Turning Your Parrots Diet Into An Healthy Process

It is true; the wrong parrot diet can kill your beloved companion parrot. It is also true that the right bird diet can help your parrot live a long, healthy, and happy life. Only in recent years have we learned what foods should and should not be offered to our feather friends.

If a parrot's diet contains good, healthy foods, many of the larger species can live to be 100 years of age or more. Even small parrots such as cockatiels will live much longer than expect. When psittacine birds were first kept as pet, people thought their life expectancy was short, only 10 years or so. This was because the bird diet being offered did not contain the nutrients required for the parrot to thrive.

Deadly Bird Diet Choices

There are many bird diet selections which humans consume that are great for your parrot. However, there are seven foods that can provide deadly to your pet. These are: chocolate, alcohol, avocado, fruits seeds of any type, uncooked eggs, raw meat, or spoiled or moldy foods. There are some other foods over which there is some debate such as onions or garlic cloves. A parrot is extremely unlikely to eat enough of those items to cause a problem.

Parrot Diet Items You Should Limit

There are also foods which a parrot may consume which should be limited in quantity. Small amounts will not harm the parrot, yet large amounts can cause serious health problems. You may notice that the foods to limit in a bird diet are those foods that people should limit in their own diets.

Any food that is high in fat must be limited in the parrots diet. When living in the wild, parrots consume little fat. Think of your pet bird diet as you would consider feeding a little child of three or four years. Sure, you might allow a young child one cookie or a few chips, but you would limit the quantity. The same goes for your parrots diet. One or two bites of these foods is okay once in a while but do not allow it to become a habit. Foods in this group include: fried foods, any foods with added butter, ice cream, and cake or cookies. Use moderation as your guide.

It is also important to limit the amount of salty foods in your parrot's diet. A very small amount of salt goes a long way when consumed by a parrot with such a small body. When you are cooking food for the family that you plan to salt, remove some of the veggies before you add seasoning. Many common foods can be found in unsalted versions which are better for people with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure and are also better for your parrot's diet. Foods in this category include salted potato chips, corn chips, nuts, vegetables with added salt, many prepared foods such as microwave entrees, bacon, ham, and other cured meats, and salted popcorn.

Sugary foods are poor choices for a bird diet. Just like children, birds can learn to crave sweets if allowed. It is safe to permit a parrot to taste a bite or perhaps two of sugary foods, it is crucial to restrict quantities. Sugary foods include: sweetened soft drinks, some cereals, candy, sweetened fruit juice, ice cream, and cookies.

Good Choices for your Bird Diet

If you want to make a quick list of what is good to feed parrots, diet items would include everything not listed on the restrictions above. The wider the variety included in a bird's diet, the more nutrients, minerals, and vitamins the parrot will consume. A healthy bird is a happy companion, and you certainly want to enjoy many, many years with your pet.

Vegetables and fruits not listed in the deadly foods list are great for bird diet choices. You can serve them cooked or raw, depending on which your parrot prefers. Most parrots also like bits of cheese, pasta, cooked eggs, rice, mashed or boiled potatoes, bits of fish or meat, noodles, and most even enjoy a bone from meat or poultry to chew and eat the marrow.

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

About the author: Mississippi 'Bird Lady' finally reveals her tested bird diet, biting and feather plucking techniques to easily get a happy, sociable and healthy parrot in your home.

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