Sharing food with your bird

[Laurie]

I'm curious as to what you guys think about sharing food with your bird (i.e. giving him a bite of something you've bitten off of, or letting him play with a straw that you've sipped from).

I know it's not a good idea if you're sick, but is it ok if you're healthy?

This is not addressed in my parrot book.

Thanks!

[Tari]

I could of sworn lovemygrey made a post a while back about why we should not kiss our birds. As soon as I can find it Ill link it. Or mabye someone can help me out?

The same would apply for food.

I know its a no no but that post explains why it is a no no.

[Talon]

Talon always shares whatever we are eating as long as it's something she is allowed to have. And she loves stealing the straws out of my kids juice boxes and chewing on them.

[Tari]

Ok this is one of the things I found about sharing food.

Don't Kiss Your Bird and Other Common Mistakes Bird Owners Make

 

by Roxanne Hawn

Article borrowed from PetSmart.com

 

People remain mystified by the magic of our feathered friends. Be it their ability to fly or their fantastic plumage, we just can't seem to get enough of them. So it's no surprise that birds are being kept as pets in increasing numbers. However, because birds are so very different from the dogs and cats who most often live in our homes, their proper care remains a mystery. So much so, that people commonly make mistakes when caring for their pet birds -- even with the best of intentions.

 

To help set the record straight of these confusing issues, we consulted with Brian Speer, DVM, a board certified avian veterinarian, 2000 president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, and co-author of Birds for Dummies.

 

Why Mammal Saliva and Birds Don't Mix

Birds mouths are much cleaner than ours. And, ours are much cleaner than say a cat's. When it comes to birds, the most dangerous organism in any mammal's mouth is something called Pasteurella multocida. Once introduced onto or into a bird, Pasteurella multocida can become a "very infectious organism," says Speer, crossing membranes, entering the blood stream, and taking a bird from perfect health to death in as little as one hour.

 

That means a bird that is attacked by a cat, even if the injuries look minor, can be in serious trouble. The bird's instinct will be to clean the wounds by licking them. Doing so, the bird ingests this dangerous organism and may be starting a chain of events that leads to serious illness and even death.

 

According to Speer, this same organism can be found to a lesser extent in dog and human saliva. "Unless it's a really wet kiss," chuckles Speer, "It's not a real danger to kiss them." However, he warns that safety precautions should be taken to prevent any cats or dogs (no matter how well-behaved) from "kissing" your pet bird -- even if it does look cute. Sharing food with your bird can also be a bad idea. For example, if you bite off a piece of apple before feeding it to your bird, your saliva is on that piece of food and can be introduced into your bird's system.

 

"In general, the rule of thumb is that you don't want saliva and pet birds to mix," says Speer. "From an academic sense, there is some risk [to kissing your bird], but I've never seen a sick bird from human saliva. I have seen it with dogs and cats."

[Guest Monique]

Yep - no slobbering on our birdies!! But food sharing or chewing on a straw - I do it ... .

[Laurie]

Thank you!

[Talon]

Our vet strongly advises against our practice of sharing with our bird, but we do it anyways and try to be careful about it. B) And no wet kisses in this house to our bird!:pinch:

[Guest briansmum]

brian always gets a bite of what i'm having (if he's allowed it) but i offer him the opposite side to the one i've been eating. and i try and avoid letting him steal my straws, but sometimes he's too sly. i'm trying to get into the habit of bringing an extra straw in with me that way he thinks he's pulled a fast one, but i get to keep my straw and he doesnt get and icky human germs

[lovemyGreys]

Good advice beccy, it's fine to share a little of what we have with out birds,but offer a piece of food you have eaten, this is safer than giving your bird a titbit they may have had contact with your saliva.

 

Here is the link Tari mentioned.

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/african-grey/28325-to-kiss-or-not-to-kiss-.html#28761

[magicalem]

my grey has biten on my tounge before - playing though & I have let him - I should really put a stop to this - right... I will not let him do this again..... xxx

[lovemyGreys]

:ohmy: yes you must stop it apart from the fact he may well bite to hard one day it's not good to let your grey come into contact with your saliva.If you missed the link before here it is again

 

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/african-grey/28325-to-kiss-or-not-to-kiss-.html#28761

[DUKEdevils36]

I never got bit on the tongue but one time when I tried to kiss Duke his beak inbetween my lips and I made the mistake of pulling away in a panic and when I did that he started to fall off balance and really bit into my bottom lip. {Feel-bad-00020080}

[judygram]

Ouch, now that hurt, sorry you got bit in the bottom lip, be more careful next time or will it be a next time:ohmy: :laugh:

[DUKEdevils36]

I miss Duke too much when im away at college to not give him a few kisses when I go home.