Safety Tips for Bird Owners

According to statistics compiled by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal's Poison Control Center, in 2005, there were approximately 530 reported cases of pet birds being exposed to common household hazards. Of these cases, 37% involved medications, 23% involved miscellaneous toxicants, 18% involved cleaning agents, 13% involved pesticides (including rat bait and insecticides), and 9% involved plants.

As the majority of pet birds have limited activity outside their cages, poisonings are not common.   However, birds with free household access are at risk of becoming exposed to toxicants.

Here are some safety tips from the ASPCA to help keep your feathered friends safe:

• Be aware of the plants you have in your home. The ingestion of azalea, oleander, yew or rhododendron could produce life-threatening clinical problems. See a list of poisonous plants here.
• Store all cleaners, pesticides, and prescription and over-the-counter medications out of your bird’s reach.
• Some cleaning agents may cause mild stomach upset, but others can cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth and crop.
• Most pesticide baits contain ingredients such as grains or sugars, which can attract your bird. When using rat and mouse bait or ant or roach traps, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your bird.
• Never give your bird any medication unless you are directed to do so by a veterinarian. Many medications that are safe for humans can be potentially deadly for birds, even in small amounts. This includes painkillers, cold medicines, anti-cancer medications, antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills.

• Food and beverage items that could be dangerous to birds include: onions, garlic, chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk, dark), coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans), tea, yeast dough, salt, tomato leaves and stems (green parts), potato leaves and stems (green parts), rhubarb leaves, avocados, cigarettes and other tobacco products, moldy or spoiled foods and alcoholic beverages.
• Mothballs, potpourri oils, pennies (minted after 1982), homemade play dough, fabric softener sheets, automatic dishwashing detergent and batteries could cause problems if ingested by birds.
• Make sure your bird does not enter areas in which insecticidal foggers or house sprays have been applied for the period of time indicated on the label. Birds are sensitive to inhalants and they typically require longer periods of time away from treated areas. Contact the manufacturer for recommendations if the label information is not specific.
• Birds are highly sensitive to inhalant fumes. Some common sources for fumes include aerosol products such as hairsprays, perfumes and air fresheners, insecticidal fumigants, overheated cookware, automobile exhausts, tobacco or other forms of smoke, glues and paints.

Poison Control & Emergency Veterinary Care

It's always a good idea to have on hand the phone numbers for your veterinarian, a local emergency veterinary hospital, and poison control. If you suspect poisoning, call the ASPCA's Poison Control Hotline (888-426-4435, $55 fee) or the Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680, $35 fee) or your veterinarian immediately.