When I hosed cage, some colour ran off a newly purchased toy, (orange, red, yellow and green wooden balls interspersed with plastic discs). Hubby said that it was probably a food colouring but wondered if maybe it was something not quite so safe. Purchased from a major chain store, but not much info on the packaging. Of course, I should have taken it out of cage first, but then it had to be washed at some stage, even by hand. Any suggestions, please?

If the colour runs off it I would be more inclined to say it was a food colouring of some sort - If you can read the back of the package or find out who makes them and ask ......

 

I have hosed new toys and now colour has washed off it ..... ( now I think that Mine could be unsafe)

I am going to stick my neck out and say if it says "bird safe" and it is made for a bird then it is safe, I had the same thing happen and Merlin is okay.

Thank you for bringing this up. I had found the same thing with a wooden ladder I have for Maxie. It was a pet shop bought ladder, has coloured balls all the way up the rungs. Everytime I wash it (why do they always POOP on their toys no matter where you place them!!) the colour comes off. I was worried about this and even took it out and replaced it with a plastic one (not half as nice!). I think I'll give it back to her now that its more than likely food colouring. Makes sense!! (never thought of it myself )

l bought a bird playgym from the petstore and when l first cleaned it, some of the colours ran. On the box it said 100% birdsafe and it was coloured with food colouring.

Edited December 6, 200816 yr by birdluv