What Foods Are Bad for Parakeets?

More than 4 million households in the United States own birds as pets as of 2007, according to a report published by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Parakeets are among the most popular breeds of birds to own, due to their colorful feathers, personality and intelligence. Caring for this type of bird involves bathing and grooming, maintaining a suitable habitat and environmental temperature, adequate human contact, and maintaining a nutritious diet. While numerous food staples are essential for the human diet, many foods are unacceptable for a parakeet to eat.

  1. Fruits and Vegetables

    • While some fruits and vegetables are beneficial for parakeets, numerous varieties are not. Rhubarb leaves are harmful, although the stalks of this plant are safe to eat. Although safe in very small quantities, a lot of onions can be fatal for parakeets. Any portion of an avocado is potentially fatal, as are the seeds from an apricot or peach tree. Other fruits, such as nectarines, prunes and balsam pears, are dangerous for this type of bird. Equally dangerous are the seeds from cherries, apples and plums. Additionally, parakeets are unable to digest uncooked potatoes, cabbage, lemons and grapefruit, so these foods should be avoided.

    Other Plants

    • Consuming milkweed, morning glories, hydrangeas, lantana, jimson weed and begonias can be potentially fatal for parakeets. Holly, which is a plant that produces deep red berries, is harmful to parakeets by causing vomiting and diarrhea. Amaryllis, which is a flowering plant, also causes vomiting and diarrhea in parakeets, but also causes a loss of appetite, shaking and pain in the abdomen.

    Beverages

    • Caffeinated beverages, such as sodas, tea and coffee, are not healthy and should not be fed to your parakeet, even in small quantities. Any beverage that might contain alcohol also is unsafe for parakeets or other birds. Give your parakeet clean, fresh water every day and do not substitute any other liquid unless recommended by your veterinarian.

    Appropriate Diet

    • The best way to avoid feeding dangerous foods to your parakeet is to stick to foods recommended by your veterinarian. Seed mixes can be a good start to a healthy diet, but parakeets require additional nutrition. Broccoli, spinach, green peas, cooked pasta or rice and oats are generally safe and beneficial for parakeets. Fresh fruits, such as grapes, strawberries, oranges, pomegranates, mangoes and guava also can help add nutrients to a parakeet's diet.