Parrot Toys: material guide

Selecting parrot toys can be a challenge. There is quite a variety of toys available ranging from bullet proof plastic to shreddable piñatas. You have to find the ones that are safe for your birds. How to select the right parrot toy is an art but here is a guide to help you make your selection. In particular, it will provide information on what kind of materials are best for parrot toys.

Parrots, by nature, loves to fly around and look for food. They are also clever creatures that need constant entertainment to keep them from being bored. Hence, when parrots become domesticated, they need similar stimulation and this is where parrot toys come in. While many bird owners might think parrot toys are just playthings but they are actually quite essential to parrots. However, not all toys are safe so you need to choose the right one to avoid causing harm and damage to your birds.

Metal materials: It is a well known fact that parrots like shiny materials. However, not all metals are suitable as parrot toys. Specifically, pick only those where the metal is either nickel- plated or stainless steel. Avoid other metals such Zinc and copper plated metal parts because they are dangerous to parrots and when ingested, can result in death.

Leather materials: Besides metal, you must note the type of leather used in the parrot toys. In particular, the leather must be vegetable tanned and free of chemicals. This is because parrots like to chew on stuff more than anything else. They can literally spend hours just pecking and choking at the leather. If you are not careful, the parrots can accidental swallow some of the leather, which might contain chemicals that cause illness and possibly death to your birds. Also, do not keep leather based parrot toys that have been soiled by the parrots. This is because bacteria can grow on the soiled leather and cause illness to the birds when swallow.

Wood Materials: You might think that wood is a safe material but this is where you are wrong. There are several types of wood that are unsafe for parrots such as oak. It is better to choose parrot toys that are made of pine, poplar, java or manzanita as these wood types are safe for chewing.

Rope materials: Many parrot toys have rope materials. When choosing such toys, keep in mind to trim your parrots' toe nails as this will avoid your birds from getting injured as a result of the nails getting trap in the role. Choose only cotton or sisal ropes because they have not been chemically treated and hence will be safe for parrots chewing on them.

In summary, try to avoid any chemical treated materials. In fact, it is recommended to buy toys which are labeled “100% Organic.” So, keep them in mind when shopping for your parrot toys.