Is silver harmful?

I know that there are a bunch of toxic metals to parrots, so I generally don't let my birds play with any metal besides on toys that are specifically made for them. My parents bought me a claddagh ring for my birthday, and it's made of silver. I don't take it off, and my cockatiel occasionally licks it while she's on me. Is this an issue???

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Nope. In fact I've had a vet recommend colloidal silver as a part of medical treatment.


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SilverSage said:

Nope. In fact I've had a vet recommend colloidal silver as a part of medical treatment.


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Thanks. That makes me feel a lot better about it actually

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Silver, in it's pure form, is safe and in fact a powerful antimicrobial. I too add a little colloidal silver to Kiwi's water for a few days if I see a funny poo or he seems a little under the weather and it usually perks him right up. However, pure silver is too soft to be used in jewelry (typically). Sterling silver is not in fact pure silver and is alloyed with another metal for durability. Typically, copper, another generally bird safe metal, is used as the alloy metal but they can also use other metals, including zinc. There is no way of knowing the alloy if you didn't make the mix yourself. Lower quality silver such as "German silver" (hallmarked under .925, or less than 92.5% pure silver) shouldn't be trusted for your bird to touch. Personally though, I don't see an issue with your bird playing with a sterling ring if it is really clean and would be concerned with any residues that could accumulate on it such as lotions, soaps, dead skin cells etc...

Kiwibird said:

Silver, in it's pure form, is safe and in fact a powerful antimicrobial. I too add a little colloidal silver to Kiwi's water for a few days if I see a funny poo or he seems a little under the weather and it usually perks him right up. However, pure silver is too soft to be used in jewelry (typically). Sterling silver is not in fact pure silver and is alloyed with another metal for durability. Typically, copper, another generally bird safe metal, is used as the alloy metal but they can also use other metals, including zinc. There is no way of knowing the alloy if you didn't make the mix yourself. Lower quality silver such as "German silver" (hallmarked under .925, or less than 92.5% pure silver) shouldn't be trusted for your bird to touch. Personally though, I don't see an issue with your bird playing with a sterling ring and would be more concerned with any residues that could accumulate on it such as lotions, soaps, dead skin cells etc...

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I'm unsure what kind of silver it is to be honest, since it was a gift. She only nibbles on it a bit as well, I don't let her actually put it entirely in her mouth. She's safe though in terms of lotions and soaps, dead skin as well as I do scrub it on the inside and out when I shower.

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Look inside the ring. You will likely see either a stamp of "925" or "STERLING". It would be very uncommon to find a new ring made of silver lower than sterling silver.

Kiwibird said:

Look inside the ring. You will likely see either a stamp of "925" or "STERLING". It would be very uncommon to find a new ring made of silver lower than sterling silver.

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The ring is engraved so it doesn't have a stamp. Just asked and it is sterling thankfully.

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Only to werewolves, and maybe vampires....I dunno movies change things a lot. But no silver is fine, now if it's something silver plated....the underneath metal might be a little harmful but pure silver is fine.

Whew! I have a huge silver jewelry collection being a silver junkie. Salty likes to play King of the Hill when I pile it all on my bed to find a specific ring and such. He climbs to the top of the pile and guards it. Good to know its not toxic ( I kinda thought it was OK, but it's nice to that reaffirmed).

wrench13 said:

Whew! I have a huge silver jewelry collection being a silver junkie. Salty likes to play King of the Hill when I pile it all on my bed to find a specific ring and such. He climbs to the top of the pile and guards it. Good to know its not toxic ( I kinda thought it was OK, but it's nice to that reaffirmed).

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Are you sure you own a parrot and not a dragon? That sounds like dragon behavior.

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Well parrots and dragons are closely related, parrots being the last of the feathered dinosaurs.

wrench13 said:

Well parrots and dragons are closely related, parrots being the last of the feathered dinosaurs.

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Be careful if you see any horn like growths, or any suspiciously hard feathers.

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Ziel said:

wrench13 said:

Whew! I have a huge silver jewelry collection being a silver junkie. Salty likes to play King of the Hill when I pile it all on my bed to find a specific ring and such. He climbs to the top of the pile and guards it. Good to know its not toxic ( I kinda thought it was OK, but it's nice to that reaffirmed).

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Are you sure you own a parrot and not a dragon? That sounds like dragon behavior.

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nah Dragons prefer gold and gemstones. Silver isn't really their thing

LordTriggs said:

Ziel said:

wrench13 said:

Whew! I have a huge silver jewelry collection being a silver junkie. Salty likes to play King of the Hill when I pile it all on my bed to find a specific ring and such. He climbs to the top of the pile and guards it. Good to know its not toxic ( I kinda thought it was OK, but it's nice to that reaffirmed).

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Are you sure you own a parrot and not a dragon? That sounds like dragon behavior.

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nah Dragons prefer gold and gemstones. Silver isn't really their thing

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When you're a dragon in captivity sometimes you have to take what you can get. I'd be extra cautious.

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