stress and once the stress level peaks and the heart is damaged, death is indeed possible.
Can A Cockatiel Die From A Broken Wing?
In general, cockatiels do not die from a broken wing. However, if the injury is severe it might even cause death.
Broken wings can be extremely traumatic for any bird. If your bird has a broken wing, ensure that it is kept warm and out of reach from other pets and children.
Also, instead of trying to fix your cockatiel’s broken wing all by yourself, you should call the veterinarian for professional help.
