Pet Birds and Asthma Attacks - 5 Ways to Avoid Asthma Attacks in Spite of Your Pet Bird

If you own a bird, you probably didn't count on developing a sensitivity to the feathers, dander and dust that would aggravate your asthma. But now that you have totally bonded with your bird, and giving it up is just not an option, here are 5 ways that you can keep your asthma under control and still enjoy your bird.

 

1. Get a Spouse or Friend to Help with Cleaning-If you find that your asthma flares up when you do the necessary cleaning that comes with owning a bird; ask your spouse or a friend to help. This would make a great part time job for a responsible high school or college student.

 

2. Wear a Mask-If you find you must do the cleaning, wear a mask to cut down on the number of particles to which you are exposed. Cleaning frequently will lessen the amount of particles that need to be cleared away. Using a damp cloth and mop rather than sweeping or dusting will keep the air cleaner while you work.

 

3. Use a HEPA Vacuum-Once particles have fallen out of the air onto the furniture, floors, and other surfaces a high efficiency particle arresting vacuum can take the particles off the floor and trap them so they are not sent back into the air. This is healthier for you and your birds.

 

4. Bathe Your Bird-How much your bird will enjoy a bath depends on the type of bird you have, but all birds need to be given an opportunity to bathe. Some prefer a clean bowl of water in the cage, and others would be adventurous enough to share a shower with you if a shower perch for birds was installed. Regular bathing keeps feathers and skin in good condition, and reduces dander considerably. Check with your avian vet for best frequency for our particular bird and before deciding to use anything for bathing other than water. Taking a shower together is another opportunity for you and your bird to bond, and it will help both of you feel better.

 

5. Filter the Air Continuously-Removing the fine particulates of dander, dust, and feathers from the air before they have a chance to clog your bird's air passages and cause infection and before they can get into your lungs and cause you to have an asthma attack is a proactive way to maintain a clean bird room and a healthy home. Using a purifier with HEPA technology will insure that you are removing the most airborne pollutants from the air.