Dangerous Toys
Any toy has the potential to be dangerous- small bits can be chewed off and swallowed, toes can get caught in chain, tongues can get stuck in the clapper of a bell. But some toys pose more glaring, obvious hazards then others. The following toys are toys that have had repeat offenses with multiple birds, and have been posted by their owners as 'dangerous'.
Bird Kong has been tested by the veterinarians at the University of California, Davis. The toy, originally made for dogs, has high levels of zinc in the rubber and was deemed unfit for parrots. The high zinc levels could easily lead to zinc toxicity.
Flower Power Foot Toy is manufactured by JW Pet Toys. Their avian line is called Insight Pet Products. This toy comes in both small and large, with cockatiel and electus on the packaging. This product was brought to the attention of bird owners when a Jenday conure threw the toy off his cage, cracking the toy open to reveal an unknown substance. This substance has been discovered by many who have the toy in their possession, and has been repeatedly reported as 'shrapnel like'.
Windchimes this toy was purchased at a local petsmart by an owner for her beloved quaker. The bird caught his head in the spiral of the toy, and as a result almost hung himself. The owner has deemed this toy 'unsafe'. Interestingly, when trying to put a negative report of this toy on the Petsmart website in the feedback area, the feedback is never posted.
Pumace Rock this comes available in the form of a perch (also marketed as lava rock) and strung in small chunks on toys. These products have the potential to be harmful to fids, because of the natural formation of pumace. Pumace is an indegnious rock. Igneous rock is formed as a result of volcanic action, as gas bubbles and cools. This results in a very lightweight, porus material we know as pumace. The pumace can contain amounts of natural metals that may pose a hazard to our birds.
Beads and Bells this was a toy purchased by a member of an internet forum for her umbrella cockatoo. Upon taking it home, the owner discovered the metal chain upon which the toy was based was rusty. The bell used on the toy was also not stainless steel (the safest alternative, whereas other metals can pose hazards) but the color was painted on and the material that made the bell was of unknown origin. The owner deemed this toy unsafe.
Millet Holder this toy was purchased by a member of CCF, for her smaller birds. She was warned that smaller birds can easily get headsand/or limbs stuck in the holder. Larger birds can easily snap the plastic, posing a danger as well.
Shoelace toy This toy is made of no-tie shoelaces. These shoelaces have a possibility of wrapping around your birds feet (or for smaller birds, neck) and can pose a definate danger.