Animals Matter: Pet Birds Are Extremely Sensitive To Fumes From Paint, Nonstick Cookware

We want to draw the interior of our house, but we have a parrot and we are still trying to figure out what to do in the picture. We know paint fumes can be dangerous to birds. What can we do to ensure safety?

Nancy

Dear Nancy,

It is wise to be careful. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals in paint that are harmful to birds (and, to a lesser extent, other animals and humans) when inhaled. VOCs are released into the air from the paint, after a while they are "released" in the room.

The good news is that low VOC paints are available at any paint store. It is important to note that low VOC does not mean VOC-free. The paint still contains traces of volatile organic compounds. But low VOC paint is definitely safe to use.

You still have to be careful. If you are painting a house, move the bird to another part of the house and spread the painted area in the air. If you're painting your entire house, in addition to using a low VOC paint, ask a friend or local kennel to take care of the birds while you work. Before bringing the bird home, ventilate the house for several days, especially the room where the bird lives. Birds can see drafts from air conditioner vents and low temperatures, so be aware of these conditions.

Because birds are very sensitive to chemicals in the air, I caution bird owners against using Teflon or other non-stick cooking or baking utensils. When heated to high temperatures, these products can release tiny airborne particles that can be fatal if inhaled by birds.

Dear Katy,

My cat loves to use our hallway table as a scratching post. Front desk is $200 so I'm not comfortable. I tried to put a carpet scraper next to him, but he prefers wooden table legs. It's already been through enough. What else can we do?

Carol

Dear Carol,

Whether you spray your table legs with bitter apple product or stick double-sided tape on them to scare your cat away, wrap the legs (temporarily) in foam to stop this behavior and prevent further damage. Next, place rough scratching items, such as a wooden stand, sisal stand, or a double-sided, horizontal scratch box, next to the table.

Start with the cheapest solution, which is a sealed box from scratch (less than $15). Place it near the table and sprinkle it with catnip to attract it. Due to their curved shape, corrugated scratch boxes may attract your cat. Tell me if it works.

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