For those of you who own a Cockatoo, just how bad is the dander? Is it severe enough that I would need to keep up on it daily? If I bathe the bird with me once a week will this help with the dander?

My husband and I do suffer from allergies to dander although I never let that stop me from getting the pets I want. I just do whats necessary to keep the dander down. My problem is if its a severe enough problem, I would hate to have it effect my husband.

Im looking for soulutions here. A way to make this work, because I really want to adopt this TOO.

Also would the amount of dander vary accroding to species? If so this is a Sulfer Crested 2.

cockatoos have the most dander than all the birds. If they do not have dander than they are sick. All species have quite a bit and if you suffer from allergies from dander I would seriously think of getting a different species of bird. I have raised tiels for years and one cockatoo will send my in an asthma fit quicker than and light switch where handeling 15 tiels will not . So just be aware that they have alot and I mean alot you would have to mist them daily to keep in in control once a week will not even touch it. hope I helped.

I have done research on this and that is one reason we chose a macaw over a cockatoo. I am looking into hepa filters to help with the dust with the baby that we will be getting soon. Cockatoos have a very fine powdery dander whereas many other species have more scaley dander. The powdery stuff gets in the air more readily and can cause problems for some people.

Since this thread was bumped up I wanted to give an update:

We ended up with a rescue cockatoo and I have only seen a little dander and that was when we first got her. She loves bathing and has been bathed quite a bit since being here. She has bonded to me and my daughter and we love her to death, what a wonderful species. She is a goffin 2. She will fly up to the bathroom if she hears the shower on to get a bath. The lady I got her from sent a letter to me the other day to let me know that she sprayed her (misted with a bottle) once a month! That is ridiculous in my eyes. Im so glad shes here with us, shes soooo happy here.

Thanks for your input everyone,
Heather

Congrats on your new baby! Please consider clipping her flight feathers to avoid accidents in the home (ceiling fans, etc)

Thanks for the advice n2bostons but I have already done that, at least as short as I can and she still flys well.

I havent noticed any dander with our bird, I guess it must be because of the frequent bathing?