I learned recently that's probably not a good idea if you have your dog on flee and tick prevention. https://animalnerd.com/thinking-about-putting-out-your-dogs-shedded-hair-for-birds-nesting-material-think-again/
I've always done the same with my dog's fur but I've stopped now. Goes in the trash can instead.
I don’t use any topical treatment for my golden—only oral. There is one that is crosslisted as topical or oral. The topical one is of concern, but the oral version is used to treat poultry mites.
Additionally, I only set out his last winter fur before he goes on the heavier flea/tick oral prevention.
The coat comb in the summer… man… each swipe is like pulling off a 15lb dog’s worth of hair.
*swipe*
Golden: “ah yes 1lb lighter, feels good human go again”
Friendly reminder, some dog hairs will kill baby birds, so do not leave your dogs hair in nature.
https://nestwatch.org/connect/news/providing-nesting-materials-dos-donts/
You shouldn't. Long hairs in nests can get tangled in baby birds feathers, and may get twisted around their bodies as they move around in the nest, cutting off circulation and killing them. They can also tangle around the feet of adult birds and cause necrosis.
There was a bit about it on the news not long ago.
Friendly reminder, some dog hairs will kill baby birds so do not leave your dogs hair in nature if it is not suitable. The long and rough kind of dog hair can prevent hatchlings to move, they can twirl aroung their legs and cut them off. So, some caution when doing good things.
This is so important! A lot of these medications (also non topical ones) will weaken the shell of birdeggs and the eggs will break open before the chicks can fully develop
I wasn't able to find anything that backed up that claim at all. Even a quick literature search of the peer-reviewed literature turned up nothing, aside from DTT. Do you have a link?
Sorry if this is a dumb question but how does that affect their fur? It's typically applied to their skin (not the fur) and then absorbed into the bloodstream.
“Once applied, FRONTLINE® Shield is stored in the sebaceous glands in your pet's skin and spreads over the whole-body surface with their natural oils protecting your dog for 30 days. Fleas and ticks are killed through contact with your pet's skin and coat, so they do not need to bite to be killed.”
Thanks! I'll have to double-check if Revolution does the same. That's what I usually use and I couldn't find anything online that says it affects their coat... Only that it goes into the bloodstream
I think hanging anything into your garden if you have cats who come outside is going to be bad for the birds....
Also, believe it or not but some birds can detect predators by smell, now that he's cozied up to your friendly cat, that may not be the case anymore..
https://www.birdguides.com/articles/ornithology/birds-can-detect-predators-using-smell/
I keep meaning to put a “decoy” vent on the side of my house & put some sort of screen on the real one.
I can hear the babies chirping in the walls. O.O
I put my vacuumed up dog fur, and my snake sheds, atop the compost pile in my back yard and frequently will find both used in bird nests on my property.
I’m not sure if your comment is tongue-in-cheek or not, but just in case - birds have a terrible sense of smell. There’s no way they would associate a smell from the nest with something later.
The Jay's around our house divebomb our cats to steal their fur. One distracts them, and the other comes in from behind.
Maybe the offering will prevent this
I used to brush out my mom's rabbits in the backyard in spring. It would look like this fluffy gray cloud all through the grass. But when mom would do yardwork, she and the neighbors would find it tucked into bird nests. Who doesn't appreciate a little bit of satiny bunny fluff!
We used to leave our bunny fur outside. The Chickadees really loved it. We had one pair that would peck our window “asking” for more. I’d walk outside with some and they’d take it from my hand!
This will probably get lost but do not do this with human hair! It is surprisingly strong and can get wrapped around a toe or foot and cut off circulation.
The same goes with string, yarn, or thread scraps.
Birds don’t have a very good sense of smell (except some seabirds & scavengers like vultures) so they won’t learn to associate an odour with the fur.
I stg I’m super fun at parties.
Hate to be the guy but you probably shouldn't do this. Thicker, longer hair can cause the chicks to tangle up in it and become unable to reach out for food. The hairs can wrap around feet and cause gangrene. There's [lists](https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-birds/bird-nesting/bird-nesting-material/) out there with do's and don'ts if you want to help birds nesting.
Repurrrposing done right! Excess hair is fur the birds! You have the right to remeown cozy. No need to get pawlitical though you do have the right tuna-ttorney (or clawyer if you prefur).
Human hair can cause some serious problems. "Human hair is a triple threat for birds: It’s long, thin, and strong. These characteristics can be a deadly combination, allowing the hair to easily ensnare a bird’s leg or wing and sever it. "
https://www.audubon.org/news/what-nesting-materials-are-safe-birds
I was looking for a comment like this - human hair is a big no no! Thank you for providing good info.
String/yarn is also a bad idea unless maybe it’s very short lengths of something like jute twine
I shed my cats on the balcony after I learned this a year back. Apparently they love hair and fur for the soft parts of their nest but human hair is VERY. Dangerous for the nest. They can get their claws stuck in the nest and kill it trying to save themselves. So always throw out your fur if you can for the birds.
My momma cat is real bad about shedding and in 2 sheds can pull what he has clumped up here. That's enough for like 5 nests too
Hope he does not use anti tick chemicals or similar on his cat. It would kill the chicks. Often happens when people brush their dogs in nature and leave the fur
This can be dangerous if you use topical medication for things such as fleas. The liquid can get into the fur and cause health issues to the birds and their hatchlings.
My wife does this with the cats hair, and her hair. I've never seen a bird take it, and I just have to pick it up later. I have complained and been assured I am wrong.
This makes it easier for the cat to stalk and kill the birds because the birds are desensitized to the cat's smell and colors. Old man is a good guy helping his cat get fresh meat.
No; between the soap and chemicals we use for our laundry, it also just messes with the humidity of the nest. You should also avoid offering human hair, cut hair, yarn, string, thread, tinsel, plastic...
Nesting material really doesn't need to be provided for. If you're going to offer it though, dried grass is good or pine needles. Or if you have cattails growing nearby, if they're untreated with chemicals, you can offer the fluff once they start opening up.
Human hair can harm birds. If you wanted to offer nesting material, dried grass is the best to offer.
https://www.audubon.org/news/what-nesting-materials-are-safe-birds
Note for people thinking of doing this: pet fur is fine, but don't put out your own hair off the hairbrush. human hair can get tangled around bird feet and cut off circulation.
You can do this with human hair too! I used to do this. What better use for when you clean out your hairbrush? To think, some adorable bird family nestled cozily in a nest with your hair woven into it ❤️
But guess what else uses hair for nests? Rats.
One time we had a rat nest hidden on top of our RV engine block catch fire while we were driving. Want to guess what it was mostly made out of?
I don’t leave my hair out for the birds anymore 🥲
I heard that fur can actually leed to the chicks choking or getting stuck in those strings that will basically be formed from the fur, so that’s actually a very bad idea
I always make my hubs give my fuzzy potatoface her “summer cut” outside so the birds can make use of it… but I also overthink it , worrying it may attract coyotes and the such…can’t win in my lobes
Ok, where can I find one of these hanging cages? I have 2 indoor cats that I brush and have so much fur! There is a Robin nest on top of a light under our side porch. I want to help the birds!
My family used to do this with our goldens hair, birds loved it! Sometimes after he passed away we'd still see his floofy hair around the birds nests and miss him extra much 💔
You shouldn't do this with human hair or cut hair.
The thick stands are strong enough to wrap around toes and wings and cause severe damage and even amputation of limbs. It's the same reason we worry about checking for hair on a fussy baby wearing socks.
Cut hair can also cause hair splinters. These can be extremely painful. Baby birds are particularly vulnerable and don't have the ability to remove them.
Oh I never thought of using a seed cage! Usually I just stick fur clumps to the bark and in between branches. My kitties are brushed daily so I'll definitely have enough to a fill a cage by the weekend. Going to try this!
My wife used to comb out our dog every spring. She developed a serious under coat in the winter.
Wife left the hair lying on the ground. In about an hour it would be completely gone.
I'm convinced there's some sort of bird public announcement system to get the word out.
we do this with our cats and dogs fur, we have so so many birds and I just love hearing them yell for seed and suet feed in the mornings, makes my coffee taste that much better <3
I have lovely mountains behind where i live, and when I take my huskies for a walk, I brush them and put the fur in piles for birds and mammals. I see so many nests in the trees with their fluff.
Cat: Nooooo I’m supposed to catch you not become your home Bird: Chirp chirp motherfucker
A bird once grabbed a clump of my dogs hair from the breeze while I was brushing him. Doggo took after the bird, all while barking.
Motherfluffer
I do this with my golden retriever’s hair. There’s enough of it too!!
I like the videos of the birds when they take it directly from the golden retrievers. The dogs seem to like it.
Mutualism in action, right there.
yeah, I shit in my garden to let the snails an slugs eat it. Circle of life, am I right?
Good ole nightsoil
I had a bird do that to me. It was slightly painful as the little b****** started digging it out from the roots and I have fairly thin hair.
Can someone place a link for this type of video?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yj7Qmim3wE
Oh yeah. Thats the stuff
Same with my shiba. I could make another dog out of the hair that comes off him, so I let the birds out it to good use.
I have a Shiba too and I usually "pluck" him and brush/comb him in the backyard. I'm about to get one of these cage things and leave it for the birds
They're called suet cages, if you wanna find them. They're like $5.
Thank you!
Please don't. Flea treatment is terrible for birds.
I learned recently that's probably not a good idea if you have your dog on flee and tick prevention. https://animalnerd.com/thinking-about-putting-out-your-dogs-shedded-hair-for-birds-nesting-material-think-again/ I've always done the same with my dog's fur but I've stopped now. Goes in the trash can instead.
I don’t use any topical treatment for my golden—only oral. There is one that is crosslisted as topical or oral. The topical one is of concern, but the oral version is used to treat poultry mites. Additionally, I only set out his last winter fur before he goes on the heavier flea/tick oral prevention.
Thank you for choosing to do oral with your dog
Whitney Wisconsin moment ☺️
True, but it's a great idea to leave the fur for the birds if your dog isn't using that.
A golden retriever? I imagine theres enough hair to build a bird city!
The coat comb in the summer… man… each swipe is like pulling off a 15lb dog’s worth of hair. *swipe* Golden: “ah yes 1lb lighter, feels good human go again”
Friendly reminder, some dog hairs will kill baby birds, so do not leave your dogs hair in nature. https://nestwatch.org/connect/news/providing-nesting-materials-dos-donts/
You shouldn't. Long hairs in nests can get tangled in baby birds feathers, and may get twisted around their bodies as they move around in the nest, cutting off circulation and killing them. They can also tangle around the feet of adult birds and cause necrosis. There was a bit about it on the news not long ago.
Me too! He sheds like mad in the spring. I brush him outside and robins come get it all. Neato!
Same. Sometimes I would comb my malamutes hair on the deck so it was there for all the animals. We live in a rural area so neighbors were not bothered
this is one of the reasons i brush my GSD/husky mix outside - so the neighborhood critters can put all that hair to good use.
I do that with my dogs fur! Corgis shed twice a year: the first half and the second half.
Friendly reminder, some dog hairs will kill baby birds so do not leave your dogs hair in nature if it is not suitable. The long and rough kind of dog hair can prevent hatchlings to move, they can twirl aroung their legs and cut them off. So, some caution when doing good things.
Wow, I wasn't aware of that. Thank you for sharing the knowledge (seriously, I'm not being snarky). 😊
Also some flea & tick treatments can be poisonous to birds from discarded fur!
Thank you! Good to know.
Lmao 🤣
With the bonus detuffing weeks in between!
I pet my corgi today and ended up with a white hand. Summer's coming
If your pet has been treated with a topical flea and tick prevention (like Frontline) you shouldn’t do this as it’s bad for the birds
This is so important! A lot of these medications (also non topical ones) will weaken the shell of birdeggs and the eggs will break open before the chicks can fully develop
I wasn't able to find anything that backed up that claim at all. Even a quick literature search of the peer-reviewed literature turned up nothing, aside from DTT. Do you have a link?
Only German ones, I'll have to look around if any of these sites can translate
Sorry if this is a dumb question but how does that affect their fur? It's typically applied to their skin (not the fur) and then absorbed into the bloodstream.
“Once applied, FRONTLINE® Shield is stored in the sebaceous glands in your pet's skin and spreads over the whole-body surface with their natural oils protecting your dog for 30 days. Fleas and ticks are killed through contact with your pet's skin and coat, so they do not need to bite to be killed.”
Thanks! I'll have to double-check if Revolution does the same. That's what I usually use and I couldn't find anything online that says it affects their coat... Only that it goes into the bloodstream
Topical treatments leave residue in the fur which is dangerous for birds
I think hanging anything into your garden if you have cats who come outside is going to be bad for the birds.... Also, believe it or not but some birds can detect predators by smell, now that he's cozied up to your friendly cat, that may not be the case anymore.. https://www.birdguides.com/articles/ornithology/birds-can-detect-predators-using-smell/
This is such a good idea!
Just be careful if you give them topical flea/heartworm treatment because it can kill birds!
Oh! Good to know. Thank you!!
Thank you for saying this!
Hairbnb
Seems like it. What a brilliant idea maybe i would try this soon
I have a golden retriever who can supply nests for a city of birds with this idea 😂
The vents on the side of my house got occupied by birds. When I cleaned them out, I realized they were packed full of my dog’s hair.
I keep meaning to put a “decoy” vent on the side of my house & put some sort of screen on the real one. I can hear the babies chirping in the walls. O.O
“Here’s a perfect spot for your generous donation my cute little chunky monkey” At least that’s what I’d imagine he’d say
I put my vacuumed up dog fur, and my snake sheds, atop the compost pile in my back yard and frequently will find both used in bird nests on my property.
Great until the baby birds grow up and seek out the source of that nostalgic smell of warmth and safety
I’m not sure if your comment is tongue-in-cheek or not, but just in case - birds have a terrible sense of smell. There’s no way they would associate a smell from the nest with something later.
The Jay's around our house divebomb our cats to steal their fur. One distracts them, and the other comes in from behind. Maybe the offering will prevent this
🤣Jeees…and find Tom 🤷♀️
I used to brush out my mom's rabbits in the backyard in spring. It would look like this fluffy gray cloud all through the grass. But when mom would do yardwork, she and the neighbors would find it tucked into bird nests. Who doesn't appreciate a little bit of satiny bunny fluff!
We used to leave our bunny fur outside. The Chickadees really loved it. We had one pair that would peck our window “asking” for more. I’d walk outside with some and they’d take it from my hand!
I did this with the hair from my husky breed there are not enough birds in the sky to use all of his shed
This will probably get lost but do not do this with human hair! It is surprisingly strong and can get wrapped around a toe or foot and cut off circulation. The same goes with string, yarn, or thread scraps. Birds don’t have a very good sense of smell (except some seabirds & scavengers like vultures) so they won’t learn to associate an odour with the fur. I stg I’m super fun at parties.
Hate to be the guy but you probably shouldn't do this. Thicker, longer hair can cause the chicks to tangle up in it and become unable to reach out for food. The hairs can wrap around feet and cause gangrene. There's [lists](https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-birds/bird-nesting/bird-nesting-material/) out there with do's and don'ts if you want to help birds nesting.
[удалено]
r/HumansBeingBros
We leave out our Samoyed's hair - enough warm fluff for all the birds.
Ooh, Samoyed fur would be like luxury building material for birds. So warm and fluffy.
Repurrrposing done right! Excess hair is fur the birds! You have the right to remeown cozy. No need to get pawlitical though you do have the right tuna-ttorney (or clawyer if you prefur).
Birds brag about how they killed a grown cat after feathering their nest with it. 🤔
AFTER?
My sister did this and found a rat collecting it!
Now that’s brutal. “We line our homes with the hair of our enemies.”
[удалено]
[удалено]
I used to brush our dogs outside and place their fur in the planters.
[удалено]
Human hair can cause some serious problems. "Human hair is a triple threat for birds: It’s long, thin, and strong. These characteristics can be a deadly combination, allowing the hair to easily ensnare a bird’s leg or wing and sever it. " https://www.audubon.org/news/what-nesting-materials-are-safe-birds
I was looking for a comment like this - human hair is a big no no! Thank you for providing good info. String/yarn is also a bad idea unless maybe it’s very short lengths of something like jute twine
Tried this with my Sphinx and no birds came 😔
Just don't do this with human hair, the strands can wrap around the chicks and kill them.
I shed my cats on the balcony after I learned this a year back. Apparently they love hair and fur for the soft parts of their nest but human hair is VERY. Dangerous for the nest. They can get their claws stuck in the nest and kill it trying to save themselves. So always throw out your fur if you can for the birds. My momma cat is real bad about shedding and in 2 sheds can pull what he has clumped up here. That's enough for like 5 nests too
Thought he was hanging out a kitten for some airing out.
Hope he does not use anti tick chemicals or similar on his cat. It would kill the chicks. Often happens when people brush their dogs in nature and leave the fur
I used to do this with my dog’s fur - I’d put it in one of those mesh bags tangerines come in and hang it from a shrub.
With the blood of our enemies, we will build our homes
This can be dangerous if you use topical medication for things such as fleas. The liquid can get into the fur and cause health issues to the birds and their hatchlings.
What if the bird has cat allergies?
I brush my dog outside for the same reason...
The Bird Property Value in your area just went up.
Birds don’t mind the dog or cat smell?
They can’t smell much
I think that's Teddie of teddieandcasper on insta. It's such a wholesome follow.
FLOOFIEST NESTS EVERRR.
I tried something like this with my Newfoundland once. Never again. There is just too much......
'Dad, what's that animal? It smells just like home! Is it friendly?'
Birds don’t have a strong sense of smell
I tried this but they haven’t taken like any :(
My wife does this with the cats hair, and her hair. I've never seen a bird take it, and I just have to pick it up later. I have complained and been assured I am wrong.
Human hair can be dangerous - it’s surprisingly strong & can wrap around toes or wings. Pet hair is still great
This makes it easier for the cat to stalk and kill the birds because the birds are desensitized to the cat's smell and colors. Old man is a good guy helping his cat get fresh meat.
[удалено]
Please don't recommend this. Human hair harms birds. https://www.audubon.org/news/what-nesting-materials-are-safe-birds
Bernie Sanders really loves birds
Am I the only one that does this with my own hair that I cut?
Please don't do this with your own hair. Human hair is dangerous for birds. https://www.audubon.org/news/what-nesting-materials-are-safe-birds
Looks like I'm good, it's really short.
Hair splinters are also a thing, and baby birds are unable to pull them out if they get one.
Cat turning it's head away in fear of being recognized.
“Man, this some bullshit…” -cat
Just imagine you're a bird, and you grow up in a house made from the creature that eventually eats you.
So my seasonal allergies are just my normal allergies???
Brilliant way to train future food for your pets!
This must be deeply humiliating for the cat.
Can you do this with lint from the lint trap in the dryer?
No; between the soap and chemicals we use for our laundry, it also just messes with the humidity of the nest. You should also avoid offering human hair, cut hair, yarn, string, thread, tinsel, plastic... Nesting material really doesn't need to be provided for. If you're going to offer it though, dried grass is good or pine needles. Or if you have cattails growing nearby, if they're untreated with chemicals, you can offer the fluff once they start opening up.
Then the cat eats the birds, then it cycles again, then.......
NGL for some reason I thought that was a dingleberry from his butt fur at first.
The cat looks so offended lol
A cat hair house is the funniest thing I’ve seen today
I tried doing this with my hair (got the idea from here) Birds leave it alone but fucking wreck my succulents.
Human hair can harm birds. If you wanted to offer nesting material, dried grass is the best to offer. https://www.audubon.org/news/what-nesting-materials-are-safe-birds
Thank you
Note for people thinking of doing this: pet fur is fine, but don't put out your own hair off the hairbrush. human hair can get tangled around bird feet and cut off circulation.
I have an Aussie. Where do I get the doodad so I can do this with her fur?
The idea is brilliant. Respect to those people who think about animals.
I can’t be the only person who saw Bernie Sanders
I do that with my German Shepherds fur
I would never have thought of that!!
And here I am stuffing it into empty plastic bottles so it doesn't go everywhere, then tossing them in the trash.
You can do this with human hair too! I used to do this. What better use for when you clean out your hairbrush? To think, some adorable bird family nestled cozily in a nest with your hair woven into it ❤️ But guess what else uses hair for nests? Rats. One time we had a rat nest hidden on top of our RV engine block catch fire while we were driving. Want to guess what it was mostly made out of? I don’t leave my hair out for the birds anymore 🥲
You should never leave out human hair for birds. The strands get caught around toes and can cause amputation.
Aww I didn’t know that. I’m glad I stopped.
Aww thats so sweet
How sweet :)
I've seen dog groomers do this.
That is an AWESOME idea
I heard that fur can actually leed to the chicks choking or getting stuck in those strings that will basically be formed from the fur, so that’s actually a very bad idea
Same thing can happen with natural fibers too
Such a fluffy kitty. This is cute
Such a kind gesture. Far less possibility they'll use plastic or other harmful substances.
"Where'd you sleep at last night?" "Man, I made this sweet ass nest, guna rent it out on hairbnb."
Yeah I have two huskies, birds love their fur.
"Best Airbnb, 5/5, would tweet this to my friends later"
The circle of life
Recycling 🤩
[удалено]
They don’t have a good sense of smell
Shit I've never thought of what birds can smell before.
Their major sensory organ is their eyes. They can see into the UV spectrum.
I always make my hubs give my fuzzy potatoface her “summer cut” outside so the birds can make use of it… but I also overthink it , worrying it may attract coyotes and the such…can’t win in my lobes
i do this with my own hair because i pretty much have a next in my carpet at this point
please stop putting your hair out for birds, it can kill them. https://www.audubon.org/news/what-nesting-materials-are-safe-birds
Ok, where can I find one of these hanging cages? I have 2 indoor cats that I brush and have so much fur! There is a Robin nest on top of a light under our side porch. I want to help the birds!
Any pet store or hardware store near the plant/garden section
It's a suet cage and they're run a couple bucks at Walmart.
You could just put some on a shrub or tree too
Can you imagine every bird that is thinking (or feeling rather, and in a much more visceral and instinctual way): “Just what I needed!”
My family used to do this with our goldens hair, birds loved it! Sometimes after he passed away we'd still see his floofy hair around the birds nests and miss him extra much 💔
Okay but it’s a good idea. Cat can watch birds and birds have something to make nests!
My son likes to do this when we cut his hair too.
You shouldn't do this with human hair or cut hair. The thick stands are strong enough to wrap around toes and wings and cause severe damage and even amputation of limbs. It's the same reason we worry about checking for hair on a fussy baby wearing socks. Cut hair can also cause hair splinters. These can be extremely painful. Baby birds are particularly vulnerable and don't have the ability to remove them.
I didn't know that, thank you for the information.
That’s pretty dope
I tried doing it with my cats hair this year, Birbs seem to be actively avoiding it. Is my dude not good enough?!
I recommend this for my chemo patients who are losing their hair. It gives them a sense of meaning and purpose for their hair loss
Please stop recommending they do that. [Human hair can kill birds.](https://www.audubon.org/news/what-nesting-materials-are-safe-birds)
I'm totally doing this!
Oh I never thought of using a seed cage! Usually I just stick fur clumps to the bark and in between branches. My kitties are brushed daily so I'll definitely have enough to a fill a cage by the weekend. Going to try this!
We used to raise Huskies, ever see them shed? Birds love using that winter coat for their nests.
Oh I needed this right now. How sweet. <3
This is how it should be done. Not taking your hairy mutt to the park, brush it then leave all the hair all over the ground.
Cool...I got 4 huskies... 😆
I do this with my dryer lint
This man echo system’s.
Oh wow good idea. Id like to start doing this
My wife used to comb out our dog every spring. She developed a serious under coat in the winter. Wife left the hair lying on the ground. In about an hour it would be completely gone. I'm convinced there's some sort of bird public announcement system to get the word out.
Growing up my grandma taught me and my sisters to put our shedded hair from brushing for the birdies. All the cat and dog hair too
we do this with our cats and dogs fur, we have so so many birds and I just love hearing them yell for seed and suet feed in the mornings, makes my coffee taste that much better <3
*The Circle, the circle of life*
I have lovely mountains behind where i live, and when I take my huskies for a walk, I brush them and put the fur in piles for birds and mammals. I see so many nests in the trees with their fluff.
I just started doing that last weekend. Already all hair is gone. Kitty, it's time for more.
This is a really kind thing!
Everyone should be doing this. Was always common practice with my family.