Owning a pet bird is a big responsibility and special care must be taken to keep the animal safe and healthy. An educated owner is the best defense for your pet bird. Find out what should and should not be allowed near your pet and heed all warnings accordingly.
Dangers For Pet Birds:
- Toxic fumes and metals
- Toxic foods or plants
- Dehydration
- Other Pets
- Children
- Small household items
- Contact with other birds
- Drafts
- Common cage items, like litter and toys
- Temperature exposure
Items that are Toxic to Birds
Whether it is food, drink, a plant or fumes in the house, toxins that can be fatal to birds lurk everywhere. The top five foods that can poison a pet include avocado, chocolate, coffee, salt, and alcoholic beverages. Never feed these items to a bird. As for plants, the types of plants that can harm a pet bird are too numerous to list. Play it safe and keep all household or outside plants away from the bird.
Many of the worst toxic dangers are those that owners are not aware of or cannot even see. When buying a cage for the bird, do so from a reputable dealer who certifies the cage to be “bird safe.” If the cage includes certain metals like lead or zinc which the bird may chew on, these metals will be toxic to the animal.
Fumes emitted from many household products are also invisible killers. Throw away all Teflon or “non-stick” items before bringing a bird home. Non-stick surfaces are made from polytetrafluoroethylene which, when heated, can cause death to a bird in minutes. These may include pans, irons, ovens, heat lamps, space heaters and even hair dryers. Even cleaning chemicals can emit toxic fumes like bleach, ammonia, carpet cleaners or hairspray. Check with manufacturers to be sure PTFE is not used in these products or any other appliances and cleaners. Never use candles, room sprays, pesticides or similar items near a pet bird either.
Household Items and Bird Cage Items
Besides the metal bars of the bird cage, toys and litter used in the cage can also be dangerous. Never use walnut shell litter or corn cob litter, cedar or anything else that emits a strong smell or can be ingested and injure the bird, like wood shavings which can splinter. The best litter is plain newspaper; do not use the colored pages, just plain old black and white. Lay the paper flat in the bottom tray. Do not shred it as this will encourage fungal growth and be sure to change the paper daily.
Keep other small household items out of the reach of a pet bird. Many items like beads, pens or coins can be digested and may prove to be fatal. Be careful also when giving toys to a pet bird. Some are not constructed well and can cause harm to the animal. Do not use toys that involve wires or have large openings that the bird may stick a body part through and get stuck, especially the head. Special rope perches can be purchased which are designed to fray if the animal gets stuck or has a thread wrap around a leg or wing. Find items that are certified “bird safe” and read all labels and warnings on the package.
Other Threats to Pet Birds
The easiest threats to avoid involve using basic common sense. Do not allow children to play with a pet bird unsupervised for both the child’s safety and the bird’s safety. When other pets like cat or dogs are in the house, use extreme caution. Birds can be introduced to other pets, but never let them mingle unsupervised. Birds, especially large ones like parrots, will not hesitate to strike at an unsuspecting cat or dog and major damage can occur to any pet involved.
Birds who are allowed to climb down their cages and wander the floor are also easy targets. They can be stepped on, caught under furniture or even electrocuted by cords and open outlets. In the same regard, birds who do not have their wings clipped face similar aerial dangers. When allowed to fly about the house, the bird can crash into any number of dangerous objects around the house like plate-glass windows, lamps or other heated items, into a filled bathtub or they may even fly right out an open window. Wings should be clipped properly so the bird can glide to the ground safely but not take on full-flight around the house.
A bird cage should never be placed in an area where a draft can be felt, like near a doorway or air vent. Birds are very sensitive to drafts and can develop serious respiratory illnesses as a result. In the same regard, take care to house the bird in a temperature controlled environment. Any sudden exposure to extreme heat or cold can kill a bird quickly. Do not put them outside in the sun or lock the bird in a hot car. While many birds come from wild habitats with warm temperatures, a domesticated bird can only handle a range of about 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also be sure to have fresh water available to a pet bird at all times. Dehydration is another leading cause of bird illness and death. Check the water bowl or dispenser daily to ensure it is filled and functioning.
While pet birds are very enjoyable and interesting animals, be prepared for the huge responsibility in owning one. Research anything that is not certain and when in doubt, remember to contact an avian veterinarian for the best advice in keeping a healthy pet.
*This list is provided as reference and is by no means an exhaustive list of all things that may be a danger to pet birds. Always contact an avian veterinarian with more specific questions or issues that may arise.
Jennifer Zambri-Dickerson - Jenn Zambri-Dickerson works as a freelance writer and photographer and also as a part-time school teacher. She enjoys travel, sports, ...
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