Whether you’re a newbie bird owner or a seasoned professional, it’s easy to overlook possible dangers to your birds when they aren’t particularly dangerous to you. Even if your home is “pet-proofed” for your dog or cat, that doesn’t ensure it’s safe for your birds to roam just yet. Standing water, electrical cords, paints and finishes, and carpets can all turn from a regular household item into a deadly disaster for your parrot. While it isn’t possible for us to live without water and electricity, we have some helpful tips to keep your bird safe, as well as your belongings!
One issue in particular is standing water. While dogs and cats can jump out of water, even when wet, your parrot cannot; heavy, wet feathers will weigh them down when soaked, and they will drown. Although parrots are birds just like ducks and geese, they are NOT adapted to swim like waterbirds. The only parrot you should see floating along is this Scarlet Macaw pool float, pictured right.
While I’m sure you don’t have a swimming pool in your living room, can you think of anywhere in your home that may have standing water?
Everyone in the modern world has a toilet – how often do you leave the seat up? As mentioned before, once a parrot is soaked, he’ll be unable to fly; and, if he’s in a small space like a toilet bowl, he may not be able to get his wings stretch wide enough to flap, anyway. You can avoid the heartache just by putting the toilet seat and lid down. As an extra precaution, keep the bathroom door shut, too. There’s only one parrot who should be allowed in the bathroom unattended, and it’s this Greenwing Macaw toilet paper holder, seen left.
If you’ve caught on to the latest trend of using bath bombs, you’ll want to make sure that your birds don’t join you at the same time. While the bath bombs are harmless to humans, and even theraputic, the scents, dyes, and glitter could be harmful if your bird were to drink the water! So, while your precious cockatoo may fancy a soak, you’re better off taking a shower and providing a shower perch for her. Remember to keep the door closed while there is still water in the tub, and drain it as soon as possible.
If you have a pot of water on the stove, stand nearby and keep either a lid, or a close eye, on it to make sure your bird doesn’t land in it. The best case scenerio is to lock your bird safely inside his cage while you’re cooking on a stovetop; being inside a securely locked cage is the only way to ensure accidents won’t happen. While all of these scenerios seem unlikely, there are hundreds of bird owners who have lost – or nearly lost – their beloved birds to these dangers.
How do you keep your birds safe from water sources in your home? Do you have any special reminders you set for yourself and your family? Leave us a comment below and share your wisdom with the flock! Keep checking back as we go over more household dangers and simple remedies, for new and seasoned bird owners alike.
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