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If you have a conure and have noticed that it seems to be sneezing frequently, it’s natural to be concerned that it has a health issue. An inexperienced bird owner might not know the best course of action if their pet gets sick. If this sounds like you, keep reading as we look at several different reasons that your conure might be sneezing, what you should do to help it feel better, and how to feel more confident about treating your pet.
The 5 Reasons Your Conure Is Sneezing
1. Food Allergy
One of the most common reasons your conure might be sneezing is that it is allergic to its food. Your bird can also be trying to tell you that it doesn’t like what you are feeding it, and the only way it knows how is by continuing to sneeze, cough, and hack.
What Can You Do About It?
If the sneezing coincides with a new type of food or treat that you got for your pet, we recommend discontinuing it to see if there is any change in its behavior. If it’s a food allergy, the signs will usually take about 24 hours to go away, but they can clear up even sooner in some cases.
2. Smell Sensitivity
Many people like to use air fresheners to improve the air quality of their homes. However, many of these fragrances use essential oils that we may find pleasing but can have a profoundly negative effect on birds. They can cause birds to sneeze and possibly trigger more serious health issues.
What Can You Do About It?
If you have any air fresheners, candles, or other fragrant items in the room with your conure, we recommend removing them, even if they have been there for a while. It can take time for the smell to bother your pet and cause a reaction.
3. Dusty Air
Dusty air can tickle your pet’s nose, causing it to sneeze. It’s not uncommon for your pet to sneeze a few times while you are housecleaning, especially when using a feather brush or vacuum cleaner, both of which can put dust into the air. Cats and dogs can also increase the dust in the air, as can cigarette smoke.
What Can You Do About It?
Dust occurs naturally, and some environments create more than others. You obviously don’t want to give up any of your pets, but you must then be aware that some sources of dust can be tough to prevent. The only way to minimize the amount of dust in your home is through frequent cleaning and dusting so it doesn’t have a chance to build up.
4. Dry Air
Dry air can cause more dust to enter the air, and it may also make your conure’s nose more sensitive to it. The dry air can dry out the nasal passages, leading to a possible sinus infection. Low humidity can also cause your bird to show other signs of a cold and may even result in feathers falling out.
What Can You Do About It?
You can add humidity to the air easily by using a humidifier. This device can quickly add humidity to the room, eliminating the problem. However, we recommend using a hygrometer along with it to make sure the humidity doesn’t go past 65%, which could cause other health problems for your pet.
5. Infection
Certain bacteria like E. coli and viruses like avian influenza can affect your conure in all types of ways and can result in sneezing. Unfortunately, bacteria can pose a serious danger to your pet, and sneezing is one of the milder signs that might show as a result of an infection.
What Can You Do About It?
We recommend taking your bird to the vet if you suspect bacteria is to blame. Your vet will usually provide you with medication to quickly clear up the infection and get your pet back to normal.
If I Have a Cold or the Flu, Can I Get My Bird Sick?
If you are not feeling well, you do not need to worry about your conure catching your illness. Birds are different enough from us that they usually don’t get sick from human diseases. However, we still recommend minimizing contact while you are not feeling well.
Can My Bird Make Me Sick?
Unfortunately, humans are much more susceptible to birds’ illnesses than they are to ours. If you get avian flu, histoplasmosis, or one of the many other bird diseases, you could find yourself with symptoms that include muscle pain, fever, and chills. You’ll need to see a doctor to get proper treatment.
Final Thoughts
If your conure is sneezing, it might have a cold, but there can also be several other causes, including dust, dry air, and even a food allergy. In most cases, the sneezing will stop in a few days, but if it persists, we recommend taking your bird to the vet to have it looked over to find out the cause so you can treat it correctly. The medication your doctor prescribes will usually clear up the problem in a day or two.
Featured Image Credit: Good Shop Background, Shutterstock
