There has been much controversy over the years about Teflon and how harmful it is to humans however not many bird owners know or realise the tragedy that can be caused by Teflon in their homes with their beloved parrots.
When cooking with non-stick cookware, harmful fumes are released into the air usually at a temperature of around 200 degrees Celsius which is quickly achieved when frying, baking and so on. Birds are very susceptible to the air they breathe as their respiratory system actually circulates the air they breathe twice.
Tragically many bird and parrot owners have learned about using Teflon (Non-Stick Cookware) the hardest way possible: Losing their beloved companion.
I was prompted to write this message of warning today after again reading an absolutely horrible situation that happened to the owner of a 15 year old African Grey.
Here is her letter to warn others of this situation.
Dear Cathy,
A few days ago I got this tragic email from one of my subscribers… who asked if I would please pass it along to you so that you don’t have to go through the same pain she and her family are going through right now.
Please find her message below, and take it SERIOUSLY!
>>> A Subscriber’s Tragic Story:
[Chet,]
I have a horrible incident to share. My hopes would be that you will include this somewhere in your literature to other bird owners and make it readily and painfully obvious information.
Yesterday I was preparing food for my birthday party which is taking place this evening. I brought out a roast to cook, but my oven needed cleaned. In my haste and anxiousness to get prepared, I ignorantly opted to use the [Specific Brand Name Withheld For Legal Reasons] Tabletop Roaster my mom left here at Christmas
time.Within 2 hours my beloved Nicky, 15 year old African Gray Congo, was deceased on the bottom of his cage.
That roaster was NON-STICK Cookware… and is LETHAL to BIRDS.
This is HUGELY important to get out to your readers. I only wish we knew this PRIOR to the incident as he would still happily be calling and singing from his perch. Instead, he’s been buried and is gone forever from our lives. Oh how we miss him so.
I killed my best friend with ignorance. My beloved Nicky. My life, let alone birthday, will never be the same. Nor will my kids who haven’t quit crying… nor my husband who had a hard time burying Nicky last night with us.
I’m doing now what I wish I would have done a LONG time ago…. cleaning my house of anything and everything TEFLON and NON-STICK.
We hope to find another resident for Nicky’s cage… although the hardest realization is that Nicky can never be replaced. We miss him dearly. I am so filled with guilt for my ignorance which caused us to learn the hardest lesson ever.
‘Night Night’ my beloved feathered friend.
Brenda
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