Halloween can be a fun and thrilling time of year, but many traditional Halloween customs can pose a risk to pet birds.
Owning a bird, however, doesn't mean that you have to miss out on all the Halloween fun. Careful planning and consideration can help keep your little feathered goblin out of harm's way during the festivities.
Read on to find out the Top 5 Halloween Dangers to pet birds, and what you can do to avoid them. Happy Haunting!
1. Jack-O-Lanterns
Watch that pumpkin! Birds may be attracted to it because of its bright orange color. (The fact that many birds love pumpkin seeds doesn't exactly help.) Pumpkins that have been carved can pose a deadly risk to birds -- they may try to climb in and out of the holes and get stuck, or get burned by a candle inside.
2. Artificial Spider Webs
Artificial spider webs are a very common Halloween decoration. While they do add a spooky touch to Halloween decor, they can be very dangerous to a bird. If you choose to use them, make sure to place them in a location well out of your bird's reach. A bird can easily get entangled in the fine, wispy threads of these webs, or even injest them causing severe intestinal problems.
3. Candy
We all know that sugar is not good for our birds, but some Halloween candies can be
toxic to them. The brightly colored wrappers of some candies can be particularly attractive to birds, so make sure to keep your pet in an area away from your Halloween candy to eliminate the risk.
4. People in Costume
Since sight is one of a bird's most important senses, it's no surprise that they are very perceptive animals; always observing their surroundings. Much like the way a bird can be "shocked" by a sudden change in his or her environment, some can become very frightened by people in unusual costumes. Keep this in mind and keep your pet out of the sight of party-goers and trick-or-treaters if you observe your pet becoming stressed.
5. Noise
With all the doorbells ringing, trick-or-treaters knocking, and spooky sound effects playing, it is easy for a bird to become overwhelmed with all the activity. If you think your bird may be sensitive to such stimulation, the best idea may be to isolate your pet in a quiet, low traffic area until the celebrations subside. Stress and shock can cause diarrhea amongst other health concerns, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
