Those who owned and raised other pets before, such as dogs or cats, know that a house can have several dangerous spots. Even if one might think some dangers faced by puppies or kittens won't apply to birds, they too come with their own safety perils. Birds which spend some of their time outside their bird cage would tend to fly around rooms. Unlike other animals, birds can fly into windows or mirrors, self-inflicting injuries and causing damage. Of course, birds can fly through open windows and feel no need for a proper good-bye, never to be seen again! A bird should only be let out of its cage under constant supervision. One should always expect the unexpected and act accordingly when opening a bird cage and allow its tenant to roam around the house. Some home appliances should be switched off during this period of time. The obvious equipment includes ceiling fans, grills, heaters and any other hot surface, electric cords, electric beaters and all sorts of cutting utensils. Of course, if a bird is to remain in its cage, most of these risks do not apply. However birds require and thrive on attention and socialisation with their owners, especially birds like parrots, so when they are let out of their bird cage, owners should bird-proof their homes. Birds are very sensitive to toxins! Dangerous airborne contaminants coming from cleaners, pesticides and industrial fumes can be fatal to birds. Even strong, aromatic odours can often kill birds! Nail polish, aerosol body sprays, paint fumes and cigarette smoke should be avoided. Even certain food is highly toxic and dangerous for birds. Chocolate, coffee and cocoa contain theobromine, which is very dangerous to birds as to most other pets. Avocado is also toxic and should not be given to any bird. Birds cannot digest salt the way us humans can and food with a high-salt nutrient value can be harmful to them, as can be other high-fat or high-sugar snacks. Although it sounds obvious, one should also state that alcoholic beverages should not be given to birds under any circumstances, as their liver cannot metabolize the alcohol. As most birds also chew on everything small enough to get their beaks on, one should place safe bird toys made of sanitised toxin-free plastics or safe-woods such as manzanita and eucalyptus. Cages can also pose safety risks to their tenants. Today's modern cages, especially the larger cages such as a parrot cage, are made of wrought iron and electrostatically powder coated for a long lasting a durable finish. A bird's home should avoid having lead and zinc components present in most 'chicken wire' homemade cages as they cause bird poisoning when chewed upon. These materials should also be avoided in any bird toys and perches placed inside cages. Finally, birds are not known for their social interaction with other pets, especially cats. Therefore, having cats around can be of a risk to birds even when they are confined within the bird cage boundary. Cats commonly carry Pasteurella bacteria, which is ubiquitous in them and does them no harm. However this is deadly to birds, so even if your cat just bats your bird or gets saliva on it, one should take the bird to nearest vet as soon as possible. Precaution is always better than cure! However one should keep an avian vet's number always close by just in case.
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