Is your bird a seed only eater? Did you know in that wild seeds form only a small portion of the natural diet? While seeds are an important part of a pet parrot's daily diet they should not comprise all of it.
Parrots are opportunistic omnivores, which in plain English means they eat whatever they encounter in their day ("opportunistic") and, like us, eat from all the food groups ? veggies & fruits, grain, and animal protein ("omnivores").
The seed based diets that have traditionally been fed to pet birds are not representative of that parrots eat in the wild. Little is actually known about exactly what comprises their daily diet, but their natural diet does include a variety of things like seeds, nuts, fruits, shoots, buds, corms, and invertebrates (insects, worms, and larvae). Wild parrots have even been observed eating dead fish that wash up from lakes and streams. Because some of the plant material they eat also contains toxins, parrots in South America flock to natural mineral beds regularly to feed on the clay and minerals available in order to detoxify their systems.
We do know that a seed only diet generally cuts your pet's potential lifespan in half, as well as leading to deficiencies in vitamins, especially vitamin A, minerals, especially calcium and protein. They also tend to be too high in fat.
While formulated diets (aka pellets) are now becoming widely used, they also do not comprise a complete diet and can lead to health problems if used exclusively, especially with the kidneys and liver. Formulated diets were originally based on research done in the poultry industry, where the focus is on rapid growth and maximum size, not longevity. While they've come a long way, and like seeds, form an important part of a complete diet, they can not do it alone. What's important for your bird's health and happiness is variety, balance, and moderation. Veggies, whole grains, and some fruit should form the basis of a well fed bird's daily diet.
A parrot's "job" in the wild is to spend the day searching for food, then working to access it. Nuts are a prime example, as getting to the nut meat involves removing not only the hard shell, but the fibrous outer husk as well. It's important to give your pet a "job" and make her have to work a little for her goodies as well. Having to peel veggies and open nuts helps offset boredom. (Just be sure the veggies are organic and not contaminated with pesticides.)
Patience, creativity and common sense will work wonders in improving your parrot's diet and overall health. The rewards are well worth the effort, resulting in a well feathered, bright-eyed, playful companion who can share your life for as long as possible.
-----------------------------------------
Your Parrot Place
Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Consultant, (503) 771-BIRD. Marilu is a regular contributor to the Your Parrot Place Newsletter. yourparrotplace.com - Only the Best for Your Parrot!
Free eBook!
140 pages! A compilation of parrot articles from 2000-2004.
yourparrotplace.com
Natural preventative pet care isn't a new thing but it... Read More
Breeding tropical fish can be a lot of fun. Try... Read More
Some say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A... Read More
Imagine that you are scolding your cat for scratching at... Read More
Many parents know that the best way for children to... Read More
Are you thinking about dog obedience school? Do you know... Read More
Preparing yourself and your household before, during, and after your... Read More
A dog crate is a necessity for your dog, through... Read More
Part 2: Protecting your petIf you own a cat, then... Read More
Pet friendly vacations and travel planning make sense -- after... Read More
Dog flea control and management requires an integrated approach. For... Read More
Our pets depend on us for their every need, including... Read More
If you're reading this I think it's safe to assume... Read More
Adding a new member to your feline family is usually... Read More
Do you really get the fullest amount of enjoyment out... Read More
Does your dog have that sheepish look? It could be... Read More
Anyone can put two dogs together and let them breed,... Read More
Dog day care programs benefit the dogs of owner's who... Read More
Pet ContainmentIf you just recently became a pet owner or... Read More
Oscar is kind of a funny name and it fit... Read More
MuttShack Foundation for Animal Foster and Rescue, claim that dogs... Read More
Peeing on the carpet, knocking you down, or stealing dinner... Read More
Gain some insight into how your favorite feline actually feels... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community.... Read More
insured cleaning company Highland Park ..* Lock things up that could cause harm* Keep the... Read More
I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More
Get to know your beloved dog better with these insightful... Read More
Lemon TetraGlassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear... Read More
So, you've got yourself a pregnant cat.Was it a stray... Read More
Some say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A... Read More
When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they... Read More
Any person, whether a minor or adult, having been bitten... Read More
MuttShack Foundation for Animal Foster and Rescue, claim that dogs... Read More
Can cats and dogs live together without constantly being at... Read More
Puppy training can and should begin the day you bring... Read More
Every day, people by the millions pour food from a... Read More
As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More
A new puppy is a joyous addition to any home.... Read More
Reading a pet food label, how difficult can it be?... Read More
==========The Scoop on Premium Dog Food========If you're interested in premium... Read More
Electric Dog FencesIs an electric dog fence something for you?... Read More
a) GrowlingIf your rabbit growls or grunts at you, she... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
Owning a dog is a serious responsibility, one that should... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
One of the biggest question asked of the discus breeder... Read More
We've recently moved into a new apartment complex that really... Read More
Many chronic diseases commonly seen in pets result from immune... Read More
The information in this article is based on the successful... Read More
Pet |