What Are the Aging Signs to Look for In Your Pet Parakeet?

Parakeets are popular pets because they are lively and active. They are pretty looking, and you can teach your parakeet to do simple tricks or train it to live outside a cage. It doesn’t take long for you and your family to grow fond of the beautiful creature and accept it like your family.

Parakeets are also relatively inexpensive to maintain and require minimal care besides feeding. If you are wondering how long do parakeets live? There is no accurate answer. However, there are signs you may want to watch out for in your parakeet if you think it is aging.

Shedding and Lower Physical Activity Levels

Parakeets are usually active. They spend a considerable amount of time flying around their cage, chirping, and feeding. If you notice a drop in your parakeet’s activity level, it could be a sign of aging. An aging parakeet may also stop responding to your calls or show less interest in interacting and playing.

Parakeets also have bright, glossy feathers. When they start aging, the feathers start looking duller. The parakeet also starts shedding more feathers or balding. As parakeets start aging, their beaks may grow lighter or start to look like a different color.

Dimmer Vision

As parakeets age, they start developing a dim vision. While they generally have black eyes, the color becomes lighter towards light or dark brown when they start aging. The pupil may even change to a much lighter shade. Besides reduced vision, they may also start developing eye-related disorders. Watch your parakeet for signs of dim vision. If it is bumping into objects or cage walls frequently or squinting, you may want to consult your vet. You could also examine if the eyelids of the parakeet are constantly drooping. 

Wrinkling, Weight Loss, or Weight Gain

Drastic weight changes could be a sign of aging. Your parakeet could be gaining weight because of the reduced physical activity as a result of aging. If your parakeet is losing weight at an alarming pace, it could mean that your parakeet has trouble digesting food and absorbing nutrients. 

Your parakeet’s life span is dependent on several factors like the breed type and health condition of the parakeet. There is no way to surely answer the question, “how long do parakeets live?” As parakeets age, they may also start developing noticeable wrinkles in their feet and other parts of the body that are featherless and exposed. 

Low Immune Response

An aging parakeet has lower resistance to diseases. You may realize that your bird has been falling sick and exhausted more often. Parakeets are prone to developing heart conditions, arthritis, and digestive problems. To figure out if your parakeet has a heart condition or respiratory issue, listen for any raspy breathing sounds. 

Your Vet Could Help You Identify Signs of Aging

You may want to take your parakeet to the vet. Your vet may give you recommendations on what food to avoid, how often you should clean your parakeet’s cage, or what medicines you may have to administer to avoid harm caused by parasites in your pet’s body. It would be advisable to pay more attention to your parakeet’s physical needs as soon as it starts aging.