Parrotlet dander

[Theosmom]

Hi. I'm new to this site. I have my first parrotlet who is about 5 months now. He's pretty gentle, but still a little hand shy. I was wondering if anyone deals with bird dander. I try to take him in the shower with me, but he seems to hate the water. I have also tried a dish and running tap water. I think I'm really allergic to his dander, so I'm frustrated because I love to hold him on my shoulder alot! Any suggestions out there. Does anyone else have dander issues? Thanks!

[SweetPeasMom]

Have you tried a spray bottle with bottled water?

[Mustang99]

I have found that my parrotlet has very little dander; however, my husband has allergies and it took a solid 2-3 weeks for him to get adjusted to her. We have 3 budgies (at one time there were 5) and he was okay with them. So I'm not certain if her down is that different from the budgies but he was pretty miserable for a few weeks. She now sits on his shoulder with no problem. I hope it's get better for you. I also found that after Kiwi's first big molt around 5-6 months of age, that things were easier for my husband..possibly those little baby feathers have more dander than the new ones...not sure.

[BeakerLuvsBunsen]

my guys refuse to go under the faucet but they LOOOOVE being misted!
it really helps keep the dander in line

[Theosmom]

I'll try the mister. I don't want to frighten him with it though! He just finished molting a couple of weeks ago so I hope it settles after this. I'm taking 2 showers a day right now because I cough and itch like mad after holding him.

[cute_lil_fiend]

Hi there,

Like yours, my parrotlet also sheds tons of dander. He's going onto 6 months old now and right in the middle of molting so all the pinfeather sheaths are coming off and my laptop keypad (which he loves to cavort on) is covered with it. I find that usually he's not very 'dandery', but I'm not sure if this is true for your parrotlet. Did you get him after he was weaned or was he already mature? I find parrotlets shed worst when they are molting (half year old, hence reason for me asking when you got him) and perhaps after his molt you'll be less allergic.

[LyndaM]

It's an uncommon allergy by the way (way more than cats). I am also allergic to feathers/dander. It's not horrific at this point so I don't modify my behaviors. Heck I even kiss and sniff my parrotlet (love his smell; I know -- it's weird but there are several of us on this forum who own up to it, and the rest, well, I just know they do it but don't admit it! :).

My suggestions would be to 1. Bathe/mist your bird frequently -- mine don't like it much either but they have to do it -- I usually do it in the kitchen sink 2. Use 3M Filtrete filters on your furnace and change every 3 months, and 3. get an air purifier.

[Mustang99]

I did purchase air purifiers for the room the birds are in as well as my bedroom. I have found that they made a positive different. I ordered the Hamilton Beach unit from Amazon...reasonably priced and easy to operate.

[LyndaM]

I did purchase air purifiers for the room the birds are in as well as my bedroom. I have found that they made a positive different. I ordered the Hamilton Beach unit from Amazon...reasonably priced and easy to operate.

I agree with Mustang99's approach. Buying purifiers for the rooms you need them most. My research says that whole house purifiers don't work as well.

[Sally]

My tiny Parrotlet is no problem. I see no dander. I can't be around big birds for long. Cockatiels and Cockatoo's are the worst for me.

[Theosmom]

My little guy has just gone through his first molt. He's still quite young. It's so strange to be bothered by his dander. I've had birds for years and never have ahd a problem before. He is always on my shoulder or near me when I'm home...I just try to put up with itchiness etc because he's so endearing!

[ecenur]

It's an uncommon allergy by the way (way more than cats). I am also allergic to feathers/dander. It's not horrific at this point so I don't modify my behaviors. Heck I even kiss and sniff my parrotlet (love his smell; I know -- it's weird but there are several of us on this forum who own up to it, and the rest, well, I just know they do it but don't admit it! :).

My suggestions would be to 1. Bathe/mist your bird frequently -- mine don't like it much either but they have to do it -- I usually do it in the kitchen sink 2. Use 3M Filtrete filters on your furnace and change every 3 months, and 3. get an air purifier.

I just recently purchased a Parrotlet, I have 3 dogs and one cat. I am looking for a really good filter system, how well does a 3M filtrete filter work?

[Wuzzoluvr]

I'd recommend the rabbit air purifier. It was recommended to me on this forum so I thought I'd order it. I received it about 2 weeks ago & it's awesome. It's got a hepa filter system with sensors that detect everything. So far I have no more allergy symptoms!!