how to control bird dander

Allowing pet birds to bathe is the simplest method to lessen their dander production. The feathers retain moisture against the skin after a bath to prevent it from drying out. The majority of birds enjoy taking baths, whether they come from a birdbath or a brand-new, unopened spray bottle. Lay a birdbath on the bottom of the cage, halfway filled with water. Give Birdie some time to investigate it; if he splashes around and returns, he seems to enjoy it. If not, lightly mist him once a day with a spray bottle.

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If the bird spends time outside his cage, make a note of his favorite spots and make sure to clean them every day. If he is a pilot, take into account his preferred landing spots and takeoff routes. Consider the areas of the house you frequent if he follows you around. Remove droppings with wet paper towels and discard. Wipe down other surfaces with a damp cloth.

Check your furnace filters frequently because when they are full, they can no longer capture airborne allergens like dander. Replace your vacuum’s bags and filters before they get too full, and think about getting one with HEPA (high efficiency particle arresting) filters, which are able to capture more microscopic particles. Some people report good results with air filters, too.

Although it may come as a surprise, birds do, in fact, produce dander, just like other pets. Preening, washing, and sloughing naturally help to release feather, skin, keratin, and other organic matter fragments. The dander takes to the air as the birds flap, dispersing throughout the house.

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Make sure that your bird is able to bathe himself. Apart from that, the remaining tasks involve cleaning, such as vacuuming, sweeping, and replacing newspaper or cage liners. It’s best if your wife doesn’t clean the cage at all, or if she does, wears a face mask, as she is the one who is allergic. Cutting down on the number of birds can be beneficial, as can relocating the cage to an area without carpetingtile, for examplewhich can be very beneficial.

Bird dander is only one component of the picture, as you pointed out.

Air purification devices can be helpful, but some are more effective than others, and their effectiveness is dependent on how well their filters are maintained.
Use the best quality pads and replace the air filter in your home’s HVAC system on a regular basis. There is a rating that is acceptable for removing allergens.
Regularly clean or replace your vacuum’s air filter, or choose a model with premium filters like HEPA.
Indoor plants are a good place to start if mold is a trigger because they produce a lot of it.
Considering your allergies, you might want to consider getting special bedding. There are now bedding options with preliminary scientific findings suggesting that asthmatic patients will fare better.
There are plenty more suggestions, but I only wanted to discuss the most significant ones.

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FAQ

Why does my bird have so much dander?

Feathers can break off during preening or play and drift out of their cages and into the surrounding areas. As new feathers form to replace those that are lost, they emerge covered in a protective keratin, the same substance that makes up our hair and nails, that gradually flakes away producing bird dander.

Is bird dander harmful to humans?

For asthmatics or for people mildly allergic to dander, parakeet bird dander in the lungs triggers an immune response which may manifest in itchy or watery eyes, itchy skin or worse, restriction of the throat. Alveolitis is a condition where the alveoli in the lungs become inflamed.

Can you use an air purifier around birds?

It is best to use an air purifier that has ozone free settings, or ozone levels that are well below the maximum for human safety. In addition to providing cleaner air for your birds, adding an air purifier to your aviary can also help protect you and your family from the dander and debris that birds can produce.