Q: My bird seems a bit stressed out. What could possibly be causing his stress?
A: There are various things that can place stress on birds. Signs that your bird is stressed include feather plucking, aggression, not eating, stress bars (small lines that run down the shafts of the feathers), screaming or becoming mute, and repetitive behaviours.
Watch out for the following:
- Changes in his environment – like a new home, new pets, new family members or even loud noises.
- Your actions Not enough attention, moving his cage, change in wall colours, change in routine, or perhaps his cage is too small.
- Possible treatments include Provide him with mentally stimulating toys, give him enough attention, move his cage to a quiet spot, or move his cage to a previous location where he was happy. Consult an avian vet to rule out medical issues and also consult a behaviourist.
Q: How do I know if my dog is depressed?
A: Depression in animals is similar to depression in humans. Dog depression usually lasts anything from a few days to a few months. It usually comes about as a result of a sudden change, such as moving house, a new baby or person in the house, or the loss of an owner.
In addition, vets have diagnosed depression in pets suffering from chronic pain or progressive illnesses. Depression usually manifests as withdrawal, sadness, behaviour changes, at times refusing to eat, and lethargy.
Dr Adolf Makatose, veterinarian
Do you find these questions and answers interesting? There are many more interesting and informative questions and answers about various pets in the March 2023 Q & A edition of Animaltalk magazine. Get your copy now from retailers, or order a digital or printed copy from www.coolmags.co.za.
