Almost nothing is more satisfying than biting into a peach. Peaches are so sweet and juicy that you need to stand over the sink to eat them! But what if you want to give your cockatiel a bite of your peach? Are peaches safe for your cockatiel to eat?
Peaches are safe for cockatiels! They can make delicious and healthy treats for these birds, but they must be provided in moderation and with the complete removal of the peach pit and the flesh surrounding it. Here, we get into why this is and how beneficial peaches can be for your little feathered friend.
A Cockatiel’s Diet
Cockatiels need a variety of different foods to make up a healthy and balanced diet. Pellets that have been specially formulated for cockatiels should make up the bulk of the cockatiel’s diet, about 75%–80%. Pellets are essentially multiple foods, such as corn and grains with vegetables, fruit, vitamins, and minerals, all compressed into tiny pellets. Cockatiels also need various fresh fruits and vegetables to make up about 20%–25% of their diet.
Vegetables that are good for cockatiels include:
Good fruits include:
But just how healthy are peaches for cockatiels?
Feeding your cockatiels the wrong mixture of seeds can be dangerous to their health, so we recommend checking with an expert resource like The Ultimate Guide to Cockatiels, available on Amazon.
This excellent book will help you balance your cockatiels’ food sources by understanding the value of different seed types, dietary supplements, fruits and vegetables, and cuttlebone. You’ll also find tips on everything from housing to health care!
Cockatiels and Peaches
Peaches are full of vitamins that can be beneficial for your cockatiel. These include the following.
Vitamin A
Vitamin K
Vitamin E
The Downside of Peaches for Cockatiels
Just like for people, too many peaches can lead to a deficiency in the cockatiel’s diet. There are a few other things that you need to look out for.
Peach Pit
Peach pits contain the amygdalin compound, which becomes hydrogen cyanide in the body when eaten. Although the amount of amygdalin found in peaches is minimal compared to other plants in the same genus, it is still considered toxic for cockatiels. The leaves of a peach plant also contain this compound and are toxic for cockatiels.
Pesticides
Peaches, like most fruits, are likely to be covered in chemicals and pesticides. Peaches also don’t have a thick peel that can be removed, so cleaning them is essential.
If you observe your cockatiel showing any of these signs after eating peaches (or any other fruit), contact your vet immediately.
Preparing Peaches for Cockatiels
You should start by thoroughly washing the peach to remove any pesticides. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 cups of water, and soak the peach for about 15 minutes. This treatment should remove most, if not all, of the pesticides. You should do this even if you buy organic.
Take out the peach pit, and be sure to cut out all the flesh that surrounds the pit. Peach skin is safe (after being washed, of course). Just cut up a small amount of peach, and you can give it to your cockatiel as is, mashed up in a bowl, or with other pieces of fruit.
Conclusion
Small amounts of washed peaches are perfectly fine for your cockatiel as occasional treats. Fresh peaches are preferred over canned or dehydrated options.
Be sure to only give them a small amount of peach, as fruits shouldn’t make up the bulk of your cockatiel’s diet. Don’t forget to provide your bird with a variety of other fruits, even if your cockatiel seems to like peaches best.
Speak to your avian vet if you ever have questions or concerns regarding your cockatiel’s diet. Your cockatiel will probably love a little peach once in a while, and as long as you follow our advice and give your bird a balanced diet, your cockatiel will live a long and happy life.
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Featured Image Credit: Barbara Rost, Shutterstock
