Dangers in the home (Birds)
Whilst this all applies to birds, some will apply to other pets too. Be very careful around your animals with the products you use, whether your pet is furry, scaly or feathery- there are dangers everywhere!
| Danger in the home | Pet-safe alternatives |
|---|---|
| Teflon pans and other non-stick products containing Teflon | Use safe pans, such as those made from ceramics. |
| Air fresheners | Use live, safe and fragrant plants, such as herbs, around the home to keep it smelling fresh |
| Deodorants | Use far away from the birds in a well-ventilated area |
| Open expanses of water, including baths, toilets, sinks and glasses of water | Make sure that toilet seats are down, sinks and baths are empty and glasses of water are not where they pose a threat before letting a bird in the area. All fish tanks should have lids in areas where the bird will be too |
| Paints | Many types of paint are dangerous to pet birds due to the fumes they release. Use VOC-free paint and leave to dry completely before letting birds back into the area. Keep the area ventilated whilst it is drying to remove fumes |
| Cigarettes and similar | Don't smoke around birds. Only smoke outdoors, or ideally not at all |
| Other forms of air pollution | Use air filters around your birds if you have poor air quality due to bird's sensitive respiritory systems |
| Other pets | Cats, dogs and other predatory animals often kill pet birds. Even if they appear to have a bond, always keep them seperate. If you can't, a bird is not for you |
| Other birds (new world and old world) | Old world birds produce a fine dust, which can kill new world species. Keep species in different rooms, and run air filters to be safe |
| Fans | Ceiling fans are very dangerous and have killed many birds. Do not have fans on with birds free roaming in the room |
| Open electrical cords | Cover all wires and cables. Large birds can chomp through even the thickest of plastic, so check them regularly for signs your bird has been chewing them |
| Open doors and windows | Simply, a bird can fly out. It is not often people get their birds back, and they often die quickly when attempting to fend for themselves. Keep all doors and windows closed when your birds are out of their cage |
| Toys | Some toys pose a risk to birds. Make sure they do not have rope tassles. There are some good lists elsewhere with people's experiences with dangerous toys. When hanging items in the cage be sure that there is no risk of entanglement |
| Cleaning products | Most cleaning chemicals are unsafe. Use products rated as bird-safe (pet-safe is not good enough, as birds have much more sensitive respiritory systems). I use F10, which can be used to clean cages, bathrooms and kitchens |
| Draught | Keep your bird in a draught-free room. Don't have fans running in the same room as your birds |
| Heat lamps for reptiles | When placed on top of an enclosure (such as those made by Exo Terra) birds could land on these and burn their feet. To prevent this from happening, it is best to keep bird in diffferent rooms to reptiles. If this is not possible, a wire 'cage' could be made to cover the lamps. |
| Scented candles | Just like the substitute for air fresherners, use fresh (pet safe) plants around the house such as fragrant herbs |
Please share this sheet to other bird owners to make them aware off everyday items that could cause serious harm to our feathered friends. Feel free to print this document out to keep. Educating your family about these is very important as you will all have to make sacrifices before getting a bird.
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