Posted On Oct 13, 2022

Household Dangers

Birds are intelligent, fun, and silly creatures but because of these characteristics, they do sometimes have a tendency to be naughty and get themselves into trouble. Unfortunately, even if the bird is on its best behavior, there are still many things in our homes that can cause serious harm to them, even death. So, just like you baby-proof your home for a child, you must also baby-proof or bird-proof your home for your bird. 

Foods

There are many foods that birds should not be given or have access to. In general, it is best to avoid giving your bird most human foods except those that are typical to their diets. Many of the things we eat tend to be high in fat, salt, or sugar which could cause, at the very least, upset tummies. Many foods are even toxic to birds. 

Some examples of toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, coffee, garlic, onion, salt, yeast dough, and especially avocado, to name a few. Birds are highly sensitive creatures, so consumption of these items can quickly prove fatal. You’ll want to keep these food items out of reach of your bird, even if it means only eating in the kitchen. You don’t want to forget about your snack on the couch and have your bird get into it! 

PTFE or Teflon

Even things that don’t necessarily pose a serious danger to humans can be toxic or dangerous to birds. Us humans use heating elements and cookware just about every day, but many of these items can prove to be incredibly harmful to birds. For example, toxic fumes can be emitted from burning Teflon-coated cookware. Also known as polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, Teflon is used to create non-stick cookware and is generally completely safe for humans and most pets. However, in the event that Teflon-coated cookware is left burning on the stove and forgotten about (which happens more often than you might think), toxic fumes from the PTFE will be released. For humans, this causes uncomfortable symptoms like a cough and runny eyes. For birds, however, it can cause near instant death, even if they are not in the same room where the fumes are being released. 

It is important to remember that these fumes can also come from other common household items. Some examples include curling irons, straighteners, blow dryers, or any hot tool for hair styling, for that matter. You can also find Teflon in griddles, waffle irons, electric heaters, irons, and ironing boards. Keep birds out of the kitchen entirely, and always be cautious of where your bird is when using these items that could cause harm to your bird. If using an iron and ironing board, for example, keep as far away from your bird as possible. 

Other toxic fumes

PTFE is certainly not the only fume that can cause serious harm to birds. Most sprays of any kind, especially aerosol sprays, become respiratory irritants to them. If you’ve ever sprayed too much cleaning solution on the kitchen counters and found that your eyes are watering, it is 100 times worse for a bird and could prove deadly. Respiratory irritants include any aerosol spray, carpet cleaners, window cleaners, furniture polish, bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, pine oil, and really any sanitizing or cleaning solution. 

These aren’t the only things that act as an irritant, though. Candles, incense burners, air fresheners, potpourri, room sprays or deodorizers, and essential oils can also be incredibly harmful to birds. Even unscented candles still give off fumes that are harmful. Also, don’t forget beauty products like perfume, cologne, hairspray, nail polish, nail polish remover, hair dyes, creams, and lotions. Overall, just be cautious of any strongly scented item or product in your home. It is best to keep these items as far away from your feathered companion as possible. 

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals like lead and zinc can result in heavy metal intoxication, which can be deadly. These can be found in lead-based paints, galvanized metals like screws, nuts, wires, and chains, and even in rug pads, the backing on mirrors, and cork foil from wine bottles. In some cases, heavy metals have been used in cages so make sure your bird’s habitat is free of any such metals. 

Plants

Many common household plants can be toxic to birds. The degree of toxicity and harm can depend on the type of bird as well as the type of plant, but there are several agreed-upon plants that are without a doubt toxic to all birds.

Some examples of toxic plants include calla lilies, mistletoe, poinsettia, yew, lilac, laburnum, philodendrons, and dieffenbachia. This is by no means an exhaustive list but is just a few examples of common plants that are toxic to birds. There are many plants that are entirely safe to have around birds, so don’t worry – you don’t have to give up all your plants for your birds’ safety! 

Other household hazards

A few other things that could prove dangerous for your bird would be drafts, extreme cold or heat, or sudden changes in temperature or humidity. Always supervise birds when they are around young children and other pets since even if they are well-meaning, they can still cause birds harm. Avoid having fans with blades running when your bird is out and about. Always try to keep electrical cords hidden away from your bird. Birds are curious creatures and love investigating new things, which often includes pecking, tasting, and chewing, which could prove incredibly harmful in the case of electrical cords. And lastly, never smoke or vape around your birds. Remember that smoke can linger for a while before it fully dissipates, so don’t allow your bird in any area where smoke of any kind has recently been. 

Conclusion

While safety may not be the most fun or exciting topic, a bird’s safety is something that every loving owner needs to consider. A good idea might be to grab a notepad and pen or a notes section on your phone and walk around your home and jot down any potential hazards or dangers. Ask yourself, “If my bird wanted to get into trouble in this room, what would they do first?” After noting any hazards or risks, come up with a game plan for how to bird-proof these areas. Birds are kind of like toddlers with wings. They are incredibly intelligent and very good at finding trouble! 

Original Post: Pet Bird Safety