The Kiss Of Death- Do Not Swap Spit With Your Pet Bird
72
Bacterial Alert
I know how tempting and cute it is to give your birdies kisses and let them take food from your mouth but it is very dangerous to your birds. Many of us do not think about catching anything from our birds but the danger we do not think of is us infecting them!
Do Not Let Your Bird Come In Contact With Your Saliva!
The human has a different digestive system and immune system from the bird. It is said that the human mouth is one of the most nastiest places on earth. Many of the common pathogens, (like E-Coli) in our mouth may not make us sick but are devastating to our birds.
Many people are not aware of this. Please pass it on. It may save yours or a friends parrot.
Do Not Chew Their Nuts
LMAO! I know that sounds funny. I have heard of people letting unweaned parrots eat from their own mouth. Even chewing the nuts for them. For pets sake do not do this.
I have known people that have had a pet parrot that has become sick and even died and could not figure out why. I am not saying for sure this is what happened but it makes you think.
I have heard that human saliva being poison to parrots is just a myth, but then I have heard of people having a young healthy parrot dying and believing it was from human saliva.
Anyway, think about it, birds have a low immune system so if we are sick or maybe drank or ate something that was harmful to the bird it makes sense that it may hurt them.
Just a heads up!
Free Parrot Information
- Your Parrot Place - Food,...
High quality parrot food, toys and supplies! Natural and organic parrot food. Harrison's, Totally Organics, ZuPreem, Noah's Kingdom, Beak Treats seeds and many other popular parrot foods.
More Fantastic Bird lover Links
- How To Make - BIRD SEED ORNAMENT RECIPES
I used to think that birds were noisy and messy. I don't feel that way anymore.When I started planting flower beds I noticed different birds coming around. I started watching them. The more I watched the more... - The Great Blue Jay
As you all can tell by now I am a bird watcher. It is so relaxing to sit and listen to their calls. I use to think it was dumb when people would talk about watching birds. Who the hell cares about watching... - HOW TO HAVE A BUTTERFLY WEDDING
Everyone loves to watch butterflies. I think that when we see the butterfly take flight we can imagine our self taking off fluttering through the air. Flower hopping all over the garden. RAISING AND... - Recycled Bird Feeders That Attract Orioles
This year I think I will take on the task of trying to attract Orioles to my yard. I really do not want to buy any new bird feeders just for them because I do not know if any Orioles will come. I have read...
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (18)
- Funny
- Awesome (9)
- Beautiful (1)
- Interesting
Do You Have Some TipsLoading...
Will, you are so funny! Most everyone I know that owns birds do this.
Good advise Granny this is something I never knew. I am also Laughing at WillStarr's comment.
You always see people on the pet shows kissing their bird. I had no idea how deadly this could be to you bird. I have never heard this warning before. It takes a hubber to dig out the facts! Great hub. Voted up Helpful
I know people that kiss their birds. I am sending this to them. Vote up and useful and hitting all buttons.
A interesting hub. I admit to having 'kissed' most of the parrotlike birds I have owned. I should know better. Many years ago whilst rearing a Grey Turacao I was advised to premasticate ripe papaya for the bird. As I had failed to rear the previous hatchlings I was keen to try anything. So I chewed up papaya ten times a day and succeeded in rearing the chick, partially on my saliva. I have never much liked ripe papaya since.
Your advice is correct though. Zoonoses is just a word to some. Thank you.
I had a Sun Conyer that I found an excellent home for prior to my finding new digs after my divorce. He was beautiful, but lonely. He has now fallen in love!!! I cannot imagine even trying to feed my bird mouth to beak!! I'd be minus an upper lip! Pet caregiver's need to fully understand specific health concerns of any future pets before purchase. Birds that are properly taken care of, which is the responsibility of all pet lovers, can outlive their caretakers. Proper feeding, specific characteristics of pets, including zoonomic concerns, the optimal environment, both physically and psychologically (birds need company) and expense are important considerations in acquiring your next new friend. Making informed decisions not based on a whim, give the critter and you and your family the happily ever after scenario we all enter this responsibility hoping for. Even though "Sundance" is no longer living with me (Sun Conyer's are screamers) in an apt, he is happier than ever with his companion conyers in a home that suits him to a 'T'. Great piece of writing, Granny's House, and should be required reading before bringing birdie home.
I have a cockatoo and an african grey, among dogs, cats, a rabbit, a hedgehog and fish. I knew about the danger of this. My birds ask for affection. They like to be hugged when I hold them and to stroked by their ears. I kiss them on the beak, they rub their beaks on my nose. It is a safe way to give them what they require. You have to own birds to realize bonds are formed as with any pet and that is why people do things like this. Well done and informative article. Pet owners need to be educated about the pet they are taking home.
First of all your avatar is spectacular. I love it!
And thanks for this so important hub. More than ever I am reading this about dogs - we should not kiss them - we should not even have them in our beds. Our germs cannot be good either to pass on to our pets. It's time to use common sense. Love does not mean spreading disease.
Rated up and more. Thanks again.
I will be sure to pass this on to my friend. She does this all of the time and I doubt she is aware of the dangers. Thank you.
Thanks for this info, I'm looking to acquire a bird in the next year, and want to be prepared with all the info possible. I'm going to get a parrotlet (there is a breeder near me). I love the idea of a Grey parrot or a Conure, but I don't want to start with a challenging bird (it will be my first bird), and also I know large parrots are very long lived, and i am middleaged.
Maybe, if i really become a bird person I will take a rescue parrot, one which is older and has lost it's home due to owner passing. I read that b/c parrots are much more challenging than most people realize, there is a growing population of older birds needing homes. But this is something I would only do after having more bird experience.
You bring up a good point about birds, also humans can get infected with histoplasmosis from the bird's feces. I would love to have a parrot. They are so smart. Thank you.
Great advice for bird owners. They love there birds just like they would a dog or cat, so they might do something not realizing the consequences. Thanks for the advice.
Why can't people love their pets but treat them as animals. Same when I see doogs likcing all over faces.
Susan, thanks for commenting. I know Will is great
2besure, a friend of mine has birds and she sent me this warning to pass on.
Healing, thank you for sharing The Kiss Of Death. I know it sounds a little dramatic, but I wanted to get the word out.
Peter, thank you so much for the story and your input.
Amy, so happy Sundance found a love. So sorry you had to give him up. You are so right, people do need to research before buying any pet.
Tina
toknow, yes they are very loving. You can give them affection with out putting them in danger. Thank you for reminding us of this.
Tina
Bk, great to see you here my friend. Thank you for your input. We love our pets and do need to remember they are animals, there fore need different care then humans
Tina
school. thank you so much for helping to spread the word.
Gracce, I am so happy you are taking the time to research before buying a bird. They are great company and friends and deserve the best.
Good luck. Stop back and let us know what kind you choose
Tina
Always, it is always great to hear from you. Thank you for the tip on bird feces.
Hello, you hear it all the time on The Dog Whisperer. He says dogs are animals and should be treated that way. You are human , Do you want to be treated like an animal????
Pam, thank you for your visit. I think you are right
Yes I have read for years now our germs are more dangerous to pets than their germs to us. My cat and I give mock kisses, and she is the only cat I have ever known to come for a kiss like a dog and she only did it for me and Mom. We say give me a kiss and she comes and sticks the face up til she hear the smooch sound,,then walks on. Sixteen years and counting!
Thank you Granny for all the interesting facts in this hub. I was totally unaware of these facts before, though not owning a bird may account for this. But I will pass on information to bird owning friends. Thanks!
Polly, that is so cute. My daughter has a rescue cat and it is fearful of people. She will only come to her.
Mary, you are welcome and thank you for visiting and commenting.
Very useful and a sound warning! Thanks for sharing.
Love and peace
Tony
Tony, thank you for stopping by
She is sleeping almost day and night I think her time is almost up, but she looks fine, pets grow on you like kids, huh?
Polly, Cats are so friendly. They just love to be cuddled and petted.Sixteen years is a good life. Our cat Peewee lived to be 14. She walked off one night and never came back. Someone told us cats are known to do that when they are ready to go.
Thanks for the great pet care health tip, I don't think I'll be sharing kisses with any cats, dogs or birds... Hmmm thanks for the kiss of death do not swap spit with your pet bird, very informative. :) Katie
katie, you are so funny. Happy to see you. people really do not think there is anything wrong with kissing or feeding their pets from their mouths
Dear Granny's House, thank you for this great article on Bird Care. We become a flock, if we are truly bird owned, we do share food. She eats from a common spoon, when we eat our yogurt and cereal. Thanks again!
Hey Lilly girl! Good to see you. You better STOP that you are going to make her sick. LOL
I love birds. I also enjoyed your witty words. Don't worry: I will heed your advice. :-)
James, my friend where have you been? Good to see you again
Be kind to your birds
Tina
I have teil hen that bonded with me and was left with me after a divorace. I had never had any experance with birds as pets prior to this. I would offer my bird food but she wanted what was in my mouth, so I would take a piece of cracker or peanut and hold it in my lips and offer it to her, thinking that it was how birds interacted. She got sick on me and I rushed her to the nearest bird vet about 40 miles away. After he checked her out the vet told me that she had a form of yeast infection in her gut and he asked me if I had ever passed food to her as I had. When I told him that I had, he scoulded me about it and explained much of what you told us, I had no idea of it. Anyhow she came through it, but she could very well have died if I hadn't rushed her to the vet as soon as I noticed that she wasn't well. It was then that I decided to learn all that I could to ensure that I never put my bird at risk ever again. Never offer a bird chocolate either, my hen got a small piece of chocolate chip cookie that was on my kitchen table before I notice what she had and it wired her up bad. I was scared it was going to kill her, and it was just the cookie part not the actual chocolate chip. Because of that I will not bring any chocolate in to the house, to ensure that she doesn't ever have the opportunity to get into it.
Ron, thank you so much for posting your story. I am sure it will help many with birds
WillStarr Level 8 Commenter 14 months ago
Yuck!
Who would do that!