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Viewing How to Keep Your Pet Birds Safe at HomeHow to Keep Your Pet Birds Safe at Home
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You may have heard stories about pet birds outliving their owners. This may surprise you, considering the delicate appearance of most species. Unwholesome smells affect them, and there are other hazards around your home that must recognized. By Moses Wright Many of us have heard stories about birds outlasting their owners. This is a surprise to many, considering the delicate appearance of most species of birds. Miners once used birds, especially canaries, to test the quality of air deep in the mines. When the air reached relatively unhealthy levels, the canaries, affected adversely by the contaminants, succumbed to the fatal effects. This gave miners ample warning before the air became fatal for humans. This shows the keen susceptibility of birds to air pollution. Unwholesome smells easily affect pet birds, similar to wild birds. Common household appliances and items such as Teflon pans, aerosol sprays, and even furniture polish can be fatal to birds. One of the best practices when dealing with substances that may give off pungent odors is to use them in well-ventilated areas far away from your birds. Pet birds have a natural inclination to chew, and it can be a major issue. When a bird chomps on soldered joints on welded items, lead poisoning is a common result. Birds also like to chew on potted plants. Despite popular sentiments, poinsettia plants are not deadly. It is better to be safe than sorry, however, so err on the side of caution should you be uncertain about a particular plant; remove it from the reach of your pet. A small pot of innocuous parsley can be helpful to the bird to overcome the desire of nibbling on houseplants, as it is a safe substitute. Fresh foods for your birds are definitely beneficial; however, foods like coffee, chocolate, and avocado are fatal for birds, and you must never feed them to your feathered friends or leave them within reach. During festive seasons, many families bring trees into their homes. You might think that a bird's natural habitat is a tree and have the belief that birds will have an affinity for perching on it. It is true that birds might enjoy this exercise. However, many pine trees have preservatives or chemicals administered and could prove fatal to your pets. Furthermore, electrical lights and decorations can pose a particular danger for your birds. There are a number of precautionary measures you must take if your bird does not have clipped wings. First, all glass doors and windows should be shielded in some way. Blinds, shades or curtains are good choices. Placing safety decals on windows and glass is another option, in addition to curtains or blinds, to alert the bird that the glass is there and help avoid serious or fatal accidents. Mirrors and other large reflective surfaces should be treated similarly when your bird is out of its cage. Standing water can be a danger as well. A bird can meet an untimely end in a toilet bowl or full kitchen sink within a few seconds. If a bird is released from its cage, cooking with an uncovered pot is especially ill advised. Finally, always be mindful of the whereabouts of your bird. Even a bird with clipped wings can soar for a considerable distance if there is an upward breeze. It is easy to forget that your bird is perched on your shoulder when your doorbell suddenly rings and you rush to answer it. However, you must remember never to carry your bird to an open door, regardless of whether or not its wings are clipped. About the Author: Moses Wright is an experienced bird owner. He created a web site to help fellow pet owners with their home pet problems. You can get more free information on bird care problems at his site. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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