Thanksgiving is just around the corner. We’re definitely grateful for birds, and the love and cheer they bring to our lives. Holidays offer Polly all sorts of chances to get into mischief, so you’ll want to take a few steps to keep her safe. A local Fayetteville, NC vet offers some advice on that in this article.

Keep Birds Out Of The Kitchen

Kitchens should always be a no-go zone for birds: there are just too many potential hazards for them. Hot pans of food or liquid can be deadly for Polly. Full sinks are also dangerous. As you may know, birds are also at risk from fumes given off by many types of cookware. Anything with non-stick coating is unsafe. That includes many Teflon pieces, as well as things like turkey bags, waffle irons, and bread makers. Keep your colorful little buddy out of the kitchen. (This will also prevent your feathered pal from sticking her beak into that pumpkin pie.)

Offer Safe Snacks

Food is front and center for many holiday celebrations. Birds can also enjoy a special snack. Just stick with safe, suitable options. Some bird-safe fruits and veggies you may find on a holiday menu include pumpkins, peaches, bell pepper, carrots, cantaloupes, and sweet potatoes. (Many of those red, yellow, and orange fruits and veggies are high in Vitamin A, which is great for both you and Polly.) Your winged pal can also have green beans, sweet peas, and broccoli. That is of course just a partial list, so you’ll want to double check anything you aren’t sure of. It’s also important to know what isn’t safe for birds. That list includes chocolate, avocado, garlic and onions, caffeine, raw dough, meat, and processed foods. Ask your vet for more information.

Guest Interactions

Birds aren’t as common as dogs or cats: there are about 5 million pet birds here in the US, compared to roughly 63 million dogs and 42 million cats. This is important because many people just won’t know the do’s and don’t of interacting with birds. You may want to keep Polly in her cage during the busiest parts of the day. Be extra vigilant when people are coming and going. You don’t want your colorful pet going out an open door! That doesn’t mean your feathered buddy can’t take part in the celebration, though. This can be a great time for her to charm people with tricks or phrases!

Happy Thanksgiving! Please contact us, your Fayetteville, NC veterinary clinic, anytime!