Parakeets are a small specie of parrots with distinctive colors and they have proven to be good pets for people of all ages.
On many occasions, you feel tempted to show affection to your budgie with a kiss but have you ever asked yourself whether kissing a bird is safe for you and your bird?
Keep in mind that kissing a budgie is harmful to you and your pet as well because several diseases can be transmitted while displaying this innocent act of affection.
Can Human Sickness Spread to Budgies
No reports or studies have indicated any facts about human sickness getting spread to budgies or other pet birds however human mouth contact with a bird will transmit several bacteria and germs which can cause uncertain health risks to your budgie.
In general, Parakeets can catch different things from us. You should take care to wash properly before handling items intended for your budgie or the bird itself. You should always make sure to keep the bird away from your mouth even in health or sickness.
Can you Get Sick from a Parrot Bite
Budgies and all parrots are so cute and pet owners get carried away while showering their affection on them but they are unaware that parrots can have an underlying disease called “Parrot Fever”.
This is a popular disease in the parrot family caused by chlamydia psittaci, a specific type of bacteria. Humans can get this fever by handling an infected bird. The chances of transmitting this disease are higher when you get a bite or kiss from a bird on the mouth.
How Do You Know If Your Budgie has Psittacosis?
It is important to identify if your pet budgie has “Parrot Fever”. Parrots are good at hiding their diseases until symptoms are visibly clear. Some visual signs of this fever may include,
- Your budgie might have a runny nose or fluid discharge from the eyes.
- Diarrhea
- You might notice discolored droppings from the bird
- Your budgie might be sleepy all the time or show signs of lethargy
- Weightloss
What happens if you get Parrot Fever?
If you get affected by the parrot fever then the consequences will be fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and some other similar symptoms however in severe cases, you may develop high pneumonia.
Is Human Saliva Toxic to Birds
Human saliva is toxic to birds as it contains several bacteria such as Enterobacter, E. coli, Klebsiella, and more. Bird’s immune system is incapable to handle these types of bacteria.
Do remember that effect of saliva can go unnoticed on many occasions as there are a variety of factors at play such as,
- A small amount of saliva will be harmless.
- A healthy bird might not get affected
But never take this easy. Always avoid sharing your food with them or any means of transferring saliva to the bird.
Saliva is extremely dangerous to your birds when they have an open wound. When your budgie wound gets in contact with a mammal’s saliva then the risk of infection will get high.