Vinegar has been in use as a preservative, medicinal, cleaning, and beauty for over 100 years. The majority of households use this for cooking and cleaning. As a pet owner, I used to have big concerns while using vinegar for cleaning or providing it to my parrots.
But after thorough research and years of experience, I can confirm that vinegar is safe for birds. I have been using vinegar for my parrots and today I will give you insights about it.
Short Answer:
The answer is Yes, Vinegar is safe for birds but there is more to know about this before you use it as a dosage for your birds or for cleaning their cages or toys.
What Type Of Vinegar Is Safe For Birds?
As you know vinegar is a safe substance for birds but you have to ensure the quality and quantity of vinegar before using it. Always use the best quality vinegar and remember to dilute it with water.
There are several types of natural and synthetic vinegar available in the market however we have mentioned below the safest options that you can give to your birds.
For birds, Apple cider vinegar is the best option because it can prevent bacterial growth and fungus.
Is Boiled Vinegar Dangerous for Birds?
I have noticed people boiling vinegar for cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, cooking, and for some other reasons but it is important to know whether boiled vinegar is safe for birds or not.
Vinegar is a composite of 93–96% water and 4–7% acetic acid therefore by boiling vinegar, water gets removed first and the acid gets concentrated however fumes are not dangerous for humans but I would never experiment with this when my birds are near to be on the safe side as concentrated fumes might be dangerous for my little birds.
It is better to be cautious and there is no need to boil vinegar when it comes to cleaning or disinfecting cages vinegar therefore do not boil vinegar and if you have to then do it far away from your bird room.
Is It Safe To Clean A Bird Cage With Vinegar?
Yes, vinegar is the best natural cleaning agent which is readily available in the market for cleaning bird cages. Acetic acid makes vinegar a natural disinfectant that can help in cleaning a bird cage.
Other cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful to you and your birds. You can use vinegar as a cleaning product for all bird cages.
I have been using apple cider vinegar to clean cages of budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, conure, African grey, and macaws but never noticed a negative effect on my birds.
Follow the instructions below to clean the cage with vinegar solution.
• Wear gloves because safety is the priority
• Make a dilution of vinegar and water in a ratio of 9:1 and put It in the spray bottle.
• Take out the tray from the cage, scrap all the waste/bird poop from it with the help of a scrapper, and spray it with diluted vinegar solution.
Do not worry about the spray interaction with your birds because the diluted solution is not harmful to your birds.
Remember there are serious harmful impacts caused by old bird poop which remains in the cage and vinegar is the best solution to fight it. Old bird poop releases ammonia gas which can impact the bird’s respiratory system, old poop also invites fungus/parasites which can cause skin infections such as mites.
This is why you should use vinegar to remove bird poop and all other waste from the cages to ensure the safety of your birds.
Clean Bird Bath with Vinegar
Have you ever rubbed your finger in the bird bath while cleaning it? Did you wonder why bird baths feel slimy when you rub your finger in them? It is because of algae growth and birds dropping which can be the cause of infections and several diseases to your birds as they may drink water while bathing in it.
Vinegar is completely safe for birds thus you should always clean the bird bath with vinegar solution by following the below instructions,
- Remove the water from it first.
- Spray the vinegar solution in the bird bath and scrub it completely even from the outside.
- Rinse the water thoroughly.
- Repeat the second and third step atleast twice to get rid of any harmful contaminants.
- Do not refill the bird bath with fresh water until it is completely dry.
Can I Give Apple Cider Vinegar To My Parrot?
Yes, you can give ACV to your parrots. Apple Cider vinegar and Distilled White vinegar are the only ones, I use for my parrots and recommend them to others.
The acetic acid in vinegar lowers the PH value of water which prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and molds. I mix 1 ml in 1 liter of water and give this to my parrots twice a week.
I also use ACV while preparing feed for my parrots. I mix some drops of ACV while soaking the feed overnight to prevent mold growth.
Is It Safe to Put Apple Cider Vinegar in Bird Bath?
Apple Cider Vinegar can also fight feather mites, therefore, bathing your parrots in a diluted vinegar solution can be beneficial. Prepare the solution with 1 liter of water and mix it with 1 ml of vinegar.
Your parrots will love to bathe in the summer. You should always dilute the solution as concentrated apple cider vinegar can be harmful to your birds.
What Are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Parrots?
Apple Cider Vinegar is an extract of juice that comes after the fermentation of apples. It contains a variety of nutrients such as vitamins B and C. This extract also contains acetic acid due to which its taste is sour.
Most studies support the health benefits derived from the usage of apple cider vinegar for parrots however those benefits have not been medically proven yet. From my own experience, I realized that some benefit claims might be true such as,
Improvement in Digestion
I have noticed that ACV improved the digestion of my parrots over time. They eat the right amount of their daily feed and I did not see any stomach issues in my birds for a long time.
Apple Cider Vinegar helps in breaking down, minerals, proteins, and fats. It also fights harmful bacteria in the digestive tract.
Effective for Harmful Bacteria
Apple Cider Vinegar prevents the growth of bacteria and molds this is why I use it in preparing their feed.
Helps in Reducing Bird’s Breath Odor
I could smell an unpleasant odor in my parrot’s breath before but now it has gone after I started giving ACV to my parrots.
Helps in Reducing Bird’s Poop Odor
Similarly, I could notice an unpleasant smell in my parrot’s poop as well which has also reduced recently.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Bird Yeast Infection?
Many bird owners ask about the benefits of apple cider vinegar related to bird yeast infections but it is important to understand the severity of yeast infection in birds before commenting on the benefits of apple cider vinegar.
Yeast infection in birds is caused by the yeast Candida albicans. This can infect the digestive tracts of birds which is a common issue of “sour crops” in birds. This can overgrow when the bird’s immune system is weak or there is a change in the PH balance of the bird.
Apple cider vinegar is known to safeguard birds from various bacteria and keeps the immune system of the bird healthy. however, it is better not to experiment on your birds with apple cider vinegar when it is showing signs of yeast infection and take it to the nearest vet who will diagnose the cause and probably prescribe your bird with antifungal medications.