Do you enjoy garnishing your salad with fresh, juicy grapes? How about adding some raisins to your daily bowl of cereal? While grapes and raisins are a delicious and nutritious snack for humans, can you feed them to your cockatiel?
The simple answer is yes. Cockatiels can eat grapes. However, you should only be feeding your bird grapes in moderation due to the high sugar content.
But what about raisins? Are raisins safe for cockatiels to consume?
Let’s further explore everything you need to know about your cockatiel and grapes and raisins for his optimal wellbeing.
Can My Cockatiel Eat Grapes?
Grapes, both seeded and seedless, are safe for cockatiels to eat in moderation. They can even be beneficial to your bird’s health, providing him with calcium, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. In fact, grapes can also protect your pet against certain types of viruses and bacteria.
However, you should only be feeding your cockatiel grapes in small, infrequent quantities. An overabundance of grapes can cause digestive problems in your pet, including runny stool. Moreover, too many grapes can cause your bird to become obese.
A good rule of thumb is to feed your cockatiel no more than one to two grapes each week.
Always thoroughly rinse the grapes under warm, running water to remove dirt, debris, and any potential pesticides. Also only feed your cockatiel fresh, organic grapes.
- Related Read:Â 7 Best Cockatoo Toys -Reviews & Top Picks
Can Cockatiels Eat Raisins?
Yes, your cockatiel can also safely consume raisins in moderation. Raisins are a wonderful source of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and iron for your bird. In fact, raisins are a better source of iron than grapes.
When feeding raisins to your cockatiel, always mix them with other types of dried foods or seeds. Never give your pet too many raisins as this can cause diarrhea and other stomach issues.
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!
How to Feed Your Cockatiel Grapes & Raisins
High-quality seeds and pellets should make up most of your cockatiel’s daily diet. Always fill their food bowl daily and remove any empty seed hulls. From there, you can offer your bird a small helping of grapes one to two times per week.
Always buy fresh, organic grapes. Rinse them under warm water before feeding them to your bird.
When preparing grapes for your cockatiel, be sure to cut them up into small pieces that your bird can easily eat. You don’t have to remove the skin. However, it is recommended that you do so because it could eliminate your bird’s exposure to dangerous pesticides.
You can either top your cockatiel’s regular seeds and pellets with grape pieces or raisins or mix them with other greenery, such as leafy veggies and tropical fruits. Some good choices include kiwi, mango, pears, apples, bananas, kale, and spinach.
Wrapping Up
Grapes and raisins are perfectly safe to feed to your cockatiel in moderation. They should be viewed as an occasional treat, not as a primary meal. Always buy organic, fresh grapes and prepare them by rinsing and cutting them before feeding them to your bird. You can use grapes or raisins as a tasty topper to your cockatiel’s pellets or mix them with other fresh greens.
Always talk to your vet before adding anything new to your bird’s diet.
Your cockatiel will definitely enjoy the delicious treat of grapes and raisins added to his diet!
Featured Image: Pxhere
