Reduce Parrot Dust: 5 Things You Can Do To Get Rid Of Bird Dust

Dust from birds like African gray parrots, cockatoos, cockatoos, and Amazons can seem impossible to remove. As beautiful as these birds are, the dust they produce can be a hazard to both birds and humans. Nothing will completely eliminate it, but here are 5 things you can do to limit the dust you see and breathe.

Provide water for bathing—Providing a water bowl separate and apart from drinking water will encourage your bird to take the proverbial bird bath. Regular bathing will greatly reduce the amount of dust and dander that is available to fly when your pet grooms, flies, shakes, or plays.

You can also make bathing an activity you do together by installing a shower hanger. When you shower, you can take your bird with you and give it a chance to fly in and out of a gentle stream of water whenever it wants. Consult with an avian veterinarian about the best frequency for bathing and a recommendation for a bird-safe shampoo.

Reduce fibrous materials—Drapes, upholstered furniture, wall-to-wall carpeting all make great hiding places for dust. Normal daily activities can cause dust that has settled on these surfaces to rise into the air, creating a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break. Use blinds, wood or tile, and leather that can be thoroughly cleaned and wiped with a damp cloth to completely remove particles.

clean with water—-Using a damp mop to clean floors will trap particles and prevent them from flying off and settling elsewhere. Likewise, using a damp cloth to capture particles on blinds, shutters, and furniture will really get the dust out of circulation.

Give Daily Care to the Cage—-Make sure to change the cage paper every day. Wear gloves and spray it first before removing it. This will minimize the amount of dust that can become airborne. Put dirty paper outdoors so pollutants can’t re-enter indoor air.

Continuously filter the air in the bird’s room—Having a cleaner running 24 hours a day to constantly keep the particulate level down is an efficient, inexpensive, and low-maintenance way to literally keep dust and dander down.

The best type of filter for efficient particulate removal is a HEPA filter (or High Efficiency Particulate Arresting Filter). Designed to remove particles 0.3 microns or larger, it’s a perfect match for your bird’s dust and dander.

Using these 5 tips to address the extra particles your birds produce will provide cleaner air for both you and your bird. And clean air can greatly extend the life of your bird, and yours too.