Teflon does have to be heated to a high temperature to be a significant risk but personally, I'd still not take the risk but I'm sure there are loads of more knowledgable than I that will offer advice.

Vicky

Thanks Vicky I have just been to ASDA and brought 3 cheap cotton ones so will be safe and easy to wash incase said birdies have little or big accidents.
The teflon ones was wiperabe but never mind it's not worth the risk.

Hi Rita

I've read just about everything I can find about teflon. Below is a degeeked version.

The main issue seems to be that if teflon is heated it gives off a toxic gas which is very dangerous to humans and lethal to birds.

The example given is that a pan frying bacon is hot enough to give off the most dangerous type of fumes.

DuPont invented the stuff and was 'forced' to give out details about all this.

The internet is full of scare stories but a bit short of fact in many cases. What appears to be true is that if you heat a teflon coated pan to very high temperatures .... possibly frying or a forgotten pan ......its very dangerous to birds throughout the house.

Remember 'teflon' is a trademarked product but most other non-stick products will probably be chemically nearly identical....so 'non stick' is actually the issue.

Nothing anywhere says unheated teflon is dangerous. But would you really want your birds chewing on a complex chemical substance? You're probably right to replace the cloths for your own peace of mind.

I think the whole teflon issue for birds is that smoke that is 'quite dangerous' for humans (burning plastic, teflon etc) is just massively amplified by thier special oodie resipratory system. I have had past issues with lorries fumigating outside, guests smoking...even bbq. Bottom line is that if there is something in the air, the fragile birds are getting 4x my dose.

Thanks for that Oodie.
It's just not worth the risk . There was a safer option so thats what I did.