DANGERS
UNWELCOME HOUSE GUESTS
One thing no one thinks about very much is that pests are a danger to parrots.
Take mice for instance. Seemingly harmless, they occasionally let themselves into your house for warmth and food.
Spiders and other bugs somehow always find a way into your home.
Of course when these pests show themselves in we do everything we can to get them out, but we need to be aware about the dangers they pose for our precious parrots.
Mice are scavengers and will take whatever food they can get. Bird cages are perfect spots for a quick meal.
Mice can squeeze themselves between the bars of the cage and eat whatever awaits them.
Take mice for instance. Seemingly harmless, they occasionally let themselves into your house for warmth and food.
Spiders and other bugs somehow always find a way into your home.
Of course when these pests show themselves in we do everything we can to get them out, but we need to be aware about the dangers they pose for our precious parrots.
Mice are scavengers and will take whatever food they can get. Bird cages are perfect spots for a quick meal.
Mice can squeeze themselves between the bars of the cage and eat whatever awaits them.
We had this happen to us a few years ago. It was late at night and I could hear Hilo making little noises. He always tells us "goodnight" so I thought he was continuing his goodnights as he fell asleep, but I thought I'd go check on him anyway. I used the flashlight on my phone to approach the cage and lift up the cover, ready to say "goodnight" once again only to find little eyes glowing back at me! It was a mouse! I grabbed Hilo out of the cage as fast as I could as the mouse scurried away. Hilo was unharmed fortunately, but I was in a panic thinking what might have happened if I hadn't gotten up to check.
I have read many horror stories about mice killing parrots in their cages.
Hilo at that time was using a snuggle sack to sleep in, which we have gotten rid of and now use snuggle huts for him. As the night went on I could hear the mouse return to hilo's cage looking for food. Every Time I would get up to check, the mouse would be trying to get into the snuggle sack. Our thoughts were that he was looking for eggs and thought the snuggle sack was a nest.
We got rid of the mice without harm done to our parrots. We haven't had mice since then, but whenever I hear Hilo or Hana making little noises or something rattle in one of their cages I get up to check just in case.
I have read many horror stories about mice killing parrots in their cages.
Hilo at that time was using a snuggle sack to sleep in, which we have gotten rid of and now use snuggle huts for him. As the night went on I could hear the mouse return to hilo's cage looking for food. Every Time I would get up to check, the mouse would be trying to get into the snuggle sack. Our thoughts were that he was looking for eggs and thought the snuggle sack was a nest.
We got rid of the mice without harm done to our parrots. We haven't had mice since then, but whenever I hear Hilo or Hana making little noises or something rattle in one of their cages I get up to check just in case.
COOKING
One of the biggest and worst dangers is PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).
Other names for PTFE are Teflon, Silverstone and Supra. When overheated, non-stick cookware emits several types of gases and hydrofluoric acid. Also, once the non-stick pans are scratched or tainted in any way, they are more susceptible to emitting these toxins even at regular cooking temperatures. Parrot owners should avoid all products that have PTFE as they are deadly for your parrot. Buy ceramic and stainless steel cookware.
Please also be aware that PTFE is not only used in cookware but also in space heaters, ovens, popcorn air poppers, hair dryers, etc... Do research about an item before bring it home just to be safe knowing whether or not it has PTFE in it. Your parrot's life & yours for that matter could depend on it!
I use cast iron and stainless steel pots & pans when cooking.
Ceramic pans are nice also as they are naturally "slick" and won't let off harmful chemicals when heated.
I love my stainless steel pots & pans because you can be rough with them and can't really hurt them, plus they won't let off harmful chemicals either.
When it comes to buying new appliances such as ovens, don't be afraid to ask the store to turn it on in their warehouse or in store for a few hours over a couple days before you bring it home or have it delivered so that the PTFE wears down before it comes into your home. If the store refuses to do that or if you are like me and you just want to make sure that your new oven is safe, make sure any windows in the kitchen are open and that your parrots are in a room with windows open to allow for fresh air while you break in your new oven!
Other names for PTFE are Teflon, Silverstone and Supra. When overheated, non-stick cookware emits several types of gases and hydrofluoric acid. Also, once the non-stick pans are scratched or tainted in any way, they are more susceptible to emitting these toxins even at regular cooking temperatures. Parrot owners should avoid all products that have PTFE as they are deadly for your parrot. Buy ceramic and stainless steel cookware.
Please also be aware that PTFE is not only used in cookware but also in space heaters, ovens, popcorn air poppers, hair dryers, etc... Do research about an item before bring it home just to be safe knowing whether or not it has PTFE in it. Your parrot's life & yours for that matter could depend on it!
I use cast iron and stainless steel pots & pans when cooking.
Ceramic pans are nice also as they are naturally "slick" and won't let off harmful chemicals when heated.
I love my stainless steel pots & pans because you can be rough with them and can't really hurt them, plus they won't let off harmful chemicals either.
When it comes to buying new appliances such as ovens, don't be afraid to ask the store to turn it on in their warehouse or in store for a few hours over a couple days before you bring it home or have it delivered so that the PTFE wears down before it comes into your home. If the store refuses to do that or if you are like me and you just want to make sure that your new oven is safe, make sure any windows in the kitchen are open and that your parrots are in a room with windows open to allow for fresh air while you break in your new oven!
OTHER PETS
Many people post photos of their dog or cat hanging out with their parrots out of the cage, proudly proclaiming that they get along. Seeing that makes me feel sick.
Cats and dogs are predators, all it takes is a second and the parrot could be toast.
I'm not saying that other pets can't get along with parrots but, the interactions between then need to be responsibly monitored.
For me, having the parrots loose while the dogs are around is not an option.
We set aside a few hours everyday for the parrots to be out of their cages while the dogs are outside playing in the yard.
This helps them realize that we don't love the dogs more than we love them and that this is still their house.
Our beagles are not aggressive toward our parrots.
We allow them to sniff the cages and meet nose to beak through the bars. They have an understanding that the parrots are friends, not food but there will never be any out of cage interaction between them. (although I don't clip my parrots wings anymore, in case something were to happen and they need to fly to safety)
We had our parrots before we had our beagles, so before we brought either of beagles home we explained to Hilo and Hana that we were going to be getting a puppy (I know it seems really weird to talk to your parrot like it's a human child, because how could they understand what you are saying, but trust me, it really does help)
The day we brought Murphy home, we held him up to Hilo and Hana's cages and let the introductions begin. (Murphy sniffing the cages and the parrots while they tried to bite his nose through the bars.)
We let Murphy wander the parrot's area and quench his curiosity.
The introductions with Isla were the same, although by the time we got her, our parrots were "dog greeting experts".
Introductions like this are good for a few reasons.
One: The dog is new to the house. Meeting existing pets right away will help them understand their place in the home.
Two: If a dog sees a different kind of animal, it tends to bark at it. Introducing your dog to your parrots will save the parrot stress over being barked at by an unknown creature that's invading it's house.
Don't hide your parrots from your other pets, but don't expect that your other pets won't eat your parrots either.
Always remember your parrot is very delicate, no matter their size.
Cats and dogs are predators, all it takes is a second and the parrot could be toast.
I'm not saying that other pets can't get along with parrots but, the interactions between then need to be responsibly monitored.
For me, having the parrots loose while the dogs are around is not an option.
We set aside a few hours everyday for the parrots to be out of their cages while the dogs are outside playing in the yard.
This helps them realize that we don't love the dogs more than we love them and that this is still their house.
Our beagles are not aggressive toward our parrots.
We allow them to sniff the cages and meet nose to beak through the bars. They have an understanding that the parrots are friends, not food but there will never be any out of cage interaction between them. (although I don't clip my parrots wings anymore, in case something were to happen and they need to fly to safety)
We had our parrots before we had our beagles, so before we brought either of beagles home we explained to Hilo and Hana that we were going to be getting a puppy (I know it seems really weird to talk to your parrot like it's a human child, because how could they understand what you are saying, but trust me, it really does help)
The day we brought Murphy home, we held him up to Hilo and Hana's cages and let the introductions begin. (Murphy sniffing the cages and the parrots while they tried to bite his nose through the bars.)
We let Murphy wander the parrot's area and quench his curiosity.
The introductions with Isla were the same, although by the time we got her, our parrots were "dog greeting experts".
Introductions like this are good for a few reasons.
One: The dog is new to the house. Meeting existing pets right away will help them understand their place in the home.
Two: If a dog sees a different kind of animal, it tends to bark at it. Introducing your dog to your parrots will save the parrot stress over being barked at by an unknown creature that's invading it's house.
Don't hide your parrots from your other pets, but don't expect that your other pets won't eat your parrots either.
Always remember your parrot is very delicate, no matter their size.
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Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian. The material on this site is not intended to be, and should not be relied on as, a substitute for professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here
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