https://www.chewy.com/education/bird/food-and-nutrition/onions-garlic-and-birds
*Good nutrition is the foundation of bird health. The Bird Food & Nutrition Education Hub covers diet planning, safe fruits and vegetables, seed vs. pellet diets, and species-specific needs to help you nourish your bird at every life stage.
Vegetables and fruits are a delicious and enriching way to complement your bird’s fortified pelleted diet.These fresh foods should make up about 30 percent of your bird’s daily intake.
While some pelleted bird foods include dried fruits and vegetables, offering fresh options adds variety and nutrients.
However, it is important to be cautious about what you share from your kitchen, as certain foods like onions, garlic, chives, shallots, and leeks can be toxic, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and digestive upset.
Similarly, chocolate - especially dark chocolate - should be avoided due to the harmful effects of caffeine and theobromine, which can lead to seizures, hyperactivity, and even death.
Additionally, artificial sweeteners like xylitol found in sugar free gum and snacks are dangerous for birds, potentially causing low blood sugar, liver damage, and fatal outcomes, so gum and any sugary treats are best kept away from your feathered friend.
Other common foods can also pose serious risks.
Avocados, despite their health benefits for humans, contain toxins harmful to birds, leading to respiratory problems, weakness, and heart failure.
While tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant are generally safe, birds should never consume the leaves or other plant parts, which can cause kidney damage.
Mushrooms have been linked to digestive and liver issues, so they are best avoided.
Fruit seeds and pits - especially from apples, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, and pears - may contain traces of cyanide and should never be given to birds.
Additionally, salty snacks, alcohol, caffeine, and dairy products can all negatively affect your bird’s health, causing anything from dehydration and organ failure to diarrhea and cardiac issues. Keeping these foods off the menu helps ensure your bird stays healthy and happy.
Chewy editorial team listed what foods are safe for your feathered companion and which ones to avoid, helping you protect their health and happiness every step of the way.
