Essential Oils

mypinklove · May 5, 2016

Good evening friends.

Essential Oils - my mother swears by them. She has many pets, including birds, and has two essential oil diffuser/humidifiers in her house (two story). She tells me that the effects on the animals are the same as for the people in the house, and she wants to buy one for me to place in my house to help with calmness (the lavender scent) and breathing and such for all of us.
I did a quick search and couldn't find a whole lot on this specific question, so...
Does anyone do this? Obviously my mom's birds are fine, but is there anyone else here who has seen any ill or positive effects of an essential oil humidifier in the house, on their fids?

Thanks

Mae and Charlie :grey:

Amanda_Bennett · May 5, 2016

I have been using a diffuser and essential oils with my Orange Wing Amazon for over a year now and she loves them. The biggest factor in using them with birds is getting the purest oils possible. There are so many out there that say they are pure, but they only have to have 1 drop of pure oil in them for the label to say pure. Essential oils are not regulated by the FDA.

Just in the last couple of months one of the biggest essential oil companies has been caught adding synthetic and petroleum compounds to their oils. I did hours upon hours of research before I chose the company I use. If you want more information I am always willing to help, just send me a PM and I will get you the information you want/need to be safe with your birds.

Piasa · May 5, 2016

You will hear strong arguments for and against - there is no right answer. Do know that some oils like tea tree are fine for people but will kill a bird, this is fact not debatable.

Natural Herbal Holistic Bird Care Using Herbs Essential Oils has some good info on oils used with birds.

I don't use them personally, so maybe someone else can add their experiences for you.

mypinklove · May 5, 2016

Thank you both for the information!! I look forward to reading up on that link and finding the perfect one - and the most pure form of it.

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SailBoat · May 5, 2016

There has been at least a couple of Threads over the last six months regarding essential oils. If memory serves, one of the member did a detailed review of the chemical make-up and found that there was a very limited number of providers that in that OP's mine was safe.

Our parrots are designed to fly and that requires that they move a vast amount of 'air' though their air sacks to allow a rapid exchange - Good Stuff in Bad Stuff out. Its one of the reasons that miners used birds as a first alarm to get out - if the bird dies first, the Humans die next.

Let's say that those who Manufacture essential oils are not interested in profits / money. They are only in it for the positive / peace-full World that will come from everyone using their products. And, therefore, they are providing the product at pennies above cost. I would not use the product. For me, its all about the safety of my Amazon. Why would I fill the air that he and I breath with anything that 'may' affect his air-sacks. I would rather move him out of the house for a couple of days and paint whatever color is 'currently believed' too bring a calming effect.

I find that there is nothing and I mean nothing (OK a couple of things) that brings a greater level of 'calm' to my life than my interaction with my Amazon. To extend that, lets call it our Family Bound! And, the last time I checked, there is no Marketing Department looking to increase SALES of our Family Bound. With essential oils, well you tell me.

Allee · May 5, 2016

This is a difficult question and a very good one.

I'll say first, I have no first hand experience to offer, I don't use essential oils around my
pets but I have done some research over the years.

Essential oils have been responsible for respiratory issues in cats, dogs and humans. Compared to other species, parrot respiratory systems are far more fragile. Parrots have died due to toxicity from essential oils. This could be a matter of how the oils were used, rubbed or sprayed on the skin or sprayed into the air. Another possibility is the purity of the oils, essential oils are popular and ready available, other questionable substances are often added to the oils during mass production so even if the oil itself isn't toxic the other ingredients could be. The origin of the oil is also important, if a particular, tree, flower, plant, etc, is toxic to a parrot, the extracted oil will also be toxic.

Essential oils are being added to pet shampoos and bath products, tea tree oil and lavender has resulted in rashes, respiratory issues, vomiting, and even convulsions in dogs and cats.

In spite of the precautions, a lot of research is being done on the benefits of oils and aromatherapy for parrots, many articles report positive results.

I'm extremely paranoid about using any kind of scented aerosols in the house with my birds. IMO the possible risk outweighs the possible benefits.

mypinklove · May 5, 2016

SailBoat said:
There has been at least a couple of Threads over the last six months regarding essential oils. If memory serves, one of the member did a detailed review of the chemical make-up and found that there was a very limited number of providers that in that OP's mine was safe.

Our parrots are designed to fly and that requires that they move a vast amount of 'air' though their air sacks to allow a rapid exchange - Good Stuff in Bad Stuff out. Its one of the reasons that miners used birds as a first alarm to get out - if the bird dies first, the Humans die next.

Let's say that those who Manufacture essential oils are not interested in profits / money. They are only in it for the positive / peace-full World that will come from everyone using their products. And, therefore, they are providing the product at pennies above cost. I would not use the product. For me, its all about the safety of my Amazon. Why would I fill the air that he and I breath with anything that 'may' affect his air-sacks. I would rather move him out of the house for a couple of days and paint whatever color is 'currently believed' too bring a calming effect.

I find that there is nothing and I mean nothing (OK a couple of things) that brings a greater level of 'calm' to my life than my interaction with my Amazon. To extend that, lets call it our Family Bound! And, the last time I checked, there is no Marketing Department looking to increase SALES of our Family Bound. With essential oils, well you tell me.

Great - care to link to them?

Thanks for your opinion..

SailBoat · May 5, 2016

Hmmm, like the second Post to your Thread, see above.

mypinklove · May 5, 2016

Allee said:
This is a difficult question and a very good one.

I'll say first, I have no first hand experience to offer, I don't use essential oils around my
pets but I have done some research over the years.

Essential oils have been responsible for respiratory issues in cats, dogs and humans. Compared to other species, parrot respiratory systems are far more fragile. Parrots have died due to toxicity from essential oils. This could be a matter of how the oils were used, rubbed or sprayed on the skin or sprayed into the air. Another possibility is the purity of the oils, essential oils are popular and ready available, other questionable substances are often added to the oils during mass production so even if the oil itself isn't toxic the other ingredients could be. The origin of the oil is also important, if a particular, tree, flower, plant, etc, is toxic to a parrot, the extracted oil will also be toxic.

Essential oils are being added to pet shampoos and bath products, tea tree oil and lavender has resulted in rashes, respiratory issues, vomiting, and even convulsions in dogs and cats.

In spite of the precautions, a lot of research is being done on the benefits of oils and aromatherapy for parrots, many articles report positive results.

I'm extremely paranoid about using any kind of scented aerosols in the house with my birds. IMO the possible risk outweighs the possible benefits.

Thanks for the thorough unbiased reply, Allee. I will take all of this into consideration on my search. Clearly there are many factors and much to think about and some people definitely seem very against it. Oh well, every animal owner needs to do their own research , weigh all responses, and ultimately make a call on their own for their situation so that's what I will do. Going to do lots more reading before I bring any into my home. In the meantime I'm still interested in hearing more from people who have had experience in this regard?

mypinklove · May 5, 2016

SailBoat said:
Hmmm, like the second Post to your Thread, see above.

Yep, that one has already been given to me. I thought you were referring to threads that I have not come across in my search. If you have anything useful to share, please do.

plumsmum2005 · May 6, 2016

Just my tuppence worth, I personally wouldn't subject Plum to any Essential Oils. I have used them but not now I have him. Will not risk it. They are not subjected to them in the wild, probably don't need them so why do it IMO?

DexMom · May 6, 2016

I have no experience with essential oils and no opinion for or against. But, in making any kind of decision, I tend to do a pretty systematic risk/benefit analysis. In the case of adding an essential oil diffuser/humidifier to your home, there are risks and benefits. It seems like there is a risk of respiratory issues and toxicity for your bird. What are the benefits and are they worth it?

mypinklove · May 6, 2016

Thank you for your opinions

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coopedup · May 17, 2016

Ive seen threads about massaging coconut oil on beaks/feet...is there any good reason to do this, or does it just make the owner feel better?

Piasa · May 18, 2016

Coconut oil has a lot of health benefits when eaten (parrots and people). It's also good for the skin (people), but I don't think I would put on parrot's feet. Oil that gets on their feathers will ruin the insulation properties.

Brittany741 · May 20, 2016

This is just my opinion and no judgment on anyone who thinks or does otherwise. No offense meant.

I wouldn't use them for any reason. Like acupuncture, it's just another pseudoscience until peer-reviewed studies not paid for by the product manufacturers are published.

Air quality is important for humans but exceptionally important to a parrot's delicate and highly efficient respiratory system. Introducing ANYTHING to their environment they wouldn't experience in the wild is not ideal, but intentionally exposing them to something we honestly know little about seems too dangerous to me.

There's no doubt certain scents provide relaxation, but until there is solid scientific proof of medical benefits, there's no way I would expose my beloved birds to essential oils.

mypinklove · May 20, 2016

Thank you for your opinion.

The more I have researched, the more I have found about essential oils and aromatherapy. It has been helping me and my bird and I see no harm in it. My avian vet approves of what I am doing and further discussion on the subject is fine but I'm satisfied with what I've found and don't need any more opinions about it.

Thanks for all of your input!

Mae and Charlie

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