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Top 12 Most Common Household Dangers to Parrots
There is no doubt that parrots are brilliant creatures. According to a 2019 study by Irene Pepperberg, a research associate in Harvard’s Psychology Department, African grey parrots exhibit cognitive abilities comparable to those of a four-year-old human child. While not all parrots have this level of intelligence, all parrot species are curious by nature which can put them at risk in our homes.
Many common household items, practices, and environments pose potential dangers for parrots. Below are the top 12 most common household dangers to parrots and how to avoid them.
What to Do if Your Parrot is Exposed or Injured?
Before we get into the list of common household dangers to parrots, let’s talk about what to do if your parrot becomes victim to one of these dangers.
If you suspect your parrot has ingested something toxic or poisonous, call your local avian vet or the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) immediately. While a consultation fee may apply when calling APCC, being exposed to toxins or poisons is a matter of life or death for your parrot.
- ASPCA: Animal Poison Control Center
- (888) 426-4435
If your parrot has sustained an injury of any kind, call your local avian vet immediately. Some offices have emergency services or after hours if your parrot is injured during off hours. If you are reading this article proactively and don’t already have an avian vet for your parrot, please find one now!
1. Teflon and Non-Stick Cookware
One of the most well-known and commone household dangers to parrots is Teflon and other non-stick cookware containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorooctanoic acid
(PFOA). When overheated, the chemical coatings and bonding agents on these pans release toxic fumes that can cause acute respiratory distress and death in parrots.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Avoid using non-stick cookware entirely if you have a parrot.
- Use only stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic, or hard anodized.
- When selecting a non-stick cookware brand, make sure it is PTFE & PFOA free.
- If non-stick cookware must be used, ensure your bird is in a separate, well-ventilated room far from where you are cooking.
2. Open Water Sources
Parrots are not natural swimmers, and even a small amount of water can be deadly if they fall in. Open water sources such as toilets, sinks, bathtubs, aquariums, and even full drinking glasses can pose drowning hazards.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Always close toilet lids and empty sinks or bathtubs after use.
- Cover aquariums and drinking glasses and supervise your parrot when they’re outside of their cage.
3. Toxic Foods
Some foods that are safe for humans can be highly toxic to parrots. For a full list of foods toxic to parrots, click here.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Be mindful of what you’re eating around your bird.
- Don’t leave toxic foods like avocados in a countertop fruit bowl where your parrot may be able to access it and take a bite.
- Educate everyone in your household about safe and unsafe foods for parrots.
4. Electrical Cords
Parrots love to chew, and electrical cords seem to be particularly tempting. However, chewing on a live cord can lead to burns, electrocution and even a fire. Offer safe chew toys to avoid the temptation of chewing an electrical cord.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Keep electrical cords out of reach or hidden behind furniture.
- Use cord protectors or covers if cords are accessible.
5. Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a significant danger to parrots, especially those who are free-flying or allowed out of their cages frequently. A parrot flying into a moving fan can suffer severe or fatal injuries.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Turn off ceiling fans whenever your parrot is out of their cage.
- Consider removing or replacing ceiling fans in rooms where your parrot spends the most time.
6. Houseplants & Soil
Many common houseplants are toxic to parrots if ingested but it’s not just the plant leaves, stems, and flowers you need to worry about. Commercial potting soils (including the soil that your plant is brought home in) often contain fertilizers, chemicals, mold (aspergillus), and fungus that are harmful to parrots. Since many parrot species are ground foragers, they might be tempted to dig and explore the soil of potted plants along with taking a bite or two out of the leaves.
Since no potting soil is deemed ‘safe’ for parrots, you’ll need to cover the soil with large, unmovable rocks or a parrot-safe substrate (leaving no chance of accessing the soil). You may opt to heavily supervise your parrot when they are out of their cage and near houseplants instead.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Research your current houseplants to ensure they are safe for parrots.
- Keep toxic plants in rooms your parrot cannot access.
7. Aerosols and Chemical Fumes
Parrots have sensitive respiratory systems, making them especially vulnerable to airborne toxins. Aerosols (like hairspray, air fresheners, perfume, or bug spray), and cleaning products can harm your parrot. Cigarette and cigar smoke, diffusers, pipes, and vaporizers are also harmful to parrots.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Avoid using aerosol products or strong chemicals in your home.
- Opt for bird-safe cleaning products and natural, unscented alternatives.
- Ventilate your home well and avoid using candles or incense.
- Do not smoke around a parrot.
8. Windows, Mirrors, and Glass Doors
Parrots can easily fly into windows, mirrors, or glass doors, believing they are open spaces. This can result in serious beak and head trauma or general injury.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Use curtains or decals to make windows and glass doors visible.
- Limit your parrot’s access to rooms with mirrors and large windows unless they are closely supervised.
9. Small Objects and Jewelry
Parrots are incredibly curious and have exceptionally strong beaks. They may chew and accidentally swallow small objects like coins, buttons, beads, or jewelry pieces. These items can cause choking, blockages, or toxic metal poisoning.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Keep small objects out of your parrot’s reach.
- Secure jewelry, craft supplies, and sewing notions in lidded boxes.
10. Other Household Pets
While many parrots can peacefully coexist with other pets, there is always a risk of injury. Cats, dogs, and even smaller animals like ferrets or rabbits may accidentally (or intentionally) harm your parrot.
It is important to note that cat saliva poses a unique danger to parrots. Cats carry pasteurella multocida bacteria in their saliva that can be deadly to parrots, even if the cat doesn’t appear sick. A seemingly minor scratch or lick can result in severe infection.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Never leave your parrot unsupervised with other pets, even if they seem to get along.
- Make sure your parrot’s cage is sturdy and secure from other pets.
- Keep cats and birds separated at all times.
- Clean and disinfect any common areas that your cat frequents.
11. Sitting or Stepping on Birds
Parrots, especially smaller species like parrotlets, budgies, or lovebirds, can be incredibly quick. They may land on furniture, hide under blankets, or perch on the floor, making them vulnerable to being accidentally sat or stepped on.
Accidental injuries can be severe or fatal, so building a habit of being cautious around your parrot’s free-flying or roaming time is essential.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Always check where your parrot is before sitting down or moving furniture.
- Train your bird to stay in visible areas or their designated play spaces.
- Supervise them closely during out-of-cage time.
12. Fireplaces, Candles, and Lamps
Open flames and heated surfaces can be dangerous to parrots. These risks include burns, smoke inhalation, or even accidental fires caused by a bird knocking something over. Accidents involving fire and heat can happen quickly, so take proper precautions to protect your parrot.
How to Protect Your Parrot:
- Fireplaces:
- Always use a fireplace screen to prevent your bird from flying too close.
- Keep your parrot out of the room when the fireplace is in use.
- Avoid artificial fireplace logs, as some release toxic fumes.
- Candles:
- Avoid burning candles altogether, as the scent and fumes can irritate your bird’s lungs.
- If candles are necessary, use bird-safe alternatives, such as battery-operated LED candles.
- Lamps and Heated Surfaces:
- Be cautious of hot surfaces like halogen lamps, heated light bulbs, exposed heating elements, and stovetops.
- Ensure your bird doesn’t land or perch on these surfaces.
- Consider lamp covers or protective guards to prevent contact.
Leaving Your Parrot with a Pet Sitter
Not only do you need to ensure your parrot is safe in your home, but if you ever plan to leave your parrot with a pet sitter (at another home) they need to be aware of the most common household dangers to parrots as well!
Share this article with them and review these dangers with your pet sitter to make sure they thoroughly understand.
Conclusion of Common Household Dangers to Parrots
Parrot safety requires knowledge and constant attentiveness. As highly curious and intelligent creatures, parrots rely on us as their caregivers to recognize potential hazards and dangers and take proactive steps to eliminate them. By identifying and addressing these common household dangers, you can create a safe environment where your bird can explore, play, and thrive without unnecessary risks. Making sure your home is parrot-safe protects your parrot’s health and strengthens the trust and bond you share, allowing you to live happily together.
Which of these tips surprised you the most? Share your thoughts or close-calls in the comments below, and let us know how you’ve parrot-proofed your home!
