Cockatoos can eat a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat, and other pellet foods. Among these all foods, some are healthy, and some are harmful to them. There is a long list of foods that are beneficial for cockatoos nutrition, but our focus is on what not to feed a cockatoo.
Cockatoos are sensitive to their diet, and one simple mistake in the selection of food can cause trouble. The parrots must not be served Avocados, Dairy products, Salted food, Chocolate, Garlic and Onion, fats, and caffeine. Fruit pits, including apple seeds, are also not recommended in cockatoos nutrition because they are toxic.
Some meals are not healthy for your cockatoo because they are a mixture of high fats and sugar content. While serving food to your pet, you have to take care of a lot of things. Let’s discuss the details of food items that are not recommended for your feathered companion.
Toxic Food For Cockatoos:
There are some food items that are very toxic for your cockatoos because they contain some harmful substances. These toxic substances can damage cockatoos’ stomach lining and digestive system. These chemicals and harmful substances can lead the parrot to death. That is why it is very important to know about the food specifically before serving it to your parrot.
Avocados are highly Toxic for Cockatoos:
The leaves of the avocado plant contain toxic substances like persin, a fatty acid. This kills the fungus in the plant and is a harmful substance that can be very dangerous to your cockatoos. This can cause serious health problems for your pet, which can be very stressful for your parrot.
When avocado is eaten by birds, it can cause heart damage, difficulty breathing and many respiratory disorders, weakness, and even sudden death. Some species of avocado have been safely eaten by some species of birds. But there is no type of Avocados that are suitable for cockatoos because of their toxicity.
It is not known how much avocado affects the cockatoo, but it is harmful. In view of the possible consequences, it is best to avoid Avocados and foods containing avocados, such as guacamole. Never include avocados in your pellets and parrots’ mix because they are not suitable for them. You should avoid offering this fruit in any form and give your cockatoo other beneficial fruits.
Caffeine and Chocolate are very toxic for cockatoos:
Chocolate is in high demand because of its flavor, and caffeine is also considered as the main component of some top beverages. It is also present in coffee and other beverages, but it can be deadly for cockatoos. We might consider offering our cockatoo a sip of these delicious drinks, but even one sip can be toxic to your pet.
Caffeine can increase heart rate, cause arrhythmia and hyperactivity, and even cause cardiac arrest in parrots. Chocolate contains both theobromine and caffeine, which can cause serious issues like vomiting and diarrhea, increased heart rate, hyperactivity, seizures, and even death of cockatoos.
Humans like their taste and they eat chocolate and caffeine in coffee, but cockatoos can not digest them, and it is very dangerous for their bodies. So, avoid products that contain caffeine and chocolate in them. Save water or the occasional fruit juice for your thirsty cockatoo.
Salt is not Recommended For Cockatoos:
Salt in food is not a good option for cockatoos as it is very dangerous for them. Even the slightest bit is potentially toxic to your feathered companion. Even a small amount of salty chips or pretzels can upset their body’s electrolyte and fluid balance.
This change leads to excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney failure, and eventual death. Cockatoos do not digest salt because their bodies do not need it. Even a small portion of salty or salty foods is not recommended for cockatoos.
High Fat and Calorie Food is Not Healthy for cockatoos:
Consumption of high-fat foods, such as nuts, butter, oil, high-fat meats, and cheese can raise cholesterol levels. It can also cause the deposition of cholesterol in the walls of the arteries called atherosclerosis and increase the risk of stroke and other heart disorders.
Excessive intake of these foods can lead to obesity and all health problems. Cockatoos gain weight when they eat these foods, and it is not healthy for their proper development. Many parrots raise cholesterol and triglyceride levels due to nuts and fatty foods and consequent coronary heart disease.
For cockatoos’ benefit, it is important that high-fat foods should be served in moderation. Too many calories in food can cause many health problems. Cockatoos can occasionally be cut into lean, cooked meats, but they should not be offered piles of these fatty items, especially if they are small in size.
Parrots love nuts, but one unsalted almond or walnut a day is enough for medium-sized cocktails. Larger cockatoos that eat more fat in the wild may have a few nuts a day, while smaller cockatoos must not be served more than 1 to 2 almonds and walnuts. These fat riched nuts are beneficial, but their excessive amount can cause many health issues to cockatoos.
So, serve your feathered fellow’s healthy food and avoid giving too many snacks and cheesy treats.
Seeds and pits of Some fruits are not Healthy:
Generally, most fruits are safe and healthy to use in small quantities for cockatoos. But some fruits contain seeds such as apples and pears and pits such as cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and berries that should not be offered to your pet.
Offering these fruits without removing seeds and pits can lead to many health problems. These seeds and pits contain small amounts of cardiac-toxic cyanide compounds, which are very dangerous for cockatoos.
These fruits are perfectly safe for birds to eat without seeds and nests. Many fruits have seeds, but only these seeds are harmful; otherwise, other fruits, including their seeds, are recommended for your cockatoo.
Spices are Not a good option for your Cockatoos:
Spices are very harmful to cockatoos because they are not accustomed to eating these flavors. Artificial juices and flavors can be very dangerous for these parrots, and some vegetables, including onions and garlic, are not recommended.
They contain sulfur compounds, and when your pet chews them, it can itch the bird’s mouth, esophagus, or crop lining, causing them health problems. It can also cause ulcers and cause red blood cells to rupture, resulting in anemia.
Garlic is also not a good option because it contains allicin, another chemical that can cause anemia and weakness in cocktails. Instead of these spices and vegetables, you can use a small piece of hot pepper rich in vitamin A.
Conclusion:
Cockatoos are healthy eaters and fragile to their food; that is why some food items are not recommended for them. Oily, fatty, and spicy food can cause serious health issues in cockatoos bodies; they are strictly forbidden. There are some food items that are healthy and digestible for humans, but not for parrots because of their toxicity. Things mentioned in this article must not be served to cockatoos because they can be deadly dangerous for their lives.
