  |
|
|
|
Unsafe Parrot Toys and Your Pet BirdNot All Plastic and Rope Bird Toys are Safe for ParrotsNot all pet bird toys are safe for parrots. Plastic toy parts, zinc-coated metal and frayed rope toys can all harm an unsupervised pet bird.
Parrot toys are easy to find at most pet stores. Not all bird toys, however, are safe for pet parrots. Small bird toys can choke large birds like macaws, while plastic toys can break into sharp pieces that small birds like budgies and parakeets can swallow. Budgies, Parakeets and Small Bird ToysSmall bird toys—toys designed for cockatiels, budgies and other parakeets—need to be carefully evaluated before letting a bird play with them. Many of the plastic toys intended for small parrots are, quite simply, unsafe. Cheap plastic toys quickly break under the rigors of parrot play. Unfortunately, many types of plastic break into small, sharp shards. A parrot can cut itself on the sharp edges that develop when the plastic breaks, or in a worst case scenario, can be swallowed and lacerate a bird’s intestines. Clear, hard plastic bird toy parts are most likely to break into sharp pieces. Plastic toys built for chewing are safer, but you have to know your bird. Will your budgie just chew up the toy, or is she the type of parakeet that eats plastic given the chance? Ingested plastic can impact a bird's intestines or crop—either way the parrot will need veterinary attention. Rope ToysRope toys are great fun for parrots. Rope and thread can be groomed and shredded. Acrobatic parrots such as conures, love swinging on rope toys. If you use rope toys, be sure to check them on a regular basis for signs of fraying and tangles. A bird can get a claw caught in frayed or knotted rope. The result can be panic and broken bones. If the bird gets entangled when no one’s home, its frantic efforts to free itself could lead to over panic-induced heart attacks. One option if you’re concerned about rope toys and accidents is to only let parrots play on them under close supervision in a special play area separate from their bird cage. A similar fraying problem can occur with “happy huts,” soft cloth burrows that hang in bird cages. Many parrots like to burrow into happy huts to roost. They’re a great bird accessory, but do need to be frequently checked for frayed corners and loose strings to prevent accidents. Zinc and Bird Toy PartsMany parrot toys include bells. A bell can be a great addition to a parrot toy, but only if it’s made out of the right material. Metals coated with zinc are sometimes used to make parrot toys. If parrots chew on bells or other metal toy parts that are zinc coated, birds can develop zinc toxicity. Symptoms of zinc toxicity include regurgitation, diarrhea, weight loss and, in sever cases, seizures. Feather plucking can also occur due to zinc toxicity. Treatment for zinc toxicity is often successful with an early diagnosis. Avoiding zinc coated bird toy parts and parrot cages is the best prevention.
The copyright of the article Unsafe Parrot Toys and Your Pet Bird in Pet Birds is owned by Michael McGrath. Permission to republish Unsafe Parrot Toys and Your Pet Bird in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
