Key Nutritional Factors and Obesity Prevention in Companion Psittacine Birds.

Proper nutrition and feeding management are the foundation of good health. Nutrition is one area the veterinary health care team can affect. Optimal feeding practices of companion birds are constantly being evaluated. It is critical that health care team members understand the key nutritional factors in avian nutrition, as this allows for the proper recommendation and education of nutrition to bird owners. Depending on the species, today's pet birds may live decades, so it is imperative that proper nutrition habits be adopted by the owner for their avian pet. Educating the owner on proper nutrition and prevention of obesity is one of the most important roles of the veterinary health care team.