10 Best Foods & Diets Your Parrot Will Love To Eat
Last updated: April 30, 2024
Summary
Our top pick for the Best Food & Diet for Parrot is Kaytee Fiesta Parrot Food. This premium bird food contains a variety of seeds, dried fruits, and vegetables, providing parrots with all the essential nutrients they need for a healthy and balanced diet. It also includes prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health, as well as Omega 3, vitamins, and minerals to support mental stimulation, visual and heart functions. Kaytee Fiesta Parrot Food is a veterinarian-recommended brand that promotes both physical and mental well-being in parrots.
Do you have this colorful and talkative winged companion (Parrot) at home? Are you still thinking about getting one? Then definitely, you need to pay special attention to these questions: What can parrots eat? What food should be avoided? Etc. These can be difficult to answer, as there are so many things one should take into consideration before taking a parrot as a pet. Don't worry though, as we are here to help you out. In this same article, you will learn more about the right diet to be followed and the food to be given to this beautiful companion.
Are you wondering what you should be feeding these omnivorous creatures? Like Humans, parrots can eat both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, so a parrot will have no problems eating anything you can eat like a human, in addition to things you never even consider as food.
Studies [1] suggest that they love to eat a variety of fruits, veggies, seeds, and nuts. As a parrot parent, taking care of your winged companion's diet can be pretty challenging. That's the reason why we are here to help you with this task and introduce you to the top 10 best parrot foods available on the market. We will also provide plenty of useful information related to parrots' food and diets to make sure your parrot will be happy and healthy.
No Time To Read The Whole Article? No Worries. We’ve Done The Work For You And Compiled A List Of The Top Performers.
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What Do Parrots Like To Eat The Most?
Parrots can eat many types of food such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains, meat, fish, eggs, insects, cheese, yogurt, milk, honey, bread, cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, peas, lentils, corn, oats, wheat, etc. They also enjoy many other foods that we humans would not even think of eating! The list goes on and on. Nuts, however, seem to be parrots' favorite food; these include almonds, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, walnuts, and macadamias, etc.
So how can you feed your pet bird healthy meals without spending too much money? Here are some tips:
- Buy fresh fruit and veggies from local farmers' markets - You will be able to see exactly where it came from and know if there was any pesticide residue in the product. If you buy organic products this won't matter as much but still try to get locally grown whenever possible.
- Make sure to keep an eye out for new products coming onto the market - There are so many different brands now with all sorts of flavors and ingredients. Be careful about buying these types of treats because sometimes they contain things such as sugar alcohols that aren't good for birds. Also, make sure to check labels carefully before giving them anything else besides water.
- Try making homemade treats using natural ingredients - This way you don't need to worry about additives and preservatives. It's easy to find recipes online. Just search "homemade parrot treat recipe."
What To Look For Before Buying Parrot Food?
You must consider some of the following points while deciding on your parrot food list. You should take into account what your parrot prefers and what types of food are good to improve your avian companion's lifespan and overall health.
- Right Mix of Ingredients - Going by the suggestions of veterinarians, an ideal parrot diet should consist of
- Grains - about 50 percent of the diet.
- Vegetables and Fruits - 45 percent.
- Meat and Dairy - about 5 percent.
- Nuts and Seeds - less than 1 percent.
When we talk about grains, you should make sure they are wholesome grains and not polished white ones.
Fruits and veggies are usually included in dehydrated form in parrot food. Make sure there is no mold or moths in it.
Some parrots are intolerant to lactose. However, calcium is also required for their bones. Therefore, yogurt, eggs, and cheese are some of the best options.
What do parrots like to eat? The simple answer is they love lots and lots of nuts. However, it is not advisable to include many nuts as they can cause obesity and fatty liver in parrots.
- Avoid Filler and Go in for Organic Ingredients - When buying a parrot, you should pay special attention to the ingredients' information. Some varieties include many fillers, which ultimately means your parrot is getting significantly less nutrition from the food. As much as possible, go in for brands that are free from GMOs, chemicals, artificial flavors, coloring, etc., as you do not want to harm your pet's health.
- Additional Supplements - Bird food should contain added nutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals. These are crucial to promoting the vision, plumage, and overall well-being of the parrot. Most parrot food comes with fortified vitamins, which will eliminate the need to give your bird additional supplements. Some of the vital ones are Vitamin D3, B12, DHA, Folic acid, etc.
- Eating habits - You also need to consider the eating habits of your parrot. You might want to include the ingredients your pet likes the most. However, you need to train it to take up a diet beneficial to its health.
What Is An Ideal Parrot’s Diet?
Parrots are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant-based foods as well as animal products. They can be fed various diets depending on their age, size, health status, lifestyle, environment, etc. The most important thing to remember when feeding your pet bird is that it should have access to fresh fruits and vegetables daily. This will help keep them healthy and happy.
There are two types of diets available for parrots:
Commercial Diet Foods
These are usually formulated by veterinarians specifically for pets. These diets may include vitamins, minerals, protein supplements, fiber sources, antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, etc. Some commercial diets require refrigeration until ready to serve.
Homemade Diet Recipes
For many reasons, some people prefer to prepare their own parrot diet instead of purchasing one premade. First, you control what goes into the mix. Second, you're able to customize the diet based on your bird's nutritional requirements. Third, you can feed your bird raw fruit and veggies without fear of any harmful chemicals leaching from the packaging.
Regardless of which type of daily diet you opt for (commercial or homemade), Veterinarians recommend that they include the following:
50% grains and grain products:
Other food types must supplement these to offer a balanced diet. Grains considered safe for parrots include barley, wheat, maize, Kamut, groats, Amaranth, rye, spelt, teff, whole grain rice, brown rice (cooked), and Quinoa (black, white, red), and Oats. Other grain-based products that you can feed your parrot include pasta (maybe cooked but unsalted), whole wheat bread, and unsweetened whole wheat cereals.
45% Vegetables and fruits:
Veggies and fruits should be an essential part of your parrot's daily diet. Parrots can eat almost all types of vegetables and fruits consumed by humans ranging from all kinds of melons to peppers (including chili peppers) and lettuce. Usually, the seeds are safe, however, some vegetables must be consumed in moderation; for example, too much fennel and spinach may cause kidney problems. Also, sweet potato is recommended as an alternative to cooked potatoes, and celery stalks may clog the parrot's digestive system, so it's better for it to only consume the leaves and roots.
The majority of fruits and their seeds are also safe for your parrot. Still, you sometimes need to peel the fruit and remove any pits inside. Moreover, apple and pear seeds must be removed before serving because they contain cyanide and can harm your pet.
In a nutshell, your parrot can almost consume any fruits or vegetables that you may eat yourself. If you pay special attention to the exceptions we mentioned, these veggies and fruits will undoubtedly provide most of the nutrients that your pet needs to be healthy. Always remember to serve them a variety of foods to cater to all their nutritional needs. Also, keep the golden rule in mind: "organic is best!".
5% Dairy and Meats:
Dairy products such as yogurt and cheese are not necessary nor recommended for parrots. Some owners, however, choose to add them to their pets' diets in small amounts. The reason is that parrots are lactose intolerant and consuming dairy products may give them digestion or bowel problems. In addition, red meats should also be consumed in moderation since they contain a lot of fat and cholesterol. That's why chicken and turkey are better alternatives. More specifically, chicken fat and liver extract are good for the parrots as they are rich in vitamins A and B12.
1% Seeds and nuts:
Although parrots love seeds and nuts, the consumption of these types of foods should be minimal. Most seeds and nuts are perfectly safe for the birds, but they should be offered as treats or rewards, not as an integral part of the bird's diet. That's because most seeds and nuts are very high in fat, which could lead to obesity or fatty liver.
What Are Parrot Pellets?
Parrot pellets are a type of formulated food diet that owners of parrots use to provide a balanced diet for their pets. They are made of grains, seeds, vegetables, and other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Pellets are quite popular with pet owners because they provide a more balanced diet for the pet.
A healthy diet will keep your pet in tip-top condition. It helps maintain optimum weight levels, which means less stress on joints and muscles. This makes your pet happier, healthier, and easier to handle. You should look at all aspects of his or her lifestyle when choosing a suitable diet.
There are many different types of parrot diets available today. Some contain only fruits and vegetables while others include meat products too. There are even some specially formulated diets for specific breeds of birds.
Specific Things We Considered In Our Research
After you read our reviews you will be able to choose the right food and make sure your colorful bird has everything it needs for its growth and long-term health.
These winged pet companions might need specifically formulated nutrition to keep them in the pink of health; the right food will help your pet live a longer and happier life. We have weighed the options against the considerations given below through our research (you can use these considerations yourself whenever you want to buy parrot food):
- Check for the nutrition information. This will indicate how much nutrition your pet can get from the pellets. You can go back to the guidelines we mentioned before provided by the American Association of Avian Veterinarians. Compare the pellet's nutrition contents to those guidelines to see if the pellet is good for your bird or not.
- Avoid artificial flavors or colors. Most of the time these are chemical elements that are added to the pellets to add more flavor and/or color. This can help attract the bird into eating more food but may cause some serious health problems or even lead to death. Remember, organic is always best! So, try to avoid any artificial additions to your parrot's food as much as possible.
- Food has a variety of ingredients. By doing so the pet gets everything it needs to be healthy. The food needs to combine fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other additives such as vitamins and minerals. The more varied the food, the healthier the parrot will be.
It is essential to read the nutritional information and the ingredients as each species might have a specific liking or preference. Also, you need to know what you are feeding your pet.
The 10 Best Parrot Foods Review
Based on our research, testing, and experience, below is our final list:
Kaytee Fiesta Parrot Food – Best Overall Parrot Food
Kaytee is a well-known pet food brand bringing some high-quality and healthy food for parrots. If your pet bird is keen on having a palette of varied flavors and textures as part of his feeding routine this food is an excellent option. The variety in taste and texture is sure to appeal even to the pickiest eater.
The variety is not just limited to the texture, color, or flavors. Instead, your pet bird will get all the required balanced nutrition from this premium bird food. It contains an assortment of seeds, dried fruits, and vegetables for parrots. You do not have to worry about the new food causing upset stomachs as it includes the right amount of prebiotics and probiotics.
The Kaytee Fiesta contains the right proportion of Omega 3, vitamins, and minerals which are vital to support mental stimulation, and visual and heart functions in your pet.
Pros
- Natural preservatives are used to keep the freshness intact. No artificial preservatives included!
- Contains the required nutrients for a healthy and bright plumage.
- It improves digestion and prevents diarrhea.
- Balanced parrot food is ideal for daily feeding.
- Overall, promotes both physical and mental well-being.
Cons
- Fiesta Parrot Food might be relatively more expensive than standard bird feeds.
This veterinarian-recommended brand consists of a wide assortment of ingredients like sunflower seeds, ground oats, whole peanuts, whole corn, pumpkin seeds, hulled millet, canary grass seeds, and dehydrated carrot, apple, sweet potatoes, pistachios, ground rice, and pine nuts. It also contains dried yogurt powder, honey, flax seeds, and sesame seeds. The required amounts of vitamins A, E, and B12 are also found in these nutritious foods.
Vitakraft Menu Vitamin Fortified Parrot Food - Affordable Nutritious Parrot Food
Parrot diets should contain the right mix of seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables. If you are looking for a less expensive yet nutritious option, Vitakraft has the best-fortified parrot food in-store. Parrots will love the variety of ingredients included in this bird food. It encourages natural foraging and provides the right amount of mental stimulation as well.
The product comes from a pet care company that has been in business for more than a century and has products sold in about 18 countries across the world. If you intend to introduce this high-quality bird food into your parrot's diet, remember to gradually do it with smaller servings over 1 to 2 weeks.
The well-balanced diet includes natural probiotics to promote healthy digestion and Omega 3 fatty acids for a healthy heart and good vision.
Pros
- Well-balanced parrot food with fortified vitamin content.
- Includes natural fruit flavors of raisins and bananas.
- Minerals and DHA improve the lifespan of the parrots.
- Excellent source of antioxidants.
- Shelled peanuts are included to promote activity.
Cons
- The 20 lb bag might be relatively expensive compared to smaller packages of other bird food brands.
Vitakraft Menu Care Complex Parrot food has a wide variety of nuts, fruits, grains, and supplements. Sunflower seed, safflower seeds, wheat flakes, ground corn, barley, Soybean flakes, corn gluten meal, and whole corn are some of the main ingredients. You will also find the right amount of vitamin supplements such as D3, E, B12, and folic acid. Dehydrated bananas and raisins add a naturally fruity flavor to the bird food.
HARI Tropimix Bird Food - Ideal African Grey Food
The question of what to feed parrots, especially the large ones, should no longer haunt you as there are a number of choices to pick from based on your pet's eating habits. Tropimix enrichment formula provides a palatable mix of grains, fruits, legumes, nuts, and extruded Tropicana sticks.
These sticks come in a tasty peanut flavor and are specially created to supply all essential nutrients required to maintain good health, strong bones, and vibrant feathers for the big guys. They also help build a responsive central nervous system, a healthy respiratory tract, and good vision. Bird food with legumes is an excellent source of protein for your birdie.
This food is completely free from husks or shells, so you need not be worried about the messy waste created. The ingredients contain the highest quality of human-grade ingredients under strict quality controls.
Pros
- Ideal for sustaining the tropical wild bird.
- 100% edible food without any waste.
- Aids in skeletal development and muscle formation.
- Promotes healthy skin and feather structure growth.
- Affordable option compared to other variants.
- Supports a healthy gastrointestinal and reproductive system.
Cons
- Corn content in the mix, as it is not a natural part of a parrot's diet in the wild.
The Tropimix formula contains a combination of dried fruits such as banana, pineapple, and papaya, and veggies like carrot and potato flakes with green split beans and garbanzo beans. Corn, ground wheat, brown rice, hulled sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaked corn, toasted soybeans, and dehulled peanuts are the other essential ingredients in this bird food.
LAFEBER'S Classic Nutri-Berries - Ideal organic parrot food
Are you looking to add some beak play and exercise to your parrot's diet? The goodness and taste of Nutri berries that come in the shape of berries will help prevent bird boredom and feather picking in your pet birds. This bird food can provide twice the forage compared to pellet food while also giving the same amount of nutrition.
Top avian enthusiasts and nutritionists are behind this specially formulated delicious parrot food that provides the nutrition, fun, and benefits of foraging. The food is rich in taste and antioxidants that support healthy skin, feathers, and immune systems.
The hulled seeds in the bird food are coated with vitamins and chelated minerals to ensure your picky eater gets all the nutrition required for its all-around development. It seems to have found special acceptance among the African grey parrots making it the best food for African greys.
Pros
- Use it as a complete food or as a nutritious snack.
- Human-grade, Non-GMO superior quality ingredients.
- Wholesome food is similar to what wild parrots eat.
- A crunchy mix of seeds and grains.
- Contains essential proteins and carbs to promote an active lifestyle.
Cons
- Recent price increase
Ingredients mainly consist of hulled white proso millet, canary grass seeds, oat groats, ground corn, peanuts, corn oil, red millet and corn syrup. The pellet also consists of vitamins E and B12 supplements that make it healthier.
TOP's Parrot Pellet Food - Pellets for birds (for all size hookbills)
Choosing parrot pellets may require you to look at your bird's size and the size of the food he/she prefers to eat. If you choose smaller-sized pellets, they can help reduce wastage. However, these bird pellets suit all kinds of hookbills and are ideal for your medium to large-sized parrots such as Eclectus, Cockatoos, Macaws, and Amazons.
This product is USDA certified as a safe and complete bird diet and does not contain any GMO ingredients. It is also corn and soybean free and contains only natural preservatives. The bird food does not contain BHA, BHT, or any other form of fillers in it.
These pellets are cold-pressed to make sure they retain the natural taste and nutrition.
Made from all organic ingredients it is a safe option for your parrot. It comes in different buying options starting from 1lbs to 25lbs so that you can choose the right based on your parrot's diet.
Pros
- Serve it dry, soaked, or sprouted.
- An easy-to-digest mix of seeds and grains.
- Comes from an award-winning manufacturer of parrot foods.
- Does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or sugars.
Cons
- Transitioning to this pellet requires patience and creative strategies.
Hand-picked organic ingredients include alfalfa, hulled millet, barley, rice, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, quinoa, buckwheat, pumpkin, dandelion, carrot, spinach, ground cayenne, nettle leaf, and cinnamon.
Crushed chili peppers will make it more palatable to the birdie companion. The bird pellets are preserved using naturally crushed rose hips powder, orange and lemon peel powder, and rosemary.
Pretty Bird International Bpb73118 - Best Macaw Bird Food
The Pretty Bird 3-Pound Daily Select Premium Bird Food is an excellent choice for anyone who owns large birds such as cockatoos or macaws. This product has demonstrated its outstanding quality through a combination of high nutritional content, exceptional taste, and diverse textures and colors.
The primary feature of this product is its unique, extruded, multi-shaped and multi-colored form. Not only does this help to stimulate the bird's interest, but it also ensures a well-rounded diet with its 14-percent protein and 5-percent fat content. This bird food is specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of adult large birds, giving them the energy they need for their active lifestyle.
It's not just about nutrition, though. The Pretty Bird is also known for its fantastic flavor, highly appreciated by pets, which adds a lot to the product's overall value.
One exceptional aspect that many bird owners will appreciate is the size of the product. Available in a 3-pound bag, this bird food provides a long-lasting supply. The bag size is especially beneficial for owners of multiple large birds. The packaging is well-designed and durable, making it easy to store and handle. It's also worth mentioning that the product is produced by Pretty Bird, a brand recognized for its high-quality pet supplies.
Pros
- Original multicolored, multi-shaped design stimulating birds' interest
- Contains 14 percent protein and 5 percent fat, ensuring balanced nutrition
- Exceptional taste enjoyed by birds
- Large 3-pound bag providing long-lasting supply
- Manufactured by a reputable brand
Cons
- The price might be slightly high for some customers
- Some birds might be selective, preferring certain shapes or colors
The Pretty Bird International Daily Select Premium Bird Food stands out for its superior quality, nutritional balance, and the variety it brings to a bird's diet. Despite a few minor cons, it delivers on its promise and is a great choice for any bird owner seeking to provide their feathered friends with the best care possible.
HARI HAGEN Tropimix Small Bird Food - Best Parakeet Food
Tropican bird food is the ideal food that any bird would ever need in its lifetime. It is ideal for birds in any growth stage, from newly hatched chicks to breeding adult birds.
The Parakeet diet needs an extra protein punch, which is definitely the go-to bird food. Also, if your bird happens to be in its breeding stage, this protein-rich food is ideal for triggering the reproductive hormones and developing a healthy egg.
This bird food is also ideal if you are in the process of weaning your parrot from formula-based food to solids. Scientifically formulated granules give a well-balanced flavorful food to Parakeets, Conures, Caiques, Quakers, Pionus, and Small Amazons. This food provides the required boost to the amino acid profile while also supplying the essential nutrients making it an ideal parrot food.
Pros
- Contains organic elements and does not contain artificial colors or flavors.
- Comes in a fruity taste and aroma that appeals to the bird's senses.
- Top-quality ingredients and high-quality standards.
- Containing fresh ground fruit adds to the taste.
- Excellent source of Vitamin B12 and Folic acid.
Cons
- Not All Birds May Like It
Ingredients mainly consist of rich food like Soybean meal, dehulled peanuts, sunflower seeds, wheat, corn, brown rice, canola oil, oat groats, dried tomato, orange oil, and banana oil. It also has the required amounts of supplements such as vitamins E, D3, B12, A, and Folic acid. This bird food has the right blend of palatability combined with higher calorific density to meet growing parrots' nutritional requirements.
ZuPreem FruitBlend Flavor Bird Pellets - For Medium Birds
If you are looking for fruit-flavored parrot pellet food, this is the right one for your pet parrot. This natural flavored bird pellet food is ideal for your Cockatiels, Quakers, Lovebirds, and Small Conures. These delicious parrot pellets are brightly colored and come in attractive shapes.
Packed with all the essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, this pellet is perfect for maintaining your parrot in the best of its health. This bird food is low in fat compared to seed-based food, which promotes cardiovascular and liver health. It also consists of whole grains that come from the heartland of North America.
If you are looking to move your bird's diet from seed-based to pellet-based food, ZuPreem would be a good start. Most veterinarians and avian experts recommend this food for the better growth of your winged companion. It comes in different sizes such as 2lbs, 17.5lbs, and a pack of 2 bags (2lbs each).
Pros
- Contains organic elements and does not contain artificial colors or flavors.
- Comes in a fruity taste and aroma that appeals to the bird's senses.
- Top-quality ingredients and high-quality standards.
- Containing fresh ground fruit adds to the taste.
- Excellent source of Vitamin B12 and Folic acid.
Cons
- The pellets contain dyes
This fruit-based bird food contains a wide range of nutritious ingredients. It also contains generous amounts of the tastiest types of fruits such as apple, kiwi, grapes, etc. It's the perfect food blend offering one of the healthiest and most delicious parrot food pellets.
F.M. Brown’s Tropical Carnival Gourmet Food - Best Macaw Food
F.M Brown's tropical carnival gourmet bird food has a great combination of nutrition and palatability to ensure the bird food is not bland and boring. Launched more than 2 decades ago, this bird food is a favorite among bird lovers who give special attention to their pet's nutritional needs and health.
This vitamin and nutrient-rich bird food is a mixture of various delicacies to satisfy the hunger cravings of your winged companion. It comes in various colors like the green parrot seeds, different shapes, and sizes, making an attractive and stimulating meal. This bird food is ideal for the big beaks who would love the crunchy, chunky, and wholesome morsels.
The rich food in nuts encourages the birds to engage in activity and relieve the cage boredom. This bird food is also packed with beneficial bacteria that aid smooth digestion and promote a healthy gut.
Pros
- Specifically formulated to suit the dietary need of the big beaks.
- The product comes from a trusted and well-established brand.
- Consists of 30 unique gourmet ingredients.
- Nuts with shells encourage activity and add the goodness of Omega fatty acids.
- The right mix of complex carbs, vitamins, minerals, fiber aids a healthy immune system.
Cons
- Limited Availability
This gourmet bird food boasts a rich and varied list of ingredients such as Stripe sunflower seeds, peanuts, tree nuts, corn, banana, papaya, dates, green peas, apricots, carrots, and peppers. It also contains generous amounts of farm-fresh fruits such as apple, kiwi, and twice-baked ZOO-Vital biscuits to munch on. You will also find many nuts such as cashews, pine nuts, walnuts, and peanuts, making it irresistible.
Sleek and Sassy Nutritional Diet - Ideal for Cockatiels, Lovebird and Quaker Parrots
This bird food consists of the right mix of natural ingredients blended with human-grade fruits and vegetables. It does not contain any artificial coloring that can cause harm to your pet parrot. The product comes to you from an established family business in Oregon, which has been in business since 1983.
The wide assortment of ingredients appeals even to the pickiest bird. You do not have to worry about your bird's appetite going down as all the seeds in this mix are quite nutritious and tasty as well.
Packages do not use vacuum or nitrogen to increase the shelf life of the product; instead, an oxygen-filled package is ideal for preserving the goodness of whole seeds and grains.
Pros
- Specially formulated mix that is ideal for small parrots.
- The enzyme-rich formula is best for digestion and nutrition absorption in birds.
- Oxygen-filled packaging to preserve freshness and prevent enzyme loss.
- No added preservatives.
- A unique mix of parrot seeds, fruits, and veggies.
- Available in different sizes, such as 2lbs, 4lbs, and 20lbs.
Cons
- A bit expensive compared to other bird food options.
This bird food has a unique mix of seeds such as grass seeds and oilseeds in addition to fruits such as pineapple, whole-grain papaya, plus veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, sweet garden peas, and spinach. A unique blend of these ingredients gives your bird just the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Brand Of Parrot Food?
It's not easy to find the right quality of food for your parrot. Some people choose raw or natural diets while others prefer more processed options with added vitamins and minerals. You want to make sure that whatever diet you decide to use has been tested by experts and proven safe before using it. This way you can rest assured knowing that your bird will get all the nutrition he or she needs without worrying about anything going wrong.
There are a few popular brands that are widely considered to be the best. For starters, you can rely on our list of top ten best parrot foods and choose your favorite among the categories of food reviewed in this same article. Of course, you need to consider the type of parrot you own (small or large), if you want vitamins added to the mix or not, or if you prefer the food to be organic. We made sure to provide the best of the best in every category. Different budgets are also considered, and the brands in our reviews are some of the best in business. It's up to you, the owner, to decide which brand to choose.
How To Store Parrot Food Properly?
Parrots can easily get sick if fed spoiled or contaminated food. Usually, parrot food must be kept in a dry cool place, preferably inside an air-tight container to preserve freshness and taste. You should make sure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight as well. Moreover, you should never mix old food with new food.
You should only store smaller amounts of food during the warm weather periods, as they can quickly get spoiled in hot weather. During colder periods, it is possible to store more parrot food because it will be preserved better. However, if you notice the food is moldy, rotten, or smells weird, you need to get rid of it since it could harm your pet.
If you plan to feed your bird raw meat, you need to keep this type of food away from any other foods. It needs to be stored separately. Some types of food are better preserved inside the fridge until serving time (including fresh fruits and veggies).
How Much Should You Feed Your Parrots?
There is no one straight answer to this question. It depends on different factors, such as your pet's size, the species, and the parrots' eating preferences.
The best way to ascertain this is to watch your bird understand how much food he or she is eating and how much is discarded daily. If your pet bird has been maintaining the ideal weight for their size, you can be confident that you are feeding them the right way.
Some parrot parents go by the serving suggestion at the back of the food packets. However, this might not be the right approach, and the advice is based on estimates and not facts. The best way is to observe your bird's eating habits and decide how much to feed them.
What Human Food Can Parrots Eat?
Parrot diets often include a lot of human food as well. Parrots eat most fruits and vegetables that humans eat. Fruits such as bananas, papaya, apples, Citrus fruits, mango, pomegranate, passion fruit, and peaches.
If you have questions such as can parrots eat carrots or can parrots eat asparagus? The simple answer is yes; they can eat most vegetables that humans eat, just make sure to wash any fresh food you feed your bird thoroughly, some may have come into contact with pesticides, or buy organic products whenever possible.
Can birds eat cashews? Yes, they can but in very limited quantities. Nuts are their personal favorite. However, feeding them more nuts can cause obesity. One important point to consider here is not to share your food with your bird companion. You should avoid fried, salty, sugary, and some cooked foods as they are detrimental to your health. You can also give your bird small bites of bread as a treat for good behavior, but it should not be in their regular diet.
What Foods Can Kill A Parrot?
As we mentioned earlier, you should avoid foods high in salt, sugar, or that contain excess preservatives and chemicals. Also, you have to look out for these foods that are fatal to your pet bird:
Alcohol, Avocado, Tapioca, Dairy products, meat, chocolate, or cocoa are some of the foods that can be toxic to your pet parrot.
High-fat foods, caffeine, fruit pits, apple seeds, onion, garlic, etc. should be avoided to ensure your parrot is in good health.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in diet foods and sugarless gums; this can cause liver damage and should therefore be avoided.
Can Parrots Eat Aloe Vera?
The answer is yes! Aloe Vera is perfectly safe for your bird. It can be used in solid or liquid forms for different reasons. First, Aloe Vera is a natural non-toxic plant that contains many nutrient elements (North of 70) that can keep your bird healthy. These include vitamins A, C, and E; they are all antioxidants that can prevent parrots, especially older ones, from developing cancerous cells. They are also good for eyesight and the overall immune system.
Moreover, Aloe Vera contains amino acids and sugar which can help with increasing the healing ability of the parrot and provide more energy, respectively. Furthermore, this wonderful plant can be used in different forms (as food or as a spray) to avoid and cure skin and feather problems. Most importantly, Aloe Vera will never hurt your bird; even when it dries out, it loses its benefits, but it is still harmless for your pet to consume.
Does A Parrot Need Fiber?
Like humans, birds need the right amount of fiber in their diet to maintain a healthy digestive system and overall health. Wholesome grains such as brown rice, wheat, etc. in the parrot food supply the required amount of fiber to maintain a healthy gut in birds.
Steamed fruits and vegetables are also a good source of fiber for your parrot.
Additionally, you will also find that fortified foods contain the right proportion of fiber in them.
If your pet parrot loves eating fresh vegetables and fruits, you do not have to worry much about the fiber intake as fruits and veggies will take care of this.
Is Banana Good For Parrots?
Can parrots eat bananas? It is quite a common question in the minds of Parrot owners. Well, Bananas are a favorite among the birds as it appeals to their taste buds and provides for some foraging activity when included in parrots' diets. Parrot parents should watch out to ensure they don't eat the skin.
Soft fruits are almost irresistible to parrots and also provide them with vital nutrients. Yes, bananas are good for parrots, and you will find that most parrot foods on the market will have dehydrated bananas in their ingredient list. It is beneficial to the eye, immunity, feathers, and overall health.
Conclusion
After thorough research and review of the ten best parrot foods on the market, we hope to have simplified your task of finding the right food for your winged friend. If we were to ask you about the best parrots to own, what would your answer be?
Similarly, searching for the best parrot food is not an easy task as all the options mentioned in our review are close competitors. However, we have come up with Kaytee Fiesta Parrot Food as our top recommendation. It has quality, variety, and affordability. All these are the pet owner's utmost priorities to provide their colorful feathered companion the best. This fruit-based bird food contains a wide range of nutritious ingredients. It also contains generous amounts of the tastiest types of fruits such as apple, kiwi, grapes, etc. It's the perfect food blend offering one of the healthiest and most delicious parrot food pellets.
However, our task was to simply provide in-depth reviews of the best parrot pellet diets that are available on the market and answer as many questions as possible to help you make the right choice.
As a pet owner, you don't necessarily have to stick with our top pick. For one reason or another, you may have a preference for another product that may be better suited for your individual parrot needs. We assure you that, regardless of which product you pick from our list, your parrot will be happy and healthy as we guarantee the quality of all the products tested in the article. They are made by the best brands using the best ingredients to provide the best possible and most balanced nutrition for your parrot.
Now, it's time to enjoy spending some time with your beautiful and healthy parrot!