Good budgie water treat?

[HareTrinity]

Not sure how recommendable this is, but anyway...

Once, during an attempt to clean my budgie's water bath (back when I had my current male by himself), I found what seemed like some sort of limescale (I live in a hard water area, which is healthy, but more likely to require extra cleaning).

Knowing that alkaline products (like soap) wouldn't work, I used the weakest acidic-based substance in the bathroom that I was aware of; toothpaste.

It worked rather well, so I rinsed out the bird bath until I was sure it was all gone, attached it onto my budgie's cage, and went about my daily life.

The next day I noticed that he was low on water again, so I rinsed it out a bit, put more water in, and brought it back. Tludgy immediately hopped and climbed (as budgies do) over to his bird bath!

He lost interest after one try, but I'm pretty sure I worked out what he was after. Minty aftertaste.

Anyone know if this is something I can start to do more than once, by accident, during his life time? Say; once every few months?

I've heard other people mentioning giving their birds fruit juice, and toothpaste, being made for humans, probably isn't all THAT great for birds, but in small doses is it likely to cause any damage?

Would be nice to see my birds more enthusiastic about their water supply now and then.

[Vankarhi]

I don't know about the toothpaste, but fruit juice should be ok in small amounts occassionally. I know toothpaste is not real healthy for us, but oh how horrible would it be without it????

[Vankarhi]

Also, how much do you charge to make an avatar? I asked in another thread if there are female eclectus avatars, as the new ones here are only males. I love them though, but would love a "girlie" one. Just curious also a Galah one or maybe both together as I own both. Just curious.

[HareTrinity]

Since you asked, I'll answer here; I'll do it for free (I make little gif animations in my spare time anyway, and since I'm doing it for fun and not the best animator in the world, it would seem mean to charge for it).

Forgot that toothpaste was bad for humans too, though... Oops. Oh, well... Guess I'll have to do research on the ingredients and such to find out once and for all whether or not my budgies will be fine with it.

[BirdzRmylife]

Toothpaste... :aiwebs_01
I don't think so lol....

As said, real fruit juice in moderation is probably somewhat benifical to your fids health. Another "water treat" are leafy greens with water droplets still on them, or a real watery treat would be celery.

[AmandaB]

I agree, toothpaste is not good. If it's harmful when humans swallow it, imagine what it could do to a tiny little bird body?

You can give them small amounts of juice, but I wouldn't put it in to flavor their water, give it to them in a seperate bowl. He may not have been rejecting the water, just not in the mood for it, so to speak.

As for cleaning the bowl, daily washings with hot water and dish detergent should keep the stains away. If not, maybe use a baking soda paste to scrub it and rinse very well.

Hope this helps.....

[bbabcock]

I don't know weather this would be a good idea either, but my sis occasionally lets her big birds have a hard candy. Maybe taking a samll peice of pepermint & putting it a seperate dish of water(for the flavor) might be ok. But wait for some one else to verify this. I'm not expert, just watch some of the things my sis does.

[wildirish]

That's not exactly what I do....I used to get those sugar free candies (baskin robbins) and found a couple of the birds here like those star peppermint ones. I haven't gotten them in ages. But they do get the occasional "bad" treat. LOL!!!

[bbabcock]

Thanks for clearing that up, I hoped you would see & fix any confusions!

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by HareTrinity

Not sure how recommendable this is, but anyway...

Once, during an attempt to clean my budgie's water bath (back when I had my current male by himself), I found what seemed like some sort of limescale (I live in a hard water area, which is healthy, but more likely to require extra cleaning).

Knowing that alkaline products (like soap) wouldn't work, I used the weakest acidic-based substance in the bathroom that I was aware of; toothpaste.

It worked rather well, so I rinsed out the bird bath until I was sure it was all gone, attached it onto my budgie's cage, and went about my daily life.

The next day I noticed that he was low on water again, so I rinsed it out a bit, put more water in, and brought it back. Tludgy immediately hopped and climbed (as budgies do) over to his bird bath!

He lost interest after one try, but I'm pretty sure I worked out what he was after. Minty aftertaste.

Anyone know if this is something I can start to do more than once, by accident, during his life time? Say; once every few months?

I've heard other people mentioning giving their birds fruit juice, and toothpaste, being made for humans, probably isn't all THAT great for birds, but in small doses is it likely to cause any damage?

Would be nice to see my birds more enthusiastic about their water supply now and then.

I don't know about toothpaste, but I have always used straight up vinegar for cleaning their water bowls and bathing bowls. No scale, no problem, just swish it in, let it set a minute or two, scrub it out with a clean cloth, rinse well and use. I think it's easier and probably healthier than toothpaste.
Linda & Skye~
OH, I do this weekly.