How to Deal with Obesity in an Amazon Parrot

Co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Updated: March 29, 2019

Amazon parrots have big personalities, and big appetites. They are prone to health issues like obesity, especially if they are overfed or given an unhealthy diet. Start by bringing the parrot to the vet for guidance. You can also deal with obesity in your Amazon parrot by adjusting its diet and changing its lifestyle so it maintains a healthy weight.

Method 1 of 3:
Bringing the Parrot to the Vet

  1. 1
    Allow the vet to examine and diagnose the parrot. The vet will check the parrot to see if it is displaying the symptoms of obesity. This includes checking to see if the bird has a defined breast muscle. If it does not, this may be a sign it is carrying too much weight. The bird may also have fat along the side of its neck and have a yellowish tint beneath the skin in this area.[1]
    • Other telltale signs include your bird getting out of breath when it exercises for a short period of time.
    • Obese birds also tend to have beaks that grow very long. This is usually a sign of liver problems, which are caused by being overweight.
    • The vet may also weigh the bird to determine if it is overweight.
  2. 2
    Discuss adjusting the parrot’s diet and lifestyle. The vet will make suggestions on how you can modify the parrot’s diet and lifestyle so it can lose weight. They can recommend diet pellets that you can switch the bird to so it can get healthy. They may also suggest exercises you can do with the parrot to help it lose weight.[2]
  3. 3
    Get the parrot checked for other health issues. Obese Amazon parrots are susceptible to other health issues like bumblefoot, xanthomatosis, and atherosclerosis. Your vet should check the parrot for these issues and suggest treatment for them.[3]
    • Bumblefoot is an inflammatory disease that affect a parrot's feet. Signs of bumblefoot include limping, scabs, or red or swollen feet.
    • Xanthomatosis are red or yellow tumors that appear on the bird's skin. These can be treated by removing the mass and through a healthy diet.
    • Atherosclerosis is a form of heart disease. It can cause sudden death in older or overweight birds. Some symptoms include exhaustion, inactivity, and sudden changes in behavior.
  4. 4
    Schedule a follow-up visit. If your parrot does not seem to be losing weight or getting better, bring it to the vet for a check up. Let the vet do a physical exam of the parrot to determine if it has other medical problems that may be causing its weight issues, such as a thyroid disorder.[4]

Method 2 of 3:
Adjusting the Parrot’s Diet

  1. 1
    Get the parrot on diet pellets. Pellets have been designed to meet the parrot’s nutritional needs without causing it to gain more weight. Have pellets make up 75-80% of your bird’s diet. Look for pellets that have been formulated for obese birds, as they will contain less fat.[5]
    • If your parrot is used to a seed diet, you will need to transition it to pellets gradually. Do this over four to eight weeks by giving the bird less seeds and a dish of pellets. Over time, they should become used to the pellets, especially if they get less seeds in their meals.
  2. 2
    Limit the parrot’s intake of seeds and nuts. Most birds prefer sunflower seeds and peanuts, which are both high in fat. Try to give the obese parrot only 1-2 teaspoons of seeds and nuts each day so it has less fat in its diet. Replace seeds and nuts in its diet with pellets.[6]
    • You can also give the parrot seeds and nuts as special treats or only on special days.
  3. 3
    Provide fresh vegetables and fruit for the parrot. Fresh fruits and vegetables should account for about 20-25% of the parrot’s diet. Give the parrot orange, red, and yellow vegetables like squash, peppers, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Cut the vegetables into small pieces and do not worry about peeling them.[7]
    • Amazon parrots also enjoy fruits like apples, pears, and bananas.
    • Avoid giving the bird iceberg lettuce or celery, as it has little nutritional value.
    • Do not give avocados to the parrot, as they are toxic to birds.
  4. 4
    Give the parrot healthy treats. Reward the parrot for good behavior by giving it healthy treats like a piece of fruit or a vegetable. Get the parrot into the habit of seeing fruits and vegetables as treats.
    • Try not to give the parrot any fatty processed treats, as this will cause it to gain weight.
    • Do not give the parrot processed human foods, like pizza crusts, french fries, chips, or crackers. Avoid dairy products, like cheese, since birds cannot digest milk.

Method 3 of 3:
Exercising the Parrot

  1. 1
    Bird proof the room before letting the parrot out to play. Close any windows and doors to keep the parrot contained within the room. Cover the windows with curtains. Make sure that there are no cords, strings, or electrical wires that the bird can chew. Remove other pets from the room, and make sure all fans are turned off.[8]
  2. 2
    Exercise the parrot several times a day. An obese parrot will only get better and lose weight if it exercises. Start the parrot off slow with ten seconds of exercise two to three times a day. Then, gradually add on to the time so it gets twenty or thirty seconds of exercise several times a day. This will allow the parrot to adapt to exercise and not get overworked or overwhelmed.[9]
    • A healthy parrot will exercise three times a day for five to ten minutes at a time. Try to work the obese parrot up to this amount over time.
  3. 3
    Play “chase” and “catch” with the parrot. Get the parrot to move around by playing “chase,” where you run after the bird. You can also allow the bird to chase you. “Catch” is another fun way to get the parrot moving, where you throw a ball to the bird and have it touch or catch it. These games are typically played on the floor of a bird-proofed room.[10]
    • Alternate between these two games during your exercise sessions with the parrot. Over time, they should look forward to the play sessions.
    • Use different toys every time you play “catch” with the bird so it gets excited to exercise with a new toy.
  4. 4
    Let the parrot fly around your home. Another good way to exercise the parrot is to allow it to fly around its room or your home. Let the bird out to fly around for several minutes a day.[11]
    • Make sure you close all doors and windows, and keep other pets out. Bird proof the home before you let it out of its cage to fly around.

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    would I use the same method on a Canadian parrot?
    Community Answer
    Yes. They all have the same basic structure, so yes, you would use the same methods.
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      Updated: March 29, 2019
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