Owners of parakeets, parrots and other domestic birds, do not let your favorite animal kiss your lips anymore!
When it comes to pet birds, many people wonder if it’s okay to share a smooch with them. This question usually arises when the human is looking at their feathered friend and getting jabby with feelings of love and affection, and they find themselves wanting to pass these feelings along.
This little “love” game, which many owners love, may facilitate the transmission of a disease called psittacosis. Also think about this when cleaning his cage. Better to equip yourself with gloves and a mask.
Psittacosis is a zoonosis, transmitted to humans by inhaling aerosols of dust or droppings contaminated with the bacteria Chlamydophila psittaci. Headaches, chills, muscle pain, temperature above 39 ° C, fatigue are all the symptoms that generally suggest a flu-like state.
Never kiss a pet bird on or inside the mouth. They can’t fight human bacteria, and the chemicals in lipsticks or balms can be toxic. Instead, a light kiss on the top of the head or beak is enough to show affection to your feathered friend.
What Happens if I Kiss My Bird?
All birds are very different. They have different personalities just like people. While some might not care what you do, others may be more affectionate. I suggest that you kiss your bird while he/she is sleeping to see if they wake up while you’re doing it. If they don’t then go ahead and give them a kiss on the lips, beak, or just near the mouth area. Just don’t stick your tongue in their mouth because that could cause a lot of unnecessary discomfort for them and they might bite you out of instinct to protect themselves.
Research has shown that kissing your bird may feel good for you, but it also lets the bird know how you feel. Birds are naturally very social animals who embrace affection from humans. Offering kisses is a non-threatening way to organize face-to-face contact with your bird, which helps the two of you get acquainted.
Do Birds Like When You Kiss Them?
Yes, birds like when you kiss them. Birds get lonely too and get upset if their humans are gone for long periods of time (less than an hour is considered long). When told they’ll be allowed to play with children for a while, the birds’ happiness increases more than you can imagine.
Birds are incredibly social, expressive, and emotional. They feel pleasure when you kiss them. They feel proud when you admire their beautiful feathers, cute beaks, or long tail feathers. And they can fall in love with you when you do these things!
Can You Get Sick From Kissing a Bird?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Birds carry tons of bacteria in their beaks and nasal passages, and when they rub up against something or someone, they can leave behind an unwanted and potentially harmful souvenir.
You can indeed get sick from your pet bird’s kisses. Rabies is a deadly disease that can be passed on through saliva of an infected animal. It is always best for everyone to be safe, always wash your hands after handling your bird or cage, and never let your birds kiss or lick you.
Is Human Saliva Toxic to Birds?
Well, it can be. Saliva from some people can cause a toxic reaction in birds that may lead to death. A typical adult carries 1.8 to 3.8 million bacteria per milliliter of saliva. Among them are a number of species that are normally harmless to humans but can be deadly for birds.
Each bird species is different, so always take your bird to the vet if you notice any unusual symptoms after introducing a new bird member to your flock or after kissing your bird. If your bird looks tired or has white droppings, call the vet immediately!
Conclusion
To kiss or not to kiss is one of the most frequently debated questions among bird lovers. Some people say that kissing your feathered pets sends out the wrong message. So, they believe you should avoid any type of touching behavior around birds including kisses. But, there are others who claim that this cuddling and kissing will help you and your feathered friends understand each other better and increase loving behaviors towards each other. With that said, which side do you fall on? We know many bird owners who can’t imagine their life without petting and kissing their birds every day.
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