Second-hand Smoke and Other Inhalants

All airborne toxins are extremely harmful to parrots. Some toxins have immediate effects on a bird's health, and others have cumulative effects. The environment in which a bird is housed must always be careful protected from tobacco smoke, chemical fumes,sented candles, Scotchgard, New carpet and furniture, paints, stains, cleaning products, and solvents.

We recommend not using any of these products around birds. But if the use of possibly harmful products is unavoidable, the parrots must be in a very well ventilated area with cross-ventilation. The use of a high- quality HEPA filter air purification system is also recommended. Ozone-generating air purifiers are not recommended for use around birds.

The bird may have to be moved out of the house altogether, if a lot of work using harmful chemicals at one time, like getting the whole house painted inside, and installing new carpet. Keeping your parrot at a friends home, or a relative's home for a few days while the work is being done is very advisable.

Avian Vets can also board your bird for a few days. Make sure all trace of fumes are gone from your home before returning your feathered friend.

Oh! how we love our chocolate and caffeine! I know I do!

But did you know that these products can make your birds sick, or even kill them. Methylxanthine alkaloids are naturally occurring drugs, (primarily theobromine and caffeine) found in chocolate, coffee, and tea, as well as in some over-the-counter medications. These chemicals primarily affect the central nervous system and kidneys, causing constricted blood vessels, rapid and weak heartbeat, and very high urine output. These effects can cause severe illness and even death in birds and other animals.

Toxic dosages of methylxanthine alkaloids for birds are not well established. In dogs, the median lethal doses of caffeine and theobromine are approximately 140 mg/kg, respectively. Because birds have much smaller body sizes and higher metabolisms than dogs, it would take a much smaller dose for toxic effects to occur. Humans can break down and excrete theobromine much more efficiently than other animals, thereby avoiding life-threatening side effects. And NEVER, EVER give your bird alcohol. Or any of your pets.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Tetrafluoroethylene and Teflon

Is an environmental toxin that is produced by the heating of non-stick coating containing fluoropolymers. This is found in non-sticking products like Dupont Teflon cooking equipment, like skillets, and pots and pans. These fumes are undetectable by the human nose and can be deadly to birds. Unlike humans, birds replace nearly all the air in their lungs with each breath. Because no residual air is left in the lungs during the ventilation cycle of birds, they transfer more oxygen and more polluntants with each breath than do humans. The lungs of birds exposed to fluoropolymers hemorrhage and fill with fluid, leading to suffocation. Teflon starts emitting fumes from the beginning of the hating process, it doesn not have to be heated to a high temperature or for an extended length of time to become fatal to birds. Because air currents are variable, some birds may be affected when fumes are released while other are not. The effect of the fumes also depends on the size of the bird. Smaller birds are affected more quickly than larger birds, and the duration of the exposure. DuPont claims that the Federal Food and Drug Administration has found non-stick coations to be acceptable for conventional kitchen use for humans. It acknowledges that the product, when heated, is dangerous to birds.

Other brand names that contain fluoropolymer non-stick products are:
Silverston, Fluron, Supra, Excalibur, Greblon, Xylon, Duracote, Resistal, Autograph, and T-Fal.

Safe types of cookware, include stainless steel and cast iron, neither of which produce harmful gases or presistent polluntants that kill birds.

More products that may contain fluoropolymers: Bread makers
broilerpans burner on stovetops
cake pans
carpeting
coffee makers
cookie sheets
cordscrews
crock-pots
deep fryers
drip pans for burners
electrical insulation
electric skillets
griddles
hair dryers
hot air popcorn poppers
ironing board covers
lollipop molks
many cooking utensils
muffin tins
never-stick stainless steel
non-stick gingerbread molds
non-stick rolling pins
pizza pans
portable heaterss
roasters
scotchgard
sole plates on irons
stain-resistant cloths
stockpots
tortilla presses
upholstery
waffle makers
Woks