Your feathered friend is understandably a much-loved part of your family but this lovely relationship between the two of you can be spoilt by any strange smells that may be coming off of your bird. Birds can smell like a variety of things but if your bird starts smelling particularly unpleasant then it may be time to try to figure out what’s going on. This article will help you figure out why your bird smells like vomit

A bird can smell badly, like vomit, because the bird has poor hygiene or even worse, the bird has parasites. Both of these issues are a cause for concern as they can be fatal if not dealt with. In both cases, you need to get your pet to a vet to have it checked out.

My bird smells like vomit, why and what to do

A healthy bird does not generally have a bad smell. Some occasional bad smells can be ignored if they develop after eating and before the cage is cleaned. However, a consistent vomit smell from your bird is an indication that it is ill, has parasites, or is not properly cleaned. This is a cause for concern and must quickly be treated by a vet.

A less likely reason is hormonal changes during the mating season. Consult a bird specialist to figure out if it’s mating season for your bird, then decide on whether to ignore the smell or improve it. 

The most common reason a bird has a bad odour is poor hygiene. The bird needs to be cleaned at least twice a week using warm water and a soft cloth. A better option is to create a birdbath and let the bird clean itself. Occasionally, you may also let the bird “dry clean” itself by fluffing its feathers in a large bowl of sand. 

One other reason for a bird’s bad smell is a poor or singular diet. Try changing the bird’s diet and see if its scent changes. If you identify a particular food that makes it smell, then reduce the quantity of that food in its diet or remove it altogether. 

At what point should I send my pet to the vet?

You must take your bird to the vet if the bad odour is accompanied by other signs of stress like vomiting, increased bad smell, fluffed feathers, feather shedding, sleepy and lethargic bird, constant perching or brooding, abnormal poop and droopy eyes.

Keep an eye on the bird looking for any other abnormal behaviours, this knowledge will help the vet treat the bird’s illness. The bird may have parasites, these can cause it to have a bad smell. The vet will recommend how to handle parasites.

What does a bird smell like?

A bird will smell like the food it eats or the material it uses to make its nest. Bird feathers, like clothes, absorb smells from the environment. Occasionally, a bird will have an odd smell to attract a mate or keep away parasites. 

How can I make my bird smell better?

A key way to keep a bird smelling good is to make sure that it is always clean and its environments are cleaned regularly. Find out which diet is is best to keep your pet bird smelling good. Change its water bowl often or install an automatic bird water bottle that will not be soiled by the bird. 

Why is my bird throwing up?

The most likely reason for a bird vomiting is that it has ingested a poisonous substance with its food. The bird will naturally regurgitate the food to get rid of the irritant.

Other times, the bird may have a digestive infection, poor diet, or substances that are poisonous to the bird. You can change its diet in size or content to avoid vomiting. Make sure that substances are bird-friendly before they come in contact with the bird. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, if your pet bird smells like vomit then you should immediately take it to be looked at by a vet, a bird that smells like vomit can be because of bad hygiene or because of parasites. If your bird is experiencing other symptoms likes stress or vomiting it’s imperative that you take it to the vet. Generally, a bird will smell like what it eats or smell like the cage that it’s in. If it’s vomiting then it has probably ingested something poisonous.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other bird related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Do pet birds poop everywhere?, My bird’s breath smells bad, why and what to do, Why does my bird smell like fish?, Purple bird poop stain, how to get it out of surfaces