Thanksgiving is a fun time for all Americans, but pet bird owners should take care to protect their feathered friends from the safety hazards that come along with this beloved holiday. Even though they may not be apparent, Thanksgiving can present several health and safety issues to pet birds whose owners aren't prepared. Keep the following tips in mind to make sure that your pet and your family have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday this season.
Keep your bird away from hot ovens and pots.
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If Thanksgiving is associated with anything, it's got to be food -- and good home-cooked meals mean piping hot ovens, pots, and pans. All of these things pose dire safety hazards to pet birds, as evidenced by the tragic story of Lucky Charlie, the Cockatiel. To make sure that your bird sails through the holiday with all feathers intact, keep your bird's wings clipped and move his cage as far away from the kitchen as possible. (This is a good idea anyway -- fumes from certain types of cooking utensils can be deadly for pet birds as well!)
Beware of foods that are toxic to birds.
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The Thanksgiving holiday gives pet birds an opportune chance to beg for food -- and if your birds are anything like mine, then you'll really be in trouble! It's okay to share some foods with your bird, but it's important to make sure that any tasty morsels that make it to your bird's dish are free of foods that are toxic to birds. Make sure any Thanksgiving guests are instructed not to give in to your bird's begging, and limit any Thanksgiving treats to fresh fruits and vegetables, either raw or prepared with no salt or seasonings.
Make sure your decorations are out of your bird's reach.
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Popular Thanksgiving decorations include ornate table centerpieces, candles, autumn flower bouquets, cornucopias and more -- all of which can pose health and safety hazards to curious pet birds that come across them. To make matters worse, many of these holiday decorations are shiny and brightly colored, making them an obvious target for a parrot's attention. Make sure that your bird has absolutely no access to any of these decorative items by moving his cage away from the main area where the festivities will take place. Birds that find a way to get to your holiday decorations could be exposed to choking hazards, burns, sharp edges, and toxins that may be lurking within any dyes, inks, or glues used on the item.
Keep a close eye on alcoholic drinks.
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Some bird owners choose to serve alcoholic drinks at their Thanksgiving celebrations. While this is fine for adult humans, alcohol is extremely poisonous to birds of any age, and should be strictly controlled so that your bird won't have the chance to get even one drop. Secure your bird in his cage during dinner, and ask your guests to make sure that they don't leave any unattended drinks near the bird if they decide to go visit him.
Pay attention to stress levels.
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Birds can get stressed pretty easily, and the holidays can make it worse by exposing them to sights, sounds, and people that they are not accustomed to. Consider leaving your bird caged in a quiet, comfortable, and secure area of your home until the party winds down. This will help make sure that your celebration does not cause undue stress or discomfort for your feathered friend.
