My boyfriend and I have a Mustache Parakeet named Stella. She’ll be 1 year old on March 31st, 2012. She’s a very sweet and loving little birdie, but she is terrified of the vacuum. Whenever my boyfriend or I bring out the vacuum, she freaks out and flies all over her cage in a panic, and sounds like she’s hyperventilating. It’s not just the noise of the vacuum that scares her, often she reacts that way even when she just sees it. My boyfriend and I have no idea what could be causing such an intense reaction from her? Our little Quaker, Cookie, doesn’t mind the vacuum at all (he’s 6 months old). We both don’t remember Stella being scared of the vacuum when we initially brought her home, but she developed this fear somewhere along the line. I was wondering if you could please find out what may be causing this fear and what we can do about it?
Thank you very much!
Shelley
Hi Shelley
In my communication with Stella I found her to be very open and excited to communicating. She showed herself to me bobbing up and down and shifting from one foot to the other as if she were doing a little dance. I felt comfortable asking her right away if she could tell us why the vacuum cleaner bothered her so much. She immediately sent me the message that…”the sound it makes is like a distress call and that it is a bad machine.” I asked her for clarification and she sent back “My feathers and food go into it and so might I!” From this message it would be helpful to talk to her and let her know that she is safe from harm and that the vacuum just cleans the house and nothing more. I would also suggest leaving the vacuum out and allowing her to get used to it just being there. This is a way of letting her know that it is an everyday object and she need not be afraid of it. Then reward her when she remains calm or doesn’t fuss too much over it.
You may also consider giving her Mimulus and Rock Rose remedies to ease her fear and terror. Putting 2 drops of each remedy in a spray bottle and spraying the room with them before you bring out the vacuum will help to keep her calm. Sending her images of being calm and relaxed and breathing normally will also assist her. She will be reacting in part to how you think she will be reacting so as long as you have these peaceful images and thoughts she will too.
She’s a smart little bird and in time and with a little reassurance she’ll soon realize that the vacuum cleaner is nothing more than that.
Blessings to you all,
Stephanie



























