As bird lovers, there are a couple of things that you should bear in mind when you decide to redecorate your home, or that of your precious feathered friend. Apparently that 'canary in a coal mine' situation isn't the stuff of sayings and folklore. Well into the twentieth century coalmines did not have adequate ventilation systems. So miners in the UK and the United States would keep canaries in cages in the mines. These beautiful, little yellow birds are especially sensitive to methane and carbon monoxide so as long as the canary kept singing then the air was safe. A deceased canary signaled an immediate evacuation.
The canary in a coalmine story has strong implications for us bird lovers. All animals are sensitive to toxic fumes, but birds are the most sensitive of all and we need to consider how our actions can affect them.
One of the greatest threats to air quality in a home is the use of paint. Newly decorated walls can off gas volatile organic compounds and toxins for up to six years after application. Therefore, although many people know to remove their birds when redecorating their home, even bringing the birds back in when that new paint smell has gone, may still not be enough to protect them from harmful toxins.
It is important also to remember this basic principal when repainting your bird's cage. Instead of using normal paint and going through the trouble of drying it and making sure that your bird doesn't scratch it and ingest flakes, you may want to look at bird safe paint. Odorless paint means that the paint doesn't contain any toxins or vocs. That new paint smell comes from the solvents that are used in paint to help the paint harden. No voc paint means that they don't contain any solvents and so are safe to use around your birds and are actually better for the environment too.
There are a couple zero voc paints on the market and some of them come in a wide variety of colors and different finishes always remember to read the label to ensure that the paint is actually completely toxin and voc free. Some paints call themselves low voc but actually contain high levels of the stuff that can be dangerous for your birds.
When you have found your bird paint there are a couple of things to bear in mind. Never paint the cage when the bird is in there. Better yet, move your bird to another room or out of the house and make sure that the room is well ventilated. However, if you are using a truly no voc paint then this should not be much of a problem, but all other paints are going to require heavy ventilation to protect your pet. Also make sure that they cage is properly covered without any collection of paint at the joints etc, as this can easily be picked off and ingested. And remember, don't bring your bird back into the room until that new paint smell has gone unless of course you are using odorless paint with zero vocs, and then you can paint away with your bird on your shoulder!
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