Companion bird safety starts with the whole room
Plan beyond the enclosure: air quality, open water, windows, fans, cords, metals and kitchen fumes can all affect a companion bird.
Use this guide to notice and organize information. Contact a qualified veterinarian for medical concerns or urgent change.
Make the air and room safe
Keep birds away from smoke, vaping, aerosols, strong fragrances, paint or solvent fumes and overheated non-stick cookware or appliances. Do not assume a product is bird-safe because it is safe for people, dogs or cats.
Before out-of-enclosure time, stop ceiling fans, secure doors and windows, cover open water, remove hot items and keep cords, medications, toxic plants, small metal objects and sticky traps inaccessible.
Build species-specific daily care
Choose an enclosure, perch sizes, diet, lighting, sleep routine, bathing and social opportunities for the exact species. Provide room for movement and varied enrichment rather than relying on a single perch or a seed-only diet.
Use gradual, reward-based handling and respect avoidance signals. Foraging and choice can support normal behaviour, while forced contact can create fear and defensive biting.
Notice illness early
Birds may hide illness. Watch daily for changes in appetite, droppings, voice, posture, breathing, activity and time spent at the bottom of the enclosure. Arrange routine care with an avian-experienced veterinarian before a problem occurs.
Open-mouth breathing, pronounced tail movement with each breath, collapse, heavy bleeding, seizures, suspected fume exposure or severe weakness requires emergency veterinary care.
Read the supporting material
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Provides avian-veterinary owner resources on basic care, illness signs, behaviour and household dangers.
Original source ↗02professional org · Association of Avian VeterinariansKeeping your birds safe in the householdSupports prevention of household toxin and foreign-object exposures in companion birds.
Original source ↗