Within this section of the website we will concentrate on how Toxins and Poisons can affect our parrots within the Home and the Aviary. It should be obvious to most Parrot owners that there are hazards everywhere within our homes, From the basics for example ,Windows and Doors open to the Chemicals we keep in our Kitchen cupboards. From the moment we bring these lovely parrots into our homes we have an obligation to protect our feathered friends from such toxins and poisons and have a responsibility to safeguard them from any contact with them either directly or indirectly. Be Warned, I know a few parrot owners that have suffered losses within the home, this was because they did not understand the effects of certain materials used in the home. You may be shocked at what cannot be used but please for the Health and Safety of your Parrot take note of what is said in the following paragraphs.

Below is a list of the most known Objects, Materials, Chemicals, Plants, Toxins and Poisons that I can come up with. Please do take note of these subjects. They could save your parrots life.

Apart from the obvious objects like knives and sharp objects, The most common killer in the kitchen is 'PTFE' coated Cooking Utensils e.g. Frying Pans, Saucepans, Irons. In fact anything that is heated up and has a Teflon coating.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic polymer used as a non-stick surface in cookware. The brand names Teflon, Silverstone, and T-Fal are the best known, but PTFE-coated products are also manufactured under other trade names.

The main problem with PTFE is when heated up to a very high temperature starts to break down and gives of Toxic Fumes undetectable by humans. Birds however are very sensitive to 'PTFE' Poisoning and can die within a few minutes of being in contact with these Odourless, Colourless fumes. 

I personally have heard so many stories of pet birds dying in this manner, The fumes cause Immediate Respitory distress to your bird, Resulting in the bird falling to the ground, Crying for you in a Panic and then passing away almost within 5 minutes. Please do not expose your bird to the risks of Teflon, It would be a good idea to make your household Teflon free. Use Stainless Steel, Ceramic, or Clay Pots instead of the so convenient Teflon coated non stick pans we find so useful within the kitchen. Also remember there are lots more electrical items within the kitchen Environment that contain Teflon than we think.

Heat lamps
Portable heaters
Sole plates on irons
Ironing board covers
Burners on stove tops
Drip pans for burners
Broiler pans
Griddles
Many cooking utensils
Woks
Waffle makers
Electric skillets
Deep fryers, crock pots,
Hot air popcorn poppers
Coffee makers
Bread makers
Non-stick rolling pins
Lollipop molds
Corkscrews
Never-Stick-Stainless Steel
Stockpots
Roasters
Non-stick gingerbread molds
Pizza pans
Tortilla presses

First Aid For Teflon Toxicity
1. Remove the affected bird immediately from the home and supply lots of fresh air. Unfortunately, other than this, no first aid exists.
2. Call your avian veterinarian immediately.

This section will be kept Short and Sweet. I believe it is common sense that most Chemicals within the household Environment are Poisonous, both to humans and wildlife. I cannot stress how important it is to keep all chemicals away from your birds at all times. Probably best kept in inaccessible cupboards or sheds, garages and the like. Please also remember that you may have dish cloths around the kitchen that your bird could possibly get hold of. These may contain poisonous washing up liquids, or bleach. It is up to you as a responsible Parrot owner to make sure your bird does not come into contact with any chemicals in the household.

Acetone, Ammonia, Antifreeze, Ant syrup or paste, Arsenic, Bathroom bowl cleaner, Bleach, Boric acid, Camphophenique, Carbon tetrachloride, Charcoal lighter, Clinitest tablets, Copper and brass cleaners, Corn and wart remover, Crayons, Deodorants, Detergents, Disinfectants, Drain cleaners, Epoxy glue, Fabric softeners, Garbage toxins, Garden sprays, Gasoline, Gun cleaner, Gunpowder, Hair dyes, Herbicides, Hexachlorophene (in some soaps), Indelible markers, Insecticides, Iodine Kerosene, Lighter fluid, Linoleum (contains lead salts), Matches, Model glue, Mothballs, Muriatic acid, Mushrooms (some varieties, Nail Polish, Nail polish remove, Oven cleaner, Paint, Paint remover, Paint thinner, Perfume, Permanent wave solutions, Pesticides, Photographic solutions, Pine oil Plants, Prescription and non-prescription drugs, Red squill, Rodenticides, Rubbing alcohol, Shaving lotion, Silver polish, Snail bait, Spot remover, Spray starch, Strychnine, Sulphuric acid, Suntan lotion, Super glue, Turpentine, Weed killers, Window cleaners.

Toxic Indoor Plants