Foods you should never feed your pet bird

Foods to avoid feeding your pet bird

Keep these out of the cage. - by Rachael Jones

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Meryl Cheep may want a peck of whatever you’re snacking on, but some of our everyday faves are toxic for birds.

Top of their menu is fresh, clean water and a blend of grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits and various types of legumes, eggs and meat. But here’s what you need to keep out of the cage:

Chips

A single salty chip can lead to dehydration and kidney damage.

Onion or garlic

These can cause anaemia. Onions also contain sulphur, which can cause ulcers.

Chocolate

Take care of your tweety sweetie and keep choccies to yourself.

Caffeine

It can lead to arrhythmia and hyperactivity in birds.

High-fat foods

Not good for you or your bird! A bite of cooked meat or a nut or two every week is safe. For a medium-sized parrot, one unsalted almond or walnut a day is OK.

Sugar-free treats

The artificial sweetener xylitol can cause hypoglycaemia and liver damage.

Can I feed my bird fruit?

Did you know fruits are fine for birds but the seeds aren’t! You need to deseed apples, pears, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums and nectarines. Yes, seeds and pits must be removed as they contain a toxic compound that poisons their hearts. Also, fruits are naturally high in sugar and should only be 5 per cent of your feather baby’s diet.