Use of Rustoleum on Birdcages

Rustoleum is a brand name of a product that claims to stop rust from traveling throughout the entire surface of the metal it protects. Unfortunately, this product is harmful to humans and fatal to pets in any amount of contact (breathing, touching, or chewing) because of the toxic chemicals that constitute it. In short, this product is not safe to use on any birdcage (indoor or outdoor).

  1. Warning

    • Birds are particularly susceptible to toxins that may not be harmful to humans. As a result, birds should not be exposed to chemicals of any kind. Rustoleum contains acetone, liquid petroleum gas and titanium dioxide, along with several other chemicals that will kill any bird that inhales the fumes or ingests residue. Daily exposure or overexposure to Rustoleum will also cause cancer; therefore, no birdcage should ever be treated with this product or any product like it. The Material Safety Data Sheet on Rustoleum states that the Environmental Protection Agency has labeled this product as being an immediate health hazard, a chronic health hazard and a fire hazard.

    Quality Verses Price

    • High-quality birdcages should not rust, and if they are rusting, they should quickly be replaced because rust is toxic to birds as well. Quality bird cages are not cheap (even if they are small). Low quality birdcages that are made from zinc and other metals (and alloys) are fatal to all birds. Almost all birds will explore their surroundings by climbing around on the inside of the cage, so even if the bird is a songbird that does not have the chewing habits of a parrot, they are still at risk for ingesting the dried chemicals that are left behind to "protect" the metal.

    Safe Cage Materials

    • While there are many different styles (dome top, flat top, square, or round) the construction of a bird's cage is most important. When selecting a birdcage, the quality of the metal, bar spacing and size should be considered before style and color. All birdcages should be purchased from quality sellers or constructed from untreated, nongalvanized stainless steel. The bar spacing should be narrow enough to prevent the bird from poking its head out to prevent broken necks and injury. The larger the cage the better; smaller cages do not offer birds ample space to perform their natural instances of stretching, climbing, foraging and sleeping. At a minimum, a bird's cage should allow the bird to open his wings completely and turn around without touching the sides of the cage.

    Other Types of Common Household Hazards

    • Along with Rustoleum, there are several household chemicals that are fatal to all birds. Other types of chemical hazards that are toxic to birds include floor cleaners, anything that contains propellant as well as paint, hairspray, perfume and candle fumes. Cleaners such as ammonia, bleach, deodorized sprays and air fresheners contain chemicals that will quickly shut down the respiratory system of the healthiest bird. Cookware and kitchenware coated with Teflon or advertise that they are nonstick produce chemicals that will also collapse a bird's respiratory systems. Never use these chemicals near birds because these fumes are fatal to birds even in small amounts.