Parakeet Water Needs (Explained)

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Parakeet Water Needs explained:

” Birds need water for drinking and bathing in all seasons. Water is particularly important during the winter when natural supplies may be too cold or frozen and in dry, hot weather during the summer when water can be hard to find.”  –ESBP,UK

Although parakeets are one of the easier bird breeds to care for, there is still a lot to learn about them to ensure you are meeting all of their needs!

Parakeets, like other animals, require water and can quickly become dehydrated if not provided.

Do Parakeets Consume Water? How Often Should Parakeets Drink Water? 

Water is required for parakeets 2-3 times per day or about 5% of their body weight. 

This will keep them hydrated and entertained! They may appear to not drink water because they prefer to drink alone, but they still require constant access to water!

How Much Water Does a Parakeet Drink on a Daily Basis?

The best way to provide them with water is to use a secure water bowl in their birdcage. 

Although some people choose to train their parakeet to drink from a hanging water bottle, this is entirely up to the owner and the bird.

Depending on their exercise level and other activities going on around them, they will drink about a teaspoon of water per day on average.

Offering them water in multiple locations ensures that they will always have water ready and convenient to drink.

Is Drinking Water Safe for Parakeets?

Most people believe that if the water is safe for you, it is also safe for your pets!

Others prefer to provide their pets with filtered water that has a consistent pH level. Because they only drink so little, the water must be absolutely perfect for them.

It all depends on the preferences of the owner!

Water from the tap is perfectly safe, especially if it has been filtered by the city water department. If your home gets its water from a well, the water may contain hard metals that the bird should not be given. 

If this is the case, you can use a water filter that attaches to your sink faucet, or you can buy de-ionized or bottled water for your parakeet.

How Frequently Should I Replace the Water?

Changing the water every day is the best way to ensure that it remains clean, especially if you have a bird that enjoys cleaning its beak after eating or bathing in its drinking water.

Although changing it 2-3 times a day may appear excessive, it is the most effective way to ensure that bacteria do not grow in their water dish.

Make sure to clean and refill the bowl whenever excess feathers, droppings, food pellets, or other materials fall into the water. 

If the water becomes too dirty, your parakeet may refuse to drink it, which can lead to dehydration if not changed quickly.

Water bottles must also be changed on a regular basis. 

The water inside the bottle may not appear dirty because they are unable to get anything inside, such as pellets or droppings, but the water becomes stagnant and is at risk of bacteria growing inside.

If your parakeet is obsessed with droppings in their water bowl, try putting a flat top perch over it, where they are less likely to perch and make their drop.

A lava ledge or clam shape perch above the bowl is a good example. Make sure there is enough space between the perch and the water dish for them to drink and move around.

Why isn’t my parakeet drinking water?

There could be a few reasons why your pet isn’t drinking much.

When your parakeet is ill, he or she may stop drinking or eating because they are not feeling well. 

It is critical to see a veterinarian as soon as possible because they can only go a few days without drinking water.

Check to see if the water is clean, as they may refuse to drink it if it isn’t.

If you suspect your parakeet is dehydrated, there could be another underlying cause. They could be sick, or there could be a problem with their water. When in doubt, consult with your veterinarian.

“Birds have no sweat glands, so they need less water than mammals. However, they do lose water through respiration and in their droppings. Most small birds need to drink at least twice a day to replace the lost water”.  –ESBP,UK

Parakeet Dehydration Symptoms

When a parakeet does not drink enough water, whether due to illness or a lack of water access, they can quickly become dehydrated.

Here are some of the most common warning signs to look out for:

• Feathers turn discoloured.
• Mouth dryness
• The eyes become sunken.
• Dropping consistency is unusual.
• Notable exhaustion
• Skin loses elasticity.
• Energy deficiency
• Behavioural shift
• Less chirping

Birds are reluctant to show their weaknesses or illness, so you’ll have to keep a close eye on them to see how they’re feeling. Keeping track of how they act and look when they are healthy and feeling well can help you identify when they are not feeling like themselves.

What are the Ways to Increase Water Consumption

Encouraging water consumption can help your parakeet stay hydrated, even if they don’t want to drink much. 

Water flavouring is an excellent way to encourage your pet to drink more water. A teaspoon of fresh fruit juice (no preservatives or added sugars) can be added to a pint of water. You can also add a teaspoon of honey, preferably local honey!

Baths for the birds! 

Another reason your bird requires access to water is that it, like any other animal, requires a good bath.

 They are more likely to use their drinking water as a quick bath area if they are not provided with enough water in their bath area. This can cause the water to become dirty and require more frequent changes.

Birdbaths that attach to the outside of the cage may be included with the cage purchase or purchased separately. Keeping the bathwater separate from the drinking water keeps the drinking water clean.

The frequency with which parakeets bathe varies. Some people enjoy taking a bath every day, while others prefer it a few times a week. It’s all up to the bird!

Is my parakeet consuming an excessive amount of water?

It’s absolutely normal for your parakeet to drink more water from time to time, so don’t be concerned!

When their physical activity increases, they, like humans and other animals, are more likely to drink water.

They are more likely to drink water if you allow them to fly around the house or if they enjoy playing with their toys in their cage. Parakeets who play with other birds are more likely to drink more water because they expend more energy than birds who live alone.

The air temperature may also cause them to drink more water on hotter days or when the house’s heat is turned on.

Because parakeets lack sweat glands, they lose less water during exercise or in hot weather, but their bodies still use more water for other purposes. As a result, having access to water is critical, because there are times when their bodies desperately need a drink!

If they have a change in their diet, or routine, additional stress, new medication, or if they have recently had babies, they may need to drink more water.

Do you still have questions?

Pet ownership is a tricky business! Each one has different care and needs, so learning everything you can about your pet is the best way to ensure they get the best possible care.

Visit our page to learn more about owning parakeets!

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