Feather Shine Shampoo

Why should I bathe my bird? 
By Dr. Samuel B. Vaughn, DVM
Avian Diplomate

WHY USE FEATHER SHINE SHAMPOO?

THIS PRODUCT SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE USED FOR ALL FEATHER PLUCKERS

You can accomplish several things:

1. You have increased your relationship with your bird, you may not think so the first two or three baths, but as time goes on your bird will EXPECT their baths.
2. You have really cleaned your birds’ skin, feathers and physically removed bacteria, yeast, mites and lice, just by the shampooing and rinsing process.
3. You have stimulated your birds’ natural instincts to preen appropriately.  There are those who believe all feather damaging behavior, including feather picking is simple “over-preening.”  I am not sure I agree with that completely, but I think it is correct in many feather picking birds.
4. In birds that have a preen gland, they will also be more apt to use their preen gland after a bath.  Preen gland impaction is a very real and serious problem in some species, particularly the African Grey.  Show me an African Grey who is picking out their tail feathers, and nine out of ten times I will show you an impacted preen gland on that bird.  Most of these would have been prevented had the bird been bathed on a regular basis.  Most of us also believe that if these hand raised Grays with impacted preen glands never had an adult parent bird to teach them how to use their preen gland.  I do not believe I have ever seen a preen gland impaction in a wild caught African Grey.
5. You have also probably prevented ever having to visit your veterinarian with the primary complaint of a skin infection or feather destructive behavior.  So I highly recommend using Feather Shine Shampoo is especially formulated to clean and whiten the feathers of all birds (especially Cockatoo’s). 

WHY SHOULD I BATHE MY BIRD?

First, one might ask why it is necessary to give my bird a bath.  He/she does not look dirty!!! Well, truth is most bird owners NEVER give their bird a bath.  Now think about that! We, well most of us, give ourselves a bath at least once a day.  We bathe our dogs and some of us our cats.  If we do not bathe them ourselves we take them to a groomer to have them bathed. Have you ever noticed how good you feel after a nice cleansing bath?

Ever notice how your dog is perkier and seems to feel better after a bath?
I know, after twenty plus years of donating my time and services to many animal rescue organizations, that just bathing a stray dog makes them feel better and seem more perky.  Most cats on the other hand, HATE baths, but there are a few of them that actually enjoy a bath.

BIRDS PRODUCE A LOT OF DANDER AND FEATHER DUST PARTICLES.

Many times I will examine a patient with feather damaging behavior only to find what I like to call an “undercoat” of matted down feathers, dust and debris.  I am sure you have seen a “white” cockatoo whose color is really a light grey tint with white underneath.  These birds are simply dirty and in need of a bath. The same goes for all of our pet birds. They get dirty doing nothing!  The skin is the largest organ of the body and perhaps the most active organ of the body.  The skin is continually growing and producing new cells and feathers. These new cells push the old cells out of the way to take their place.  If all of those cells are not removed, they tend to “cake up” and produce that “undercoat” which is a mass of cellular debris, feather dust, and down feather.  In nature, rain bathes these animals on a regular basis. Birds in the wild are often seen jumping in a puddle of water, having a blast throwing water all over their body. They spread their wings, cuddle down in the water, tail and all and seem to be having a fantastic time; they also do it in sand. Usually when they are trying to take a bath in sand it’s because they are trying to get rid of something that is itching their little bodies. I am sure you all have seen this behavior.

 
FEATHER SHINE SHAMPOO ALSO DOES A GREAT JOB ON THE REMOVAL OF LICE AND MITES THAT MAY BE SNEAKING AROUND UNDER THAT MASS OF FEATHER DOWN AND CELLULAR DEBRIS.

TIPS ON HOW TO SHAMPOO YOUR BIRD:

Depending on the size of your bird will determine weather you put him/her in the sink or in the bath tub.  Example: anything from a Peach Faced Love Bird to an African Grey can be bathed in the sink.  If you own a Macaw or Cockatoo I recommend using the bath tub. First you can measure up to the bird’s shoulder and fill the water in the tub or sink to the height of the bird’s shoulder.  Shake the bottle of shampoo well and squirt approximately 20% into the sink or tub.  Gently lower the bird into the sink or tub into the mixed solution.  You might want to wear a pair of gloves because some birds that have never been in water may not be so happy and may bite. 
Leave the bird in the solution for approximately seven or eight minutes.  This will help loosen all the old oils, dead skin cells, lice, mites or powder that birds carry on their feathers. Get someone to help you hold the bird’s head so he can not bite you and gently rub shampoo out of the bottle directly onto the bird’s body rubbing from his toes up to his lower neck. When the bird is totally leathered up, lower him back into the sink or tub and move him around another minute or so while you drain the sink or tub.  While this is going on you can spray the bird with clean water from your sink or tub spray nozzle

REMEMBER, USE ONLY LUKEWARM WATER.

Make sure you rinse your bird thoroughly don’t forget under his wings.  When the water is completely drained and your bird is rinsed well, wrap the bird in a clean towel and damp dry.  You can now place the bird on the back of a chair and use a blow dryer to dry the bird, be careful not to overheat the bird.  After this is done, I am sure your bird’s personality will be much improved.  SOME BIRDS HAVE BEEN IN CAGES FROM FIVE TO TWENTY YEARS.  IMAGINE YOURSELF, BEING IN JAIL AND NEVER HAVING THE CHANCE TO BATHE WITH SOAP OR SHAMPOO.  What I am telling you, is only common sense, a clean happy bird will result in fewer trips to the VET.

Sincerely,
Dr. Samuel B. Vaughn, DVM
Avian Diplomate
www.vetcity.com