Manicure/Nail Polish & Birds

[dlaura]

Hi All,
I was just wondering if anyone has a solution to this problem:

My nails chip and break if I don't keep some sort of polish or nail protector on them. At times I like to use something with a color in it. I always do my nails in another area of house or at my parent's house and do not go near the birds until it is dry. They are ok if I use a clear coat - but anything with color upsets them and they'll move away from my hands or try and remove the nail itself. Does anyone else have this problem - or more importantly a solution?

????
Thanks in advance,
Diane

[Love Bird B]

I have nails that chip and break too. I cut them short, gave up on polish and file them to a nice round cute shape! This probably isn't what you wanted to hear, but it saves me a lot of time and energy. I'm also happy not to worry about fumes or anything else.

B

[Mrs.Birdy]

Funny thing...my Pionus likes to nibble on my nails when I am holding him. So I also keep them short and filed with no polish since I am afraid of the effects of laquer if he should ingest some.

If I am going out for an occasion, I will polish my nails with clear laquer and remove it promptly after.

Anyway, all the scrubbing I do with cage bottoms, etc. prevents me from having the lovely hands I once had.

:(

[sleeepy2]

Most nail products are made with acetone (dimethyl ketone), which is a pretty mean solvent. When people work with large quantities of it, they are advised to wear respirators to avoid irritation to the respiratory tract. I guess a "large quantity" for a bird is a lot smaller, and they don't like the smell.

[jackie]

i have that problem too....

them being afraid---well, what would you be thinking it all of a sudden their beak was painted red...or blue..or purple? it would be wierd!

trying to bite it off---my birds always try to clean off any "imperfectios" on me...lol

[Redstorm1721]

I, also keep my nails short. with all the house cleaning after 5 people and my hands in water, I also gave up!My birds also love to chew on my nails.also there is "fermeldahide" in nail polish. "deadly". also in the remover. they may have rid of it nail polish, but I think its still in the polish remover? among lots of other junk. So to be safe with my animals, I don't use anything harmfull. I also have dogs that cannot be near fumes.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Also, my birds hate it when I put on hand lotion. They slightly wheeze, so I moisturize my hands at night before bedtime so that I wash it completely off in the morning.

[pionuspasion]

I rarely paint my nails anymore, I scrub too many cages and food cups for that sort of thing. :) But, once I painted them red for a special occasion and my Amazon went nuts. He got so excited. He starting talking to my nails, regurgitating on my nails , but eventually he wound up chewing so I had to remove it. It's strange. I dont know why he likes red nails so much. No other color, just red. Oh well.

I do have a suggestion as far as safety goes. I don't know the company name, but often groomers paint dogs/cats nails and this polish is supposedly "pet safe". I would call the manufacter before letting your birds chew on it, but its worth a try right?

As far as them being afraid, I would go gradually. When your nails dry, place you hand on your birds cage for a little while. Then, inside. Then try to pet your bird, then pick him/her up. It's understandable why they might be scared, so try to be patient.