Bird Toys and Safety: Could the Toys You Purchase Harm Your Pet?
| While there are a multitude of toys on the market for pet birds, selecting safe toys is of immense importance because injury and even death could occur if you are not conscious of the possible hazards. Also, when selecting toys for your bird, you must also be cognizant of the size of the toy as compared to the size of your bird, that is, you do not want to pick out a toy that is too large for your bird, or that is too small.
There are several basic problems that may cause toys to be dangerous. One includes toxicity, which can cause poisoning due to chemicals or heavy metals included in the toy that may be ingested by the bird. Another hazard is ingestion and choking, in which sections of the toy may be able to be chewed or ripped apart and swallowed. The final basic danger is entanglement, in which the toy may cause parts of the body to become stuck while playing with the toy. Toxicity in toys seems to be the main underlying cause of many bird illnesses as heavy metals such as zinc and lead may be contained in bird toys. An example would be chains used to attach the toys to the side of the cage. Lead has been discovered in bells and in some plastic toys on the market as well. When shopping for bird toys, it is best to select those that guarantee that they are zinc and lead free. |