What Is Bird Dander?

Many animal lovers presume that it is less tedious to maintain a pet bird in comparison to a larger animal such as a dog or cat. However, you will be surprised by the additional problems of dust and health that birds are capable of bringing into your home! Undoubtedly, birds make beautiful pets, especially the ones with colored feathers. Nevertheless, if you opt to bring one home, be prepared to handle the mess created by bird dander.

  1. Causes

    • The feather, feather particles and feather dust produced by birds in their housing area is referred to as bird dander. Apart from this, certain birds falling under the category of powder down birds, such as cockatoos, cockatiels and African grays, are known to generate supplementary feather dander known as powder, which you are sure to find sticking to your hand even if you stroke the bird for a short time. Bird dander, more commonly referred to as feather dust, is caused by various bird activities that include preening of feathers, bathing, molting, grooming, playing and exercising. Although dander produced from these activities falls on the ground, the same travels to far away locations through air currents.

    Problems

    • foremost problem posed by bird dander pertains to cleanliness. If you are a clean freak and love your home to be in perfect condition at all times, you are a bad candidate for bird ownership! Bird dander's light weight makes it easily spread throughout the home. Very soon you will find dust over your furniture, floor and electrical appliances. In addition to being a nuisance, bird dander could be financially taxing as well, as it tends to lodge itself in heating ducts, furnace filters and coils of air conditioners, rendering them unserviceable.

    Health Hazards

    • Bird dander is known to cause numerous health problems to household members. Patients suffering from asthma, allergies and other respiratory issues are sure to experience aggravated symptoms of the disease due to presence of bird dander. Some of the other common diseases caused by bird dander include allergic alveolitis or budgerigar dander pneumonicosis, bird breeder's disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and pigeon breeder's disease. All of these diseases are known to affect the respiratory system.

    Reduction

    • To reduce feather dander, carry out activities such as sweeping, mopping and vacuuming on a daily basis. Purchase vacuum cleaners with a HEPA filter, which assists in cleaning the air as well as surfaces. Avoid using carpets in the vicinity of the bird cage. Use vertical blinds instead of drapes to minimize catching dander. Clean the cage regularly and change the cage liner as well. Wear a face mask while performing the cleaning activity to reduce health hazards. Choose bird species that produce less dander or keep fewer birds altogether.