Hey everyone. Just wondering about getting some info from some cockatiel owners out there. What do you guys do to help keep the dust down? I don't really have a huge problem with it, but just thought I might ask if someone has found something better than thouroughly cleaning everyday. Thanks for the advice!
Not much you can really do about it. Cockatiels are famous for their large levels of feather dust, which is why they aren't recommended for people with dander allergies.
There's a possibility that there might be a product on the market that reduces it though, idk. Something worth looking into if your having feather dust problems.
But beyond regular cleaning, I don't think there's much that can be done about it.
I am afraid there is nothing, short of running a vac around the cage every day, you do can about the dust.. Actually- the most dust you should be proud of your self- THAT MEANS YOU HAVE A HEALTHY BIRD!
Like I said, I don't really have a problem with dust. We leave the screens off of my windows year round so when I open the window the dust is sucked out. I vaccuum everyday, clean the bottom of the cages weekly, and wipe down the cages with a wet wash cloth regularly to prevent build-up. Every few months we take the cages apart and spray them down outside.
that sounds great jureka= and good job on keeping your birds soooo healthy. I use to use a damp wash cloth too once a week on the furniture other than normal dusting. Your babies are very healthy. If they ever start showing up NOT being dusty, please do to the vet. Like people with parrots= they think that a parrot should have a shiny beak- but if they did- they would be sick...
Haha well guess who has the allergies in my family? Me! And so far, the allegra and obcessive cleaning are doing wonders...I don't have a problem with them at all. But I wouldn't trade those cute, funny, sassy little things anyday!
leave a damp washcloth near the cage, and change like 3 times a day- like when you get up, then when you get home and before you get home. It will attrack most of the dander. And rinse it out the next day, washing it every 3 days.
i saw a bird like that at the pet store but i think it was sick to cause we went back the next day to return somthing and it wasnt there anymore (i think it died)
Thanks for the advice, borzoimom! I will try that. I have an air filter (bird safe, mind you and the screens are off my windows so the dander is sucked out daily when I open them. I can change the cloth before school, after school, and before bed...perfect timings!!! And for doggie20101, what was the bird like? Dusty? Because if it is like what we are talking about the bird would have been in a healthy condition...maybe it was sold? If birds are over dusty, however, there is more than likely an underproblem...
Cockatiels are just dusty by nature...not a whole lot you can do. I recommend bathing your bird regularly...it cuts down a bit. The dust is meant to protect their feathers, so it is actually a good thing. I dust daily and vacuum. Allergens can be cut down by using Febreze Allergy on furniture in the room (just remove you bird first and let him hang out in another room for a minute...since birds have a fantastic respiratory system and therefore can be sensitive to even unscented sprays).
First things first, NO FEBREZE, it has been known to be deadly to birds. I have a huge section on Dangers in the home on my website. http://www.birdscomefirst.org go to the BIRD CARE page and then DANGERS
Next, misting your bird will help. I have greys, tiels and toos. All the major dust makers:-) I use an air cleaner that has a hepa filter. It does a fantastic job of removing almost all of the birdy dust from the air.
Of course, remove your bird and any animal before you spray anything. As long as it isn't in their respiratory system (as in there are no fumes), they are fine.
I'm sorry Shannon but you are incorrect. Take Carbon Monoxide for example, no odor but deadly. Just because we can't smell it does not mean it is harmless. Just because a perfume has not been added to a product in a concentration high enough for our sense of smell to pick it up means very little. It is the chemicals that are deadly not just the chemical that creates an odor for humans to smell.
febreze is known to be deadly not because of the perfume but because of the other chemicals in it.
I have to agree with you Bill. Febreeze is a nasty one for the birds & should not be used at all.
My dust generator can drive me nuts on occations but as everyone else has said, baths with the spray, a bath, shower or any way the tiel prefers will help. I also do ALOT of dusting & vacuuming to help & air out the house well.
For cleaning the house, stick to hot water, cloth & vingar. Vinigar is an excellent agent for sterilizing & eliminating any odours. I also use a 100% natural orange cleaning spray. I'm not sure what you guys would have in the way of this in the US.
If you HAVE to use a chemical for any reason, give the chemicalled spot a thorough rinse in hot water, keep the bird out of that room for a good few days & keep all windows open to air it. But safest of all, don't use chemicals.
Well, I've heard this before about Febreze, but like most uproars in animal deaths...it is quickly fixed. The agent that was bad in Febreze was Zinc Chloride. However, in 1998...they stopped using it. That's quite a while ago. Febreze Allergen Reducer is approved by Iams, and contains mostly water and alcohol. It is lightly fragranced, but other than that..no harmful chemicals. I can understand why you would be concerned, and you should always be cautious with your animals (like my newspaper lining caution). However, I thought this information would be useful in clearing up some old news.
I hadn't heard any of that then. I only know what I hear & see now & I (personally) think it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to cleaning products for the household, but that's because I own a parrot species that's alot more environmentaly & food sensitive than other parrot species.
I do also have to say lightly fragranced is all it takes to cause detramental health to a parrot. A fragrant is also a chemical.
Anyway I'll check it out & see what else I find. It will be interesting to find out the facts about this.
I found some interesting information on Febreeze just by googling "febreeze Ingredients". Everything I read on various websites says it still contains zinc, yep! And a few other chemicals are also in there.
It's also listed in the Material Safety Data Sheet. That's a data sheet for chemical products. I know because we require one at work for every single product used that has chamicals.
Check the bottle ingredients. You can't always trust what is online. But, yes, frangrances can be harmful to birds, and I believe in a report from the Association of Avian Veterinarians, they stated that Febreze is still questionable with its effects on birds due to its fragrances. It is recommended to remove any bird before you spray anything, and to leave them out of the room for up to three hours (time for the chemical to dissipate safely). Although, this isn't true for all chemicals; when we painted the house I had the animals removed for a few days. Our respiratory system is less complex than a bird's; so, it deserves extra caution. Even with a degree in chemistry...I can't really say how Febreze reacts with the atmosphere. It is mainly alcohol and water, from what I read on the tag. It appears to be a standard chemical that will dissipate in the enviroment in up to 2-3 hours; however, use your own judgement with any cleaning products around your house (and animals). Read labels, etc.
and the screens are off my windows so the dander is sucked out daily when I open them. I can change the cloth before school, after school, and before bed...perfect timings!!! And for doggie20101, what was the bird like? Dusty? Because if it is like what we are talking about the bird would have been in a healthy condition...maybe it was sold? If birds are over dusty, however, there is more than likely an underproblem...
