JayFeatherPL
Well-known member
Are bird's diseases from the bird feeder harmful to domestic animals, like cats or dogs? Can these animals got sick from the birds from feeders?
-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Birds' diseases (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JayFeatherPL
- Start date
Basically no, but very small risk in case of sick birds present
www.gov.scot
Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease
Scottish Government advice on what to do if you suspect there is an outbreak of avian influenza.
www.gov.scot
Relates to the last thread you started - you asked for advice about safest feeder to avoid food going mouldy and appearance of disease, then argued against the given advice by posters regarding cleaning of feeders and seemed very resistant to the idea of cleaning them.
If you maintain cleaning standards at the feeders, chances of your birds staying healthy are higher, then chances of transfer of anything to pets is even smaller.
If you maintain cleaning standards at the feeders, chances of your birds staying healthy are higher, then chances of transfer of anything to pets is even smaller.
JayFeatherPL
Well-known member
Well, I didn't argue against cleaning feeders, I was just asking if it is really necessary, because actually I'm just afraid of my pet getting the disease when I get my feeder into the house and clean it for example in the sink (I read that it has to be done in the bowl and with the brush used only for cleaning feeders and that's very inconvenient)
Well, you have all the information now - clean feeders, less chance of disease, better for birds, lower risk to pets. If very inconvenient, I'll leave you to choose 🙂
JayFeatherPL
Well-known member
Cleaning the feeders isn't inconvenient, but the fact that I have to use a special bowl and brush, I think when I clean the feeders in the sink, all the bacteria will drain off with the water?
Elkhornsun
Well-known member
It is wrong to have cats and dogs around the bird feeders in the first place. Why stress out the birds that you are attracting to your feeders?
I have multiple feeders that attract a wide range of wild birds. When a neighbor lets their cat roam free I consider it free game for permanent removal. I cannot put out a trap as it is likely to trap a raccoon or a opossum or skunk than someone's well fed pet cat.
Cats commonly carry the parasite toxoplasma gondii that goes into the brains of cats and humans. It is spread by contact with the feces of infected animals outdoors or indoors with kitty liter. More than 30 million infected people in the USA and an infected woman is 2.7 times more likely to have a child that develops schizophrenia.
Cats also are far more likely to be infected with rabies than dogs (which get annual booster shots).
www.webmd.com
I have multiple feeders that attract a wide range of wild birds. When a neighbor lets their cat roam free I consider it free game for permanent removal. I cannot put out a trap as it is likely to trap a raccoon or a opossum or skunk than someone's well fed pet cat.
Cats commonly carry the parasite toxoplasma gondii that goes into the brains of cats and humans. It is spread by contact with the feces of infected animals outdoors or indoors with kitty liter. More than 30 million infected people in the USA and an infected woman is 2.7 times more likely to have a child that develops schizophrenia.
Cats also are far more likely to be infected with rabies than dogs (which get annual booster shots).
Rabies in Cats
Find out how cats get rabies, what the symptoms of rabies are, and how to prevent this fatal disease.
www.webmd.com
JayFeatherPL
Well-known member
You really hate cats, but to remove them permanently? Using traps? Well, that's sadistic.It is wrong to have cats and dogs around the bird feeders in the first place. Why stress out the birds that you are attracting to your feeders?
I have multiple feeders that attract a wide range of wild birds. When a neighbor lets their cat roam free I consider it free game for permanent removal. I cannot put out a trap as it is likely to trap a raccoon or a opossum or skunk than someone's well fed pet cat.
Cats commonly carry the parasite toxoplasma gondii that goes into the brains of cats and humans. It is spread by contact with the feces of infected animals outdoors or indoors with kitty liter. More than 30 million infected people in the USA and an infected woman is 2.7 times more likely to have a child that develops schizophrenia.
Cats also are far more likely to be infected with rabies than dogs (which get annual booster shots).
Rabies in Cats
Find out how cats get rabies, what the symptoms of rabies are, and how to prevent this fatal disease.
moose1991
Alces alces
I clean my feeders in a bucket I keep in the garage. I do not use the sink.
JayFeatherPL
Well-known member
Wooden feeders can be sanitised with a sanitiser containing chlorine, as the chlorine will evaporate and the wood can be sanitised with boiling water. Tube feeders are made of plastic, so the chlorine will eat into the plastic and the boiling water will shrink the plastic. Tube feeders are probably best cleaned with (neutral) spirit (the spirit will evaporate, so the birds won't get poisoned by it). It's best to use spirit in a spray bottle, because then you don't have to use a cloth/brush. Am I right?
PYRTLE
Old Berkshire Boy
Jay, with due respect you were not aware until a few days ago that all types of feeders required regular cleaning and occassional sanitizing. We've gone to lengths to help and advise you with straightforward examples and helpful tips on how to do this......based on years of experience and scientific studies by various organisations. But you repeatedly keep resisting, finding excuses not to follow these basic steps citing a reluctance to use a bucket, cleaning brush and now even a cloth to carry out a straightforward routine.
I'm not sure what "spirit" you are refering to, hopefully nothing from a workshop, but again suggest to you, the need to use a suitable bottle brush in conjunction with an appropriate cleaner to remove all the built up debris inside and around the feeder, perches and fittings. Most recommended cleaners come in a mist spray container.
And a good quality tube feeder will be constructed of a UV resistant, shatterproof plastic that will last many years. No one has suggested using boiling water though warm or hand hot is good practice.
I sincerely hope you've now had an opportunity to clean your feeders, ready for the winter months.
Good luck.
I'm not sure what "spirit" you are refering to, hopefully nothing from a workshop, but again suggest to you, the need to use a suitable bottle brush in conjunction with an appropriate cleaner to remove all the built up debris inside and around the feeder, perches and fittings. Most recommended cleaners come in a mist spray container.
And a good quality tube feeder will be constructed of a UV resistant, shatterproof plastic that will last many years. No one has suggested using boiling water though warm or hand hot is good practice.
I sincerely hope you've now had an opportunity to clean your feeders, ready for the winter months.
Good luck.
JayFeatherPL
Well-known member
By writing "spirit" I meant 96% alcohol.
PYRTLE
Old Berkshire Boy
Have you cleaned your feeders?
JayFeatherPL
Well-known member
Not yet, but I'm going to clean them using the spirit alcohol. Why are you asking?
moose1991
Alces alces
Some people use this.
Ark-Klens 250ml - Ark Wildlife UK
Ark-Klens 250ml protects against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Safe for bird feeders and habitats, the formula makes up to 125 litres when mixed with water.
www.arkwildlife.co.uk
Regarding your comment about boiling water.
Use just boiled water , still hot enough to kill germs but not melt anything.
I use that to clean the inside of nestboxes as well as soap & warm water.
I also used to use the same disinfectant spray we used on our guinea pig & gerbil homes.
PYRTLE
Old Berkshire Boy
I'm asking as 9 days ago you enquired which type of seed feeder was better in terms of bacterial growth, food getting spoiled and resultant disease to both the visiting wild birds and subsequently your pets in the garden. Given the depth of answers, together with the seriousness of Finch disease, why the continued delay and reluctance to clean them? Its only a few minutes for each feeder, that's not so inconvenient, surely. Also, why alcohol, would it not leave an aroma unpleasant to the birds, even when evaporated?
Last edited:
JayFeatherPL
Well-known member
I know that many people (also ornithologists) in Poland clean their feeders using alcohol. And I didn’t clean my feeder yet because Im still Looking for the best way to clean the feeders And I think that using alcohol in a spray is a very good and practical method. Alcohol itself doesn’t have the aroma.
Last edited:
Several folk on here have already tried to help you, including a suggestion to use warm soapy water as a good way to start, plus other ideas.
As you don't seem to be interested in help from here, I give you Birdlife Polska's advice - which is similar to that given here, though suggesting just hot water:
Jeśli mamy karmnik – starajmy się, aby ptasie jedzenie nie zalegało w nim. Dbajmy o czystość, sprzątajmy niezjedzone resztki pokarmu i dezynfekujmy karmnik (gorącą wodą, bez detergentów). W ten sposób zapobiegamy także przenoszeniu chorób i drobnoustrojów między ptakami (dla człowieka są one nieszkodliwe).
Google translate: "If we have a feeder, try not to let bird food accumulate in it. Take care of cleanliness, clean up uneaten food remains and disinfect the feeder (with hot water, without detergents). In this way, we also prevent the transfer of diseases and microorganisms between birds (they are harmless to humans)"
As you don't seem to be interested in help from here, I give you Birdlife Polska's advice - which is similar to that given here, though suggesting just hot water:
Jeśli mamy karmnik – starajmy się, aby ptasie jedzenie nie zalegało w nim. Dbajmy o czystość, sprzątajmy niezjedzone resztki pokarmu i dezynfekujmy karmnik (gorącą wodą, bez detergentów). W ten sposób zapobiegamy także przenoszeniu chorób i drobnoustrojów między ptakami (dla człowieka są one nieszkodliwe).
Google translate: "If we have a feeder, try not to let bird food accumulate in it. Take care of cleanliness, clean up uneaten food remains and disinfect the feeder (with hot water, without detergents). In this way, we also prevent the transfer of diseases and microorganisms between birds (they are harmless to humans)"
JayFeatherPL
Well-known member
I said: If I use hot water on the tube feeder, which is made of plastic - it will shrink the feeder. I just asked you one thing: is spirit (96% alcohol) good for cleaning feeders, because I know that some people clean their feeders using the alcohol and you say that I don’t want help from you…
Similar threads
