Just how bad is cigarette smoke for finches?

[Nerien]

I don't smoke, nor does anyone who enters my house. But hubby's 90 year old grandmother, who lives alone and recently lost her cat of about 16 years, does. She says no more pets, because she figures she will outlive them, and then what happens. We keep telling her we'd take it, heck, with all we have, what's one more, but she says no. We still think she needs something to take care of and be with during the day. (She has a son & wife, grandsons & wives, and even a great-grandbaby close by, but of course all work so only stop by briefly late afternoon, and on weekends.)

She talks fondly still of the parakeet she had when young. But says no to the idea of another (But Oma, we could take it if needed, what's one more? No!) since they take care and free flight and all. Finches would be less care, yet cute and cheerful, and I could tell her we had too many babies, so she had to take them.

But she smokes. Her house is small, the smoke would definitely reach, and maybe be right near, the birds. Especially as winter is approaching so windows will not be open soon. (she's in New York state). I know smoke is not good for any living thing, but would it indeed be a death sentence for birds if we gave them to her?

She had lost another long-time cat 16 years ago, and said, no more pets, I'm too old, and then just a month or two later this cute little stray showed up at the house and just stayed. For 16 years. I think we can't trust to luck this time, I'd like to help out, but...she smokes. And is not likely to stop at 90 years old.

[wellingtoncdm]

Just how bad is cigarette smoke for anyone? I would not think any birds would handle that well.

[L in Ontario]

Ditto what Charlie said. Can't emphasize enough that smoke (of any kind) and finches (birds of any kind, really) just don't mix.

[cindy]

Birds just don't have a set of lungs but they have an addition 4 air sacs, 2 on each side. So this means that what they are breathing in will stay in their system longer. It will shorten there lives, I say no on the finches or birds.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

If she HAS to smoke, can't she at least go outside or do it in a specific room away from the birds? Perhaps invest in a smokeless ashtray for the smoking room and an air purifier for the room where the bird will be. As Cindy mentioned, ANY kind of smoke will shorten the life of a bird if not outright kill it. The smaller the bird, the worse off it will be. We have friends who smoke, but they must go out back on the patio to do so. Bob

[Nerien]

She's 90. Yes, Nine-Zero, NINETY. And still living on her own. Not about to go outside to smoke. Not going to stop smoking, either. Why should she? She's 90, buried two husbands (one during WWII), one son, and a granddaughter already, not exactly needing to worry about shortening her life or ruining her health.

House is a strange kind of front-to-back tri-level, so 2/3 of it is really a wide open single space. To have birds near her, they would be smoke-exposed.

Sigh. Was hoping that, while of course smoke is no good for anyone, it wasn't quite so horrible as I feared for birds. Would be easier to talk her into taking a bird than anything bigger. Guess we hope another stray cat shows up and decides to adopt her.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

My Dad's 92, yes nine two! He still drives, mows the lawn and shovels snow. I just thought that if she really wanted a bird she may be able to tweak her smoking habits a bit for the health of the bird. Wouldn't even go for the smokeless ashtray and the air purifier? We've all made sacrifices for the love of our pets. My wife used to love to burn scented candles and potpurri - not any more. Bob

[L in Ontario]

My Dad's 92, yes nine two! He still drives, mows the lawn and shovels snow. I just thought that if she really wanted a bird she may be able to tweak her smoking habits a bit for the health of the bird. Wouldn't even go for the smokeless ashtray and the air purifier? We've all made sacrifices for the love of our pets. My wife used to love to burn scented candles and potpurri - not any more. Bob

Oma has said (according to Nerien) no more pets. Maybe she is right, pets are a lot of work. If you are insistant on trying another pet for her you could check Kijiji for your area - there are always people giving cats away there. Perhaps you could volunteer to come over and clean the litterbox for oma - that would be a big help. But if Oma really doesn't want the cat, you'd have to be willing to take it in (like you would the bird). Again, although she talks fondly of her past pets, maybe it's time for Oma to have some time to herself without the responsibility of a pet at all.

[fwc]

Perhaps try a guinea pig or rabbit or something ?? They can be pretty cuddly, and don't live for as long as cats.

[Dayna]

Not trying to sound rude or anything but if you want her to have the responsibility of a pet but be safe to smoke around why don't you get her some fish? They are easy to care for, all you have to do is feed them and they are very entertaining to watch.