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Home > Birds > 10 Best Parakeet Foods at PetSmart in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

10 Best Parakeet Foods at PetSmart in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

parakeet

We love our little chipper mini parrots. It’s only natural that you want them to eat top-notch, tasty nutrition. After all, a better diet means better health—and you want your little guy or gal around for a long time.

Here, we rounded up 10 of the best parakeet foods we could get our hands on. Look at these reviews to see how these products differ and which one is most beneficial. We think one of these recipes is sure to be just what you’re looking for.

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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
KAYTEE FDPH Feather Parakeet Bird Food KAYTEE FDPH Feather Parakeet Bird Food
  • Prebiotics and probiotics for gut health
  • Contains healthy grains
  • Targets skin and feather health
  • Best Value
    Second place
    All Living Things Seed & Pellet Medley Parakeet Diet All Living Things Seed & Pellet Medley Parakeet Diet
  • Targets everyday health
  • Affordable
  • Perfect size pieces
  • Third place
    ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food
  • Only 10% sunflowers
  • High protein
  • Size reduces overall waste
  • Best for Hatchlings
    KAYTEE Exact Hand Feeding Baby Bird Formula KAYTEE Exact Hand Feeding Baby Bird Formula
  • Added digestive enzymes
  • Excellent omega fatty acids
  • Builds muscle and feathers
  • Vitakraft Complete Nutrition Vitakraft Complete Nutrition
  • Foraging blend
  • High calcium content
  • Targets parakeet species
  • The 10 Best Parakeet Foods at PetSmart

    1. KAYTEE FDPH Feather Parakeet Bird Food – Best Overall

    KAYTEE® FDPH Feather Parakeet Bird Food

    Main Ingredients: Canary grass seed, white millet, oat groats
    Protein: 14.0%
    Fat: 4.0%
    Fiber: 8.0%
    Moisture: 12.0%

    Our best overall food for parakeets at PetSmart was the KAYTEE FDPH Feather Parakeet Bird Food. It will work the best for a larger variety of parakeets and has a reasonable price that most families can budget.

    This bag has lots of variety, appealing to your budgies with delicious seeds and grains with lots of fiber. It contains both prebiotics and probiotics for additional gut support. We think most consumers will love the product, so it gets a big thumbs up from us.

    This feed should be an interesting pick as it offers several different kinds of grains and goodies for your parakeet to pick out—like canary grass seed, oat groats, and white millet. Your parakeet’s feathers should glow vibrantly.

    If you have a picky parakeet, they’re getting their essential vitamins and minerals every day, and they aren’t leaving out all the good stuff. It definitely gets our vote for ideal everyday health.

    Pros
    • Prebiotics and probiotics for gut health
    • Contains healthy grains
    • Targets skin and feather health
    Cons
    • Picky parakeets may not like it

    2. All Living Things Parakeet Diet – Best Value

    All Living Things® Seed & Pellet Medley Parakeet Diet

    Main Ingredients: White proso millet, oat groats, canary grass seed, red millet, flaxseed
    Protein: 14.5%
    Fat: 5.0%
    Fiber: 10.0%
    Moisture: 12.0%

    If a bargain is what you can’t resist, let us introduce you to All Living Things Seed and Pellet Medley Parakeet Diet. We think it’s the best parakeet food at PetSmart for the money. But you can decide if it’s the same value—let us brag it up.

    We adore all the textures, colors, and sizes of the pellets. There is so much variety for your parakeets to enjoy—enhancing their appetite and keeping their attention. It’s also loaded with a perfect balance of seed and grain to yummy, colorful sweet chunks.

    This bird seed targets it all—gut, brain, immune and heart health. It’s perfectly pieces, making healthful bit-sized bits. In addition to this, there are live probiotics and probiotics for gut health.

    You can see it’s the best price for this kind of quality.

    Pros
    • Targets everyday health
    • Affordable
    • Perfect size pieces
    Cons
    • Some parakeets may not like it

    3. ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food

    ZuPreem® Sensible Seed Small Bird Food

    Main Ingredients: canary grass seeds, white milo, white proso millet
    Protein: 12.0%
    Fat: 3.0%
    Fiber: 9.0%
    Moisture: 15.0%

    The aim of ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food is to provide perfectly bite-sized pieces to avoid wasting. They do just that with a blend of nutritious seeds and fruit blend pieces. This recipe is desirable to your parakeet and a very healthy choice as well.

    With only 10% sunflower seeds, this recipe is a flavorful experience for parakeets. It has a unique FruitBlend, with natural flavors that accentuate the tastes—like dried oranges, grapes, and apples.

    It contains a high amount of protein, helping your little budgie stay lean and energetic. It also contains a higher moisture content than some competing recipes—so they get a little more in each serving.

    We really enjoyed the size of these pellets, as it seemed to reduce waste and create less mess—which maybe makes up for the increase in cost.

    Pros
    • Only 10%sunflowers
    • High protein
    • Size reduces overall waste
    Cons
    • Pricey

    4. KAYTEE Baby Bird Formula – Best for Hatchlings

    KAYTEE® exact® Hand Feeding Baby Bird Formula

    Main Ingredients: Ground corn, ground wheat, corn gluten meal, ground oat groats
    Protein: 22.0%
    Fat: 9.0%
    Fiber: 5.0%
    Moisture: 10.0%

    Raising budgies can be so rewarding, but diet is of vital importance. For your little ones’ younger days, this is specially formulated to wean them to health.

    An increase in protein gives the ease of real building blocks to create strong muscle and develop flight feathers. It also contains all the necessary ingredients to replace natural foods during this stage.

    The base of the ingredients includes ground corn, ground wheat, corn gluten meal, and ground oats. It also contains ground flaxseed—a form of omega 3s—to aid in skin health and feather growth.

    It’s totally dairy-free. The added digestive enzymes help your babies regulate the nutrient distribution and regulate digestion. So, if you have some hatchlings to raise, it’s a stupendous recipe choice.

    Pros
    • Added digestive enzymes
    • Excellent omega fatty acids
    • Builds muscle and feathers
    Cons
    • Not for all life stages

    5. Vitakraft Complete Nutrition Parakeet Food

    Vitakraft® VitaSmart Parakeet Food

    Main Ingredients: White millet, oat groats, canary grass seed
    Protein: 12.0%
    Fat: 5.0%
    Fiber: 9.0%
    Moisture: 12.0%

    VitaCraft is designed for parakeets, so it’s not a mixture for a handful of bird species—it’s specific. Your parakeet can reap the rewards of a well-tailored diet matching their nutritional food profile in captivity solely.

    While this product contains some excellent fiber and protein content, another aspect is the high calcium content to create solid beaks and healthy bones. It also has fatty acids, oils, and flaxseed for a shiny, gorgeous set of feathers.

    This particular recipe is a foraging blend, meaning your parakeet gets lots of the same nutrients they would in the wild.

    Overall, we really think that this parakeet food is a steal. It’s tailored for parakeets specifically instead of being a mixed bird bag. And it has all the valuable nutrients you hope for in everyday nutrition.

    Pros
    • Foraging blend
    • High calcium content
    • Targets parakeet species
    Cons
    • Expensive

    6. Roudybush Maintenance Crumble Bird Food

    Roudybush Maintenance Crumble Bird Food

    Main Ingredients: Ground corn, ground wheat, soybean meal
    Protein: 11.0%
    Fat: 6.0%
    Fiber: 3.5%
    Moisture: 12.0%

    If you have a parakeet that won’t stop picking at their birdseed, being really selective about what they eat, try out Roudybush Maintenance Crumble Bird Food. It delivers all the right aspects parakeets need without pickiness being an option.

    It is all mixed together, so your parakeet has no choice but to eat at all. Luckily, parakeets seem to love the flavor, making it a desirable pick.

    These crumbles are good year-round, providing the proper nutrients for daily maintenance. It’s recommended for adult birds only with no known sensitivities.

    The formula is completely natural, avoiding any artificial colors and preservatives. Some parakeets might not be as interested due to each bite tasting the same—but spice it up with fresh foods to enhance appetite.

    Pros
    • All-natural
    • Easy even nutrient distribution
    Cons
    • Boring taste

    7. Lafeber’s Sunny Orchard Nutri-Berries Parakeet Food

    Lafeber's® Sunny Orchard Nutri-Berries Parakeet & Cockatiel Food

    Main Ingredients: Corn, hulled white proso millet, red millet
    Protein: 10.0%
    Fat: 6.0%
    Fiber: 5.0%
    Moisture: 14.0%

    Lafeber’s Sunny Orchard Nutri-Berries Parakeet & Cockatiel Food is a flavorful selection any parakeet is sure to love. This is a smart pick if your bird loves a variety due to its tasty ingredients list.

    This recipe didn’t skip out on necessary grains—there’s plenty to go around. In addition to smart grains that nourish the total body—head to toe—there are also some yummy fruits. Some of them include apricots and raisins for a tropical feel.

    You’ll be happy to know that there are no artificial flavors, colors, and other additives with all the fruits and additives.

    While the recipe is nutritionally complete, it doesn’t contain some of the perks of competitors—like the gut support given by probiotics.

    Pros
    • Nutritionally complete
    • Contains real fruit
    • Nothing artificial added
    Cons
    • Not for selective birds

    8. Great Choice Fortified Parakeet Food

    Great Choice® Fortified Parakeet Bird Food

    Main Ingredients: White Millet, oat groats, Canary grass seed
    Protein: 12.0%
    Fat: 5.0%
    Fiber: 7.0%
    Moisture: 12.0%

    This bird seed has everything you would want for daily health. It provides omega fatty acids to nourish the feathers and skin, probiotics for gut health, and essential vitamins and minerals for overall well-being.

    This robust bird food really crosses everything off the list—from quality nutrients to flavor. This recipe has a little more fiber than competitors, which really helps digestion. Plus, there are extra probiotics to aid in gut health.

    We love that this recipe is for all life stages–so you can feed it to your young budgie or older birdie. It has all the right nutrients to get them by beautifully–like vitamins, minerals, and essential oils.

    While we love the recipe, it is a little on the more expensive end.

    Pros
    • All life stages
    • excellent ingredient list
    • Great for general health
    Cons
    • A little more expensive than some

    9. Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Parakeet Food

    Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Parakeet Food

    Main Ingredients: White Millet, Oats, Canary seed
    Protein: 12.0%
    Fat: 6.0%
    Fiber: 6.0%
    Moisture: 10.0%

    Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Parakeet Food Definitely packs flavor in this recipe. It has lots to offer in terms of both nutrition and flavor-enhancing appetite. Birds will love pecking away at all of the delicious little kernels and crumbs.

    This bird seed contains DHA, which aids your bird’s brain health and provides immune support. It also has lots of terrific probiotics to aid in gut health.

    The only downfall here is that it is a tasty, tasty meal for your parakeet. It has lots of tropical fruits to munch on, like papaya and pineapple. Once you spoil them with all the delicious flavors, they might not want to go back to regular crumble.

    Also, make sure they aren’t overeating or picking at the goodies and leaving the rest.

    Pros
    • DHA for brain development and maintenance
    • Sweet flavors
    • Enhances overall health
    Cons
    • Might cherry-pick ingredients

    10. Brown’s Tropical Carnival Gourmet Bird Food

    Brown's® Tropical Carnival® Parakeet Food

    Main Ingredients: Canary seed, white proso millet, oat groats
    Protein: 12.5%
    Fat: 7.5%
    Fiber: 8.5%
    Moisture: 12.0%

    Brown’s Tropical Carnival Gourmet Food is at the bottom, yes, but still noteworthy. It has a lot to offer, but it falls a little short of some competitors with the price combined with sweet ingredients. Let’s talk about its upsides—like colorful composition and bold flavors.

    Parakeets must get a well-rounded diet. This bird seed has tons of dried fruits and goodies in it—just make sure your bird isn’t being picky and only eating a few ingredients. It is super healthy if they seem to be evenly eating the food.

    This parakeet food is properly fortified with probiotics and antioxidants for a rich eating experience, but it won’t work for every bird. Prevent overeating and cherry-picking, and remember to offer other goodies, too.

    Pros
    • Colorful, bold recipe
    • Dried fruits and natural flavors
    Cons
    • A little costly for quality
    • Parakeet might overeat sweet ingredients

    divider-birdcageBuyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Parakeet Food at PetSmart

    Buying a savory, nutritionally friendly diet for your parakeet doesn’t have to be complicated. However, it’s good to know the basics of your parakeet’s diet to know what to avoid and what to gravitate towards.

    Basic Parakeet Diet

    When you offer a diet to your parakeet, you’ll want it to be the base where they receive an abundance of their daily nutrition. But in addition to feeding a commercial feed, you also want to make sure you’re adding fresh fruits and vegetables to their diet. Since commercial foods lack the proper moisture, giving them fresh foods provides an extra kick of hydration.


    Common Ingredients: Good & Bad

    Your parakeet can eat a variety of grains, fruits, and vegetables. While they primarily rely on seeds and grains for the base of their nutritional needs, fresh foods are equally as important. Even though common bird seed offers a few common ingredients, adding in additional food items to their diets will help keep them healthy and happy. It doesn’t hurt to spruce things up a bit since seed-only diets can get boring.

    As long as you’re keeping up with the proper measurements, your parakeet should have a very well-balanced diet without excessive nutrients from either side. Grains should make up at least 50% of your bird’s daily diet. If your parakeet doesn’t get enough grain, it can cause diarrhea and malnutrition.

    Likewise, if they don’t get enough fresh fruits and vegetables, it can cause them to get backed up and slow digestion.

    Corn

    Corn is a highly nutritious selection for your birds, although it is higher in natural sugar. It provides a bountiful dose of protein and fiber. Corn is often used as the base of many commercial parakeet foods.

    In addition to enjoying dried corn in their meals, you can also offer your parakeet fresh corn on the cob as a snack. They love taking off the kernels, and it provides hydration and additional fiber in their diet.

    Millet 

    • White
    • Red

    Millet has some pretty interesting nutritional benefits. It is known as a calming agent which can help birds through stressful periods, such as when they are molting. Millet is also a highly digestible grain than some others and their daily diets. Having millet and the recipe helps break up the contents to provide a well-balanced diet.

    Wheat

    Wheat is a fibrous grain found in most commercial parakeet diets. It’s full of protein, B vitamins, and natural fiber, all of which bind together to ensure your parakeet’s system is moving smoothly.

    person holding a yellow bird
    Image by: mf evelyn, Unsplash

    Canary Grass Seed

    Canary grass seed has a variety of benefits for your parakeet. It might be one of the single most common ingredients you’ll see and traditional bags of parakeet food. This magnificent little seed is stuffed with beneficial ingredients like high protein and unsaturated fats.

    Oat Groats

    Oat groats are easily digestible grains that soothe your parakeet’s system.

    Dried Egg 

    It might seem a little odd to see dried egg as an additive to a parakeet recipe. But eggs actually offer tons of nutrients, like high calcium, for your bird.


    Crumble vs. Seed

    The biggest thing is knowing what crumble and seed-based diets are. There are some tricks to knowing which to get your parakeet, but ultimately it’s up to your preference.

    Parakeet Eating Sunflower Seed
    Image by: Mylene2401, Pixabay

    Crumble

    Crumble is where all of the ingredients have been combined to form a mixed variety in every bite. This type of food helps with even nutrient distribution.

    Seed

    The type of bird food with whole pieces you can see typically has a variety of seeds and fruit or vegetable bits. While this is a very good way of providing flavor variety, a picky bird might pick out all of the good stuff and leave the rest, missing out on vital nutrients.

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    Final Thoughts

    Overall, we liked KAYTEE FDPH Feather Parakeet Bird Food best as far as PetSmart goes. It had just the right nutrients to create a well-rounded diet with a friendly price tag fitting most budgets.

    If saving is important to you, you can try All Living Things Seed and Pellet Medley Parakeet Diet. It has all the regular benefits of a well-balanced diet and is cost-friendly.

    No matter what you pick from PetSmart, you can buy the options both in-store and online.

    Sources

    Featured Image Credit: Piqsels

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