Budgerigars, commonly called Budgies, generally eat seeds as their primary diet, but it is still essential that you must provide them with a variety of food to stay healthy.
If you are looking for great alternatives, one of the best food you can feed them is Arugula.
So yes, Budgies can eat arugula
Appearance-wise, they are similar to dandelion greens and are generally safe and nutritious for your birds to eat.
They are also rich in many nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and other vitamins and minerals that are all essential for their health.
Arugula, in fact, is one of the best leafy greens you can use to give them a balanced healthy diet, while also keeping your budgies happy and satisfied.
Is Arugula Safe For Budgies?
Arugula, sometimes called rockets, is perfectly safe for your budgies to eat.
In fact, this leafy green vegetable can be widely beneficial to other bird species and animals as well.
They are a great addition to your budgies’ meals because of their high source of various nutrients needed to keep them healthy and strong.
However, it is important to bear in mind that while Arugula is a great source of nutrients, they must also be paired with other healthy and safe food to ensure their diet.
Arugula can also be one of your budgies’ favorite food.
Once eaten, they have this peppery-flavor taste-like that many budgies and other parrot species love.
You can feed your budgies arugula as part of their daily meals as this green-leafy vegetable compliments other food greatly.
If you deemed that your budgies love them, you can also give it as their treats.
I know what you’re thinking – What’s the benefits of Arugula?
Let’s find out..
Benefits Of Arugula
Arugula can help satisfy your budgies’ dietary requirements to keep them healthy.
They contain a wide variety of nutrients because they have different vitamins and minerals that are considered important for your pets.
These green leafy vegetables are densely packed with many types of nutrition.
They are especially high in calcium, potassium, and other nutrients like vitamins K, C, and A.
In addition, they are also high in fiber and phytochemicals which play a vital role in fighting carcinogens.
Arugula has a lower amount of oxalates compared to other green vegetables like spinach.
Oxalate, or oxalic acid, is a type of compound commonly found in plants like in leafy greens and legumes.
While they are still important, they naturally block calcium which can cause some adverse effects when consumed in large amounts. Since arugula has lower oxalate levels, they can give your budgies a healthier diet.
Lastly, Arugula is generally low in calories but has a good amount of antioxidants.
They are a perfect addition to your budgie’s food, both in terms of their favorite and healthy nutrition.
How To Feed Budgies Arugula?
You can either feed your budgies arugula raw or cooked.
However, keep in mind that cooking arugula must be careful and you should not put seasonings on them as they can cause serious effects on your birds’ health.
The best way to prepare cooked arugula is by boiling them.
While it is safe for your birds to eat these green vegetables cooked, feeding them raw arugulas will give them the highest amounts of nutrients.
This is the best and recommended way to maximize the nutrients of the vegetable as boiling them could reduce the amounts of vitamins and minerals that your budgies can take.
Just make sure that the arugulas and even any other vegetables that your budgies eat are thoroughly washed and clean.
You can put arugulas to your birds’ meal as an additional ingredient along with other safe fruits and vegetables for them.
What Greens Can Budgies Eat?
Feeding your budgies arugula is safe and healthy, but remember to also give them other vegetables and fruits to balance their diet.
Supplement their meals with safe and fresh food to keep your pets healthy and strong.
If you are looking for more green and leafy vegetables for your budgies, you have a wide selection to choose from.
You can feed them spinach, asparagus, broccoli, cucumber, mustard, kale, and bok choy.
These green vegetables are some of the best greens you can give to your lovely budgies.
Remember that diversifying their meals is the best way to ensure their nutrition.
You can introduce different safe foods to them to keep them happy and healthy.
Feeding your budgies fresh and raw vegetables will give them the highest amount of nutrition, but make sure you wash them thoroughly as pesticides can be very harmful to your pets.
What Foods Are Toxic To Budgies?
While there is plenty of food for your budgies to eat, not all food is generally safe and healthy for them.
Common human foods and some fruits can put your budgies’ lives in danger.
Avoid feeding them chocolate, caffeine, dairy products, onions, garlic, and avocado as they commonly harm your budgies’ digestive tracts and heart.
Do not give your budgies human food and ensure that the fruits and vegetables they eat are safe.
Some fruits that contain seeds and pits are harmful to them as well.
Apple seeds are considered toxic, so be sure that you remove them.
Do not give your budgies cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, and other fruit pits as they are extremely lethal to them.
Citrus fruits like lemon and lime are not poisonous but can cause stomach problems, so you must also be careful.
Wrapping Up
Diversifying your budgies’ meals is the best way to keep them healthy.
They must also eat vegetables and fruits to achieve a balanced diet.
Arugula is one of the best green vegetables you can use to supplement your budgies’ needs, as they are packed with high amounts of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
However, ensure that all food you provide for your budgies is safe.
There is still a wide selection of food that is considered toxic and lethal like chocolates, caffeine, avocados, and other common human food.
While seeds are commonly the primary diet of budgies, fruits that contain seeds and pits like apple seeds, cherries, apricots, and plums are lethal.
Make sure to always keep learning the ways to make your budgies healthy and safe.
Give them the best foods that will allow them to consume great nutrients in their meals so they can live freely and happily with you.
