Parrots make great pets in the right home, and they are one of the more fun pets to own for a number of reasons. One of the top reasons that parrots make interesting pets is their ability to eat a widely varied diet of fresh foods. They can eat dozens of things found at your local grocery store or farmer’s market, so you may have wondered if your parrot can eat avocado with you. The truth is that avocado is toxic to parrots, so they should not eat it!
Here’s what you need to know about parrots and avocados!
Can Parrots Eat Avocado?
Sorry, avocados, you’ll have to sit this one out! Parrots cannot safely eat avocados. While the pit and skin are highly toxic to parrots, the fruit’s flesh is also toxic. In fact, it’s one of the most toxic fruits and veggies for your parrot.
Avocados contain a chemical compound called persin. Persin is a fungicidal toxin that leaches into the fruit’s flesh from the pit. It is oil-soluble and similar in chemical appearance to fatty acids. While levels are low enough not to hurt humans, it’s unknown how much persin is safe for parrots, so avoiding giving parrots avocados and avocado products, like guacamole, is recommended.
What Can Happen if My Parrot Eats Avocado?
If your parrot gets a hold of a bite of avocado, you have to take them to an emergency vet as soon as possible. Studies have found that death from the ingestion of avocado (even small amounts) can happen in as little as 24 hours after consumption. Interestingly, parrots are more susceptible to avocado poisoning when compared to songbirds (such as canaries). Nonetheless, avocados are very toxic for all birds and the ingestion of it requires immediate veterinary intervention.
What Can I Offer My Parrot Instead of Avocado?
Even if your parrot could eat avocados, they wouldn’t be an ideal food because of their high fat and calorie content. Although they are often considered healthy due to their high levels of unsaturated fats, they are a very fat-dense and calorie-dense food. Foods that are high in fatty acids that are healthy for your parrot in moderation include most seeds and nuts, such as sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, walnuts, and almonds.. They can also safely eat most other fruits and vegetables.. However, it’s important to keep in mind that all of these foods should be fed in moderation.
Ideally, your parrot should be offered fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, and commercial parrot pellets daily. Healthy fruit and vegetable options for parrots include peas, artichokes, green beans, zucchini, beets, banana, apple, berries, kiwi, pomegranate, and okra, but this is not an all-inclusive list. Seeds and grains can include corn, hemp seeds, flaxseeds, barley, millet, quinoa, rice, and sesame seeds
Conclusion
Although exceptionally healthy for people in moderation, avocados are not a safe food choice for your parrot. The good news is that there are tons of great alternatives to avocados that can meet the same nutritional needs, without risking your parrot’s health. Seeds and nuts often contain high levels of fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals, while fruits and veggies can be great sources of fiber, healthy sugars, vitamins, and minerals.
Many of the alternative foods that are safe for your parrot are significantly less expensive than avocados as well, with the price of avocados in most of the US rising every year. Apples, berries, bananas, green beans, and peas are all affordable foods that are great for your parrot. Nuts and seeds can be pricier than fruits and veggies but will still likely cost you less per ounce than avocado.
Have you ever wondered:
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Featured Image Credit: silverstylus, Pixabay
