Conures (and birds in general) and Ben Gay?

mick1

New member
Nov 21, 2015
3
0
Please don't misunderstand me. I'M NOT PLANNING TO APPLY BEN GAY TO MY CONURE.

Now, many of us here are aware of how some foreign odors can have deleterious effects on birds.

I'm wondering about the topical ointment Ben Gay. It has a very strong odor.

If the odor is bad for birds, I'll put up with the pain of a pulled muscle to spare my conure any problems.

I called the manufacturer today and spoke to several people. Know one had an answer.

Last, please don't guess at this. If you don't know, you don't know. There's no harm in not knowing.

PS - I tried searching here and found nothing.

Thank you.
 
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gracebowen

Active member
Jan 14, 2015
1,439
3
San Antonio
Parrots
Cora lovebird
Sky parakeet
Mick I have no ideal. I do have alternate suggestions for your pain though.

Hot bath. Hot as you can stand. Once you get used to it make it hotter. Do it again. I can usually make it hotter 4 times.

Heating pad
External TENS unit
Hand held massager bought from Walgreens

Pay a masseuse if you can afford it. I have a school near me that I use sometimes.
 

LordTriggs

New member
May 11, 2017
3,427
24
Surrey, UK
Parrots
Rio (Yellow sided conure) sadly no longer with us
heat pads I always find work on me better than ointments plus some self massaging of the lymph nodes in the area around the pulled muscle

As for Ben gay itself, no idea we don't have it on this side of the atlantic (that I know of) I would say if nobody you contacted in the company is sure then it's best to stave off for now
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
NO, BenGay products would not be safe for use around parrots. Mint oils (which menthol is derived from) are known irritants to the sensitive respiratory tracts of birds. Menthol is one of the active ingredients in Ben Gay formulations and what gives it it's strong odor. I would strongly suggest you consider alternatives. An epsom salt bath would help with muscle pain as would a hot pad.
 
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