Rest, rhythm and enrichment
Too little sleep, boredom, noise, moving or a changed group can influence behavior. Housing and daily routine are always part of the assessment.
From canaries and parrots to pigeons and birds of prey
CBD oil for birds
Our active bird range consists of 100% terpene-free CBD MCT oil with 10 and 50 mg CBD, for parrots, parakeets, canaries, pigeons and birds of prey, among others. Choose according to the exact species, weight and product information.
Two strengths10 and 50 mg CBD per bottle
Difference in sizeCanaries, parrots, pigeons and birds of prey
Select type-specificThe exact bird species and method of presentation count
Species-specific thinking
“Bird” alone does not tell you how to use the product
A canary, budgerigar, cockatiel, parrot, pigeon and bird of prey differ enormously in weight, nutrition, lifespan and sensitivity. That is why a careful product choice always starts with the exact bird species.
The bird line contains 10 and 50 mg CBD. These lower strengths make the category recognisably different from the dog line, but the milligram number alone is not enough. Bottle contents, concentration, ingredients and method of presentation must also be clear.
The bird line in the picture
100% terpene-free CBD MCT oil
Our own 50 mg MCT bottle is shown as an example. The active bird range contains 10 and 50 mg CBD and is 100% terpene-free.
Our considered formulation choice
Why do we choose 100% terpene-free CBD oil for birds?
For rabbits, rodents and birds, our active range consists exclusively of 100% terpene-free CBD MCT oil. Our specially formulated CBD blend uses MCT oil as its carrier. Gold for these animal groups is temporarily unavailable. Terpene-free is a product characteristic and a precautionary choice; it does not guarantee that CBD is risk-free for every animal.
- Plant constituent
- Species and exposure
- Deliberately terpene-free
What are terpenes?
Terpenes occur naturally in many plants and contribute to smell and aroma. Some influence biological processes. Natural does not automatically mean safe: the individual substance, concentration, dose, route of administration and duration of exposure matter.
Hemp flowers, seed oil and MCT are different products
The aromatic constituents of hemp are mainly associated with flowers and resin-rich plant extracts. Hemp seeds and cold-pressed hemp seed oil are different products. Hemp seed oil can also contain small amounts of volatile plant constituents, so not every seed oil is completely terpene-free. Whether a CBD oil contains terpenes depends on its full composition. Our CBD MCT oil for these animal groups is 100% terpene-free, with no added terpenes.
Birds: inhalation differs from ingestion
Birds can be sensitive to certain concentrated volatile substances. Their respiration and airborne exposure require separate consideration. Inhaling an aromatic substance creates a different exposure from taking a measured amount of oil with suitable food. A report involving skin contact or vapours therefore does not establish the same risk from oral intake.
A published case describes a cockatiel becoming ill after three drops of tea tree oil were applied to its skin. This involved a concentrated mixture, not a test of myrcene or our CBD oil. One bird species and one exposure route do not represent all birds. Hemp seed as part of an appropriate diet is also different from a concentrated plant extract.
Myrcene: what does research actually show?
β-Myrcene is a monoterpene found in hemp, hops and lemongrass, among other plants. Researchers have studied effects including pain responses in mice. These are preclinical findings, not a proven treatment for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters or pet birds.
The US NTP studied repeated oral administration of β-myrcene by gavage in rats and mice for three months or two years. In the two-year studies, findings at the tested doses included kidney tumours in male rats and liver tumours in male mice. The lowest dose tested in those long-term studies was 250 mg/kg per administration, five days a week. These are specific experimental conditions, not a safe limit or prediction for a pet.
These data show why dose, duration, route and species matter. They do not establish that small amounts of myrcene cause liver or intestinal problems in a rabbit, guinea pig or bird. Appropriate evidence for that specific conclusion is lacking here. We choose to avoid unnecessary terpene exposure without giving a general safety guarantee for CBD.
Sources and limits of the evidence
- Ishida et al. (1981) · Terpenoids biotransformation in rabbits
- Rao et al. (1990) · Effect of myrcene on nociception in mice
- NTP (2010) · Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of beta-Myrcene, TR-557
- Vetere et al. (2020) · Acute tea tree oil intoxication in a pet cockatiel
- Jeong et al. (2024) · Chemosensory of hemp seed oil
What behavior tells
Unrest and feather problems often have several causes
Picking is not a diagnosis
Damaging or plucking feathers can be related to behavior, but also to skin disease, pain, diet or hormonal factors. Have medical causes investigated.
A social animal
Many birds respond strongly to people, fellow birds and routine. A change in calling, eating or seeking contact can be an important signal.
Experience use by owners
What do bird owners use CBD for?
In pet birds, CBD is mainly mentioned for feather problems, stress and pain. Formal research on use in bird species is very limited; this is an overview of practical questions and experience, not an efficacy claim.
We work together with veterinarians. Customers also regularly tell us that they come to us after consultation or referral by a veterinarian. We always refer to the attending veterinarian for medical assessment and treatment.
Feathers and self-harm
- Feather picking and damaging grooming behavior
- Excessive brushing or feather biting
- Skin picking and self-mutilation
- Itching and restlessness around skin or feathers
Stress and behavior
- Moving, new cage or changed environment
- Transport and visit to an avian veterinarian
- Being alone, losing a buddy or social tension
- Startle reactions, fear, anxiety, screaming or aggression
Pain and movement
- Osteoarthritis and stiffness in older birds
- Foot, paw or joint problems
- Injury, chronic pain or inflammatory complaints
- Comfort during surgery or recovery
Neurology, disease and comfort
- Seizures, tremors or neurological restlessness
- Decreased appetite due to long-term complaints
- Discomfort with tumors or chronic illness
- Palliative support and age-related comfort
Feather plucking often has several causes. Consider pain, skin disease, parasites, nutrition, hormones, environmental factors, boredom or stress. If a bird is plucking, not eating, sitting or stuffy, first have it examined by an ornithological veterinarian. CBD does not replace medical diagnostics or adapted housing and enrichment.
ECS and composition
Does the entourage effect also apply to birds?
Components of the endocannabinoid system have also been demonstrated in birds, including CB1 and CB2 receptors. However, this does not mean that the entourage effect of a hemp extract in pet birds has been proven.
The species-specific substantiation for bird species is very limited. Therefore, do not directly transfer findings in dogs, people or laboratory animals to a parakeet, parrot or other bird. The exact bird species, weight and product composition remain leading.
Read the scientific nuance →Practical administration
On a small piece of suitable food
Preferably drop the measured oil onto a small piece of tasty, species-appropriate food that one bird will eat completely. Preferably choose something with some fat, as long as this is suitable for the bird species in question.
If the snack is not eaten, gently give the oil directly into the mouth. Never put CBD oil in drinking water: oil floats on water and does not distribute evenly.
Four questions before product selection
What type and weight?
Don't just use terms like 'parakeet' or 'parrot'; record the exact species and current weight.
What has changed?
Describe sleep, appetite, feces, noise, feathers, breathing, activity and changes in the environment.
Is illness excluded?
Birds often hide illness for a long time. Suddenly being quiet or sitting up can mean that quick action is necessary.
How to check recording?
Choose a method where it is clear which bird receives the product and how much is actually ingested.
Frequently asked questions about CBD for birds
For which birds is the line intended?
The product information mentions parrots, parakeets, canaries, pigeons and birds of prey, among others. Check the intended types per product; the differences within these groups are large.
When is quick veterinary advice needed?
In case of sitting sluggish, shortness of breath, tail wagging when breathing, not eating, vomiting, blood loss, balance problems, seizures or sudden severe lethargy.