Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Home > Birds > Can Budgies Eat Bread? Vet-Approved Nutritional Info

Can Budgies Eat Bread? Vet-Approved Nutritional Info

PetKeen_Can Budgies Eat_bread

Vet approved

Dr. Luqman Javed Photo

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Luqman Javed

Veterinarian, DVM

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Budgies are among the most popular pet birds. They’re smart, adorable, and hardy. Also sometimes known as parakeets (not a specific term), these small birds have playful personalities that will keep you and your family entertained for hours.

The one complex aspect of taking care of a budgie is their diet. A common question that people ask about feeding a pet budgie is if they can eat bread. The answer is a little complex. Yes, budgies can eat bread but only certain types and in very small amounts.

Let’s dig deeper into the diet of the budgie and how bread fits in.

divider-birds

Bread and Budgies

If you give your budgie an occasional bread treat, you should make sure the bread:

  • Doesn’t contain excess salt or sugar
  • Is organic
  • Is free from preservatives
  • Contains whole grains rather than processed white flour

This ensures that your bird won’t consume ingredients that are harmful to them. Too much salt can harm your budgie’s kidneys, while excess sugar can cause weight gain. Common preservatives and other additives used in commercially produced loaves of bread are also not good for your bird to consume.

Furthermore, when you provide a small taste of whole-grain bread, maybe even one with seeds in it, you’ll give your budgie a nutrient boost with their treat. Make sure the bread is in tiny pieces that your bird can swallow easily.

The Wild Budgie Diet

In the wild, budgies are found in Australia. Their diet consists of seeds, berries, fruits, and vegetation. They eat what they can find, which means that during some seasons, they may rely more heavily on fruits, while others might include more vegetation. However, they are primarily granivores (seed eaters) and foragers.

budgies on tree branch
Image By: lexxxi763, Pixabay

The Pet Budgie Diet

In captivity, budgies need a mixture of foods to stay healthy. The bulk of their diet should come in the form of pelleted food made specifically for budgies. These pellets are made of seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. They should make up 75–80% of their total food consumption.

Then, fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, pulses, and some other sources of protein (such as eggs) should account for the remaining 20–25% of their food intake. You’ll notice that we don’t mention bread here. Bread should only be a rare, occasional, tiny treat. Too much bread can cause your bird to put on too much weight and prevent them from eating the food they need for optimal nutrition.

parakeets eating
Image Credit: Piqsels

divider-bird

Preparing Bread for Budgies

Most budgies won’t be picky about how their bread is prepared. It can either be fresh or lightly toasted, and they’ll probably enjoy it equally either way. However, the bread should be plain, without any butter, jam, or other toppings on it. Finally, don’t give stale bread to your budgie, as it can have mold that can harm your bird.

bread
Image By: Pixabay

Better Choices for Budgie Treats

While the right kind of bread is fine on a very limited basis in small quantities, there are other treats you can give your budgie more frequently that are better for them. Roughly 20% of their daily diet should come from sources other than pellets. Remember, you should always cut fresh produce into small pieces that are easy for your budgie to chew. The best choices for budgies include the following.

Fruits
Vegetables
  • Arugula
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Corn (fresh)
  • Spinach
  • Zucchini
Budgies Eat Orange close up_Kolotygin Igor_Shutterstock
Image By: Kolotygin Igor, Shutterstock

Foods You Should Never Feed Your Budgie

While it’s fine to give your budgie an occasional bit of bread, there are other foods that they should never have. These include:

  • Alcohol
  • Avocados
  • Bacon
  • Beans, especially if raw
  • Cheese
  • Chips
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee
  • Crackers
  • Dairy
  • Garlic
  • Unripe tomatoes or the stems and leaves of ripe tomatoes
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Peanut shells
  • Rhubarb

Some of these are not good for your bird’s health, while others are toxic. You should never feed your budgie processed or fried foods, as these are high in salt and calories. Sugar should also be avoided to keep your budgie at a healthy weight.

budgie inside cage
Image Credit: Piqsels

divider-birds

Final Thoughts

While you shouldn’t share an entire bread basket with your pet budgie, an occasional bite or two of whole-grain bread won’t hurt them. Just make sure you’re giving them a healthy, preservative-free, and additive-free kind of bread rather than a commercially processed version. The remainder of their diet should be pellets and fresh produce. Following these guidelines will ensure that your pet has a long, healthy life. It is best to consult with your veterinarian if you have doubts about your budgie’s diet.

Related Topics:


Featured Image Credit: KS.studio, Shutterstock

Our vets

Want to talk to a vet online?

Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers!

Our vets