This is always my least favorite discussion when it comes to new parrots, mostly because I think we get carried away. People slip and hit their heads, killing themselves in bathtubs and on stairs, but we all still have bathtubs and most of us still use stairs. Accidents happen and being overly paranoid doesn’t always stop them form happening. Here are a few really common things to look out for, but mostly, my advice is to just use good judgment, common sense and supervision. Your parrot will be fine.
- Zinc poisoning
Watch out for galvanized quick links.
Zinc is poisoning to parrots and can be ingested through metals that have been galvanized. The level of toxicity can cause feather plucking, gasteric distress or even death, depending on how much zinc gets in the bird’s system. Read more about it here.
2. Frayed rope toys
Easy for a parrot to get a toy caught and many a bird has lost a toe this way. It’s even possible for a parrot to get her neck wrapped in strings. Keep an eye on all materials that have the potential of fraying and leaving dangerous strings.
3. Choking
Watch out for anything small enough to swallow or to break down into pieces that can be swallowed and obstruct the throat. Some parrot will destroy things regularly without swallowing the bits, but others are a danger to themselves. Keep an eye on your parrot with new toys.
Glade oil candles should be kept away from bird cages.
4. Toxic fumes (from air fresheners, scented candles, Teflon, etc.)
Lots of things we put in the air are bad for us. And many of stories of dangers are overblown. However, as a rule of thumb, if it smells strongly to you, don’t put it or use it near your bird’s cage. (which the exception of over-heated teflon which doesn’t smell, but rapidly kills birds) And if it seems dangerous to your bird…well, there’s a reason why they used canaries in a coalmine. Maybe you shouldn’t have it in your house in the first place.
5. Poisoning (feeding poisonous or moldy foods)
Feed fresh food from dependable sources that don’t use pesticides. Be especially careful with fruits that bugs find really tasty, like strawberries, raspberries, etc. Buy organic.
It is amazing the chemicals that can be found in common products like laundry detergent. The companies’ ingredients do not have to be listed, and are not regulated. Some people have done analysis on what is actually in them, and have found that many of the chemicals themselves are strongly regulated by the government, and are known and accepted as being very dangerous, even in minute amounts in the air. And yet they are allowed in laundry detergent, something that is with people (and birds) all the time.
A hint for finding out ingredients in cleaning products.
Try and find a UK or EU website for the company. The UK/EU have full disclosure laws, so through these sites you can find out the ingredients… although I always wonder if they make a different mix for USA as the UK/EU have way stricter laws on ingredients
You are right, Jamie, most major companies (not naming names here) that sell products in both the UK and US/EU have completely different products and ingredients for the different laws. Almost anything is legal here, regardless of science. In the UK/EU, though, the laws are stricter, so the leave out the more dangerous chemicals.
You guys are AWESOME! Thank you for giving added value to this blog with your thoughts and experiences.
Best!
Rebecca
I wish more people knew things like this, and I wish companies that make things “for birds” paid attention to what is actually healthy for the bird.
Like ‘mite protector discs’ and ‘grit’… I wish they would STOP making it, and STOP marketing it to parrots. They dont need it, and its incredibly bad for them.
I used to use those glade oil candles, but when I got birds, I switched to soy candles, and Method (sold at target) is a really great brand.
Thanks for the information, I am positive that a lot of people will learn from your post. I just want to add that if you are considering adopting a beautiful parrot, you should be aware that your pets cage can greatly contribute to their well-being or it can detract your pets in a most serious way. They can become irritable or depressed, if they are in a cramped cage.
daphnekooki
[...] By Rebecca O’Conner Reprinted with permission [...]
These are some very helpful tips! I never even realized how dangerous some of these things can be. Thanks for posting these.