If you hang around your cockatiel for a little while and see that they are not drinking their water, you will soon know the answer to why is my cockatiel not drinking water-it is very likely due to the quality of the water being served.

Why is my cockatiel not drinking water? The water may be dirty or stale. The bird may not know where his or water is. In other situations, your bird may need vitamins as supplied by a vet that are added to drinking water and thus affect the taste, causing him to avoid it. Other times he may need to see a vet.

So, that’s the fast answer as to why-but to really understand and know more about this, please keep reading and you will be knowledgeable about why your cockatiel is not drinking water.

An In-Depth Look – How do you offer water?

Just like us humans (and all other life on earth for that matter) water is necessary for great health and hydration. It helps move nutrients to the right places and helps with bodily eliminations.

It helps regulate the bird’s body temp and lets him feel good overall. If your cockatiel is not drinking water, it could be any number of things making your bird stray from his water dish.

Firstly, take a good hard look at the quality of the water you are serving. If you do not change out that water for fresh stuff every day, or it gets droppings, food or other impurities inside, he might just refuse to sip on it.

Wash out the water bottle or dish every 24 hours with dish detergent (we like 7th Generation since it is plant-based) and then spray with vinegar and rinse well so that the traces of it are gone. Then refill with some clean H20.

Secondly, be sure that any medications you are adding to the water for your sick bird are not preventing him or her from drinking their water.

Sometimes vets prescribe helpful medicines that do wonders for birds’ health, but because of the way it affects the taste of their water they want nothing to do with such liquid.

These may encourage the growth of bacteria in the water, too. If you suspect this is the case, talk to your vet to see about other ways of administering your bird his medicine so that he drinks enough water.

And third, be sure that your feathered buddy knows where to find the water dish. Cockatiels that are young might need some urging to go to their water bowl. Drip the water out of the nozzle while they are watching so they can see the water come out.

Jiggle the bowl so the water moves and catches their eye. You might even put in a bottle and a dish so they can use either one to their liking.

If your Cockatiel isn’t drinking at all, you can also try to give your Cockatiel a little shower with a spray bottle. This way your Cockatiel will drink a little bit. We show you how to do that properly here!

Also, some birds love taking showers with their owners – we show you how you can take a shower with your bird here!

However, before doing that, you should be sure that your Cockatiel is healthy. You can check that by having a look at your Cockatiels droppings – seriously! Have a look at our Cockatiel poop guide here!

Why Else Might A Cockatiel Forego Water?

One’s own tap water may be the reason the cockatiel foregoes his or her daily serving of water.

Lead poisoning, as well as other heavy metal toxicities, make for huge concerns for cockatiel owners, and tap water is one such source of this type of toxicity.

Most municipalities publish information about the quality of the water supplied to homes and businesses. Call up your local city hall or go online to your city’s website to learn about the quality of your local supply.

If you have any doubts, serve your bird only purified water that you can buy at the grocery store. Also, call a professional to come and test your water to be safe.

Here are some other sources of lead poisoning that cockatiel owners – and all bird owners, for that matter, should be aware of:

• Galvanized Wire
• Curtain Weights
• Paints that are lead-based
• Hardware cloths
• Lead frames as part of stained-glass windows
• Linoleum
• Solder

We want to emphasize that dehydration, intermittent moments of lethargy, and seizures are just a few of the symptoms that occur when it comes to lead poisoning in a cockatiel. Keep a close eye upon your bird and test your water if you have even just a shred of doubt about its purity.

If you fear your Cockatiel might be dehydrated

First and foremost, you should contact your vet immediately and get that bird in for a visit right away. But if it is an emergency, you may consider some of the following treatments.

A bird that is suffering from dehydration may have some wrinkly skin around the eyes. You might also gently pinch their skin for a brief second (this works if you have a bird with an un-feathered spot).

If the bird is dehydrated, their skin will be tented for a few seconds while a bird with adequate hydration will not tent at all.

A dehydrated bird will also display low levels of energy and be rather lethargic in nature. You can treat dehydration by doing the following:

• Utilizing Pedialyte or other electrolyte beverages
• You may also mix 16 oz of water, 16 oz of Gatorade, a teaspoon of Karo or honey, a level teaspoon of baking soda that is free of aluminum and one level teaspoon of table salt.
• Be sure that you measure with the greatest of care. Not doing so may cause your bird to experience diarrhea.
• You can also make use of cherry or orange juice to help your bird get hydrated.
• You may also use a dropper when necessary to be sure that your bird gets the fluids he needs.
• Be sure that you also keep your bird warm, a temp of 86-95 degrees F or 30-35 degrees C is great. You can use a hot water bottle or a heat pad that is set to a low setting. Be sure to cover your method of heat with a towel so the heat does not conduct to the metal of the cage.

Related Questions

How Do You Know When A Bird Is Dying?

If a bird spends more time on the bottom of his or her cage, cannot perch due to weakness or simply a lack of ability, or has a beak that is oddly colored, it is likely they are dying and need vet care immediately. Observe their feces, such as the consistency or the coloration of the droppings.

How Long Can A Bird Go Without Water?

Babies should not go for more than 24 hours without water. Adult birds are dependent on the species. Birds are like humans when it comes to water: Many of us carry around a water bottle full of H20 to consume whenever, and birds should be treated the same way and given ample fresh water.

Can Birds Drink Tap Water?

If you as a human feel okay drinking the water, then it is likely your bird will be okay with it also. Most cities treat their water so that harmful bacteria and minerals are removed. This makes it safe for humans and pets alike.

Final Words

The answer to why is my cockatiel not drinking water is not hard at all to know about, and the best thing you can do is make sure your bird has a fresh and clean supply of water in a bowl that is kept spotless.

Keep an eye on your bird and watch for any unusual drinking patterns or lethargic behavior and call your vet if any concerns arise.