How to Treat a Constipated Canary

Canaries are popular pets that are relatively easy to look after. They tend to have strong habits and personalities, which makes it very easy to spot when your canary is unwell. Constipation has different symptoms depending on how severe it is, but your bird will appear disinterested in food, and you may notice that it has not passed droppings recently. If the condition is severe, your bird may also be listless. However, curing constipation in canaries is relatively simple.

Clean the canary's cage. This is important so that you can monitor when the canary passes droppings, and whether its habits are back to normal. Remove any newspaper or other lining in the cage, and replace with fresh lining.

Remove the canary's food if it contains seeds. Seeds can make constipation more severe because they are difficult to digest.

Offer the canary small pieces of chopped-up green vegetables. Watercress a good option. Allow your bird to eat as much of this as possible. Lettuce is also a popular option, but any green leafy vegetables can be offered.

Purchase olive oil drops if symptoms do not improve within a few hours of feeding the vegetables. These are available in most supermarkets and pet shops.

Offer an olive oil drop to your canary. Usually, one in the morning and one in the evening is all that is necessary. Use a medicine dropper to administer the drops to your bird, if it will take it in its mouth. Leave the vegetables in the cage during this time if possible.

Replace the canary's food when it begins to pass droppings. If your canary displays an interest in its food, this is a good sign that it's feeling better. Your canary should pass droppings as normal. If this does not occur, remove the food and repeat the above steps. You can also call your veterinarian for further advice or an appointment.