Are Parakeets prone to loneliness?
Most parts of the world consider parakeets one of the most popular pets, after dogs and cats. They are brightly colored pets that have fun personalities and are extremely friendly.
If you plan to own or already have these small pets at your place, you must be worried – will the parakeet die of loneliness?
This article will cover all that you need to know about this- do the parakeets feel lonely, will they die of loneliness, what all should you keep in mind to handle this issue!
Is it possible for parakeets to feel lonely?
The first important thing for you as parakeet pet owners is to know whether they get lonely. Yes, parakeets can get lonely, because they are social birds.
These birds have evolved to live in groups, and they crave communication and bonding. The parakeet is naturally chatty, so a quiet bird is an unwelcome sign – it may indicate depression or other illnesses. They are hardwired to be social, and days of alone time can cause damage to them.
Will a Parakeet Die of loneliness?
There is no direct and precise answer to the question. Parakeets also have social needs, and if that is not met, they may die. If you have a single parakeet and are not giving it any time during the day, it may harm the pet.
It does not necessarily mean all parakeets will die if left alone, but it has been found some die due to loneliness.
Social animals often suffer serious physical and psychological consequences if they are not able to interact with other members of their species. Parakeets belong to that category of social animals.
See also: Do Parakeets Sleep During the Day?
Which are the signs that indicate that your Parakeet is Lonely?
As mentioned above, parakeets are social species when they are in the open, but when kept at home they draw their energy from you – owners. Your attention is very important to them. They tend to get lonely, if they don’t get enough attention from you.
You can know whether your pet parakeet is feeling lonely from the below signs:
1.) Appetite is reduced – You may be surprised to know how much these birds resemble humans. When we are heartbroken or lonely, we lose the desire to eat food. The same holds for a parakeet.
If you see a sudden drop in appetite, it is a sign of worry. Sudden loss of appetite may occur as a reason of an abrupt and permanent change; such as maybe because of the death of a new birdie or a mate. Gradual loss of appetite is when there is a lifestyle change.
2.) Stress bars – Lines running across the feathers of parakeets are known as stress bars. The width changes as the middle section of feathers continues to grow while the feathers on either side stop growing. These are common when the parakeet is suffering loneliness while molting.
3.) Lack of enthusiasm – Like humans, you cannot expect your pet to be jolly and playful when they are lonely. It can be unsettling, as otherwise, they are active beings.
A lonely parakeet will remain in one place without moving in the cage. When you visit them, you will not get much response from them.
4.) Destructive behavior – If you hear your pet screaming i.e the frequency increases, then your bird may be stressed because of loneliness.
In order to compensate for other types of stimulation, you will notice that pets tear, chew, and scratch items like carpets and furniture.
5.) Feather plucking – Parakeets often become stressed, bored, and lonely due to stress, boredom, and loneliness. As intelligent creatures, they need a lot of stimulation to keep them stimulated; otherwise, they resort to mutilation as well.
Is it better to have two parakeets?
Now that you know loneliness is not good for your pet, you must be wondering can you have two parakeets?
Having two parakeets is a better idea than having one. If you want to ensure your parakeet always stays happy and healthy, one thing you can assure is to give him a permanent companion.
Parakeets have a tendency to groom each other. In addition to being fun, it helps the pets stay healthy and free from harmful skin conditions.
However, if you take a call to devote a lot of time and energy to your pet, getting two parakeets is unnecessary. But, if you don’t think it is always possible for you, get two parakeets.
See also: Why Does My Parakeet Shake?
What Can Be Done If Your Parakeet Is Lonely?
You can help your parakeet feel better once you’ve figured out that it’s lonely. Here is how:
1.) Get another parakeet – As mentioned above, this is the best you can do to keep your parakeet happy. Managing their well-being will be easier and take a lot of worry and work off your shoulders.
It may be difficult and challenging to bond with two parakeets together since they will first bond with each other.
However, it would be better if you get one, bond with it for a long time, and then introduce a second parakeet after that. This way, you can introduce them to each other gradually.
2.) Bond with your parakeet – The other option is to provide a parakeet with a fulfilling relationship yourself to keep them happy. If you think spending a few minutes with them every morning and evening will keep them happy, then you are mistaken.
You will soon become their companion if you spend enough time with them. Visit them every hour, play with them, talk with them and become their good friend.
3.) Other options – As mentioned earlier, they are pretty intelligent, and you can introduce plenty of toys to keep them entertained – less boring and lonely.
Some keepers add a mirror in the cage to keep them engaged, but you should be careful if you choose this option. Mirrors give them the feeling of being around another bird. Hence, there is a chance that they might get attached to the mirrors, causing a major cause of concern.
Effective Ways to Help A Parakeet Recover From Loneliness
However, if your parakeet is lonely, there are a lot of methods that you can adopt through which you can help them recover. Loneliness can have a physical and mental impact on your pet, and it is imperative that you take proper care of them. Here is how:
1.) Give your parakeet enough time to grieve:
If your parakeet has lost its companion, give her some time to mourn properly and recover. When it comes to death, parakeets are very much like humans and they need time to process their grief. After a couple of days, they will learn to be their self again and carry on like before.
2.) Provide a good Number of Toys:
Providing the parakeet with good number of toys helps keep your pet mentally stimulated. Parakeets need entertainment and toys tend to be very good for wellbeing of lonely parakeets.
3.) Keep Changing Things
Keep things interesting for your parakeet by bringing small changes in its routine. You can do this by switching its toys, giving it a new healthy treat, changing the location of its cage and so on.
4.) Chat with your pet
Keep chatting to your parakeet regularly. This will make it feel special and included. Spare a few minutes of your day to talk with your parakeet and tell them whatever is on your mind. This will work wonders!
FAQs
Is it Ok if my parakeet is alone?
Parakeets, in general, are social birds. Hence, they are better off with a companion. If you decide to keep your parakeet alone, you are taking a risk of making it prone to isolation and loneliness.
How can I come to know if my parakeet is suffering from loneliness?
Parakeets may have loss of appetite, be very aggressive, have constant head bobbing, continuous feather-plucking or have change in vocalizations when they are lonely.
Can parakeets die of loneliness?
Parakeets can suffer serious health consequences when they are deprived of interaction and if their social needs are not met. Because of this, they might suffer from poor health, and this can even lead to death.
Conclusion
Loneliness can be a big problem for parakeets. If you see any symptoms from the ones listed above, you should look to bring your parakeet out of loneliness. Prolonged loneliness can lead to death in some cases.
