Air fresheners can make your home smell better, but are they bad for parakeets? Are they safe to use around pets? Are there other ways that pet owners can get rid of unpleasant odors in their homes without using air fresheners or other chemical-based products? These are all good questions. We will answer them and more in this article!
Are Air Fresheners Safe For Parakeets?
Air fresheners are designed to mask the smell of other odors in your home. Some parakeet owners may put an air freshener near the cage to mask the smell of their pet's droppings or urine.
But are they safe for parakeets? The answer to this question is, it depends. It is important to note that not all air fresheners are created equally and that there is a difference between “unscented” and “scentless.”
The former means that the air freshener does not have any sort of artificial fragrance in it. This type might be better for parakeets because it doesn't require the use of any sort of fragrances that may be harmful.
The latter, on the other hand, means that there is no fragrance in it to mask unpleasant smells. Parakeets might not like this type and may find it more difficult to breathe or feel congested if they are exposed to air fresheners made this way.
Toxic Chemicals That Are Dangerous To Parakeets
Many air fresheners contain toxic chemicals, which can be very dangerous to your pet birds and other animals in the household. When your parakeet ingests these chemicals in the air freshener, it can cause poisoning and death.
Some of these chemicals include:
– Ammonia
– Ethanol
– Isopropyl alcohol
– Benzalkonium chloride (BZK)
In general, it's a good idea to avoid using any type of chemical-based products around pets when possible.
Not All Air Fresheners Are Dangerous, Though!
There are many different types of air freshener – look for ones that say they're safe for pets and children before purchasing them. They might still have chemicals in them, but potentially less harmful ones and they will provide usage directions that are safe for pets.
However, if you wish to steer clear of chemicals altogether and would rather be on the safe side of things, it would be best to do without or find a natural remedy.
Alternative, Safer, Natural Air Fresheners
If you are still in need of a parakeet-safe way to make your house smell better without using an air freshener, you are in luck, as you have a few other natural options!
One method is by boiling some cinnamon or cloves in water on the stove.
You can also make your own all-natural (and parakeet safe) air freshener using baking soda and apple cider vinegar with essential oils of lavender, citrus, or peppermint added to it.
Whenever possible, ensure the rooms in the house are well ventilated and open windows to let in the fresh air.
Some people like to use potpourri made from natural ingredients such as mint, cinnamon sticks, cloves, oranges, or lemons. Or, dried lavender bundles to fragrance the home.
If You Still Decide To Buy An Air Freshener, Read This…
If you do decide to use an air freshener with your bird, then it's important not to spray it directly into the cage where the bird will breathe in all of the mist from it.
The best way to do this is by placing the air freshener high up in a place where it will be able to disperse its scent into the room but not directly at your bird.
Also, be mindful of how much you spray if you are using a canister and, likewise, where you place it if you are using a wall-mounted/plug air freshener.
