An unbalanced or incomplete diet is a relatively common problem with our pet birds.
This malnutrition can cause numerous problems.
Here are a few basic tips and principles for feeding your cockatiels, parakeets and
parrots:
Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. All food and water dishes should be
emptied and cleaned everyday and fresh food and water given.
Parakeets and Parrots do best on a well formulated pelleted diet (making 50-60% of the
total diet) plus fresh fruit and vegetables (making 30-40% of the total diet) and small
amounts of seeds (making less than 10% of the total diet). Cockatiels are naturally seed
eaters and can have a higher percentage of seed in their diet but still need fresh fruit
and vegetables daily. Seed must be of good quality and not mouldy as this can cause
serious health problems. Some good pelleted diets are Kaytee, Harrison’s, Prestige
and Aviplus. Birds are flock animals and love eating with you and the family. Basically
whatever you are eating, you can dish up some for your parrot (please look below for
foods that are safe for your bird – table food should be fed in moderation). Give your
parrot a variety of foods and present them in different ways i.e. hang vegetables in the
cage, hide the food in toys, so that your bird does not get bored. This can help with
some behavioural issues relating from boredom.
Safe Foods:
Fresh fruit and vegetables – most fruits and vegetables are safe. Dark yellow and
leafy green vegetables are great. Carrots, sweet potato, parsley, green beans,
butternut, pumpkin, red/yellow/green peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant,
squash, corn, mango, banana, melon, papaya, berries, pineapple, oranges,
apples, grapes and kiwi.
- Cooked egg (not too much though)
- Cooked lean meat and poultry (not too much red meat though)
- Yoghurt, small amounts of dairy products like cheese
- Fruit juice
- Pasta
- Potato
- Brown rice
- Oats
- Lentils and legumes
- Wholewheat bread
- Sprouting seeds
- Fresh fruit and vegetables – most fruits and vegetables are safe. Dark yellow and
- leafy green vegetables are great. Carrots, sweet potato, parsley, green beans,
- butternut, pumpkin, red/yellow/green peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant,
- squash, corn, mango, banana, melon, papaya, berries, pineapple, oranges,
- apples, grapes and kiwi.
- Cooked egg (not too much though)
- Cooked lean meat and poultry (not too much red meat though)
- Yoghurt, small amounts of dairy products like cheese
- Fruit juice
- Pasta
- Potato
- Brown rice
- Oats
- Lentils and legumes
- Wholewheat bread
- Sprouting seeds
Foods to Avoid:
- Fruit and vegetables – avocado pear, rhubarb, celery and lettuce have a high
- water content and low nutritional content so don’t feed a lot of it, apple seeds and
- some fruit pits (may contain small amounts of harmful substances like cyanide)
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Salt
- Onions
With the correct diet your bird can live a long, happy and healthy life. If you have any
queries please don’t hesitate to give any of our vets a call.
Dr Debbie Foster