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My pet store parakeet sleeps a lot and has weird poop. Is it sick?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Bird | Parakeet | Male | unneutered

There is a parakeet (budgie) at a local pet store. The bird appears to sleep a lot ( 3 of the 4 times I’ve been there he was sleeping while all the others were up and alert). The 4th time I saw him he was sitting by himself near the light. When I took him out he pooped on me twice and it looks white and milky with a dark spot. I’m hesitate to to bring a sick bird home with me (I have a dog). What could be wrong with the bird and how should I proceed

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Miranda Sadar, DVM, DACZM

Veterinarian

Published on October 8th, 2018

Thank you for your question, and thank you for being concerned about this bird. It is very kind of you. I am wondering, if you haven't brought it to the attention of the pet store staff, I would recommend starting there. I would agree that I don't think that it is a great idea to bring a sick bird home with you, especially into a situation that can be stressful for some birds (even if a dog is very nice, they can be very scary to a bird of this size). And with non-specific signs of abnormal droppings and sleeping a lot, there are numerous things that could be going on. I would recommend bringing the bird's state to the attention of the pet store, and hopefully they will have it evaluated. There are many pet stores who work directly with veterinarians to treat the animals that reside at their stores, and when the animals are feeling better, they can then go to a new home. I hope that gives you a place to start, and I hope that you are able to help this little bird feel better!

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