BIRD TOY SAFETY
There are many toys available for pet birds, and picking out safe toys for your pet bird is vitally important. Severe injuries and even death can result if you are not aware of common dangers assoiciated with some bird toys. In addition to avoiding dangerous toys, it is very important to pick out the right size of toy for your particular bird.
Potential Dangers :
Basically, there are three main problems that can make toys dangerous:
*Toxicity - poisoning from chemicals or heavy metals in toys
*Entanglement - getting body parts stuck in toys
*Ingestion - parts can be chewed off toys and swallowed
Obviously, any toy that contains a potential toxin should be avoided. The other risks are more diffiecult to define and assess, as they are dependent on the size of your bird, the toy's design, and ther personality of your bird (a bird that is very active or a determined chewer may not be able to have toys that another bird can handle). A new toy should only be tried under close supervision to make sure the bird is not destroying and/or eating it, and if in doubt remove the toy. Favorite toys that may cause problems (for example, rope toys) are best used under supervision only.
Chosing the proper size can be tricky but is also very important. A toy that is too small may be easily destroyed (and may then cause problems if your parrot ingests the parts or if the loose parts can trap body parts). A toy that is too large may pose a risk of the bird getting a foot or its head caught. As you get to know your bird and its personality, you will get a better feel for which kinds of toys your bird likes and which kinds of toys your bird can handle safely. Some of the most common dangers associated with bird toys are dicussed below, with bird-safe alternatives listed where applicable.
Toxins in Toys
Zinc and Lead: some metal toys or parts may still contain these heavy metals. Zinc can sometimes be found in quick links and chains used to attach toys to the cage, as well as part and connectors in toys. Lead has been found in some bell clappers and the weights from some "bounce back" plastic toys. Look for manufacuturers that label their toys as lead and zinc free. Stainless steel products are pricey but safe.
Dyes and Other Chemicals: possible sources of chemicals to avoid are toys that use glues, adhesives, lacquers, paints, some dyes, and chemically tanned leather products. Stick with untreated wood toys or use only those colored with vegetable based dyes. Similarly, only use vegetable-tanned leather products.
Poly Vinyl Chloride: there is a potential risk from PVC used to make soft plastic and vinyl toys (including many products marketed for children such as teethers)
Potential Dangers :
Basically, there are three main problems that can make toys dangerous:
*Toxicity - poisoning from chemicals or heavy metals in toys
*Entanglement - getting body parts stuck in toys
*Ingestion - parts can be chewed off toys and swallowed
Obviously, any toy that contains a potential toxin should be avoided. The other risks are more diffiecult to define and assess, as they are dependent on the size of your bird, the toy's design, and ther personality of your bird (a bird that is very active or a determined chewer may not be able to have toys that another bird can handle). A new toy should only be tried under close supervision to make sure the bird is not destroying and/or eating it, and if in doubt remove the toy. Favorite toys that may cause problems (for example, rope toys) are best used under supervision only.
Chosing the proper size can be tricky but is also very important. A toy that is too small may be easily destroyed (and may then cause problems if your parrot ingests the parts or if the loose parts can trap body parts). A toy that is too large may pose a risk of the bird getting a foot or its head caught. As you get to know your bird and its personality, you will get a better feel for which kinds of toys your bird likes and which kinds of toys your bird can handle safely. Some of the most common dangers associated with bird toys are dicussed below, with bird-safe alternatives listed where applicable.
Toxins in Toys
Zinc and Lead: some metal toys or parts may still contain these heavy metals. Zinc can sometimes be found in quick links and chains used to attach toys to the cage, as well as part and connectors in toys. Lead has been found in some bell clappers and the weights from some "bounce back" plastic toys. Look for manufacuturers that label their toys as lead and zinc free. Stainless steel products are pricey but safe.
Dyes and Other Chemicals: possible sources of chemicals to avoid are toys that use glues, adhesives, lacquers, paints, some dyes, and chemically tanned leather products. Stick with untreated wood toys or use only those colored with vegetable based dyes. Similarly, only use vegetable-tanned leather products.
Poly Vinyl Chloride: there is a potential risk from PVC used to make soft plastic and vinyl toys (including many products marketed for children such as teethers)
Common Dangers Associated With Bird Toys
Tangled in Toys:
This is a risk mainly with hanging toys such as rope toys or hanging chain toys, but it can also happen with any toy that has a space large enough that your bird can get its beak, head or foot stuck. If a bird gets stuck it can seriously injure itself by thrashing around and can die from such injuries as well as strangulation.
Some common culprits
Cotton rope toys: these are best used only under supervision because sometime the threads unravel and leave a risk of strangulation or entanglement. Cotton rope is sometimes alo shredded and ingested. Sisal rope is considered a safer alternative.
Hanging Chains: metal chains with small gaps in the links are a risk for snaring toenails and sometimes beaks. Also watch for links (metal or plastic) that are large enough to trap your bird's feet or head.
Clips and Rings: lanyard type clips (the kind that are kind of tear drop shaped with the sides of clip overlapping and open by squeezing the sides of the clip and close again when the pressure is released) can trap beaks and toenails. Split rings (key chain rings) are also notorious for trapping beaks on parrots. Parrots are at a much greater risk from these than other birds due to their beak strength and dexterity. C-links or "Quick Links" are a much safer choice, as long as you avoid those containing zinc (see above).
Bells: spherical bells with slits for openings (and a loose pellet of metal inside that makes a jingling sound) can trap your bird's beak.
Loose Threads: fabric items like huts and cage covers can have threads come loose and entangle toes and other body parts. Any fabric items must be inspected regularly.
Holes: any toy with holes or gaps can pose a problem if the hole is just the right size to trap a toe, beak, or head. Be sure to watch your bird closely with a new toy at first and be wary of potential problems such as this.
Swallowing Toys:Again, this is likely to be a problem with parrots as they are usually more inclined to chew up their toys than other types of birds. Bits of toys that are chewed off and accidentally swallowed can cause problems by irritaing the digestive tract, causing a blockage in the digestive system, or even perforating the crop or intestines if they have sharp edges. Various types of toys can cause problems:
Wood: birds love to chew on wood and it is good exercise for their beaks, but watch to make sure they are not swallowing sharp splinters.
Plastic: stick with tough toys like acrylic, but you still need to watch that your bird is not destroying the toy and swallowing the pieces. For most parrots, softer or flimsy plastic toys will be quickly shredded.
Bells: make sure the clapper of the bell (the hanging bit that hits the side of the bell to make the bell's sound) is firmly attached as these can be quickly removed and swallowed by a bird (and as mentioned previously, beware of clappers that contain lead). Similarly, spherical shaped bells with slits can be peeled open and the metal piece from inside can be swallowed.
Fabric and fluff: play huts and tents are becoming more popular, but there have been reports of birds getting caught in loose threads or ingesting the fluffy material from these. Again, if you use these items watch your bird carefully to make sure he/she is not eating it, and inspect it regularly for loose threads.
This is a risk mainly with hanging toys such as rope toys or hanging chain toys, but it can also happen with any toy that has a space large enough that your bird can get its beak, head or foot stuck. If a bird gets stuck it can seriously injure itself by thrashing around and can die from such injuries as well as strangulation.
Some common culprits
Cotton rope toys: these are best used only under supervision because sometime the threads unravel and leave a risk of strangulation or entanglement. Cotton rope is sometimes alo shredded and ingested. Sisal rope is considered a safer alternative.
Hanging Chains: metal chains with small gaps in the links are a risk for snaring toenails and sometimes beaks. Also watch for links (metal or plastic) that are large enough to trap your bird's feet or head.
Clips and Rings: lanyard type clips (the kind that are kind of tear drop shaped with the sides of clip overlapping and open by squeezing the sides of the clip and close again when the pressure is released) can trap beaks and toenails. Split rings (key chain rings) are also notorious for trapping beaks on parrots. Parrots are at a much greater risk from these than other birds due to their beak strength and dexterity. C-links or "Quick Links" are a much safer choice, as long as you avoid those containing zinc (see above).
Bells: spherical bells with slits for openings (and a loose pellet of metal inside that makes a jingling sound) can trap your bird's beak.
Loose Threads: fabric items like huts and cage covers can have threads come loose and entangle toes and other body parts. Any fabric items must be inspected regularly.
Holes: any toy with holes or gaps can pose a problem if the hole is just the right size to trap a toe, beak, or head. Be sure to watch your bird closely with a new toy at first and be wary of potential problems such as this.
Swallowing Toys:Again, this is likely to be a problem with parrots as they are usually more inclined to chew up their toys than other types of birds. Bits of toys that are chewed off and accidentally swallowed can cause problems by irritaing the digestive tract, causing a blockage in the digestive system, or even perforating the crop or intestines if they have sharp edges. Various types of toys can cause problems:
Wood: birds love to chew on wood and it is good exercise for their beaks, but watch to make sure they are not swallowing sharp splinters.
Plastic: stick with tough toys like acrylic, but you still need to watch that your bird is not destroying the toy and swallowing the pieces. For most parrots, softer or flimsy plastic toys will be quickly shredded.
Bells: make sure the clapper of the bell (the hanging bit that hits the side of the bell to make the bell's sound) is firmly attached as these can be quickly removed and swallowed by a bird (and as mentioned previously, beware of clappers that contain lead). Similarly, spherical shaped bells with slits can be peeled open and the metal piece from inside can be swallowed.
Fabric and fluff: play huts and tents are becoming more popular, but there have been reports of birds getting caught in loose threads or ingesting the fluffy material from these. Again, if you use these items watch your bird carefully to make sure he/she is not eating it, and inspect it regularly for loose threads.
DANGERS OF SOFT PVC TOYS & VINYL PRODUCTS
Bird owners have discovered how much their pet birds enjoy children and baby toys. Many of us spend hours combing childrens' toy stores looking for those special items which we feel our pet birds will like. And since these toys are safe for toddlers we often assume they are safe for our birds.There is now a growing awareness that toys made from SOFT PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or vinyl contain toxic chemicals as well as lead and cadmium.
Chemicals from soft PVC (vinyl), if chewed upon, can leach into the mouth and when ingested can cause a variety of tumors, organ damage and abnormalities in children and animals.
In addition, a laboratory analysis of a number of common vinyl products demonstrated that they release toxic metal dust to their surfaces. This dust, contaminated with lead and cadmium can enter the body via licking, chewing, inhalation, and hand-to-mouth transfer. Lead isa well known toxin. Cadmium is a known carcinogen and kidney toxin.
A list of some of the toys which contain soft PVC and two press releases on the subject from Greenpeace are included below. A fuller list of PVC and safe non-PVC toys, as well as more detailed information can be found at the Greenpeace website: http://www.greenpeace.org/pvctoys
Chemicals from soft PVC (vinyl), if chewed upon, can leach into the mouth and when ingested can cause a variety of tumors, organ damage and abnormalities in children and animals.
In addition, a laboratory analysis of a number of common vinyl products demonstrated that they release toxic metal dust to their surfaces. This dust, contaminated with lead and cadmium can enter the body via licking, chewing, inhalation, and hand-to-mouth transfer. Lead isa well known toxin. Cadmium is a known carcinogen and kidney toxin.
A list of some of the toys which contain soft PVC and two press releases on the subject from Greenpeace are included below. A fuller list of PVC and safe non-PVC toys, as well as more detailed information can be found at the Greenpeace website: http://www.greenpeace.org/pvctoys