Plumes and Fumes

By former NCS Pet Consultant Mary-Kaye Buchtel
Copyright © NCS 1991
All Rights Reserved

Copyright Notice & Disclaimer Statement

Many people with companion birds aren't aware of how vulnerable to various fumes are their feathered friends. Since a bird's body is full of air-sacs, any toxic fumes they breathe are very dangerous. Birds have a unique respiratory system that basically sends each breath through the body twice, further exposing the bird to any toxins.

Fumes from cleaning solutions, hobby glues, some marking pens and paint can all prove fatal to birds who are exposed. In my own home, I am very careful not to use aerosols since they so thoroughly disperse their contents. We are very aware of using any product that has an odor. If a label suggests adequate ventilation is required while using a product, I am cautious beyond belief if I feel I must use the product.

An often unrealized risk to birds is the family cookware. People may purchase or receive a wonderful gift of non-stick cookware. This "space age" time-saver has ended the lives of countless birds. Non-stick cookware heated beyond normal cooking temperatures emits a toxic gas that destroys every bird in a home within minutes. The non-stick burner pans reach that temperature during normal cooking. No sensible person would deliberately burn a pan, but accidents do happen. Our decision to eliminate non-stick cookware from our kitchen - the only way I could ensure not having an accident. Our birds bring such a "breath of fresh air" to our lives that we are happy to ensure they have fresh air to breathe.

EDITORS NOTE: Recent research has shown not only can the fumes reach toxic levels at high temperatures but also at normal cooking temperatures. Other non-stick surfaces to beware of are ironing board covers, non-stick curling irons, clothes irons with non-stick surfaces, and any other item with this type of surface on it.