Protect Your Bird From Harmful Toys
Think Safety First
As with everything else, think safety first. Just because a toy is made, that doesn't make it safe. Sometimes a particular toy may be safe for one size bird and not another. For that matter, some birds, because of their own particular abilities, personality, or curiosities can hurt themselves on seemingly innocuous toys. For this reason, it is important to regularly check toys and observe how your individual bird uses its toys.
Watch out for toxic metals and paints. Examine the toy and determine whether any part of your bird could get stuck on the toy. If in doubt, take it out. Or better yet don't even buy it. Sometimes if you are industrious you can fix the problem by replacing a part on the toy such as the connector, a wire or strings.
Some items commonly found on bird toys that can pose serious safety concerns include:
- Quick Links - Although generally considered to be safe, there are a few caveats. Links should be securely closed, using a pair of pliers if needed. An open link can get caught under a parrots lower beak and puncture the skin. Also, quick links should be sized appropriately for your bird, a good guide is to use the same size link as the bar spacing on your bird's cage. If they are too large, birds can get their heads stuck in the link. Links with openings of 1/2 inch or smaller are recommended for parrotlets. Alternatives include, plastic cable or zip ties, plastic links or a link of plastic chain that has a slit cut in it.
- Split rings - This type of ring in commonly used for key chains. Birds can open these in seconds and get their tongue or beak caught. I have seen a tiny parrotlet open a key ring, fortunately she was not injured.
- Lanyard clips - These clips can also be opened and hurt your bird. Quick links, links of plastic chain and other non tensioned devices are preferred.
- Rope, Fabric and Thread - Long lengths (more than 2 inches) of unknotted or unadorned rope can cause entanglement. Threads can get wrapped around necks and toes. Fabric must always be trimmed of loose threads to prevent entrapment.
- Toxic Metals - Zinc, lead and galvanized metal (zinc) is known to cause heavy metal poisoning in parrots. Stainless steel and nickel-plated steel are considered safest.
- Treated leather - Tanned leather may contain heavy metals from the chemicals used in tanning. Only natural, vegetable tanned leather is recommended.
- Unsafe paint or dyes - Food grade or vegetable dyes are safest for bird toys. Paints and dyes made for other purposes may be toxic to your pet.