No question about it, pistachios are yummy! You probably occasionally give nuts to your cockatiel, but what about pistachios? Are pistachios safe for cockatiels?
Yes, pistachios are safe for your cockatiel to eat, if they don’t have any salt or other seasonings and are only given in moderation.
Let’s take a deeper look into pistachios and the cockatiel’s typical diet. We also look at how many pistachios are suitable and the best way to give them to your ‘tiel.
All About the Pistachio
Pistachios are technically drupes, which are the same family of fruit as peaches, cherries, and olives. They grow on pistachio trees in hot and dry climates in places such as Turkey, Greece, China, Syria, Iran, and the U.S.
They are eaten in various dishes like ice cream, cookies, and cheesecakes. They can also be used to put a crust on chicken, added to a salad, or just eaten straight out of the shells.
They are excellent sources of antioxidants, protein, fiber, and healthy fats and are known to have several health benefits. They are also abundant in vitamin B6, potassium, thiamine, copper, manganese, and phosphorus.
The health benefits of pistachios include:
There’s no doubt that pistachios are a healthy snack, but is there a downside?
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!
Problems With Pistachios
Almost everything out there has risks and pistachios are no exception. Pistachios straight off the tree have little sodium, but salt is added to roasted pistachios that you buy in the store. One cup of roasted pistachios can have as much as half a gram of salt. Too much salt in a diet can lead to stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Pistachios also contain fructans, and if you’re sensitive to this or eat too many pistachios, it can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea.
Of course, you can always have too much of a good thing. While they make a great snack when you’re trying to lose weight, too many pistachios can lead to weight gain.
But what about tiels? Let’s look at the cockatiel’s typical diet.
A Cockatiel Diet
Cockatiels need a balanced diet that is typically made up of pellets and vegetables, fruits, and occasional treats. Pellets are specially formulated with vitamins, minerals, seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables and constitute approximately 75% to 80% of your tiel’s diet.
The rest of their diet is made up of primarily vegetables, with some fruit as a treat.
Common vegetables that are good for tiels include:
The best fruits include:
But how healthy are pistachios for cockatiels?
Cockatiels and Pistachios
Plain pistachios without any additives or seasonings are a healthy snack for your tiel:
So, what exactly are the negatives for your cockatiel in eating pistachios?
The Downside of Pistachios for Cockatiels
Pistachios are great snacks, but there are most definitely some issues giving your tiel pistachios.
1. Salted
One cup of salted pistachios can contain half a gram of salt, which is far too much salt for your tiel!
An increase in a tiel’s salt intake can lead to:
Too much salt can also lead to your bird suffering from salt toxicity.
The symptoms of salt toxicity include:
If you’ve given your cockatiel any food with added salt and you notice any of these symptoms, seek out your avian vet immediately.
2. Roasted
Pistachios that you roast yourself and that aren’t salted are fine. But roasted pistachios purchased from the store are typically salted and should be avoided.
3. Storage
Pistachios are oily nuts and should be stored appropriately, or they can go rancid. They should be kept in a cool and dry cupboard or refrigerator so they can stay fresh and safe for your tiel.
4. Shells
Pistachios should be purchased either shelled or at least partially open. A closed shell usually indicates that the pistachio nut inside might not be fully ripe.
Conclusion
Pistachios are a healthy snack for cockatiels and humans alike. But while they are good for your tiel, they should be considered a treat, not an everyday part of your tiel’s diet. You can give your cockatiel one or two a day, but it would be better to only give them pistachios a few times a week rather than daily.
You should aim for pistachios that are unsalted and have no added artificial preservatives or ingredients. You can look for healthy pistachios in health food stores, as you should be able to find the right kind that will be safe for your cockatiel.
Speak to your avian vet if you’re concerned about your tiel’s health or diet or if you just have any questions regarding adding pistachios to your bird’s list of treats. Your tiel will enjoy the healthy and tasty treat of the occasional pistachio as long as you only buy the right kind and give it in moderation.
Also see:
- Can Cockatiels Eat Popcorn? Vet-Reviewed Nutritional Info
- Can Parrots Eat Oranges? What You Need to Know
Featured Image Credit: MrGajowy3, Pixabay
