What kind of food are you feeding your bird? The source of the food can help your pet stay happy and healthy much longer!
Pet birds are very prone to nutritional diseases. Many owners simply are not aware of the problems that can arise from inappropriate diets; these diseases can be avoided if you offer your bird a well-balanced diet from the start.
Birds have particular nutrient requirements. A very common deficiency in pet bird is low vitamin A due to a seed-based diet. Hypovitaminosis A can lead to respiratory disease, kidney problems, and poor feather quality.
Another deficiency frequently observed with a seed diet is a low blood calcium level. Significantly low blood calcium levels can result in brittle bone disease, egg binding, and generalized weakness, in addition to other serious complications.
Another nutrient deficiency that leads to bone problems is low vitamin D, especially in African greys. Exposure to unfiltered sunlight and an indoor full-spectrum (ultra violet {UVB}) light source will help to prevent this problem.
Birds cannot thrive on seed-only diets. Seeds are high in fat and energy and therefore are very tasty to birds, but they cannot meet all your bird’s nutritional needs.
Pellets, such as Harrison’s or Zupreem, serve as far superior basis for your bird’s diet because they are complete with the necessary nutrients.
In addition to a pelleted diet, fresh fruits, and vegetables (banana, apple, kiwi, strawberry, blueberry, grapes, carrots, leafy greens, zucchini, squash, broccoli, cucumber, sweet potato, pepper). Provide important vitamins and give your bird variety. Foods such as broccoli, carrots, sweet potato, and cantaloupe are high on vitamin A; green leafy vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin E.
To ensure that your bird is meeting its calcium needs, you might offer cuttlebone or oyster shell for nibbling.
Obesity is a common problem seen in pet birds, especially those fed primarily a seed diet. Just as in humans, obesity in birds can lead to other serious health problems and should be avoided.
A pelleted diet supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the opportunity to exercise, will help your bird avoid becoming overweight.
As a general rule, it is not recommended to feed your bird “human food” (i.e., processed foods, such as pizza, cheese, chicken wings, hamburger, etc…).
The Ideal Diet for most Birds:
- 80% Pellets
- 20% Fruits and /or Veggies