Most people who decide to have a pet bird opt for the Australian parakeet or common parakeet, since they are very cheerful birds that enjoy human company and also have a high intelligence.
Like any other living being, for our parakeet to be in good he alth it will require that its basic needs are met, one of the main ones being food. In this article on our site we talk about the fruit and vegetables for parakeets, foods that are essential in their diet.
Why do parakeets need fruit and vegetables?
There are several cares that the parakeet needs and that we must take into account, although food is one of the most important, since it has a marked influence on the he alth of our pet. The parakeet's diet should consist mainly of a good mix of canary seed and millet, which is generally found in many bird seed preparations.
It will be necessary to complement this basic food with an extraordinary contribution of calcium and for this we recommend the use of a cuttlefish bone).
Obviously water is another element that should always be available because it participates in multiple functions, although even with all these basic resources, our parakeet's diet would not be balanced, why?
Parakeets need a great supply of vitamins and minerals and the best way to obtain it is through natural foods such as fruits and vegetables, which are essential for the he alth of your pet.
Fruits for budgerigars
The fruits that you can offer your parakeet and that it likes the most are the following:
- Red berries: blueberries, strawberries or cherries are excellent for preventing cardiovascular problems, generally rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene.
- Peach: they contain high antioxidant properties and help prevent stomach cancer, due to their antitumor properties. They are also good for the vision and skin of our parakeet.
- Mandarin: Mandarin is very rich in vitamin C, making it an excellent antioxidant. It also has fiber and a low amount of sugar.
- Naranja: Like tangerines, oranges are rich in vitamin C, but they are also excellent for preventing colds and protecting to the organism in general.
- Plátano: the banana is a very complete nutritional food, but we should not abuse it, offering it once or twice a week. week in small portions will suffice.
- Melon: the melon is rich in vitamin A and E, it also provides a lot of water to the organism of our parakeet. It also helps eliminate toxins from the body. We must limit its consumption as it is so rich in water, as it can cause diarrhoea.
- Watermelon: Watermelon is also rich in antioxidants and contains vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B3. It is a very he althy food rich in vitamins, but we must regulate its consumption due to its high water content.
- Papaya: it is an excellent diuretic and is very rich in vitamin C and A. It also has antioxidant properties and provides a lot of fiber to the body.
It is important that all those fruits that have skin are peeled, it should also be taken into account that the banana would not be suitable when the parakeet suffers from constipation.
Vegetables for parakeets
The vegetables that parakeets like the most are usually the following:
- Endivia: endive is a perfect vegetable to regulate intestinal transit and, although in small quantities, it is a carrier of vitamin C.
- Espinacas: offering spinach to our parakeet is a good option because, in addition to being a powerful anti-inflammatory, this vegetable has many vitamins and minerals, as well as calcium, very important for the he alth of the parakeet.
- Chard: Chard is very rich in vitamin A, iron and vitamin C. They generally love it and can also help us avoid the constipation.
- Lechuga: it provides vitamin B1, B2 and B3 but it contains a lot of water, so it is important to moderate its consumption.
- Carrot: the carrot is a vegetable that should never be missing from the carrot diet. Provides vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as minerals and antioxidant compounds.
- Tomato: Tomatoes are very rich in water (so, once again, we will moderate their consumption) but they are excellent for its content in vitamins A, B and C. They help keep our parakeet's digestive system he althy.
- Aubergines: It is an excellent vegetable for being diuretic, antioxidant and providing fiber.
- Pepper: they have a high content of vitamin C, vitamin B6 and are one of the favorite vegetables for parakeets.
- Zucchini: Zucchini would also be a good option, although in this case it is essential that they are always peeled.
How should we give fruit and vegetables to parakeets?
Fruits and vegetables not only provide vitamins but are also very useful for preventing our parakeet from suffering from constipation and for helping always be well hydrated. However, they do not need to be taken daily. Fruits and vegetables should be offered on alternate days, at room temperature and previously washed with plenty of water.
As you may have seen, you can offer your parakeet a wide variety of foods, although we recommend that you only use those that we have mentioned, since other fruits and vegetables can be toxic, some examples are: avocado, lemons, plums or onions. Taking care of your parakeet's diet will result in a he althier, happier and long-lived animal.
