Pet birds are extremely susceptible to a wide variety of household dangers. There are numerous reasons for this, including their small size, rapid metabolism, and sensitive respiratory systems. Of course, with parrots, there is also an intense curiosity and need to explore everything with their beaks. Owners need to be vigilant about protecting their birds from dangers throughout the home.
1/ Poisoning
Birds are susceptible to a wide range of toxic substances which can injure or kill birds either by ingestion (eating) or inhalation (breathing them in). One of the most common toxicities in pet birds is insecticides sprayed in the home. Others include ammonia, bleach, oven cleaner, glues, nail polish remover, paint, perfumes, heavy metals (e.g. lead and zinc). Poisonous plants and food are also a danger.
2/Non Stick Coatings (when overheated)
This technically falls under poisoning but warrants a special mention because use of these products is very common. When overheated, the non stick coating emits fumes that are very toxic to birds when inhaled. This coating is found on non stick cookware but also waffle irons, bread machines, irons, ironing board covers, curling irons, space heaters, blow dryers and more.
3/Open Water
Toilets are the most common source of open water in the house, and it is all too easy for your pet bird to fall in and drown. Other water sources to watch for are sinks, bathtubs, buckets, and water bowls of dogs or cats. The kitchen can also be a dangerous place if there are hot pots of water on the stove.
4/ Inappropriate Foods
These range from those that are just unhealthy to those that might kill pet birds. Anything high in sugar or salt is inappropriate, as are fatty foods. More serious are things such as chocolate, which is toxic to many pets. Caffeinated or alcoholic beverages are also dangerous. Avocado should also be avoided (there is some debate about how toxic avocado is - better safe than sorry).
5/ Electrical Cords
Birds explore with their beaks, and exposed electrical cords pose a danger if bitten. Keep cords and appliances away from the bird cage, and conceal cords as much as possible. Covering exposed cords with corrugated plastic tubing (available at hardware stores) may help reduce the danger.
6/ Poorly Made Toys
Make sure your parrots (especially larger ones) are not able to break off or remove any parts and swallow them. Rope toys can also be dangerous if they are long enough to get tangles up in, and there have been cases of parrots separating the strands on braided ropes, inserting their heads, and strangling as a result.
7/ Ceiling Fans
Windows and mirrors pose a danger to birds who might fly into them. Keeping wings clipped helps to alleviate this risk, although even clipped birds can try a run at a window or mirror. Of course, open windows and exterior doors leave a chance at escape. Even interior doors can be risky if the bird likes to sit on the top of an open door - the bird could be injured if the door is closed.
8/ Windows, Doors, and Mirrors
Windows and mirrors pose a danger to birds who might fly into them. Keeping wings clipped helps to alleviate this risk, although even clipped birds can try a run at a window or mirror. Of course, open windows and exterior doors leave a chance at escape. Even interior doors can be risky if the bird likes to sit on the top of an open door - the bird could be injured if the door is closed.
9/ Other Pets
While birds often live happily with other household pets, owners should always be careful when other pets are near the birds. The motion of birds can attract the prey instinct of cats and dogs, and an infected bite or scratch can quickly be fatal to a bird.
10/ Air Quality
Birds are especially sensitive to contaminants in the air. Aerosol products of any kind should not be used around your bird. Cigarette smoke has been implicated in respiratory disease in pet birds. Carbon monoxide is also dangerous to birds, so use a carbon monoxide detector in the home, and be careful not to run your vehicle in an attached garage.
Diet is the most important factor in your bird's life. A poor diet can be the underlying cause of many health problems.
Pellets
Feeding pellets as 80% or more of the total diet will guarantee that your bird has a balanced and complete diet.
Seeds
When it comes to parrot nutrition, consider seeds to be somewhat like junk food: birds love them, but they are not the healthiest choice. Although a bird does not live by seed alone, it does have its place in a parrot's diet. In fact, birdseed in moderation is an important part of a healthy diet. There are many types of seed from which to choose. It is easiest to buy a premixed variety of seeds, although some owners make their own mixes. The first thing to be sure of is that you are buying a seed mix that is the right size for your bird. Next, make sure that the seed is fresh—it should not have bugs, rodent droppings, or webs (these are created by moth larvae) in it. Smell it and reject seed that smells rancid. Lastly, try to find a mix that has very little or no sunflower seeds in it. There is some evidence linking sunflower seeds to obesity and behavioral problems in parrots. Seeds provide more nutrition and may be more interesting to your parrot when they are sprouted. You can easily find directions for sprouting seeds on the Internet or from the staff at a health food store.
Grains, Legumes, and Nuts
These items are mainstays of parrot nutrition. They pack proteins, minerals, vitamins, and fiber (and fats, in the case of nuts) into neat little packages. The grains you feed to your parrot should be whole-grain products to provide maximum nutrition. These can be cooked grains such as barley, brown rice, millet, quinoa, and wild rice. You can also provide whole grains in other forms such as breads, pastas, cereals, muffins, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and crackers. Always use low-salt varieties. Legumes include all forms of beans—black beans, green beans, navy beans, kidney beans, etc.—along with lentils, peas, and chickpeas. Tofu is also a bean product that your parrot may enjoy. You can serve him beans raw or cooked, except for kidney beans, which must be cooked. Like legumes, nuts are loaded with protein, but they are also high in fat. Feed your bird all kinds of unsalted nuts, but do not overfeed them or he may become a porker! They make great treats for training because most parrots love them. Nuts that your parrot may enjoy include:
almonds
brazil nuts
cashews
hazelnuts (filberts)
macadamias
peanuts (shelled—shells may contain fungi)
pecans
pistachios
walnuts
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetable is great to feed as a treat, it is low in nutrients, so it should not be a staple item in your bird's diet. Fruits and vegetables provide an extensive array of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, they are low in fats. Always wash all the produce you feed your bird thoroughly, and buy organic fruits and veggies whenever possible. Other, healthier choices include:
apples
asparagus
beets
bell peppers
broccoli
butternut and other winter squashes
carrots
cilantro
collard greens
corn on the cob
dandelion greens
hot peppers (yes, most parrots enjoy these)
mangos
mustard greens
okra
papaya
parsley
peaches
pumpkins
spinach
sweet potatoes
tomatoes
zucchini
Basically, any item in the produce department is fine for your parrot. The one exception is avocados, which are toxic to parrots. Feed fresh vegetables whenever possible, although frozen veggies are okay in a pinch.
Bad Foods
The following is a list of things that your parrot should not eat!
TOXIC Foods:
Avocado (in any form, including guacamole)
Caffeine (soda, coffee)
Dairy products
Alcohol
Chocolate
Cocoa
Mushrooms
Onions & Garlic
Leaves of tomato & potato plants
Pits/Seeds of most fruits (especially apples!)
Asparagus (not toxic, but can cause digestive upset)
Because birds are such social creatures, many owners allow their pets to be included at mealtime. While sharing food with your bird is a lot of fun - not to mention wonderful for your pet's emotional health - there are many common human foods that can be harmful or even fatal to your bird. Owners need to know which foods are fine for sharing, and which pose a serious risk. Read on to find out the top ten foods that are hazardous to your bird's health.
Chocolate
Chocolate is a wonderful treat to share with human family members, but it can be harmful or fatal to your pet bird. Chocolate poisoning first affects a bird's digestive system, causing vomiting and diarrhea. As the condition progresses, the bird's central nervous system is affected, first causing seizures and eventually death.
Apples
Believe it or not, apples - along with other members of the rose family including cherries, peaches, apricots, and pears - contain trace amounts of Cyanide within their seeds. While the fruit of the apple is fine for your bird, be aware that in addition to the poisonous seeds, there may be pesticides present on the fruit's skin. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse and core any apple pieces that you share with your bird to avoid exposure to these toxins.
Avocado
The skin and pit of this popular fruit had been known to cause cardiac distress and eventual heart failure in pet bird species. Although there is some debate to the degree of toxicity of avocados, it is generally advised to adopt a "better safe than sorry" attitude toward them and keep guacomole and other avocado products as far away from pet birds as possible.
Onion
While the use of limited amounts of onion or garlic powders as flavorings is generally regarded as acceptable, excessive consumption of onions causes vomiting, diarrhea, and a host of other digestive problems. It has been found that prolonged exposure can lead to a blood condition called hemolytic anemia, which is followed by respiratory distress and eventual death.
Alcohol
Although responsible bird owners would never dream of offering their pet an alcoholic drink, there have been instances in which free roaming birds have attained alcohol poisoning through helping themselves to unattended cocktails. Alcohol depresses the organ systems of birds and can be fatal. Make sure that your bird stays safe by securing him in his cage whenever alcohol is served in your home.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and have been known to cause digestive upset in companion birds. Caps and stems of some varieties can induce liver failure.
Tomato leaves
Tomatoes, like potatoes and other nightshades, have a tasty fruit that is fine when used as a treat for your bird. The stems, vines, and leaves, however, are highly toxic to your pet. Make sure that any time you offer your bird a tomato treat it has been properly cleaned and sliced, with the green parts removed, so that your bird will avoid exposure to any toxins.
Salt
While all living beings need regulated amounts of sodium in their systems, too much salt can lead to a host of health problems in birds, including excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney dysfunction, and death. Be sure to keep watch over the amount of salty foods your bird consumes.
Caffeine
Caffinated beverages such as soda, coffee, and tea are popular among people - but allowing your bird to indulge in these drinks can be extremely hazardous. Caffeine causes cardiac malfunction in birds, and is associated with increased heartbeat, arrhythmia, hyperactivity, and cardiac arrest. Share a healthy drink of pure fruit or vegetable juice with your bird instead - this will satisfy both your bird's taste buds and nutritional requirements.
10. Dried Beans
Cooked beans are a favorite treat of many birds, but raw, dry bean mixes can be extremely harmful to your pet. Uncooked beans contain a poison called hemaglutin which is very toxic to birds. To avoid exposure, make sure to thoroughly cook any beans that you choose to share with your bird.
Pet birds are extremely susceptible to a wide variety of household dangers. There are numerous reasons for this, including their small size, rapid metabolism, and sensitive respiratory systems. Of course,...
Diet is the most important factor in your bird's life. A poor diet can be the underlying cause of many health problems. Pellets Feeding pellets as 80% or more of...
Why?Diet is the most important factor in your bird's life. A poor diet can be the underlying cause of many health problems. Feeding pellets as 80% or more of the...