Pet Care
While TLC Pet Hospital does not currently see avian patients for examinations and care, we do offer a wing trim and nail trim service. The information below is provided for informational use only.
To help you locate an avian veterinarian in your area, please click here to visit the Association of Avian Veterinarians website.
Grooming Your Bird
Wing Trimming
Wing trimming is often a topic of controversy. While some folks think it is
cruel and is taking away the bird’s freedom, others keep their birds in
situations where a wing trim is necessary. Keeping wings untrimmed enable
the bird to fly away if danger is near. Many pet bird owners also keep cats
and dogs as pets. If for some reason the bird were to ever get out of its
cage, it would be able to get away if the cat or dog were near. Wing
trimming does seem to help those who are less experienced at hand taming a
new bird. This prevents him from flying away and making him difficult to
retrieve. Another benefit of wing trimming is that it helps prevent escape
through open doors and windows and while the bird should never be in close
proximity with these things, accidents do happen. However, even with
clipped wings, a bird can still manage to fly away if it gets outside. The
slightest breeze can pick up a bird, making it easier for him to coast
away.
Nail Trimming
Nails should always be trimmed when they begin to grow too long. Keeping
long nails can be painful to the bird as it doesn’t allow the bird’s feet to
grasp and causing him to perch incorrectly. In severe cases, they can grow
completely around, embedding themselves into the foot. Specialized perches
are available to help control the growth of bird toe nails. Sand paper
perches are not recommended as these result in irritation of the bottom of
the feet. These paper items are also commonly chewed on and ingested.
Beak Trimming
Beaks should very rarely be trimmed, if ever. An overgrown beak is so often
a result of another problem. Many internal problems and diseases will cause
an overgrown beak. If your pet bird has an overgrown beak, it needs to be
examined by an avian veterinarian. As birds show very subtle signs of
illness (and often showing no signs at all), it’s important to have him
checked out right away rather than waiting. Several different methods of
beak trimming are available, if your bird is given the “all clear” from the
veterinarian. Dremels are often used but can cause other problems such as
brain damage. The vibrations from the Dremel travel through the beak to the
bird’s head. Clipping the beak should only be attempted by experienced
professionals.
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