Parrots make for great household pets.
Not only does their bright and vibrant appearance make them stunning to look at, but their remarkable cognitive skills means you can have great fun with them, too.
After all, who doesn’t love a pet that can talk? (Even if it is just mimicking human speech).
If you own a parrot or are considering doing so, it’s important to understand what to feed them in order to keep them happy and healthy.
In this article, we’ll examine the question ‘can parrots eat strawberries?’ – Read on to find out more.
What Is The Diet Of A Parrot?
Parrots originate from all over the world, and are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions such as Australia, Asia, South America, Africa and the Caribbean.
In the wild, parrots have an extremely varied diet depending on their species, habitat and location. However, things that are commonly consumed by parrots no matter what part of the world they live in include fruit, seeds, flowers, insects and more.
For domestic parrots, diet changes slightly but what you feed your pet should still ensure it receives all of the nutrients it needs to be happy and healthy.
This includes the following:
- Pellets: Most pet shops sell specifically prepared pellets which are formulated to include all of the nutrients a parrot needs. They’re usually available in various sizes and flavours to suit every parrot species.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables: It’s also important to provide a range of fresh fruit and vegetables for pet parrots, as this will provide essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Fruits you can offer your parrot can include apples, bananas and grapes, with carrots, broccoli and peppers all suitable veggies.
- Seeds and nuts: Parrots love eating a wide range of seeds and nuts, so feel free to let yours indulge in the likes of sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds. However, these should be given in moderation as they include a large amount of fat.
- Fresh water: A fresh and clean supply of water is a vital part of every parrot’s healthy diet. This will help it avoid dehydration and water should be changed daily to ensure freshness.
You should also bear in mind your own pet’s specific needs and preferences. Diets can vary between different parrot species so it might be worthwhile contacting a vet or avian expert if you need any further guidance.
Can Parrots Eat Strawberries?
As mentioned above, parrots love to eat fresh fruit. This includes berries, and any berry that can be consumed by humans can also be fed to your feathered friend.
This means that, yes, parrots can eat strawberries!
In addition to strawberries, parrots can also enjoy blueberries and raspberries. As well as enjoying the juicy flavour that strawberries offer, they also provide a number of health benefits.
The Benefits Of Feeding Strawberries To Your Parrot
Not only are strawberries delicious, but they can provide your parrot with a wide range of health benefits.
This includes the following:
Vitamins And Minerals
Strawberries are jam-packed with a whole host of great vitamins and minerals which can help your pet stay fit and fight disease. This includes being high in vitamin C, calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium.
All of these things help your parrot’s body function properly. The source of vitamin C is particularly important, as it is something parrots cannot produce themselves. It’s a great antioxidant which can remove toxins from the blood and prevent disease.
Fibre
A lovely, juicy strawberry is also extremely high in fibre- which is great for your bird.
Fibre helps to balance a parrot’s digestive system and regulate water in the intestines. It also supports good bacteria in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract. All in all, it’s all great stuff.
Low In Calories
Another reason why it’s beneficial to feed a parrot strawberries is because they’re very low in calories. A cup of strawberries only contains around 48 calories, meaning it won’t cause your parrot to put on lots of weight.
The Risks Of Feeding Strawberries To Your Parrot
While it’s safe to feed strawberries to your pet parrot, there are a few risks you should be aware of, too.
One of the biggest things to remember is that they can sometimes be coated in pesticides used in nearby fields where they’re growing. Pesticides can be harmful to both humans and parrots if consumed, so you should take precautions.
Unlike some fruit, the skin of strawberries is rarely removed when eating and the small crevices which contain the seeds are perfect places for pesticides to reside. With this in mind, you should always make sure to wash your strawberries before eating or feeding to a parrot.
Alternatively, consider purchasing organic strawberries which will not be at risk of pesticides.
The other thing to be wary of is the sugar content in strawberries.
The fruit tends to include around seven grams per cup, which is quite a large amount for birds. This just means that you should be careful with portion sizes. Too much sugar in one sitting is likely to make your parrot hyperactive, and the long-term effects could place it at risk of developing diabetes.
How Can I Feed Strawberries To My Parrot?
There are two types of strawberries that you can feed your parrot, and the way to serve them will depend on the type you choose.
Fresh Strawberries for Your Parrot
If you serve your parrot fresh strawberries, then be prepared for mess! They’re extremely juicy and your bird will likely cause a lot of mess as it eats the fruit.
With this in mind, we’d recommend feeding your parrot strawberries before a planned clean of its cage. This way, you can mop up any strawberry juice straight the way. As mentioned earlier, don’t forget to wash the strawberry before feeding it to your feathered friend.
Dried Strawberries for Your Parrot
Feeding parrots dried strawberries is a great way to avoid any mess. However, this version of the fruit comes with a few more risks, especially if you buy them dried rather than drying them out yourself.
This is because dried strawberries come with a greater risk of including chemical preservatives that can be harmful to your parrot. As well as this, sugar tends to be more concentrated in dry strawberries meaning the content is higher.
With this in mind, we’d always recommend reading the instructions and ingredients on the packaging before feeding your bird.
See If Strawberries Are Right for Your Parrot
Try feeding your parrot one or two strawberries a week as part of a varied diet, making sure to observe the results. If you notice any adverse effects, such as diarrhoea or hyperactivity, consider avoiding feeding strawberries to them in future.
