How to Add Fruits and Veg to Your Bird's Diet

Commercially manufactured foods, such as baked pellets or nuggets, are formulated to provide essential nutrients for specific bird species. Although birds can survive on pellets, they don't enjoy eating the same food day after day. In extreme cases, pet birds may lose interest in monotonous pellets and develop health issues because they aren't eating enough. Bird owners can encourage interest in food and provide additional nutrients with supplementary foods and treats.

As a general rule, pellets should account for 60-80 percent of a bird's diet while fresh foods make up the remaining 20-40 percent.

Offer a variety of fruits and vegetables to provide a wide range of nutrients. Good sources of vitamin A include orange, red, or yellow produce, such as carrots, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, yams, mangos, papayas, cantaloupes, and pumpkins.

Birds need vitamin A for strong immune systems and healthy feathers, skin, and eyesight. Leafy greens are packed with vitamin K, fiber, potassium, and calcium. Pet birds may enjoy turnips, mustard, dandelion, or collard greens. Other green vegetables include spinach, kale, parsley, alfalfa, chard, chicory, zucchini, and broccoli.

Most birds love fruit. Some pet birds even ignore vegetables if fruits are offered at the same time. Although we want our pets to be happy, it's important to watch out for their health too. Birds living in captivity aren't as active as wild birds, and the high sugar content in sweet fruits can contribute to weight gain and health issues.

Vegetables should make up the majority of fresh foods for most birds, but some species need more fruit. Ask your veterinarian about specific dietary requirements for your bird.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are the healthiest option, although frozen produce is also a good choice. Canned fruits and vegetables are often packed in salt or sugary syrup. Dried fruits, such as raisins or banana chips, are fun, tasty treats. However, the drying process destroys most nutrients. Birds don't get much from dried fruit other than fiber and sugar.

Remove seeds from apples and pears, and make sure the pits are completely removed from fruits such as cherries, peaches, apricots, plums, or nectarines. These seeds and pits contain small amounts of toxic compounds. Cut large fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces according to the size of your bird. You can also add fruits and vegetables to homemade bird bread and other baked treats, although raw produce is more nutritious. Cooking destroys many vitamins and other nutrients.

Visual appeal affects our perception of certain foods, and birds share this trait. Most pet birds have excellent vision, and fruits with vibrant hues, such as blueberries, raspberries, kiwis, oranges, or cherries, let your bird explore different colors and tastes. Vivid red pomegranate seeds are also a safe and popular treat.

Pet birds may develop unhealthy habits out of boredom. Foods can offer entertainment as well as nutrition. Fresh vegetables, especially celery or snap peas, offer a crisp, crunchy texture. Place small portions of leafy greens or broccoli in the freezer for half an hour before serving to give your birds a crisp, cool summertime treat.

Hide small berries or grapes inside toys so birds can search for their favorite foods. You can mix fruits and vegetables with nuts, seeds, grains, and other foods, but this doesn't always work out. Birds with picky eating habits may eat their favorite foods and throw everything else out of the dish.

Birds usually eat small amounts of food throughout the day. Make sure pellets or seed blends are always available but offer fresh foods in small portions. Remove uneaten leftovers within 1-2 hours to avoid spoilage.

Mold and bacteria can grow quickly in bird cages, and leftover fruits and vegetables can also attract insects. Discard any food that falls to the bottom of the cage because it could be contaminated with feces.

Sometimes birds are reluctant to try new foods. Bird owners can try eating new foods in front of their birds and offer pieces by hand to spark interest. If these efforts aren't successful, try adding finely chopped or pureed fruits and vegetables to the bird's regular food. Offer fruit first and gradually introduce more vegetables.

Most fruits and vegetables are safe for birds, but there are dangerous exceptions. Avocados can cause severe illness or death for many species. Mushrooms and dried beans may contain toxic substances that cause organ failure.

Onions irritate the lining of a bird's mouth, esophagus, and crop. Severe irritation can lead to ulcers, blood loss, and anemia. Garlic can also cause anemia and other health issues. Tomatoes are safe, but the leaves and stems of tomato plants are toxic.