BIRD PROOFING YOUR HOME
The following items may cause injury or be dangerous to some degree if ingested, inhaled, or placed in contact with your bird. This is not a complete list, so if you are in any doubt about something that your bird has eaten or been in contact with, please contact your veterinarian or the National Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. (They charge $50.00 per case.)
Windows, doors, and skylights
Fans and temperature extremes
Suffocation or crushing
Electrical and other cords
Child – bird interactions
Interactions with other pets
Kitchen hazards
- Toxic fumes from teflon or other non-stick cookware and appliances including pots, waffle irons, slow-cookers, and drip pans. Fumes may contain PTFE and be very toxic. Fumes from self-cleaning ovens and oven cleaners are also toxic, as well as those from cleaning supplies.
- Drowning in a sink or even a glass or small bowl of water.
Bathroom hazards
Prevent access to water in sinks, bathtubs, toilet bowls, and jacuzzis, since drowning could easily occur.
Laundry room hazards
Smoke and fumes
A bird's respiratory tract is very different from that of a mammal's, and actually concentrates any smoke or fumes in the air, making them markedly more toxic. Basically, by the time an odor is strong enough for you to smell it (or even before that), the chemical could be damaging your bird's respiratory tract. The following should all be considered dangerous around birds:
Smoke from any source is hazardous. Secondhand smoke from cigars and cigarettes can cause chronic eye, skin, and respiratory disease. Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Tobacco is also toxic, so remove any whole or smoked cigars or cigarettes before allowing your bird access to a room. - Gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, and other petroleum products.
Paint, wood stains and preservatives, mineral spirits, turpentine, paint remover, paint thinner, and other solvents. Cleaning supplies and disinfectants including bleach, phenols, ammonia, pine oil, spot remover, window cleaning solution, floor and furnisher polish. Scented candles, potpourri, tea tree oils, essential oils, air fresheners. Perfumes, hairsprays, room deodorizers, deodorant, nail polish remover, and anything with a propellant. Other items that can give off fumes such as glues, permanent markers, and mothballs.
Do not use the above items in the presence of birds. If they are being used in large areas of the house, it is best to remove the bird from the house temporarily.
Heavy metals
Other toxins or hazards
In addition to those mentioned, there are many other potential toxins that are found in and around many homes. Since birds can absorb chemicals through their feet, always wash your hands well after having contact with any possible poison.
Protect your bird from: Jewelry, button batteries, coins, fishing tackle, pins, and other small metallic items, which are very attractive to birds, but can cause mouth injuries, damage or obstruction of the digestive tract, or toxicity. Polishes including those for brass, silver, copper, floors, and shoes. Other poisons, such as herbicides (weed killers), snail and slug bait, insecticides (flea and tick control products), pesticides (ant poison), and rodenticides (rat poison). Be careful with mouse traps, too. Holiday hazards, such as Christmas decorations including tinsel, angel hair, tree flocking, and glass ornaments; Easter basket grass; and ribbons and balloons.
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