Toxic to Parrots

Question
Hi, I know aerosols are toxic to my bird I was wondering if that includes perfume.  The perfume I wear is not a spray on, but an oil that I put on my skin.  Still, it has a scent so I was wondering if it is still toxic to my bird and if I should stop wearing it.  Have you ever heard of cases where birds have become sick or dies from owners wearing perfume?  Thanks

Answer
What a very good and caring question. While I've not found any proven cases in science where a bird died from an owner's perfume or fragerance, there are plenty of cases where birds suffered respiratory problems (chronic sneezing, wheezing, etc), skin conditions and feather plucking as a result of these things. It's more often in relatively small spaces, closed rooms and with ongoing exposure.  
 When my birds (various macaws mostly, but on occassion we have smaller rescues being fostered on premises) are exposed to people wearing a lot of fragerance, there is quite often sneezing and I politely open windows or when the weather is poor, I'll usher the individual out and gently explain the birds are "allergic" (which is true).  
 I do not allow anyone to use an aerosol of any kind on premises with avians of any kind.  No air fresheners, no perfumes, no cleaners, nothing.
 Also, no potporri, no plug in air fresheners, no candles, no oil burners, no incense - pretty much if something is displacing oxygen in the air it's not allowed.

It's not the scent that's so much the threat to your feathered companion, but the modality (how it gets there).  Your dab on oils or other scents should be just fine.  If your bird begins sneezing, consider it an allergy or the bird's way of asking you not to wear that much and adjust accordingly.

I'm glad you asked this question rather than just listened to some of the urban legends out there.  Rumors can take on a life of their own.

 See more about bird care and some of our girls

www.4AnimalCare.org