Fresh fruits have become synonymous with good health. But when it comes to the health of your bird, you may question if those fruits we consider healthy are still good for them.
Strawberries are one of the most common berries we love to consume for a variety of health reasons, but are they just as good for your parrot?
Can parrots eat strawberries?
Yes, parrots can eat strawberries. Any berry that is safe for a human to consume is just as safe for your parrot. Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are all popular snacking options for parrots. The vitamins and antioxidants they receive from these berries are huge health boosters.
Learning the types of fruits that will not only be safe for them but also the ones that will give your parrot the biggest boost in their overall health is important. Strawberries are a very handy snack to have around for you and your feathered friend.
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Health Benefits of Strawberries for Parrots
Strawberries are an excellent source of manganese, vitamin C, and potassium. They also offer a fair amount of vitamin B9. A huge benefit of strawberries is the antioxidants and plant compounds.
The combination of vitamin C and antioxidants is a great way to help keep your parrot health and their immune system strong to fight off any illness.
These vitamins and minerals can help improve their health without adding any additional preservatives or other unnecessary elements. Strawberries are low in fat, so while they are getting many health benefits, they are not counteracting it with unhealthy fat.
Food that is high in sugar content is something that should be avoided for your parrot. While added and processed sugars are a big danger, you also shouldn’t overload your parrot with too much natural sugar either.
Strawberries are one of the lowest sugar content fruits you will find, so all-around, this juicy little berry is one of the best foods to give your parrot.
The Best Way to Feed Your Parrots Strawberries
Full disclosure: your parrot is not going to be the neatest eater when they devour this juicy fruit. So, to get you started, placing a towel of some sort underneath them isn’t the worst idea.
While they can peck into a full strawberry and work their way through it, it’s going to cause even more cleanup for you, and it is a bit hard for your parrot.
For easiest (and cleanest) consumption, cut the strawberry into smaller pieces.
Try to get them small enough so they can grab them with their feet. This will allow them to have more control over the small pieces, and many parrots prefer having food they can grasp with their feet.
An important thing to consider is also where you’re getting the fruit from. Always try to opt for organic when buying fresh produce of any kind for your parrot.
Whether it is fruit or vegetables, it’s important to make sure they are not getting any harmful pesticides along with all the healthy benefits.
Always wash the fruit thoroughly and make sure you do everything you can to remove harmful foreign substances from the fruit.
Giving them the strawberry raw and fresh will also help reduce the sugar content. While we all love a good jam or stewed fruit, that process elevates the sugar content making it less beneficial and possibly harmful to your parrot.
Other Types of Fruit That Are Good for Your Parrot
Aside from strawberries, there are a lot of great fruit options to have around for yourself as well as your parrot.
Here is a quick list of some of the other best fruits for your parrot:
- Grapes – These are a great source of natural energy because of the high levels of fructose. With that said, don’t go overboard with these sweet treats. They love the sweet taste almost too much, so make sure you still get them all the other nutrients they need from other foods with grapes as a nice treat for them.
- Apples – a great source of fiber and antioxidants, but you will need to be careful with the seeds. They contain toxins that can be extremely dangerous to your parrot. So chop up the apple into small pieces and be extra careful not to allow the parrot anywhere near the seeds.
- Oranges – Your parrot’s immune system will love snacking on an orange and getting all the vitamin C they offer. They have also been known to help with a bird’s nerves, like when you take them on a dreaded visit to the vet. Avoid giving them any of the peel or seeds.
Some other fruits that are great for your parrot are:
- Bananas
- Mango
- Passion Fruit
- Peaches
- Pomegranate
- Papaya
Did You Know? Parrots are among the most intelligent birds. This contributes to their famous ability to imitate sounds, but also their playful tendencies as they are exploring and learning as they play. They are also some of the only birds who have mastered eating with their feet. These strong feet are great for grabbing onto their strawberry snack or for grasping a branch for a long period.
A Balanced Diet for a Parrot
One of the biggest concerns for bird owners is to make sure they are getting the right nutrients for their feathered family.
Not having the proper diet or nutrients is, unfortunately, a common issue with birds because not as much research has been done on their diets as many other common house pets.
But like any type of animal, the key is finding a balanced diet.
Finding a good mix of seeds, fruits and vegetables, and supplements or pellet food will typically prove to be a winning combo. I like this brand because they offer a great mix for all sizes of birds.
Seeds are an excellent source of vitamin A and calcium, but they are high in fat. So, this is a great item to use sparingly for your parrot.
Similar statements can be made about pretty much any type of food. While there will be benefits, there will also be drawbacks if they have too much of it or don’t incorporate other items into their diet alongside it.
Pellets have become a popular option for bird feeding. These pellets have been formulaically created to help keep a balanced diet for birds such as parrots. This is the equivalent to the nutrient-rich kibble you would give to a dog.
These pellets are typically made from a combination of:
- Seeds
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Grains
- Fortified vitamins and minerals
Whenever purchasing any type of pet food, you want to be sure you know and trust the brand. Only use brands that ensure high-quality ingredients. It’s always a bonus when they use organic products as well.
You also want to be sure they don’t use any additional fillers that are unnecessary. That is a prime example of why something as simple as a strawberry is so effective. It offers an array of health benefits while not having any additional junk that your parrot doesn’t need.
But just like us humans – your parrot can’t survive on strawberries alone.
Finding a balance that includes fresh, raw fruits like strawberries and the other nutrients they need will help keep them strong and healthy while helping to extend their lifespan.
Having Strawberries Around for Your Parrot
Strawberries are a great snack and nutrient-packed food to have available for your parrot. Make sure they receive a balanced diet filled with all the nutrients they need, but strawberries are a great way for them to fulfill elements like vitamin C and antioxidants.
You may be on cleanup duty after they enjoy their deliciously nutritious snack, but honestly, it’s also really cute watching them devour a strawberry. So, worth it.