Many parrots chew their feet and toes from time to time as part of their grooming activities. It is nothing to worry about as long as they don’t do it excessively.
There can be a number of medical as well as behavioral reasons for foot chewing in parrots. For some parrots, it may be a way to keep themselves stimulated, while in other cases, it can be a sign of foot-related problems such as bumble foot, dermatitis, arthritis, leg mites, or fungal infections.
Excessive and aggressive biting of the feet can sometimes lead to bleeding and wounds which may increase susceptibility to infections. This is why it’s important to address foot chewing promptly no matter what the actual reason may be.
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Why Is My Parrot Chewing Its Feet?
Parrots can bite their feet due to a serious underlying cause or overgrooming. In any case, if your parrot is biting its foot persistently, you should get it checked out with a vet, especially if you notice unusual textures and growth on the foot.
Medical Reasons
Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot as the name suggests, is a foot condition in birds. It is caused by a bacterial infection and usually affects the foot pad.
Generally, poor household hygiene and bad food are the main reasons this bacteria may come in contact with the bird. The bacteria can enter the parrot’s foot through a cut or skin wound and can spread easily if not treated in time.
Some common symptoms of bumblefoot in parrots include the inability to perch, sores, and swollen and red feet.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common problem in parrots, particularly older birds. However, factors like obesity, health conditions, and previous injuries can increase the chances of arthritis to occur sooner.
Because of this condition, the parrot may feel constant pain in its leg joints as well as the digits in the foot.
A possible reason for foot biting in parrots could be septic arthritis, which is a condition characterized by the inflammation of a joint due to an infection.
It can occur due to bacteria and viruses in the parrot’s environment. These bacteria may affect the joints and tissues, leading to swelling, and pain.
Skin Infections
Parrots can be susceptible to skin infections from various types of bacteria. MSD Vet Manual notes Ringworm to be an occasionally reported condition in pet birds.
Skin infections can cause itching in the parrot’s foot, which may prompt them to nibble and peck on it to alleviate the discomfort.
Parrots can be at risk of various fungal and bacterial infections if their living quarters are not kept well. These organisms not only infect their feet but other areas of the body too.
Scaly Face/Leg Mites
Parrots can get infected by various types of external parasites. Scaly mites are a type of ectoparasites that affect the legs, feet and face of a bird. The affected areas can appear scaly and crusty, which is the most notable sign of this infection.
Mites can be hard to get rid of as they are always visible to the naked eye in the early stages. However, there are a few signs you could look for. Scaly leg mites can cause severe itching on the parrot’s leg, as a result, you may see them grooming their foot more often than usual.
Gout
Another reason why parrots may bite their feet could be gout. Avian gout is a musculoskeletal condition, which means it affects the joints as well as the tissue in that area.
It is mainly caused by renal disease and the accumulation of uric acid in the joints and muscles. Birds with gout will have inflammation and pain in their joints and find it difficult to perch or walk normally. It is essential to take your bird to the vet as it indicates a problem with the kidneys.
Avian Herpesvirus
It was previously thought that herpesvirus only affected humans, but it has been found it is the cause of many diseases in birds as well. Also known as Pacheco’s disease, herpesvirus infection in birds affects multiple organs and can be the cause of many fatal diseases.
It has also been linked to the development of papillomas (non-cancerous growths) on parrot’s legs and feet. Aside from the abnormal warts on the parrot’s feet, loss of color is also a sign of Avian Herpesvirus.
Behavioral Reasons
Eating With Feet
Parrot commonly use their feet to grasp things, including their food. Feet are like hands to parrots and they use them to pick up and eat their food. Naturally, this may lead to some of the food sticking to their feet.
So if you see your parrot nibbling on its foot after eating, it is most likely licking food off of it. Most of the time, it is completely normal for parrots to lick their feet post-meal, however, sometimes, this may turn into a bad habit.
Boredom
Parrots who constantly chew their feet may also be doing so because they’re bored. In an unstimulating environment, parrots can often pick up unhealthy habits such as foot chewing. They do this because of frustration and feeling helpless.
Boredom is a serious and fairly common issue in parrots. This issue may not resolve unless necessary modifications are made to their environment.
If you are someone who routinely stays away from your parrot for long hours or they don’t have a mate, it can be the reason for your parrot’s boredom.
Stress And Anxiety
Stress is another major cause of foot chewing in parrots. It often stems from boredom, but it can have much more serious repercussions where the parrot may develop behavioral problems even to the point of self-harm.
If it is the case for your parrot, it is essential to get to the bottom of the issue or consult a vet to get proper guidance on the matter.
It can take quite a bit of time and some digging to understand why your parrot is stressed. To alleviate the general symptoms of anxiety, you need to make sure the stressor is gone.
How To Stop Your Parrot From Chewing Its Feet?
It can be difficult to address the situation if the cause of the issue is not clear. Firstly, you need to figure out why your parrot is chewing its foot. If it is not a medical condition, and you are certain of it, then you should discourage the parrot from continuing this behavior.
To separate your parrot from its foot, you need to target the root issue. If your parrot is bored or stressed, make improvements to their cage and surroundings to keep them mentally stimulated. Also, focus on spending more quality time with them.
Whenever your parrot seems like it is chewing its foot, discourage them to a stern no. If you have bonded with your parrot, it will be more likely to obey you. However, in other cases, it might be a little tricky to stop them from biting their foot.
When Should You See A Vet?
If you are unsure what may be causing your parrot to chew its foot, you should get it professionally assessed by a vet. There can be a number of health problems that can take the form of unhealthy behaviors in parrots.
Consistent foot chewing cannot be allowed to go on for long. If your parrot is chewing constantly and also has accompanying symptoms such as soreness and redness, a vet will be better able to help the bird’s situation and provide the right course of treatment.
