Depression & Self Mutilation

Birds are the most common pet known for depression and self-mutilation. It is normal behavior for a bird to preen themselves to remove dirt or feather distortions. However some birds have an obsessive compulsive disorder where they preen themselves to the point of having very little, if any, feathers left. Some go as far as to pick the skin once the feathers are gone and can cause life threatening infections. I have such a bird....

Self mutilation can be the result of either:

1. hypothyroidism (a pretty rare occurrence)
2. inadequate nutritional care
3. depression

Seeing a veterinarian to rule out thyroid problems is important. Increase the birds cage size. Make sure the bird is located in a room that is where the family socializes, making it feel a central member of the family. Provide the bird with a variety of foods. A good pellet food should be the main course, but activity foods such as treats, fruits, corn on the cob, carrot sticks, and nuts in a shell can offer new texture and taste to prevent the bird from being "bored". Have a selection of toys on hand that can alternate in the cage. Birds like variety. Try different genre' of music and see if the bird responds positively.

I rescued a bird that had previously been owned by a woman who was murdered by her husband. He is a senegal parrot named "Baby". When I took him in he had a severe case of self mutilation and screamed constantly. He also would make the sound of a police or ambulance siren whenever he got upset. It was obvious he was suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome.

Over time, he has improved. His feathers are growing back, although he has days where he gets upset if I'm gone too long and he'll backslide. I was late coming home from work last week and when I walked into the living room it looked like someone had destroyed a feather pillow...feathers everywhere.

The screaming is still a problem, but I have found one radio station that he loves which calms him down. It's on sattelite radio..of course..he has high standards.

It continues to amaze me how animals and humans share many of the same emotions and problems. Animals form attachments with their human families. Grief, despair, and depression are real things that they feel when a tragedy occurs in their lives. This is why the work of animal rescue is so important. Many of these animals have suffered from neglect or abandonment. Some of them lost their homes and loved ones to tragedy, such as Baby's story.

It is very hard for these beautiful creatures to tell their story to us since they don't speak our language. That's why it's important that we "listen"....listen with our hearts.

God Bless....and Happy Easter Everyone.