My parakeet was briefly near cigarette smoke. Will my bird be sick?

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Most of the time if we're going to see a bird get sick from exposure to fumes, those symptoms show up pretty quickly. Often we'll see respiratory distress within the first hour. So, if he's still acting completely fine, you're probably in the clear. However, I'd recommend making sure he's in a well-ventilated non-stressful environment and keep a close eye on him for the rest of the day. Hope this helps!

Thanks for reaching out about Buddy. Keeping good ventilation is important as bird's respiratory tracts are very sensitive to toxins (thats why canaries in coal mines). If breathing is impaired, a veterinary emergency visit is needed for oxygen support, anti-inflammatories, and possibly antibiotics. Teflon and other non-stick pans can release toxic substances when heated up to a high temperature, and can be fatal to birds. Monitor appetite and water consumption. Good luck.

Hello. Yes, it is true that small birds are very susceptible to many noxious odors, mainly because of their diminished respiratory capacities, & how their respiratory tracts function. Care must be taken around all birds when it comes to anything used as a fragrance in a home. With good ventilation, small amounts of smoke & fragrances ( like perfumes ) are safe. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

He will likely be fine. Most birds will simply chew paper or fabric without actually ingesting it. You can monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or loose droppings. See your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating birds if necessary.

Sorry to hear about Prittybird. Any chance of an inhaled toxin, such as near the kitchen and your cook with Teflon? Scented candles, air fresheners and other inhaled products can cause acute death. Other than that, a post mortem examination might give you better answers.

It is always best to monitor your birds when they are out of the cage and to not leave them unattended in a room or other area where they may become injured or get into something. If you suspect your budgie has eaten something harmful, or has injured itself while outside of the cage, it is best to seek veterinary care ASAP, especially if they are showing any signs of illness such as listless behavior, refusal to eat or drink, vomiting or loose droppings, etc.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While smoke and the fumes from certain nonstick pans are toxic to birds, if there is enough ventilation, it is usually not an issue. You should keep your vent fan on and try to open windows in your kitchen to provide more ventilation.