Bird foot problems can be caused by injury or illness, and most are avoidable. Because the feet of birds are not covered in feathers and because many birds perch on their human companions, observing bird foot problems is usually fairly easy.
Bird foot problems caused by injury most often include those as a result of getting trapped in cage bars or on toys. Cage bars that are very ornate can include uneven spacing and small holes that can be dangerous to birds. Such cages are best used as decoration and not housing. Cage bars should never have a wider spacing at the top than at the bottom. Such spacing can cause a bird’s leg or foot to become trapped. Toys with small openings that could trap a bird’s foot, or portion of the foot, are unsafe and should never be used. Rope that is used as a perch or as part of a toy should be checked regularly for signs of fraying. Rope perches should not be used with birds who have very sharp nails as the nails could get caught in the fibers of the rope.
Bird foot problems caused by illness or health issues can include skin diseases, infections, and parasites. Amazon foot necrosis, a fairly common bird foot problem, may be caused by the presence of allergens such as food ingredients, tobacco smoke, or cosmetics. (These last two relate to human companions, not the birds themselves!) Although this ailment is widely-known among avian veterinarians, its causes are not definitively known.
A common infectious bird foot problem is known as bumblefoot and afflicts many types of birds. Common symptoms are swelling on the bottom of the foot, often accompanied by a small crust on the skin. Some common causes of this condition are inactivity, obesity, and dirty perches. The best treatment is simple prevention: keep your bird at a healthy weight and be sure her cage and perches clean.
Foot mites are a bird foot problem that most often affects canaries and parakeets. Infestation by these foot mites is often referred to as tasselfoot, since tassel-like projections grow from the feet of infected birds.
Many bird foot problems can be prevented by ensuring that your bird stays active and maintains a healthy weight. Since caged birds spend a good deal of time on their feet, avian obesity contributes to foot problems. Clean cages, selecting appropriate perches and keeping them hygienic will also help to minimize bird foot problems.
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