Cockatoos are some of the most beautiful parrots available as pets. However, the white wing dust they produce can be daunting to handle. Nothing will get rid of all the dust, but here are 5 things you can do that will drastically reduce the amount you and your birds are exposed to.

This dust is healthy for the bird, but to you it means your air has the potential to generate a ton more particulate matter than a normal bird would. Here are 5 manageable ways to keep the air clean and fresh for you and your bird.

Birdbaths – This can be achieved in a number of ways. You can spray your pet with a fine mist from a spray bottle. Or you can leave a bowl of clean water separate from the drinking water and let your bird do its own bathing.

Another thing that could be fun for you and your bird is to install a shower perch. These are fairly inexpensive and can be found at many bird supply stores.

If you decide to do this, make sure the water is in a spray instead of a strong stream. Move the perch away from the water source so your pet can choose when to go near the water and can use the perch as a retreat spot.

Clean Frequently — To keep dust and dander down with this type of bird, there is no way around frequent cleaning. And even with daily cleaning there is no way to completely remove it, but it can decrease the number of particles that are available to fly around and be inhaled by you and your cockatoo.

Reduce Particles with Water – Use water to clean, whether you’re mopping floors or dusting. Slow and gentle cleaning with a damp mop or cloth makes the particles too heavy to go back into the air.

So instead of stirring up the particles again, it can actually trap and remove them from their environment. Reducing the number of particles is the ultimate goal.

Know how much you can do — Providing the best environment for a bird is truly a gift. If your space allows you to do that for a bird, own up to it and give it an absolutely fabulous life.

While it may seem like you’re being generous by adopting numerous birds, that’s only true if your environment (and yours) isn’t suffering because you can’t maintain healthy conditions.

Filter the air — The best way to effectively remove particles and gases from the air is to continuously filter the air. Since the composition of particulates differs from that of gases, the filters in an air purifier must be able to remove both types.

For particulates, the most effective type of filter is a High Efficiency Particulate Retention (or HEPA) filter. It can remove airborne particles that are .3 microns or larger in size.

The benefit to you is that for every 10,000 particles in the air you will remove 99,997 of them with 99.97% efficiency. Although nothing will remove all the particles, this is pretty close.

For gaseous pollutants, the best type of filter is carbon. Known for its ability to remove gaseous pollutants, it is highly effective at removing harmful odors, gases and chemicals that can have such serious effects on bird health.

A carbon fabric filter in a unit is the best of both worlds because it can remove gaseous irritants because it’s carbon based and particulates because it’s woven like a cloth.

Following these 5 steps will keep you happier with the appearance of your room and birdhouse and healthier because there is less in the air to cause potential health problems for you and your bird.