Hi, I'm new to the board. Sorry for the long post, but I am concerned about my little friend. I have a "found" budgie, Puff, who is approximately 7 years old, I think. Puff has lived with me for 5 years. He is disabled (wing injury and can't fly) but has otherwise always been healthy. Vet checks have always been normal. Recently he has started having what seem like short anxiety attacks as well as wheezing episodes when he climbs around the cage. I think he is just showing his age but would like to know if anyone has experience with the signs of aging in a healthy budgie. His eating, drinking, and playing habits are the same as they've always been. His droppings look normal, and there is no nasal or eye discharge, so I don't think he's sick. The primary behavior change over the last year is that he sleeps a lot more. Here are my questions: is is typical for an aging budgie to become winded like this? Is there anything I can do to help him through these anxiety and wheezing attacks? I've made a tent that he can crawl into on his favorite perch, and he likes that very much--makes him feel safe. He also calms down when I talk softly to him. Any other ideas? Thanks so much!

My old boy Pip did indeed start to show his age and slow down. He was healthy and happy, but he did tend to sleep more, and didn't stay out of his cage as long as he used to. He never had anything like you describe as anxiety attacks, though he did get more "out of puff" from flying. I think the best advice if he's been checked over by a vet and he's healthy would be just to treat him extra gently with plenty of tlc as you would with any ageing animal. Pip was treasured until he left us two years ago aged just over 10, we just provided him with everything he could possibly want and that's all you can do I guess.

I agree if his behavior isn't as normal as it used to be a good check-up by an avian vet is best :glare:.

Kestral and Lovey, thanks so much for responding. The information you've provided is very helpful. Kestral, thank you for sharing your experience with your Pip--so sorry for your loss. I will indeed continue to treat Puff gently, and it probably is time for a trip to the vet. I have been surprised at the difficulty in finding information about aging budgies! Thanks again.

I think alot of people here on the boards have young budgies so far. I know my 2 are just 1 yr old and 5 months, so I can't say for sure about them aging.

 

I would say that pheobe is the only one here with an aging budgie but she has been having trouble logging in.

I think alot of people here on the boards have young budgies so far. I know my 2 are just 1 yr old and 5 months, so I can't say for sure about them aging.

 

I would say that pheobe is the only one here with an aging budgie but she has been having trouble logging in.

 

 

That's good to know. Maybe Phoebe will have some advice to offer. You have really young ones! The photo is great--they're very pretty! Since I first posted, Puff seems to have calmed down. I have to think very carefully about whether a vet appointment is the right thing--that usually causes worse stress. I'm watching him carefully and doing my best to spoil him! Thanks again for your help!