Birds make fantastic pets but keeping them safe can be a challenge. There are numerous things within a household that can cause them harm. While some may be obvious, others can be more hidden dangers.
Here we’ll be covering the 10 most common household hazards for birds. By the end, you should have some great ideas on how to keep your avian friend safe and sound.
1. Toxic Food and Plants
There are many things that birds may be interested in eating which can actually be toxic for them. Many of these are common foods, with chocolate being the worst culprit. Other dangerous foods include avocado, salt, onions, garlic, and caffeine. Make sure you don’t leave any leftovers out when your bird is out of the cage.
Along with this, there are also many common houseplants that can be dangerous if digested including lilies, philodendron, and poinsettia. Before introducing any food to your bird, just make sure that it’s safe for them.
2. Dangerous Fumes
With their little lungs, birds have a highly sensitive respiratory system. There are many fumes that can be dangerous to them. For example, non-stick cookware can release toxic chemicals when overheated. If you have cooked with birds present, then it’s a good idea to check for common health issues.
Other household fumes that can affect them come from cleaning chemicals, aerosol sprays, and scented candles. These can all cause sudden death if directly inhaled. Make sure the air your birds breathe is always nice and clean.
3. Household Wiring and Cords
Birds love to chew on things, including electrical cords. The dangers of this are obvious as not only can it cause electrical shocks to your birds, but it can also increase the risk of a house fire. Due to this, you want to make sure any cords are covered or neatly tucked away.
However, they don’t even need to chew on the wires for this to be an issue as they may also get tangled in loose wires. After letting your bird out of the cage, it’s best to watch them for a while to see if there are any problem areas you’ve not identified.
4. Windows and Mirrors
Some birds may have great eyesight, but they seemingly haven’t learned to understand what a pane of glass is. They can fly into windows thinking they are open air and can have a similar problem when it comes to mirrors.
This can sadly cause serious injury. When the bird is out of the cage, it’s best to either draw your curtains/blinds or add decals to them to make them appear as a barrier. As for mirrors, it’s usually best to remove them from any room your bird is flying in.
5. Ceiling Fans
This is a threat that doesn’t need much of an explanation. Ceiling fans can be a serious hazard for any humans who dare to mess around with them, let alone birds. Depending on how fast the fan is spinning, a severe injury, at least, is highly likely.
Turning off ceiling fans before letting your bird out of its cage is an obvious rule. However, it’s important that everyone else in the household understands this to prevent any accidental turn-ons.
6. Choking Hazards
A part of the charm of birds is they are naturally curious. A part of that curiosity is picking at small objects such as beads, jewelry, or small toys. Sometimes a bird may inject these small items, thinking they are food.
This can be a choking hazard but even if they do swallow them, they can cause ingestion issues. Make sure to scour the room they are in for any small items. Also, check your bird toys during your cage cleaning routine to see if any parts have fallen off.
7. Other Pets
Of course, it’s important to consider how other pets may interact with your birds. This is especially true of those with predatory instincts and the capability of hunting birds. Here, the main culprits are going to be cats and dogs. Even without hunting, a playful nip can be enough to seriously harm a bird.
It’s best to keep your pets in a separate room when you let your bird out of the cage. If that’s not possible, then make sure you are there to supervise any interactions. Once unsupervised, ensure your birds are locked away safely in their cage.
8. Moving Furniture
Birds can be curious and inquisitive creatures, but this can lead them to getting in the way when heavy things are being moved. This can sadly lead to a risk of them being crushed or injured. Additionally, they can get trapped or hurt in small spaces.
It’s important to be mindful whenever you’re opening doors or moving furniture. If you have anything such as recliners, make sure you know where your bird is before using them. If in doubt, keep your bird locked away if you are worried about hurting them.
9. Standing Water
Birds can drown in even a small amount of water. While you may see them drinking out of bird baths and presume it’s not a danger, the reality can be different within a household. Sinks, toilets, and bathtubs can all be a significant danger.
The small size of these open-water containers with their slippery sides can make it very difficult to get out. Birds can struggle to spread their wings and can quickly get stressed. If your bird may be around these areas, make sure to always cover the toilet bowl and don’t leave any water in the sink or bathtub.
10. Tobacco Smoke
Some say it’s immoral to have a pet bird, and it definitely is if you smoke in the home. Unsurprisingly, this is extremely harmful to birds and can quickly lead to respiratory issues such as pneumonia and lung cancer. However, it can also cause skin problems along with other health concerns, such as problems with the heart, eyes, and fertility.
The solution here is obvious and something you’ve probably already considered if you are a smoker. If you’re not, then enforce a rule that no other household members can smoke in the same room as your bird. Their environment should be completely smoke-free.
