If you adopt a pet that came from a previous home, you may be able to tell if they suffered stress at their former residence. Dogs may cower or growl and cats may hide underneath furniture or hiss when you approach them. Rescue Birds like Cockatoos can also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it’s so touching to see them being adopted into homes where they will get all the love and care they deserve. That’s the case with Pudge, the Cockatoo, who, due to past stress, experiences nightmares.
Just look at how sweetly this Cockatoo’s human cares for him after one of these nightmares.
@pudgethecockatooLoving a rescue bird means dealing with nightmares sometimes. It’s okay Pudge you are home and never going back to that life again!#birdsoftiktok #rescuebird #parrotsoftiktok #cockatoo ♬ Hush Little Baby – Lullaby Baby
The sweet caption on the clip of Pudge the Cockatoo being rocked and comforted reads, “Loving a Rescue Bird means dealing with nightmares sometimes. It’s OK Pudge, you are home and never going back to that life again!”
One person commented what a lot of us are thinking and said, “The fact that they have nightmares from prior trauma makes my heart shatter to a million billion trillion pieces.”
Another kind soul replied, “They’re so beautiful, why would anyone mistreat these beautiful creatures? I’m glad you’ve given him a loving home.”
Comforting a cockatoo with PTSD takes patience, gentleness, and a lot of love. These birds are intelligent and emotionally complex, and trauma can leave deep imprints.
Bird Supplies says, “When we think about post-traumatic stress disorder, many of us don’t include birds. But recent studies show that many birds show some of the same signs of PTSD that people do. They develop trauma from a variety of circumstances that come out in excessive fear and anxiety, and protective aggression.”
Always use a quiet voice with birds who have experienced past trauma. Avoid loud noises, sudden movements, or high-energy behavior. Speak in soothing tones and keep your energy steady and predictable.
Also, birds with PTSD should have their cage in a calm part of the house. Provide cozy perches and safe hiding spots, and cover part of the cage if needed, so they feel protected, not exposed.
If you suspect your bird has past trauma and if they show signs, such as biting, increased or decreased vocalizations, or they pick at their feathers, consult your veterinarian for help.
