Toxic household items??

[guesswhokatysue]

OK, so I found a local avian vet (probably the only one in my state!) and googled her. I found an article that she had been interviewed for, and she said that some normal household cleaners and items can be lethal for the birds. Here are just a few things of what she mentioned:

Nonstick coated pans
Candle smoke (non soy)
Cleaners

Now the cleaners doesn't surprise me as much, because I remember my pet store days and all we could and would ever use were all nature "green" products. They cleaned just as well as bleach, but without the odor and chemicals. Any recommendations on other good cleaners? Is febreeze ok?

Next, onto the candles and the pan, if the bird is placed in another room across the house while either the pan or candle are being used would that be ok? We don't cook a whole lot, and when we do we are kind of cheap, so the nonstick pans are something we haven't really invested in, we just use olive or veggie oil, but if we were to use one, or light a candle (I am a Yankee Candle junky) would it harm the bird if he was nowhere near the item during it's use?

Thanks!

 

[ZoeS]

Vinegar is king for cleaning!

Non-stick is ok if there is ventilation and you do not burn the surface. I just don't use it... better safe than sorry. If I do, it's only with the birds in another room and windows open.

I don't know about the candles...

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Thanks! I will keep that in mind with the vinegar. We may be getting a conure sooner than expected. We found a seven month old Sun Conure that comes with his cage AND now that I know there is an avian vet that visits my vet for my other pets I can breathe a sigh of relief!

My boyfriend and I might get to go meet him soon, and if we meet him and love him, he will be coming home with us . I am so excited..but I want to make sure that the little guy comes to a SAFE home all around.

 

[lizardsmells]

Febreeze is NOT ok. They say it is on the label, but it's not. I've read more than a handful of stories of bird owners whose birds died after they used a febreeze product in their homes.

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Yikes! That's awful. Thank you for clearing that up! My boyfriend loves Febreeze, so I will let him know that we can't use that anymore. I would probably have trusted it if it said that on the label, I appreciate you letting me know

Are there any other seemingly innocent household products that are actually quite toxic and dangerous?

 

[jaimmorr]

I am QUEEN of smelly goody stuffs. But when I bring Ricco (G2) home at the end of the month, I will have to get rid of allll my stuff. It makes me a bit sad, but I know that it's worth it!

No teflon (non stick) products. Even if they aren't burned, they still release toxins that is even bad for humans, let alone birds. At just a normal cooking temperature, they will release toxins and can kill or harm your bird. It's best to just throw them out and get stainless steel or ceramic.

No air sprays, fabric sprays, carpet powders, incense, spray cleaning supplies (Windex, etc), perfumes, hair sprays, etc. The rule of thumb is: If something smells strong to you, it's definitely bad for your bird.

I have heard that vinegar and baking soda/powder works wonders on just about anything and everything.

There is always a safer way!

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Thanks! Looks like I will be using my perfume in the car on my way to work! (I don't mind that cause it makes my car smell nice! Haha


That made me think of something. When I pick up my new pet, I have a car freshener, will that be bad? It's not a spray one, but one you put on your rear view mirror.

 

[jaimmorr]

It depends on how strong it is, I would say. I'm taking all mine out before I pick up Ricco just to be safe. I know that if something smells pretty strong to me, I get a sore throat, and I don't want him to be uncomfortable with that.

Good luck with your baby! Are you getting a Sun, then? Have you ever heard their scream?? Whew!

 

[guesswhokatysue]

I havent heard their scream, but I have heard an African Grey and a green cheek before. It's not 100% decided if it will be a Sun, but out of a pet store that seems to be all anyone has. There was the poor sad guy (a dusty or something like that) who I loved but I'm leery about pet store birds. I meant to call them and ask if you can hold him before hand to see how friendly he might be. I'm so undecided! Any recommendations?

 

[AFP520]

I havent heard their scream, but I have heard an African Grey and a green cheek before. It's not 100% decided if it will be a Sun, but out of a pet store that seems to be all anyone has. There was the poor sad guy (a dusty or something like that) who I loved but I'm leery about pet store birds. I meant to call them and ask if you can hold him before hand to see how friendly he might be. I'm so undecided! Any recommendations?

Where do you live? The store I bought my conure from actually has a 30-day layaway on the bird and you can go to the store to bond with it as much as you want until you pay the balance and take it home.

 

[guesswhokatysue]

I live in Maine..I haven't heard of a pet store around here that does that that sounds like a great idea!

 

[jaimmorr]

I don't want to turn you off Suns if you like them, but PLEASE make sure you hear their screech before making a commitment to one... They are LOUD and very high pitched. Most people say that they are the worst, noise wise. In fact, my close friend has an Umbrella Cockatoo and I would prefer his screaming over the Sun Conure's screeching. If I had to stand near one all day and it was screaming, I would choose the U2 any day! Green Cheek Conures are VERY quiet compared to Sun Conures. African Greys are also a bit quieter and not as high pitched. If you like Suns, by all means, do the research and get one if you think they are a good match for you. But please listen to them first!

I think you're referring to a Dusky Conure. I quite like them! I have interacted with a few of those and I think they're lovely.

 

[guesswhokatysue]

I did YouTube it, they have quite a screech. I preferred the pet shop one I saw (the dusky one I think you're right!). I want to be able to interact with him first though. You know? I'd like to know I actually am being sold a tame bird not just because they say so. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[jaimmorr]

I did YouTube it, they have quite a screech. I preferred the pet shop one I saw (the dusky one I think you're right!). I want to be able to interact with him first though. You know? I'd like to know I actually am being sold a tame bird not just because they say so. Thanks for your feedback!

Oh, yes, definitely. I am an advocate for always going to meet the pet (in this case, bird) before committing to him or her. I just went and visited my G2 that I'm adopting, he was 2.5 hours away but I didn't want to just chance it. Even though SHE said he was tame, I wanted to make sure for myself. Sure enough, he stepped up on my hand and went right up to my shoulder LOL. Needless to say, he's coming home with me soon.

I wish you the best of luck in your search. This forum is WONDERFUL. At least, my experiences have led me to this conclusion. I love the community and support here.

 

[Parrotmamma]

I like vinegar but also use a 50/50 mixture of water and peroxide in a squirt bottle and it works great too .

 

[guesswhokatysue]

I just got off the phone with the store and they said that I can come in and meet "Maverick" . I spoke to the lady for almost 30 minutes and she understood that I am serious about it, but also want a good match, so if it doesnt fit with maverick and I I can look at the others. Whew! I am do excited to meet him tonight.