FAQ - Can You Use Dog Fur for Nesting Material for the Birds?

Q. Can dog (or cat) fur be used for nesting material for the birds?

A. Some birds use animal fur they find in nature to line their nests. It provides a soft surface for the nestlings as well as acting as an insulator from cold and wet.

You can help those birds by providing fur from your dog or cat. By doing so, you might help their nesting success as they conserve energy by taking advantage of an easy source of animal fur.

However, you should not use any type of animal fur that has been exposed to flea or tick treatments.

Comments

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Michele, I'm not sure I can safely answer that question because I just don't know how long the flea/tick product might be retained on the coats, considering the products and other details about how the animals were maintained throughout the winter. Dense coats might just maintain some product on them. I'm sorry I can't give you a definitive answer but I do appreciate you asking and your concern for the birds.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

JoAnn, I'm sorry I can't comment on the chews; probably safer than flea/tick treatment that is on the hairs.
I can say "no dryer lint"! It dries hard when it gets moist. Check out this post http://wildbirdsunlimited.typepad.com/the_zen_birdfeeder/2013/05/faq-can-i-put-dryer-lint-out-for-the-birds.html

[Michele]

My Shepherds are blowing their coats right now...and with 4, I think I have enough nesting material to house all the hummers in Pennsylvania! !

My question is this: I use a flea and tick product during the summer months, but our Winters are cold enough that I discontinue it in the late Fall each year. They haven't had any since late September...do you think it's safe to put this early spring fuzz out for the birds before I treat for the Summer?

Thanks for any advice...I don't wish to do the wrong thing for my little feathered friends!

Michele

[JoAnn]

Our 10 lb pooch is not bathed with any flea/tick treatment. We use "Buddy Wash" shampoo.

We give our Loretta a once a month flea/tick & heart worm chews.

Is it safe for us to use her fur? It's fine and very soft.

Also, lint from dryer? We use a fragrant-free detergent, no fabric softener or dryer sheets. How about the towels labeled 100% cotton?

Thanks!

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Elaine, sounds like you do a great job keeping birds in good, safe nesting materials. And thanks for raising the next generation of bird lovers!!
Daniel, interesting! The alpaca fiber we put out gets used, though some seasons more than others. Keep trying!

[Daniel LaFrance]

Terrific post! We used some Alpaca fur for our feathered friends. Our birds seemed to be particularly fussy and used very little of what we put out.

[Elaine Snow]

I do this every Spring with cat hair (I have a Maine Coon, so lots of shedded undercoat available) and the soft fluffy undercoat of my Shepherd dog. We use a small old wire feeder that I think was for peanuts, but was never successful in that role. Titmice in particular come pull the hair out and we have so much fun watching them! As crazy as it sounds I even save hair in a big mason jar and send it to my small new grandchildren so they can watch the birds gather it to use in their nests. That's how naturalists are born!!