Dangers of self cleaning ovens and parrots

A self-cleaning oven is an oven which uses high temperature (approximately 900 degrees Fahrenheit or 500 degrees Celsius) to burn off leftovers from baking, without the use of any chemical agents. As good as this sounds, it can be deadly if you own a parrot.

A self-cleaning oven is designed to stay locked until the high temperature process is completed.   Most ovens, during the clean mode, will produce smoke and or fumes, so be sure to open and ventilate well the many areas in your home.  These toxins are very deadly to your parrot.

If you MUST use this feature of your oven, remove all pet companions (including cats, dogs and other animals) from your home until the air is completely free of any chemical odors. Birds have a very sensitive respiratory system and will die from inhaling the toxic fumes.

• Purchase a non self-cleaning oven (less expensive, too!)

• Use vinegar and water (don't forget to remove the bird to another room while cleaning)

• Use earth friendly cleaners that are safe for your animals

• For oven racks, place them in a plastic trash bag and put a cup of ammonia in the bag. Let sit in the bag for 24 hours outside your porch or deck. You can also place stove top metal covers in the bag too. After 24 hours remove the ammonia and clean. You will be amazed at how "easy" it is to clean that baked or spilled on food!!!

It may be harder to clean that oven but; your animals will thank you for thinking about them.

One other quick reminder is that you happen to be in the market for a new stove, don't be overly zealous in using that new oven in the presence of your parrots.  Even ovens that are NOT self-cleaning will emit dangerous toxins that are lethal to your parrot the first time the oven is turned on. 

If at all possible, hook your newly purchased stove up out in the garage and turn the oven on to about 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit.  Leave the oven at that temperature for a couple of hours before bringing the stove into the house and the same 'air space' that your parrots breath.