Polly Wants To Live Parrot Toys Becoming More Toxic
Birdtricks.com (http://www.birdtricks.com.com/) one of the leading suppliers of bird training videos in America, released a report today detailing high toxicity levels in common bird toys, and they state that these toxins are killing parrots, lots of parrots.
Chet Womach, the founder of birdtricks.com is alarmed at the amount of parrots being affected. "We hear from thousands of bird owners how poorly made toys are harming their pet parrots, or even killing them in some circumstances. There are currently no US regulations on how pettoys are made and thus, toys are made the most inexpensive way possible, even at the risk of the pet they intend to serve."
One of the major problems is that parrots, like other animals, play by putting objects in their mouths and chew on them continually. This is normal behavior for a parrot, but when chewing on toys that contain poisons such as lead paint, zinc which is used in metal manufacturing, or poly plastics, the toy then becomes a toxic cocktail. Parrots that consume these types of toys may have serious medical issues such as regurgitation, depression, seizures, weakness, and the list goes on.
Womach states, "parrots are used to consuming the very things they play with because of their constant chewing. A parrot finds the chewing stimulating and it's quite good for them, however consuming un-natural materials is horrible for a birds health." He ads, "Would you let your child chew on and consume toys made with lead paint I hope not."
Recent reports by American Veterinarian Association and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) note concerns about contaminants and toxins in pet toys. Dr. Steve Hansen, Director of the ASPCA stated in one report that, "the use of lead-based paints or materials in any pet toy is inappropriate."
Womach says the solution is simple, "Give your birds natural fiber toys that emulate their real environment. Natural toys provide parrots a healthy alternative to mass-production toys found in all pet stores, and parrots benefit from the clean, natural ingredients that they can chew, rip and shred all they want, just like in the wild." Womach says parrot toys should consist of natural ingredients like palm husks, cuttle bone that is rich in calcium, coconut shells and human-grade, consumable food coloring. "Toys made this way ensure a happy, healthy parrot who bites less, screams less, is more energetic and is well stimulated just like in nature" said Womach.
"BirdTricks.com supplies healthy, natural toys as an alternative to mass-produced toys found in pet stores and other major retailers." He continues, "BirdTricks.com/parrot-toys has an amazing line of natural parrot toys that are a great value and that birds love. We encourage bird owners to carefully inventory their bird's toy collection and see if toys may be causing a health risk to your beloved bird."
Womach states that replacing a birds toys regularly will help the bird feel like it does in nature, having plenty of options to chew on, which will make your bird a more pleasant and healthy bird. "Birds love variety and require it to remain stimulated, happy and non-aggressive. A constant supply of fresh, natural toys will reap huge rewards for your relationship with your parrot!"
BirdTricks.com has been supplying bird videos since 2002 and is a leader in bird training, and Bird Toys (http://www.birdtricks.com/parrot-toys) Chet Womach is an expert bird trainer andis often referred to as the "bird trainer to the stars." To learn more about all natural parrot toys, visit BirdTricks.com