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STRESS: Visiting friends and strangers, decorations and noise can be upsetting to your parrot. Be sure to maintain your birds regular schedule of feeding, playtime and bedtime.
DECORATIONS: Angel Hair, tinsel, garlands, glass ornaments etc can be scary, enticing and dangerous. Many decorations are made of toxic material and they can get lodged in the digestive tract.
CANDLES/FRAGRANCE: Scented candles are irritating to a bird’s sensitive respiratory system, natural bees wax is okay. Do not leave a bid unattended when lit candles are near. Essential oils are toxic when burned, as are lead wicks. Singed feathers and wax burns could be lethal to your parrot. Potpourri, air/ carpet fresheners, cigarette smoke and scented Christmas tree sprays are all irritants. Try using organic cinnamon sticks in warmed water if you feel the need to scent your house.
LIGHTS and ELECTRICAL CORDS: Flashing fairy lights and dangling cords attract birdie beaks. Shocks, burns or death could occur if they are allowed to play with them.
PLANTS:Poinsettias, holly, philodendron, amaryllis, ivy and mistletoe can be dangerous if played with and toxic if ingested.
DRESSING UP BIRDIE: Watch the little ones do not stick bows or drape ribbon around the birds. Ribbon or string may cause internal obstruction if eaten.
FOOD and DRINK: Alcoholic drinks, hot chocolate, coffee, eggnog, cookies, candy, cake and desserts need to be off limits. Be especially careful guests don’t offer fruit from the spiked punch bowl. Avoid carbonated beverages since birds cannot burp, therefore they cannot unlodge bubbles, leading to death. Keep some of your parrot's favourite treats on hand to help your bird feel included with all the family. The best treat during the Holidays is extra attention and love. However, if you want to reward your pet with food, offer a nutritious treat that complements your pet's diet (most parrots will tell you that a good treat is a french fry, but don't necessarily believe it).
NON-STICK COATED SURFACES: Be careful not to overheat non-stick cookware or anything with a non-stick surface. Cleaning the oven? Make sure the windows are open and the birds are no where near.
FIRE: Your fireplace and chimney need to be clean, vented with an open damper and a protective screen. Be careful what you burn. ’Manufactured Logs’ often contain lead or arsenic. Never burn wrapping paper or pressure treated wood.
WRAPPING PAPER: Don ’t allow your bird to play or ingest wrapping paper. Colored papers may contain toxic inks and chemicals. Trees: Don’t let your bird play on artificial trees or real trees that have been sprayed with scents or snow. If you give your bird pinecones as toys, wash them well and allow to dry.
VETERINARIAN: Keep your regular vet and emergency vet clinic numbers handy. Check ahead for holiday hours.
Use an Air Purifier to Avoid Respiratory Problems Birds have very delicate respiratory systems which are easily overtaxed with perfumes, scented candles, odors from the kitchen and overheating of pots and pans (particularly Teflon) at any time during the year. Using an air purifier to keep indoor air quality high is a good idea throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. Be alert about the number of odors that are introduced into your home and keep the exposure to an absolute minimum to avoid respiratory complications in your bird and worse. Using a purifier to filter your bird's air will insure that your bird and you are breathing the cleanest air possible. An excellent resource for a HEPA air purifier to keep your bird's air clean year round is offered by PurerAir - the Bird Air Purifier at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html. Cage Your Bird during Parties Having your bird in its cage during holiday parties is the safest place it can be. This will prevent your bird from encountering dangerous situations such as drowning in a punch bowl, being burned by a hot coffee urn or eating people food that is likely to be on the table and is known to be fatal to birds such as chocolate, alcoholic beverages, sweet, and salty snacks to name a few. Prevent All Contact with Decorations A decorated tree is probably the first place a bird will fly. This is to be avoided as the wires could cause the bird to be hung if he is unable to untangle himself, and many of the ornamental decorations used on the tree that might usually be a part of the bird's diet in the wild are made from substances that are toxic if ingested Provide Adequate Darkness Birds need between 10 and 12 hours of darkness each day to stay healthy. Even though you may stay up late at night, and get up early in the morning more frequently as the holidays approach, your bird still needs its beauty rest. Use a cage cover to insure your bird gets enough down time to stay healthy. Keep the Routine Normal Try to keep your bird's routine as close to normal as possible by maintaining feeding, cage cleaning, hygiene routine, and its interaction with your family the same. Keeping the bird's schedule low-key and on track will prevent anxiety in your bird which can sometimes lead to health issues signaled by symptoms such as feather plucking, aggression, shrieking, loss of appetite, and change in elimination habits
