I bought the Kaytee Brand "Forage N' Play" ladder and Drs. Foster & Smith website has it described as having stainless steel hooks & eye screws. I was skeptical. I asked Drs F&S and they said they don't really know, and that they don't have a way to test metals, and that I could contact Kaytee, the manufacturer.
Ok, so I did this. The latest information is that the hooks & eye screws are made of "Iron Metal Plated Steel." I've googled this but couldn't find much. However per the sticky, Iron and Steel are safe but can rust. And rust is not safe.
The phrase "Iron Metal Plated Steel" makes it seem like they don't know what they're talking about. (?)
Below is my latest correspondence with the manufacturer.
I'm asking a lot of questions, because I think the lack of detail or appearance of caring about what metal is actually in the products is concerning to me. I believe there shouldn't be all these maybes, inaccurate information, an attitude of not seeming to care about the thoroughness of the answers, etc.
All one has to do is read one single thread of any bird owner, on any forum, dealing with the stress of dealing with metal poisoning in their bird... to know this is a serious matter. More serious than some of these manufacturers seem to be taking it. Which bothers me.
I will be giving an update in another thread, but re. some perches, a customer service rep gleefully told me that "the wingnut, screw and washer are all zinc-plated. and none of the wood has been processed in any way. and it comes from China." [ Ok, zinc plate = very bad. Not processed = no treatment against fungi and any other harmful bio-organisms. ] I advised them to stop selling all of their perches immediately, and I'm waiting to hear back. That will be interesting.
As of today, Petco can't tell me the metal materials in their perches, so I'm going to have to dig deeper.
My Correspondence with Kaytee. Starts at the bottom (first msg.) I'm in bold, the rep from Kaytee is in regular type.
<< Hi,
I'm confused. Are you saying the material is... Iron Metal Plated Steel?
What about Zinc? Is there any Zinc in there? Are any of the metal parts Galvanized metal?
Can we work to get a more precise and specific answer from someone either in your product development / design, or materials sourcing department?
Lead is not the only metal that is toxic to birds. Zinc is also a significant source of metal toxicity and poisoning, which can lead to fatalities and also expensive vet bills and expensive treatments. Plus putting the bird through a world of stress being ill and treated (and in many cases death.)
Please let me know if you would like some links to scholarly papers on the matter written by Avian Veterinarians.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks.
On Wed, Dec 14, 2016 at 4:07 PM, Valerie wrote:
Hi,
All I have heard from the group is that they absolutely led free and Iron Metal Plated Steel.
Thank you,
Valerie
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 2:33 PM
To: Valerie Hansen
Subject: Re: Kaytee Contact-Forage and Play Ladder Question
Hello Valerie,
It's been a week and I haven't heard back from anyone in the marketing group. Do you have any updates?
Sincere thanks.
On Wed, Dec 7, 2016 at 2:26 PM:
Ok, great. Thanks Valerie. I'll wait to hear from them. Appreciate it.
On Wed, Dec 7, 2016 at 12:02 PM, Valerie wrote:
Your email has been forward to the marketing group.
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2016 10:02 AM
To: Valerie
Subject: RE: Kaytee Contact-Forage and Play Ladder Question
Can we get to the bottom of this? It's very important we get the accurate information from the manufacturer. I'm part of a very large bird community and we just want the most accurate information. We like this cage accessory, but we want to know with specificity what the composition is of the metal, so that we can remove it if we deem necessary.
Also if Drs Fosters and Smith are advertising stainless steel incorrectly, we definitely need to have them correct that.
Too many birds can get seriously ill with costly vet bills ( or die ) if we don't have the accurate information. Toxic metal poisoning in birds is a real issue, written about by many esteemed avian vets.
Thanks for your help....I do appreciate it. Love the product, just want the accurate details.
Thx.
On Dec 7, 2016 10:44 AM, "Valerie" <vhansen@central.com> wrote:
I spoke with my buyer and he said we may have been from a different factory from the original launch of these and it’s possible that they are not stainless but rather plated steel. He said he’d dig into it if we needed he to.
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2016 9:31 AM
To: Valerie
Subject: RE: Kaytee Contact-Forage and Play Ladder Question
Thanks. I appreciate the information.
Can you advise as to why the hooks are magnetic ( a magnet will attach to them ), when stainless steel is not supposed to be magnetic?
Thx.
On Dec 7, 2016 10:23 AM, "Valerie" wrote:
Hi,
Yes, all hooks are stainless steel and safe for your pets.
Regardless, where the Kaytee item is purchased from Amazon or Drs, it is the same product.
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2016 9:16 AM
To: Valerie
Subject: Re: Kaytee Contact-Forage and Play Ladder Question
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for the response. So are you confirming that the product I purchased from Amazon ( I believe directly from Kaytee ) & is exactly the same as what is listed on Drs Foster's & Smith's is made with stainless steel hooks? Are the eye hooks stainless steel as well? There are two hooks on each end ( so 4 total ) & eye hooks on the "wrungs" of the cage accesory.
All metal hooks are stainless steel including the small eye hooks?
And, if this product is purchased at Amazon (from Kaytee) or at a place such as Petco... it still has all stainless steel hooks? The hooks are not galvanized nor nickel-plated steel? They're bird-safe stainless steel?
Thanks.
On Dec 7, 2016 10:07 AM, "Valerie Hansen" <vhansen@central.com> wrote:
Hi,
Yes, Stainless steel hooks and no the packaging has not changed. I apologize for the delay in responding to your question. We had email problems, which has been corrected.
I am not sure if this was already addressed. If so, please ignore the duplicate email.
Sincerely,
Val
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2016 11:12 AM
To: Kaytee Customer Service <customerservice@kaytee.com>
Subject: Kaytee Contact
Hi --- This question is re. the Kaytee Forage & Play Ladder. Dr. Foster & Smith is advertising this toy as having stainless steel hooks: Forage & Play Ladder | Super Pet Wooden Ladders Can you confirm that this product actually has Stainless Steel Hooks? I bought this same product on Amazon, and it didn't say the hooks were stainless steel so I assumed they were not. Do you make a special version with Stainless Steel Hooks for Dr. Foster & Smith? Look forward to hearing from you. Thank-you, [/B]