This articles offers particular foods that you, being a bird owner, should never feed to your pet bird. If you have questions concerning a particular kind of bird seed or fruit, consult your veterinarian. Purchase your bird seed from a reputable producer like ABBA or Kaytee and read about the native diets of your bird species and supply a diet that features bird seed, fruit, and vegetables that closely resembles the natural food source of your particular bird species.
Before investing in a bird as a pet, read and collect information on specific things to do and not to do. There are a lot of species of bird that, if cared for properly, will be lifetime companions and family members.
Every conscientious bird owner should know there are certain foods and specific ingredients that must never be fed to a pet bird. Here's a list of six (6) food items that should never be fed to a bird or caution should be taken with the preparation of the food.
1. Chocolate, unfortunately, is not for the birds. That wonderful candy bar can have disastrous consequences to your bird. Chocolate is incredibly detrimental to a bird's digestive system. Initially, chocolate will trigger vomiting and diarrhea. It will then affect the central nervous system resulting in seizures and eventual death. Chocolate and food containing chocolate must remain well out of reach of your feathered companion.
2. Though fruits are certainly healthy for birds, there are types that should never be given to birds. These include apples, apricots, cherries, peaches and pears. The reason is quite shocking. These fruits contain minute amounts of cyanide in their seeds which is an incredibly harmful and a potentially lethal substance even in minute amounts. Birds can eat pieces of these types of fruit so long as it is cut away from the seeds or core. Also, always rinse fruit before giving to your pets, children or yourself. Damaging chemicals present in pesticides are often injurious to small animals like birds.
Avocado is one fruit that should not be given to your pet bird. Skin of the avocado may cause cardiac distress and heart failure in particular bird species. Better safe than sorry with the avocado so don’t even bother letting them try it.
3. Certain types of vegetables can be harmful. Onions can cause severe digestive problems and mushroom, which is really not a vegetable but a fungus, can lead to respiratory distress, kidney failure and death. While some veterinarians and pet owners are worried about giving pet birds particular vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes, these vegetables usually are not hazardous if they are cleaned and sliced prior to giving it to your pet. Remember, consult your veterinarian when you have concerns about any food source, including fruits, vegetables and bird seed.
4. Although you like to have a few, never ask your pet bird if he or she would like to join you for a drink. Alcohol depresses a birds organs which, in some cases, can be lethal. Caffeine is very harmful to birds also. It causes cardiac malfunction in birds and, in some cases, could cause arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, hyperactivity, and increased heartbeat. Keep alcoholic and caffeinated drinks well from reach and out of areas where your bird can access them. Other than water, pure fruit or vegetable juice is good. It can provide additional nutrition your bird needs.
5. Salt or products containing salt should never be given to birds. Like in humans, excess salt often leads to dehydration, kidney dysfunction, thirst and death. Due to their small size, it does not require a large amount of salt to have detrimental affects.
6. Finally, never give your pet bird dry or uncooked beans. Dry or raw beans contain a poison called hemaglutin. Hemaglutin is not a concern once the beans are cooked so if you desire to give beans to your bird, cook them first.
These are 6 food items that you need to avoid feeding your feathered friend. Knowing and avoiding these and other damaging food items will help ensure they will live for a long time. Pet birds are often very expensive. Do not take a chance with your birds health by feeding it food that can be hazardous. So what should you provide for your pet bird to keep it healthy and happy? To play it safe, provide a good quality seed and pellet diet and supplement with approved fruits and vegetables if desired. This way you will keep the bird healthy and happy.
If you are looking for a great online store with a huge selection of ABBA Seed products for all species of pet bird, then visit out store.
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