What Kind Of Paper Is Safe?

Fae88

New member
Oct 10, 2013
107
1
Ohio
Parrots
Bruno (male Grey Cockatiel, under a year old)
So I was reading about how crumpled up paper balls with treats inside are good toys for birds. Problem is I always read that it has to be white computer paper. And of course I have no computer paper in my home (no printer ect).

So I am just wondering if any other paper is safe to use?

Newspaper? Including the ads?

Wrapping paper?

Toilet Paper?

Paper Towel?

Paper Bags?

Just curious.
 

Mayden

New member
Apr 22, 2010
2,540
12
UK.
Parrots
Merlin & Charlie (Senegals)
Newspaper is generally fine these days as most are printed with soy inks, etc. Doesn't necessarily include the advertisements (the plasticy ones?)

We use newspapers :) We grab the free daily ones and use it for cage lining, or paper toys. :)
 

MonicaMc

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2012
7,960
Media
2
43
Parrots
Mitred Conure - Charlie 1994;
Cockatiel - Casey 2001;
Wild Caught ARN - Sylphie 2013
What about using mini muffin cups?
 

jenphilly

Active member
Oct 15, 2013
1,950
23
Lehigh Valley, PA
Parrots
BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
I am late playing catchup with posts :) For paper to use with toys or foraging options, I also use parchment paper (check out your local dollar or family dollar type store, much cheaper then the Reynolds brand at the grocery store). I also use brown lunch bags, but I do not use any brown bags that have been used, just buy a pack of lunch bags at Walmart and use them for bird foraging sacks. I also save the bags that the cereal is in inside the box or if you use the boxed corn muffin mix, those white paper the mix is in are great for foraging bags or cut into pieces and wrap around a treat and twist ends (think tootsie roll look). Our bare eyed cockatoo makes napkins into toys, so I only purchase plain white, never with designs or such. She steals them whenever she is near one (also make sure your bird does not get a napkin that has been used, human saliva is not good for your bird).

sorry for chiming in late, but hopefully a few more thoughts for cost friendly options!!

Jen
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Mine have been shredding telephone books for well over a decade now, with no ill health affects.

Glossy is allegedly worse for them, but mine pretty much shred that too if I let them... magazines are fair game.

Photo paper is an absolute no-no.

I don't let them shred newspaper, but sometimes my CAG succeeds in pulling the newspaper out of his poop tray, and shredding it. He still lives...

So, I don't know how accurate that white paper thing is.

Some cardboard has glue that is allegedly toxic. Toilet paper rolls, for example.
 

mrgoogls

New member
May 6, 2012
638
0
Parrots
1 male Quaker-Cooper
i usually use computer paper, but i have also used napkins and paper towels with no problem. and i dont use newspaper for toys but cooper has chewed on it before and is fine :)
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Oh, and I almost forgot the Kleenex boxes! Now that's a shredder toy. Pull one out and another one pops up, then another, then another... the look on the face the first time is priceless!
 

jenphilly

Active member
Oct 15, 2013
1,950
23
Lehigh Valley, PA
Parrots
BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
I love the thought of the kleenex box.... have to pick up a cheap box for Ivory... she acts like she's mad when I overstuff the brown paper bag before she can reach the treat at the bottom. Will definitely need to try a box of tissues!

We use newspaper for lining trays too and just bout everyone has gotten a corner and pulled it up and shredded some, as everyone else said, no harm done! Would not give it out to play in, but no one has shown ill effects!

Jen
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
i love the thought of the kleenex box.... Have to pick up a cheap box for ivory... She acts like she's mad when i overstuff the brown paper bag before she can reach the treat at the bottom. Will definitely need to try a box of tissues!

We use newspaper for lining trays too and just bout everyone has gotten a corner and pulled it up and shredded some, as everyone else said, no harm done! Would not give it out to play in, but no one has shown ill effects!

Jen

just make sure it doesn't have plastic stuff on it. If it does, just pull it off. I buy the three for a dollar kind at the dollar store, and then i mix in treats, and foot toys. It becomes a shredder foraging toy. - three for a dollar!
 

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