Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My bird won't stop eating his poop. What's causing it and how to help?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Male

My bird won't stop eating his poop. We tried to clean his cage and clean it before he eats it, but its gotten to the point where he's choosing to poop in his basketball hoop toy or other convenient places to eat it. We need help.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on March 28th, 2018

That is an odd and concerning behavior. I would bring Rio into your local vet first just to rule out any health issues, as eating stool can sometimes indicate a nutrient deficiency. Removing the objects he is intentionally pooping on, and making sure there is a barrier between him and his stool can help reduce this behavior, but ruling out any underlying health issues is the best course of action.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on January 19th, 2018

    Eating poop is not a good idea and there should be a barrier between your bird's stool and his environment such as a cage floor, otherwise his stool should be picked up daily to prevent him from eating it. Regurgitation can happen as a sign of affection in birds or part of normal eating/feeding of baby birds, however if it is affecting his ability to eat or drink, isn't gaining weight, or has other symptoms of illness, it is always best to have a vet take a look.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi! I always catch my budgie Rafa eating their own feces and I am worried about his health. They have their calcium blocks and they eat it... I don't know what's his problem. Help me please! Thank :)
Have him examined by your veterinarian to diagnose any medical causes for the behavior. Review the diet with your veterinarian as well. Feed a good quality pelleted diet (Harrison's, Lafeber, KayTee Exact or Pretty Bird) supplemented with a fortified seed mix and fresh fruits and vegetables. Clean the cage daily to remove the opportunity to eat droppings. Use a grate in the bottom, if one is not in place, to keep him off the cage bottom.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My Alexanderien baby parrot is eating his own poop and he strechs his head and some amount of food will come in his mouth then it swallows it.is this common?
Eating poop is not a good idea and there should be a barrier between your bird's stool and his environment such as a cage floor, otherwise his stool should be picked up daily to prevent him from eating it. Regurgitation can happen as a sign of affection in birds or part of normal eating/feeding of baby birds, however if it is affecting his ability to eat or drink, isn't gaining weight, or has other symptoms of illness, it is always best to have a vet take a look.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I came home and found this mess - looks to me like abnormal droppings and/or vomit-and it's on his brow and feet too. Is he okay? What should I do? He had pellets yesterday, and has been chewing on tissues and toys, but are those bad for him? I think
Those are some pretty loose stools and/or vomit. I would pick up any extras such as toys he may be eating, snacks, treats, etc for a day to see if this resolves the issue as these can sometimes cause GI irritation and upset. If the vomiting continues, you see more loose stool, or you see other symptoms such as changes in appetite, behavior, energy levels, etc, then it would be best to bring your bird to your vet as there could be an issue such as an infection, obstruction, GI upset, parasites, etc causing it.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How can I train my cockatiel to not eat her droppings?
There probably isn't a good way to train this, so instead preventing her from getting to them in the first place is best. You want to make sure the cage has a bottom to it that allows the droppings to fall through, so that she doesn't have as easy access to them. If you don't have that option, cleaning daily to remove any droppings is best. Providing some extra enriching toys and treats that are more fun than the droppings is also a good way to distract her and encourage her to play with that instead.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cockatiel eats it's own droppings. Is this normal? I provide plenty of food and drink
This is not normal. It may be due to boredom, hunger or nutritional deficiency. Young birds may do this because they do not know any better yet. Review the diet with an experienced avian veterinarian to correct any deficiencies. Use a cage with a raised wire bottom so the droppings fall through and out of reach. Clean the cage regularly to avoid build up of droppings on bars.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
At the bottom of my bird's cage in the waste tray, I've found black liquid ish droppings. It Bleeds through the paper in the tray making it turn orange. I think it might be Harmony although I'm not sure. There is still normal poop so surely only one
Black, tarry, or bloody stool can indicate issues such as a GI bleed, digestive upset, or even parasites. In some cases, adding in too many fruits or veggies, or even different colored pellets within your bird's diet can also change the color of the stool, so if your bird is acting normal except for the stool change, stopping all treats and extras beyond regular food, checking for any pellets in the food that may be a similar color, and seeing if it clears up may help. If your bird is ill in addition to the color change, such as acting listless, not eating or drinking, losing weight, etc, it would be best to have him seen by a vet, so it is a good idea to try and explain this to your parents. If your bird is ill, it is very cruel of them to not provide him with appropriate medical care, or to at least seek a humane euthanasia if he is suffering and they do not wish to treat the issue.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hu my bird is pooping black en red but he lookes and flies fine i dont know if it is something he ate but im scared he flies sings does everything normal
Black or tarry stool or one with blood in it could indicate an issue such as internal parasites or a GI bleed. It would be best to have your vet take a look at Willow, especially if the problem persists, as birds are very good at hiding illness until it is too late. Sometimes, dyes in treats or certain veggies (such as beets) can color the stool, however removing these items if you have fed them should return the stool to normal after a day or two -- if it doesn't, or you see signs of illness, seeking veterinary care is best.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
Hello, I've had 2 young budgies for about a month now and everything's going very well but upon observation, I've realised that they tend to peck and often eat their own excrements, should i be concerned? I'm sure this isn't caused by dehydration nor
It may be due to curiosity or boredom. Provide a variety of foods (pelleted diet, some seed, fresh fruit and vegetables) as well as a variety of toys to keep them engaged. A grate at the bottom will prevent them from reaching the droppings.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
I've had my budgie for 13 days now his poop was dark green and and rather firm his urates white and urine clear and dried blackish looking he was on a seed diet, I've changed his diet to a seed and pellet mixture when I got him A few days ago his poo
Diet changes can affect the stool, and if you're feeding any extras in addition to the diet change, this could be causing the change you are seeing. It is also possible that his current diet is causing some minor GI upset if it changes immediately after eating and then returns to normal. Other issues such as internal parasites can also cause stool changes, so ruling out and treating for any parasites may be a good idea. Removing any extras such as fruit and veggies and providing only his balanced diet for a few days may also help him adjust and his stool return to normal. If the problem persists, or you see any other symptoms or changes such as reduced eating/drinking, lethargy, etc, then seeking vet care in person to rule out any more serious issues is best.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Abnormal poop and I’m very concerned he is a bee bee parrot and he is only 1. I don’t know what his poop means, I’ve read a couple of things online but don’t know which is pertained to him. Please help me, I am a worried bird mommy..thank you I look
All bird stool will have two components- a solid (the brown and green stuff you see) and a liquid (the white urea) as part of normal stool. However, if the stool has changed recently in color or consistency, it could indicate a number of things. Changes in diet or too many treats/snacks can affect the stool, and removing any treats for a few days while allowing for adjustment time to a new diet can help. Parasites and GI upset may also cause stool changes, and having a fecal exam done by your local vet is best to rule this out. If you are seeing any other signs of illness in addition to the stool change, making a note of them and having your vet examine Ethan in person is best.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored