Top 5 Bird Dangers To Avoid
If you are a bid owner, you must be aware of the things that can harm your little avian friend, particularly if you enjoy allowing it to roam freely in your home. By being aware of potential bird dangers, you can effectively make certain your pets are kept safe and enjoy living a long, healthy, and happy life with you.
Bird Danger #1: Accidental Poisoning
Sadly, hundreds of pet birds are accidentally poisoned every year. There are many products and chemicals that are potentially fatal to birds, including insecticides, bleach, ammonia, glues, oven cleaners, paint, nail polish remover, metals such as zinc and lead, perfumes, and even plants. Non stick coatings, such as those found on bread machines, waffle irons, and space heaters can also emit a fume that is toxic to birds when inhaled. So, search your home for potential dangers, making certain to consider things that your pet bird might inhale or ingest that could be potentially lethal.
Bird Danger #2: Toys
While it is important to purchase toys for your avian friend, it is equally important to make sure they are properly made. Buying toys for your pet bird is the same as buying toys for a child. Make certain none of the parts can easily break off and be accidentally swallowed. Similarly, when it comes to rope toys, make certain your pet cannot accidentally get tangled up in the rope or that your pet cannot separate the strands and accidentally get caught inside. The same is true when it comes to electrical cords – birds are naturally curious and will want to play with them. So, keep them out of reach and consider covering exposed cords with corrugated plastic tubing.
Bird Danger #3: Water and Food
Obviously, your pet bird won’t be able to live if you don’t feed it water and food. At the same time, you shouldn’t leave large containers of open water available to your pet – this includes your toilet and water that you may have out for other pets. Birds can easily fall into open water and accidentally drown. In addition, make certain you give your pet the right type of food and keep inappropriate foods put away. Chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol are all potentially fatal to birds when consumed. Similarly, avoid feeding your pet bird foods that are high in sugar, salt, or fat.
Bird Danger #4: Household Items
Several ordinary, every day household items can pose a threat to your pet bird. Ceiling fans, for example, can cause serious injury to birds that do not have their wings clipped. Even those that aren’t in flight can get stressed out by the movement of a ceiling fan if it is located near to their cages. Pet birds may also fly into windows, mirrors, and doors, so cover them up when your bird takes to flight or keep your pet bird’s wings clipped.
Bird Danger #5: Poor Air Quality
Pet birds can be very sensitive to any type of pollution in the air. Cigarette smoke can cause serious respiratory problems and aerosol products should not be used while you are near to your bird. Birds are also more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning. So, for the safety of your birds as well as of your family, keep a carbon monoxide detector in your home and avoid running your vehicle inside an attached garage.