Parrot Safety - What you should know
There is much information posted about parrot safety on the internet. I would like to post here a synopsis or some of the most critical issues as prevention and knowledge is the key to keeping all of our birds as safe as we can. I have also provided some links to good information to help keep your parrots happy and safe.
Respiratory Issues
Parrots have an extremely sensitve respiratory system and things that most people would not expect to harm a bird could cause long term illness or sudden death.
- Telfon cooking pans as well as all other non-stick pans can be deadly to parrots. The fumes when a pan is over heated is deadly to birds and can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.
- Candles and air fresheners can have long term effects on parrots as the release of waxes and oils can cause lung and broncial issues.
- Cleaning chemicals should not be used with birds present. Many birds have died due to the use of Areosol sprays. The best items to use for cleaning is water and vinegar or some dish soap. Please make sure that once cleaned, thorough rinsing takes place. I also use a 5% bleach 95% water solution in a hand spray bottle for cage cleaning. However the birds are not present during this cleaning.
- Scotchguard is deadly to birds. In the event of new carpeting or furniture, the items should be aired out for several days before being placed in the house with your birds. Never should anything be scotchguarded in your bird area.
- Paints - only baby safe paints should be used and birds should be kept as far away as possible until fumes disipate.
- Here is a comprehensive list of harmful toxins to parrots http://www.liparrotsociety.org/dangerous.htm
Parrots require a healthy diet with many fresh vegetables and fruit as well as nuts and beans and a good pellet mix daily. There are many great foods that can be fed to your parrot such as rice, pasta and oatmeal along with the fresh fruits and veggies. There are many things that can be added to enhance a parrots health but these are the basics that should be used.
As with most animals there are certain foods that should never be fed to your bird. This is not a full list but the foods listed below are known to cause harm or even death to parrots.
- Chocolate
- avocado
- salted foods (however in minute quantities is OK)
- milk and milk products (with the exception of yogurts)
- caffeine
- alcohol products
- high sugar content treats
- high fat foods
- diet consisting of mostly or all sunflower seeds
Here is a link to safe foods and foods to avoid. Also proper storage and care information. http://www.birdsafe.com/food.htm
Toys
Parrots NEED toys to keep them stimulated and entertained. They can be gymnasts, heavy chewers, snuggly or just playful. However there can be hidden dangers with toys. Here is a link to think about, which lists some of the possible dangers. http://www.chopperstoys.com/CatalogArticlesToySafety.html
- make sure all loose threads are removed
- make sure all metal parts are made of stainless steel only. Zinc is poisonous to birds and special care must be taken. Don't trust all bird toys either, as not all are made of stainless steel. Magnets won't stick to stainless steel but they will stick to zinc. http://www.chopperstoys.com/CatalogArticlesZincToxicity.html
- Wooden toys should be made of parrot safe woods. Here is a list of both safe and toxic woods. Please remember that pesticides are also poisonous so none of the woods should have been sprayed or should be thoroughly cleaned before use. (If possible, bake and/or boil the wood before use.) http://www.plannedparrothood.com/plants.html
- A great place for information about cages and toy safety http://www.birdsafe.com/
We offer free of charge information about parrot ownership to ANYONE needing assistance. We can be contact either by phone 905-728-0987 or email at parrotadopt@sympatico.ca
First Aid for Parrots
I will not rewrite what is already written however I will supply links to some great information.
- Parrot First Aid Kit http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww2e.htm#i
- Annual Bird Exams http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww10eii.htm
- Common illnesses http://theaviary.com/sick.shtml
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