Update on my Pat

Pat has been doing well lately. Got him to start eating some veggies, both when I've cut them up and when using a chopper. Found that he loves cherries (not sure who, but I read from another post their conure liked cherries and decided to try them. He likes the kind of small oranges as well. One thing that he has been doing is getting clingy (wanting his head and neck scratched A LOT) a and has been biting as well. Hasn't drawn any blood yet (key word there) but has pinched up a little skin once or twice.

I think that part of the problem is that he doesn't like being left alone at night. Which is a bit of a problem cause that is when I work. Even on the days I have off, he doesn't seem to like going to bed. I try to spend as much time with him as I can when I am home when I'm not sleeping. At least two hours before I go to sleep after I get home and more through out the day.

Ducatimom, I ordered that bath that you suggested and some other things as well from that site. It should be here soon, thanks for the link.

Anyone have any ideas as to what Pat is going through? I don't think that it is molting because I've seen no feathers anywhere, and from what I've read, Pat is too young for that anyways. Right now Pat is sitting on my shoulder leaning against my head.

Thanks for any advice.

David

drj130 said:

Ducatimom, I ordered that bath that you suggested and some other things as well from that site. It should be here soon, thanks for the link.
David

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You're welcome! That site is amazing. They're seriously going to make me go broke with everything they have on there. Plus if you have other pets they get a little treat in there as well. Tuzzi and Pasha always get little doggie treats and Hooch gets a little cat toy.

I think perhaps by spending 'most' of your free time with Pat, you might be encouraging a more clingy behavior. Conures are a species known to form very tight bonds and can become "Velcro birds" with the associated problems if it is kept up. They must be taught independent play, and that some time in the cage, or playing alone on top of the cage is actually "okay"

Establish a routine. Even on days off, have a regular bed time. If possible, how about a half hour before bed, lowering the lighting, try putting Pat in or on the cage, and stay nearby. Say something like 'get ready for bed'. It won't be automatic, but over time, hearing these words, seeing light lowered, etc. will cue Pat that the routine bed time is coming, and they'll know what to expect. By covering the cage (if you don't already) it will also insure that Pat sleeps when he's supposed to. If you have to leave and he pitches a fit, he'll just have to learn eventually (through routine and visual and or verbal cues) that bed time and independent play time is a healthy and necessary part of life. Best of luck.

Thanks for the information RavensGryf. Trying to ensure that I spend enough time with Pat and I might have been doing too much of that. I'll adjust things and see how that goes. I do cover Pat's cage at night and try my best to be quiet while I get ready for work. I'll also try the other things that you suggested as well.

David