Human Saliva

[KiwiDaConure97]

Ok so I just recently figured out that human saliva is toxic to birds. My YSGCC has come in contact with human saliva before. I mean, he seems fine, I don't notice anything... yet. He just recently ate some bread which I took a bite out of that had some saliva on it... not sure if I should worry. There wasn't a lot of saliva but I've been kissing him on the beak a long time and now I'm really worried. Just need to know if I can calm down before I freak out because I can't take him to the vet because my dad will only take him if he looks sick (and he doesn't know how birds hide sickness). Not sure what to do, I might buy a vet checkup myself even though they aren't cheap. I just need to know if I need to panic and bug my parents because I'm a broke 13 year old.. thanks.

 

[HEEDLESS]

Don't worry... This is what Kise does everyday...

Flew to me and just took any food outta of my mouth and ate it.. She should has drop dead long ago..

​

 

[chris-md]

Yes to all the above. It is potentially lethal for birds. But if all you’re doing is liaising the beak, the risk is very minimal. Just don’t let them go poking around inside your mouth.

 

[texsize]

My opinion is it’s not a good thing to do but you’re bird isn’t going to fall over dead because of it.

I was doing it to my Bingo for 20 years without a problem.

A CAV will have a different option and probably give you a corse of antibiotics for your bird.

 

[EllenD]

It's not at all good due to the specific types of bacteria and fungi we regularly have in our mouth, which can cause infections and other issue...The question really is how healthy is your bird and what kind of immune system do they have built-up...Usually when human saliva cause a health issue in a bird, it happen while they're suffering from some other active infection at the same time...So yes, a bird could go 20 years of eating out of your mouth and not have an issue, or it could do it once and become sick. It's no different than how we can go years without contracting the flu and then one day we get it. So it's always going to be a risk to your bird's health, even if it's not probablle that he'll become sick....That being said I wouldn't be too concerned about it since it was only one little piece of bread, just don't make a habit of it and he'll be fine.

 

[Cardinal]

Human saliva as indeed any omnivorous or carnivorous mammal saliva (cats are possibly worst among common animals) is very bad and often deadly for birds.

But surprisingly Mrs. E.L Moon , the woman who first developed the Lutino mutation of the cockatiel , in her book - My experiences with cockatiels talks of raising nearly all her hand reared cockatiel chicks by personally chewing many human foods (bread etc) and even some bird food and feeding them to the chicks to make them soft and mimic the regurgitation action of the birds.

Nevertheless the book is a wonderful read for all cockatiel aficionados.

 

[texsize]

Human saliva as indeed any omnivorous or carnivorous mammal saliva (cats are possibly worst among common animals) is very bad and often deadly for birds.

But surprisingly Mrs. E.L Moon , the woman who first developed the Lutino mutation of the cockatiel , in her book - My experiences with cockatiels talks of raising nearly all her hand reared cockatiel chicks by personally chewing many human foods (bread etc) and even some bird food and feeding them to the chicks to make them soft and mimic the regurgitation action of the birds.

Nevertheless the book is a wonderful read for all cockatiel aficionados.

Does this mean that if you are a vegetarian your saliva is safe for birds ?

 

[Cardinal]

Human saliva as indeed any omnivorous or carnivorous mammal saliva (cats are possibly worst among common animals) is very bad and often deadly for birds.

.

Does this mean that if you are a vegetarian your saliva is safe for birds ?

haha LOL! Were you serious or joking?

 

[texsize]

90% joking

 

[wrench13]

One time is probably not going to kill your parrot. Probably. Just do not make a habbit of it . So many other cute ways to show you love your birdy, remember - loose lips sink ships ( your birdy being the ship).