FAQ: Health for birds

A bird returning from a show or fair is worth keeping apart and watching for a while. After the visit, wash your hands, change your clothes and clean the carrier before touching your other birds.

Dishes and soiled litter are usually dealt with daily, the tray, perches and toys weekly, and the whole cage is washed and disinfected thoroughly less often, for example monthly. More birds or a smaller cage call for more frequent cleaning.

The safest for a bird's cage are hot water, a mild unscented detergent and disinfectants made for bird equipment, used according to the label. After cleaning, rinse the cage well and dry it.

Birds' respiratory systems are very sensitive, so fumes from strong products can harm them faster than people. Chemical residues left on the cage can also get into the bird's body when it chews the bars.

Diluted vinegar helps remove limescale and dried droppings, but it is not a strong disinfectant. After cleaning with vinegar, rinse the cage and dishes thoroughly in clean water and dry them.

Move the bird elsewhere, wash the dirt off the cage, then use a bird-safe disinfectant, keeping to the contact time on the label. Afterwards rinse the cage, dry it and air the room.

First soften dried droppings with warm water or leave the tray to soak, then clean them off with a brush or scraper. Do not scrape dry droppings dry, as this raises dust that should not be breathed in.

Scrub perches with a brush in hot water and dry them completely before putting them back, as mould grows in damp wood. Badly cracked or worn perches are better replaced with new ones.

Plastic and metal toys can be washed in hot water, while wooden and rope toys can be wiped and dried well. Toys that are falling apart, frayed or heavily soiled are better thrown away, as a bird's feet can get caught in loose threads.

Changes in the colour, consistency or amount of droppings are often one of the first signs that something is wrong with a bird. If the changes last more than a day or the bird seems lethargic, contact a vet.

Paper, bird sand or pellets are often used. Paper makes it easy to see the droppings, and any litter needs changing often, avoiding dusty or strongly scented types.

Mould grows on damp litter, leftover fresh food or wet seed. Its spores can harm a bird's airways, so mouldy litter and food must be thrown out and the cage cleaned and dried.

Some parrots, such as cockatiels, African greys or cockatoos, produce a lot of feather dust, which builds up in the room and can irritate the airways of people with allergies. Regular bathing of the bird, frequent cleaning and airing help.

An air purifier with a filter can reduce feather dust and other particles in the air. Avoid devices that produce ozone and any fragrance add-ons, as they can harm a bird's airways.

It matters to change the litter regularly, keep the place dry and well ventilated, clean the dishes and protect the feed from rodents and wild birds. Separate sick birds and contact a vet.

Wash the used cage thoroughly, disinfect it with a bird-safe product according to the label and dry it well. Wooden perches, toys and the nest box are usually safer replaced with new ones, as they cannot be cleaned completely.

Yes, some bird diseases and bacteria, such as salmonella, can be passed to people. Wash your hands after cleaning the cage, handling the bird and before eating, especially if there are children at home.

When pans and other cookware with a non-stick coating overheat, they release fumes that can kill birds within a very short time. Do not keep birds in the kitchen, and ventilate well while cooking.

Yes, aerosols, fragrances, scented candles and incense fill the air with substances that irritate birds' sensitive airways. It is better not to use them in a room where a bird lives.

Yes, tobacco smoke harms a bird's airways, and nicotine residue on your hands can get onto its feathers and skin. Do not smoke around the bird, and wash your hands before handling it.