Do you wash your hands everytime you touch your bird?

[Zing]

I'm somewhat concerned but don't know how concerned I should be.

I rub my eyes, I sometimes touch the inside of my mouth, etc. I also snack a lot.

My parrot hangs in my room and I play with him every chance I get. Then I notice that sometimes he does poop on parts of the cage where he does step on, like his perches and basically, his cage bars.


Do you guys run to the bathroom and wash your hands with soap 20+ times a day?


It's become something like:

"hey, how's it going little guy " Goes washes hands
3 minutes later
"Aww he's so cute, head scratch-ies!" Goes washes hands
1 minute later
"Oops, forgot to move something in the cage" Touches cage, washes hands.
5 minutes later
"Hm....you need more food, let me touch your food bowl to change it" Washes hands

And the very many occasions of:
"Ah crap, I just accidentally snacked on some raisins and I don't think I washed my hands yet!"

I mean, how vital is it and how do you deal with it?

 

[Kiwibird]

Lol nope. Guess I figure a little bird germs never hurt anyone. I've been around them since I was a newborn and am still alive! Unless the bird is brand new and not yet vet checked for disease or is actively displaying signs of illness, there is no need to wash your hands after touching your bird Only if I somehow manage to get a glob of poo on my hands (or have been cleaning his cage/area) will I wash my hands. I always wash my hand before prepping food though (as a general good hygiene practice and conditioning having worked in the food industry in the past, nothing to do with Kiwi personally), however I do sometimes eat food without washing my hands and think nothing of it.

 

[GraciesMom]

Nope. Although I am really conscience of washing my hands to avoid exposing her to anything I may have touched I just don't think about it after I touch her. The other reason is I want to avoid getting anything on her feathers that she'd feel she needed to preen off. Of course if I noticed poo or something on me after I handled her I'd wash up lol

I wash my hands quite a bit anyway so not really a concern for me

 

[DRB]

I try to wash my hands prior to every time I touch my CAG, and then every time I'm done interacting with her, or touching things she plays with outside the cage.

 

[chris-md]

Nope, never.

 

[SailBoat]

However, whenever I visit a Pet Store, Bird Fair, or the monthly Bird Club meeting, I fully stripe, place the cloths into the washer and shower before I make contact with anyone in my home.

 

[plumsmum2005]

I always think of it as me protecting him from germs so come into house, wash hands, loo, wash hands, before and after food prep wash, wash hands - basically anything that I do that would/could affect Plum the I do it. Not so worried about me but common sense should apply.

 

[plumsmum2005]

However, whenever I visit a Pet Store, Bird Fair, or the monthly Bird Club meeting, I fully stripe, place the cloths into the washer and shower before I make contact with anyone in my home.

Well done you good to hear. BTW I used to use F10 before and after attendance - head to toe spraying.

 

[Aquila]

I wash my hands BEFORE I play with my birds! But that's usually only when I come home or something, plus like everyone else, washing before and after food prep or cleaning.

Poopy feet happen occasionally, my cockatiel being the worst offender, and of course that gets a hand wash, followed by the offender getting their feet washed!

 

[flyingron]

Agreed with Aquila. More concerned about transmitting things to the bird than the other way around.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Like a couple of people said... I only wash when I think I might get something in/on/around the bird. An avian vet told me that some illnesses can be passed between birds and people. Avian TB is one. A bird can be tested for it. Common colds might be, according to some. In any event, if you're both healthy, I wouldn't worry about it. Never have. Good for you for caring and asking!

 

[Birdman666]

Nope.

I'd be washing my hands every ten seconds.

I am rarely without bird.