Cockatoos are fond of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and they prefer juicy and sweet fruits. These parrots eat many fruits, including apples, bananas, oranges, and more, both in the wild as well as in captivity. Many fruits are healthy for them, and many are dangerous. Let’s discuss in which category strawberries can fall.
Strawberries have many nutritional benefits, and they can be healthy for parrots and other living beings. Cockatoos can eat strawberries, and it has some limitations because of their high sugar levels and thin outer covering. They love the taste of it, but it must be served in small proportions.
This fruit is enriched with several vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is the main source of vitamin C and minerals like manganese, calcium, fiber, etc. These are very important in cockatoos’ diet, and it serves many functions in their body. Benefits and nutrients will be discussed in this article.
Strawberries are good fruits, but they should be given to your pet in small quantities. It has a high sugar level and water content. So, excessive intake of this fruit can disturb their digestive system, and they can suffer from diarrhea and other digestive disorders.
Strawberries Served to Cockatoos:
Strawberries should be served in the proper way because cockatoos are very sensitive to their diet and they need proper care while eating. It is a sweet and delicious fruit, No doubt it is healthy but it must be served in the following ways.
- Choose freshly ripened strawberries for your cockatoos, and they prefer the same their owners choose because they love their owners. In food and other things, they like what their owners choose for themselves.
- Always make sure that there are no stains or cuts on the fruit as strawberries spoil in a few hours and become mold which is very harmful to the stomach of cockatoos.
- It is important to get rid of pesticides and other chemicals. You should wash the strawberries thoroughly and soak them in a solution of water and baking soda. Twenty minutes would be enough to remove pesticides and fungicides.
- Strawberries have no thick peels and can easily accumulate with different germs, so they must be washed thoroughly under cold water to remove the soaking solution and cut it into small pieces.
- The average small strawberry weighs about 18 grams, so its portion is smaller because too much of it can damage its digestive system. Your cockatoo should eat only 1-2 grams of strawberries per serving and no more.
- Strawberries can grow mold quickly and contaminate your parrot’s cage. That is why you need to remove any remaining fruit for more than 3 hours after cutting it into small pieces.
- Keep an eye on your cockatoo for several hours after feeding to see if it has any adverse reactions and if you notice, stop giving them strawberries and consult a veterinarian.
- If your cockatoo doesn’t have a bad reaction to strawberries and they seem to enjoy the fruit, you can continue serving these small quantities once or twice a week. You can offer it more often, but cockatoos prefer different foods. So it is better to look for other fruits that can complement it.
Benefits of Strawberries in Cockatoos Diet:
Strawberries are a rich source of various minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. These essential nutrients are very important for cockatoos’ health and proper functioning. These nutrients are important for cockatoos, and they perform many useful functions.
Manganese in Strawberries:
Manganese is an essential mineral, and it is present in strawberries. It produces several functions in cockatoos’ bodies, helps prevent blood clotting, and absorbs calcium in the cockatoo’s bones, making their bones and muscles strong.
Manganese is a vital mineral for the proper functioning of nerves and brain cells. This vitamin is beneficial for the proper functioning of the cockatoo’s nervous system and brain cells.
Calcium in Strawberries:
Calcium is an essential mineral, and it helps in bone and teeth development. Calcium supplement is essential for cockatoos’ strength and the development of bones. It also helps in muscle contraction and bone development.
Potassium in Strawberries:
Potassium is one of the beneficial minerals that are present in Strawberries. It helps in the regulation of cockatoos’ heartbeat and their rhythms. It regulates nerve cells for proper muscle contraction and the functioning of the nervous system. Potassium also helps in muscle and bone strengthening.
Vitamin C In Strawberries:
Strawberry is a nutritious fruit, it has a lot of nutrients, but Vitamin C, it is an important vitamin. This is juicy, watery, and full of nutrients that are essential for cockatoos. It protects your cockatoo’s body against disease.
These vitamins also keep the cockatoo’s skin and feathers healthy. This fruit is rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help produce and repair body cells. Vitamin C also helps regulate the body’s immune system and helps heal wounds and absorb iron.
Vitamin C also acts as a boost to the body’s immune system and reduces inflammation. When your cockatoos do not get the right amount of vitamin C in their diet, they may begin to engage in self-destructive behaviors. For example, they start destroying their plumage.
These behaviors can include excessive preening, chewing the tips of their own wings, or even plucking or tearing off their wings. Lack of these important nutrients can lead to these behaviors, and eating mangoes and other fruits can help prevent these self-destructive behaviors.
The fiber in Strawberries:
Fibre present in strawberries is very effective for improving cockatoos’ body functioning. These fibers help to reduce different digestive disorders, and they clean the wastes and toxins of the body. It ensures the healthy body functioning of cockatoos.
It maintains the good health of cockatoos’ digestive system. Fibers are very necessary to regulate your cockatoos’ proper digestive and bowel movement. Many fruits are a rich source of fiber, including mangoes, and this is very helpful in proper digestion and reduces the rate of constipation in cockatoos.
Conclusion:
Cockatoos eat strawberries because they are sweet and juicy, but they are healthy too. It contains many nutrients which are essential for cockatoos’ proper growth and development. Cockatoos like to eat this because of its taste. It is valuable, but it must be given to your pet in small quantities, but excessive amounts can be harmful to them.
As discussed above, it is high in sugar and water content, so it must be served in moderation. You should take care of its quantity; otherwise, strawberries are very healthy for cockatoos.
Also Read About: Can Cockatoos Eat Walnuts?
