Contents
- 3 Dangers Of Tobacco Cigarettes
- Never Use Electronic-Cigarettes Around Birds
- Keep Matches Out Of Reach
- “Does your parrot smoke? If you do, the answer is yes.” — Elizabeth Opperman, Parrot Examiner (8/6/2011)
Tobacco is bad for birds (and humans and dogs and cats and … well, everyone!). I thought I would take this opportunity to point out some specifics, though, so those who do smoke can do their best to keep their feathered friends safe. Please keep in mind that other inhaled substances such as marijuana and vaping products are equally bad for birds.
3 Dangers Of Tobacco Cigarettes
First, there is the smoke itself. Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems because their system of lung sacs does not filter toxins the way our lungs do. We know how deadly nonstick coatings are for birds, for this very reason. Birds also breathe much faster than we do, so their exposure to smoke can be greater. There was a reason miners took canaries into the coalmines! If you must smoke, it is best to smoke outside and away from any air intake that could bring the smoke indoors.
Another big concern with smoking is the nicotine that gets on the furniture, walls, and every surface exposed to the smoke, including companion animals. Even if you smoke outdoors, nicotine gets on your hands and clothing. Birds exposed to nicotine can develop dingy, dirty, greasy feathers, whether directly from smoke or from handling by someone with nicotine on their hands. When the bird preens its feathers, it ingests nicotine, which is poisonous. Because nicotine cannot be easily removed from feathers, some birds resort to plucking. Nicotine on the feet causes dermatitis. If you have to smoke, be sure to scrub your hands and any exposed skin with soap and water prior to handling your birds.
Make sure you dispose of all cigarette butts far away from where a curious beak can get at them. Even a small butt can contain up to 25% of the nicotine in a whole cigarette, and birds that swallow nicotine often die rapidly, within 15 to 30 minutes. Signs of nicotine poisoning include twitching, excitability, salivating, vomiting, seizures, collapse, and death.
Never Use Electronic-Cigarettes Around Birds
The newest tobacco product danger is e-cigarettes, which are used for vaping. Liquid-containing nicotine and an assortment of other chemicals is put in a chamber that is heated, giving off a vapor that is inhaled. Touted as safer than smoking cigarettes, the jury is still out on this. In addition to the direct toxicity of nicotine, vaping solutions may also contain antifreeze components, formaldehyde, and at least two dozen other toxic chemicals. Vaping around your birds can be just as dangerous as smoking around them. In addition, the nicotine solution is far more concentrated than the nicotine in cigarettes, so if your bird were to swallow any of it, there is a high risk of rapid death. Simply put, do not vape around your birds.
Keep Matches Out Of Reach
Finally, a word about matches. Modern safety matches have tips coated with potassium chlorate, sulfur, starch, and a few other ingredients. The striking surface has red phosphorus, which causes a small explosion when the match head is struck on it. We all know birds love to chew on wood, so a match laying around, either before or after being ignited, can look just like a toy to a bird. Ingestion can cause acute poisoning and death, so be sure to store unused matches out of birds’ reach, and keep used matches far away from birds. Better yet, run them under cold water and then throw them in the garbage.
People use matches for many reasons, not just smoking, so all you nonsmokers out there take care also! Some people leave matches out in bathrooms (no, they do not neutralize the smell, they just mask it) and forget the matches are there and easily accessible to a wandering bird, so be sure to keep them safely contained.
If you have friends or family that smoke, these rules apply to them too. Make sure people who smoke do not handle your birds until they are thoroughly scrubbed up!
“Does your parrot smoke? If you do, the answer is yes.” — Elizabeth Opperman, Parrot Examiner (8/6/2011)
FAQs
Bird owners should be aware that although their pets might be highly intelligent and fun companions, they can sometimes carry germs that can make people sick. Although rare, germs from birds can cause a variety of illnesses in people, ranging from minor skin infections to serious illnesses.
How do you play with pet birds? ›
Play with Your bird
Offer toys in their habitat, but leave the habitat unlocked and open as an optional safe, fun space. Play music at a low volume or sing to your bird. While it sounds a bit odd, birds respond well to music and familiar songs. Some pet birds even like to dance to their favorite beats.
Why you shouldn't get a pet bird? ›
As a result of their nearly constant depression, loneliness, and unhappiness, many caged birds kept as “pets” may bite, scream, pick their own feathers, self-mutilate, eat too little, pace, or swing their heads. Never buy birds for sale as “pets” if you're not prepared to deal with the following types of behavior.
Can pet birds cause lung problems? ›
Bird Fancier's Lung is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an immunologically mediated lung disease due to repetitive exposure of air-borne avian antigen. This was first described in 1965 and is known as one of the most common causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
What's the cleanest pet bird? ›
A budgie in a spacious cage stocked with plenty of toys can thrive, as long as the bird's caretaker can socialize with it for at least a few hours per day. These birds also don't make much of a mess, especially compared to larger parrots.
What do birds like to play with? ›
Stainless steel, natural non-toxic wood, rope, and acrylic make great materials for toys. Indestructible toys go against a bird's nature and are boring. Birds love to destroy things. Appropriate chewable objects include untreated wood blocks, branches, pinecones, rawhide, natural fiber rope, cloth, and soft pine.
Do pet birds like to be petted? ›
Most birds (unlike other pets) prefer being petted against their feathers. If your bird is getting relaxed and comfortable with you touching them, you can gradually start rubbing the sides of their head gently, including the skin just behind their beak and around their ears (but be careful around the eyes).
What color do birds hate? ›
One color that the majority of birds avoid is white. A dull or bright white signals alarm and danger to birds, causing them to avoid those areas.
What sounds do birds hate the most? ›
One of the best sounds to get birds to scatter (and perhaps not to return) are synthetic sounds such as high-frequency, ultrasonic sounds. If you add in a frightening visual object such as an owl statue or scarecrow with shimmering tassels, the strategy becomes all that much more effective.
What annoys birds? ›
You can use strong scents like pepper and essential oils to deter birds in the short term. However, you would need to spread these scents consistently across their nesting spots to get rid of the birds fully.
Petting down the back or under the wings can lead to a sexually frustrated bird or a bird who perceives you as a mate rather than a companion. A mated bonded bird can be hostile to others in your home, becoming jealous or possessive of you.
Do pet birds like humans? ›
Many parrots are very affectionate, even cuddly with trusted people, and require a lot of attention from their owners constantly. Some species have a tendency to bond to one or two people, and dislike strangers, unless they are regularly and consistently handled by different people.
Does pet bird poop smell? ›
However, and how lucky for those of us who keep multiple birds. Parrot poop - unlike that of mammals like us or and our beloved pet cats and dogs - does not smell. If it does - as it did with my unfortunate Amazon – that's a danger signal that something is wrong.
Is bird poop easy to clean? ›
Semi-fresh bird poo can be easily wiped away with a microfiber cloth and some seltzer water. The carbonation from the seltzer water helps to break down the poop's natural acidic qualities. Splash some on the fresh avian turd, let it sit for a few minutes, and swipe it all away in one quick Karate Kid motion.
Is bird poop unsanitary? ›
Even when old and dry, bird droppings can be a significant source of infection. Like histoplasmosis, most cryptococcosis infections are mild and may be without symptoms. Persons with weakened immune systems, however, are more susceptible to infection.
Should I bathe my pet bird? ›
Many birds enjoy bathing every day, while others prefer to bathe only occasionally. Birds should be encouraged to bathe often, as their feathers and skin will look healthier if they bathe frequently. Start by offering a bath to your bird once or twice weekly.
Tobacco is bad for birds (and humans and dogs and cats and … well, everyone!). I thought I would take this opportunity to point out some specifics, though, so those who do smoke can do their best to keep their feathered friends safe. Please keep in mind that other inhaled substances such as marijuana and vaping products are equally bad for birds.