As responsible bird owner; you must have the proper knowledge of the dietary needs o your bird what is healthy and safe for them? Biscuits are the most liked and preferable by humans. But, main question is what about feathery friends? Can Parrots Eat Biscuits? Let’s explore and dive deeper into the world of these beautiful creatures.
The answer to this question in short ‘No’! They should not be serving as biscuits are generally high in sugar, fat and the processed ingredients that is dangerous for the health of your pet bird. They basically required a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and the pellets. So, they are made particularly for the different species.
Provide a variety of fresh fruits and whole foods to keep your parrot healthy and happy. You must prevent giving the treats like biscuits as they are quite harmful for their healthy well being.
Can Parrots Eat Biscuits Safely?
Actually, it depends on the species of the parrots. Some birds can digest it safely while for others it is harmful. As biscuits contains the high amount of fat, sugar and salt.
Also Read: Can Parrots Eat Bread? A Good Idea or Not
These components are bad for birds. They required a balanced and nutritious diet which consists of fruits, vegetables and seeds.
Nutritional Benefits of Eating Biscuits for Parrots
This relies on the type of biscuits; but usually the birds don’t get any nutritional health benefit. If you want to feed them, then always prefer giving low fat and sugar, plain biscuits and gingers.
High fiber biscuits generally keep parrot’s stomach full for a long time.
Preferring ginger biscuits can help to overcome the disease such as nausea, vomiting and others.
The digestive biscuits can also help to overcome many health problems.
Whole wheat biscuits and oats are a great source of B complex vitamins and dietary fibers, also improves the body metabolism.
Before feeding biscuits, you must examine the components list as they are generally less healthy and high toxic.
Health Concerns of Giving Biscuits to Parrots
Here are some potential risks that should be keeping in mind while feeding biscuits:
Also Read: Can Parrots Eat Chocolate? A Full Guide to Pet Owners
Biscuits are rich in calories which lead to obesity.
Over-consumption of sugar results in illness.
The components in biscuits may harm their stomach.
Birds generally become hyperactive and sluggish.
Dangerous Ingredients in Biscuits for Your Parrots
No Doubt! Biscuits are tasty and flavorful treat for bird but it is not a healthy and safe snack. Always ensure the ingredients before serving them as they may contain the unhealthy and the toxic components.
Following are the components that may affect the avian health:
The following ingredients adversely affect avian health:
Refined Sugar
The refined sugar is harmful for parrots as the nutrients are relieved during the production.
Sugar is a carbohydrate that serving as an energy source. Do You Know? A single spoon that is almost equivalent to 4 grams contains 16 calories.
Too much consumption of sugar by parrots make the pancreas to work harder than usual, as it produce insulin. As sugar once enters in the bloodstream causing insulin spikes, resulting in an energy rush which is carried further by crash.
This leads to parrot acting abnormally and develop the behavioral changes.
Enough sugar can results in heart diseases and type 2-diabetes. It may also affect the parrot’s moods and emotions which sometimes cause anxiety and sadness.
Artificial Sweeteners
You want to lower the parrot’s sugar consumption while feeding biscuits. But, it prefers not to feed them artificial sweetness. Some of the sugar substitutes to prevent like:
Also Read: Can Parrots Eat Cashews? A Complete Guide for Bird Owners
- Xylitol
- Sucralose
- Aspartame
- Saccharin
- Acesulfame K
- Sorbitol
However, it can’t examine in other animal species; but it is observed that the sweetness leads to the medical situations such as hypoglycemia, and liver damage.
Saturated Fat
Margarine is commercially using in preparation of biscuits as it is budget friendly than butter. As you might know Trans fat uplift the LDL cholesterol, elevates the concerns of an inflammation markers, heart disease and the stroke.
According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, obesity in bird can relates to high fat diet. If you notice the (HVO) i.e. hydrogenated vegetable oil on the list of ingredients, clearly indicates the signs of unhealthy.
Obesity may stress the joints and the organs. As you know, parrots love spending time by standing on perches which can affect their legs and feet by arthritis and bumble foot (ulcerative pododermatitis)
Salt
Sodium is essential and is required in the daily diet. Too much eating salt can results in toxicosis (hypernatremia). This unstable the body’s electrolyte and the fluid balance resulting in dehydration and the kidney failures.
What Kinds of Biscuits Can My Parrot Have?
Here are some of the lists of biscuits that can be a safer option to feed to your feathery friend; but in moderation. To try something new, you can prefer some of these:
Try to serve the biscuits that are pet safe and have the healthy and the nutritious ingredients. Always remember to feed in moderation and as an occasional feast.
Homemade Biscuits
The best healthy biscuits can be homemade because you can control the ingredients that are bird safe. It generally prepares either by little or no sugar, and extra ingredients can add that offers the high nutritional value.
For this you can add some additional oatmeal to ensure that your bird is getting the best diet. You should observe the amount that is to be serving to your pet bird. But, they don’t intake too much calories.
Nice Biscuits
These types of biscuits can be safer as they don’t contain the much sugar. Provide them either the coconut or the plain type. They will absolutely love and enjoy this flavor.
Nice biscuits are rich in calories, so you should feed them in the limited amount to bird to avoid. It is normal to serve a pack of biscuit and will be emptied but as a pet owner this is not safe I case of bird. The sugar and the fat level increases depend on the amount they eat.
Lincoln Biscuits
This is a kind of baked cake biscuit that is low in sugar and fat content which makes it less unhealthy option. Alike from other biscuits, they contain the good amount of the calories that you need to worry about.
Serving small pieces of this is fine, but providing them too much can lead to stomach upset that you don’t want to deal with.
Monkey Biscuits
As the name suggests, they are made according to the mammals and primates. This is rarely available in the market and is good for your bird. They have appropriate amount of the protein, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and the fiber into your bird’s diet.
Always ensure to soak the biscuits so that it becomes soft and easier to eat.
These are normally safe but it should be fed in the moderation. They are not able to intake the amount of calories as we take. They can be addicting to biscuits because of its flavor and won’t make their tummy full after eating in a small amount.
Parrots Can’t Intake Chocolate Biscuits: Reasons
Chocolates are harmful for parrots as they contain the caffeine and the bromine.
Theobromine is available in cacao bean. All the chocolates have this but it is found more in the dark chocolates. White chocolates has small amount but are unsafe.
Also Read: Can Parrots Eat Bell Peppers? Guide for Parrot Owners
Adverse effects of the white chocolates are as follows:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased heart rate
- Heart arrhythmias
- Hyperactivity
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Cardiac arrest
Can Parrots Get Sick with Eating Biscuits?
Yes, they may get sick if it consumes in the large amount.
They contain the harmful ingredients like sugar or fat which is dangerous for parrot.
It is important to always ensure the safe and healthy method to feed the parrot in small amount.
How Do You Serve Biscuits to Parrots Safely?
To keep your bird safe and healthy, follow these steps:
- Go for whole grain biscuits
- Offer in small and limited amount
- Observe if they show any behavioral change
- Offer them fresh fruits and veggies
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can Baby Parrots Eat Biscuits Easily?
No! They should not be fed biscuits as they have the sensitive digestive system. Instead they should be served by hand feeding formulas or natural soft foods but not the processed one.
How Often can Parrots Have Biscuits?
A small amount of food can be safe only if it is plain or a safe biscuit once in a month. It should not include as a primary source in their diet.
What are Best Alternatives to Biscuits for Your Parrots?
Fruits like apple and banana, vegetables like (carrots and bell peppers), unsalted nuts or mainly special treats made for parrots that are easily available in the pet stores.
Verdict UP: Can Parrots Eat Biscuits?
Parrots can consume some types of the biscuits like plain crackers or cookies without the additional sugar. They should be given in the small pieces but flavored treats should be prevented due to the unhealthy ingredients that potentially harm the parrot.
Also Read: Can Parrots Eat Rice (Raw, Cooked, Krispies)? Good or Bad
Always ensure to examine the size before serving the biscuits to them. This is because; the bigger parts may cause the choking hazard. Even though they seem to be harmless at the first glance as safety comes first when handling our beloved feathered friends.
Do you have any experience, tips, tricks, or query regarding on this? You can drop a comment!
Have a Nice Day!!
