Sugar isn’t deadly for parrots.
So, your little feathered friend can eat sugar and satisfy its sweet cravings.
However, over-consumption of sugar can cause serious health problems in parrots and even lead to death.
Being a parrot owner, it is your responsibility to look after your parrot’s sugar cravings and give them a reasonable number of sugary items.
After all, having a sweet treat once in a while won’t do any harm!
Here’s what you’re going to discover in this article
- Is sugar okay for parrots?
- Can parrots eat candy?
- Can parrots eat raw sweets?
- What type of foods can potentially kill your parrot?
Sound interesting?
Let’s get started!
Is Sugar OK For Parrots?
Yes, sugar is OK for parrots if given in moderation.
Parrots find it extremely difficult to digest raw sugar.
So, parrot owners often give them foods that contain high sugar content.
Leftover cookies, doughnuts, cakes, cupcakes, and other sweet items are better than raw sugar, but just like other junk foods, they aren’t nutritious as they comprise processed ingredients and additives that are not suitable for parrots.
Sometimes the parrot insists on raw sugar.
In that case, it is best to give sugarcane stalks.
Sugarcane is made from 100% natural glucose and is less processed than raw sugar.
It isn’t as harmful as raw sugar and can be fed to your parrots in moderation.
Eating sugar releases opioids and dopamine that make parrots addicted to it.
Like humans, animals also gravitate towards foods that are bad for them. Veterinarians recommend not giving sugary items to parrots because of this very reason.
Not all parrots have a sweet tooth, but those who do relish sugary items and cannot stop asking more of them.
Can Parrots Eat Candy?
The simple answer to this question is Yes.
However, it comes with several ifs and buts.
Why feed your parrot candy when there are myriads of snacks out there that are much better and healthier?
Candies are not toxic to parrots.
The high sugar content, artificial colors and additives aren’t healthy for your parrot and can create various medical issues.
Occasionally feeding your talkative companion candies is fine but incorporating them in daily diet means you are putting your parrot’s health at risk, and we are sure you’d never want that!
So, try to keep your tiny family member away from candies as much as possible!
Remember, your parrot loves being around you, imitating you and doing the things you do.
So, avoid sugary beverages and snacks when your feathered friend surrounds you.
Can Parrots Eat Raw Sweets?
Yes, parrots can eat raw sweets.
Raw sweets are naturally sweet and contain no added preservatives.
They get their sweetness from dried fruit, raw agave nectar, and other natural sweeteners.
No refined or artificial sweeteners here!
Nuts, seeds and dried fruits are a few good examples of raw sweets.
Dried fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries comprise high fibre content, making it easy for the parrot to digest them.
They also provide vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients to the parrots that help them become healthy.
Did you know that the high antioxidants and fibre content make dried blueberries better than its fresh version?
Despite less nutritional value than raw sweets, fresh fruits and vegetables shouldn’t be eradicated from your parrot’s diet.
Beetroot, carrot, peas, sweetcorns, apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, papayas and pomegranates are favorite treats of parrots.
Your little companion can binge all these fruits and vegetables all day long!
What Type Of Foods Can Potentially Kill Your Parrot?
The most toxic foods that are hazardous and potentially fatal to parrots are:
Avocados
Avocado tops the list of fruits parrots must not eat.
Avocados comprise persin, a fatty acid-like substance that kills fungus in the plant.
When a parrot consumes avocado, this substance acts as a poison and causes thickened arteries, respiratory difficulty, weakness, and even sudden death.
While the type of avocados that harms parrots are yet to be determined, it’s best to avoid them.
Apple Seeds
While diced apples are among the most favorite and safest snacks for your parrots, the apple seeds are super hazardous to parrots.
Apple seeds and pits from apricots, cherries, peaches and plums contain a cyanide substance that can spread poison in your little buddy’s stomach and instantly kill it.
So, be extremely vigilant when feeding fruits to your parrots and make sure they are seeds and pits free!
Caffeine
Most of us are caffeine-addicted and swig on coffee, tea all day! (I love my coffee!)
If you are thinking to give a sip or two of these beverages to your feathered friends, stop right there!
Caffeine is not safe for parrots.
It rapidly increases heart rate, induces arrhythmias and hyperactivity, and can even sudden cardiac arrest.
So, avoid caffeinated drinks when you are surrounded by your parrot.
Go for fresh juices or water instead.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a great sugar alternative and proves to be beneficial in your weight loss journey, but it is incredibly harmful to parrots.
Xylitol, commonly used sugar-free gums and several diet foods, comprise additives and preservatives that cause hypoglycemia, liver damage, and possible death in animals, especially parrots.
While the debate on whether ‘xylitol is lethal to parrots or not’ is still going on among several vets and parrot owners, it’s best not to take any risks and avoid them altogether.
Other edibles such as chocolates, dried beans, mushrooms, and tomato leaves, with high contents of salt, and alcohol can make your little pal sick, and in higher amounts, can prove to be lethal, so avoid them as well.
Wrapping Up
Feeding your parrot sweets (in a moderate quantity, of course) once in a blue moon is acceptable, but don’t make it a habit.
Over-consumption of edibles comprising high contents of sugar, alcohol and sodium can prove to be lethal to your parrots.
So, try to avoid them as much as you can!
Incorporate different fresh fruits, vegetables, and raw sweets into your parrot’s pellet diet, so they have various snacks to choose from.
Remember, these edibles also contain natural sugar, and even though natural sugar isn’t as bad as table sugar, it must be given in moderate quantities.
Create a nutritious and filling pellet diet with a bit of sweet treat for your little buddy, and you are good to go!
Here are a few articles you may find interesting which is all about what parrots can eat so make sure you check them out!
