Is Laminate Flooring Toxic to Birds?

In general, imitation-wood laminate flooring is safe for pet birds. However, improperly sealed laminate floors may emit harmful chemical fumes; a bird may also become ill if it ingests pieces of the laminate or glue.

  1. Types of Laminate Flooring

    • Most laminate floors are made of snap-together boards, which are installed without glue. Older style laminate flooring requires glue to join the boards together.

    Potential Toxins

    • Fumes from flawed flooring present the greatest danger to pet birds. Laminate floors contain formaldehyde, which can leak if the product is not correctly finished. Even low concentrations of formaldehyde may injure or kill a bird by causing the bird's lungs to bleed.

    Considerations

    • A bird's respiratory system is extremely sensitive to airborne toxins. Usually, if you can smell a gas, then the concentration is high enough to be potentially lethal for birds. Symptoms of poisoning may include labored breathing, erratic wing flapping, head or tail bobbing, vomiting, shaking and abdominal swelling.

    Warnings

    • Laminate flooring technology has improved over the last decade, presenting a very low health risk for pet birds. However, because worn laminate may leak low levels of by-product fumes, regularly inspect your laminate floors for cracks and surface wear.

    Solutions

    • Consider buying an air filter to keep your bird healthy. Air filters come in floor and tabletop models and remove impurities from the air like dust and household odors. Opening windows also helps keep inside air clean.