I heard that people talk about their birds and getting "Dander" I would like to know what this is and how to stop it and prevent it and how it comes onto your bird....and is it in any relation to Dandruff or is it dandruff period?
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
Dander is the dusty stuff which comes off birds, and some people are allergic to it when they breathe it in. When a bird moults its old feathers and grows new ones, the feathers emerge from a sheath which breaks up into small light fragments like skin flakes and are shed into the air. Dander can come off the feathers of a bird that has been dustbathing to clean its feathers, and it may also be the result of the bird being infested with various kinds of parasites such as lice or redmite.
You can't prevent it altogether, it's a natural shedding of skin flakes in the case of feather regrowth and skin cleansing, but you can make sure your bird isn't infested with any parasites which will make it uncomfortable and bite the skin so it gets sore.
Anonymous
Dander is like a dust that is on all animals. They are bord with it, it is not something they catch or develop. When a person has an allergy to an animal, like a cat or a dog, it is because they are allergic to the animal's dander. Some birds like cockatoos and cockatiels have more dander than a lot of other types of birds. Dander can be kept to a minimum by regular bathing the bird, but it will always be there, it is not something that you can get rid of. It is not like dandruff.
anabelle
Dander is minuscule flakes of dead skin that make way for newer, healthier skin. This is a good thing for your bird. You cannot stop it. You can purchase a good air purifier for your home if it is causing a problem. ...but dander comes along with bird ownership.
A way to minimize the dander however is to offer Bird Baths: I once met a lady who described a bird bath as throwing some water in the air and running from under it. Even though that may appear to be a pretty accurate description of what you pet does, offering your bird the opportunity to clean itself with warm water is one of the best ways to get rid of dander before it can become airborne.
Also, their cage should be cleaned daily and that will help minimize airborne dander.