What should I feed my parrot? And Is this food OK to give to my parrot? are the two most common questions I get asked from existing and new customers of Parrot Essentials. Food is the single most important element of keeping your parrots healthy. What should I feed my parrot? It is a question that we should ask before deciding what parrot to get as a companion.

Parrots and Food

Parrots are extremely intelligent, and they apply this intelligence to every aspect of their life, including food.

Based on years of personal experience, I am sad to report that most of the companion parrots are either overfed or fed the wrong diet altogether. This approach to feeding is very damaging to their health, can lead to a string of illnesses, and, worst of all, a bad diet can shorten the life expectancy of your pet by half or more.

How To Tell If You Are Over-Feeding Your Parrot?

Use this very simple method to find out if you are over-feeding. Fill the bowls with food in the morning. At around 7 pm, check if there is still food in the bowl. If there is any food left uneaten, you are overfeeding. If there isn't, then you may be underfeeding. This should include all the food offerings, not just the seeds or pellets. If you are offering fresh mix, fruit, or vegetables, this should also be accounted for.

By feeding the right amount, you will keep your parrot in optimal health and save money, too, by not wasting food.

How To Choose The Right Diet For Your Parrot?

 In our store, you can shop by Shop by Parrot Species. Find yours and look at what is available and recommended.

If you are not sure and still have any questions, please post it on the website or give us a call on 0800 327 7511.

Complete Parrot Food

The complete parrot food is in the form of pellets, and each pellet contains the exact amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals needed for a healthy and balanced parrot diet. When using a complete parrot food, you do not need to offer anything else as part of the diet. However, a lot of people like to give a little bit of fresh fruit and veg. That is fine if the fresh offering does not exceed 10% of the daily intake. If it does, then the diet is no longer complete.

Seed-Based Parrot Food

Seed mixes for parrots should not be high on sunflower seeds or other fatty nuts and seeds (for example, peanuts). The occasional fatty seed or nut is OK, but it really should be used only as a treat and not on a daily basis. This is especially important for parrots who spend most of their time inside the cage.

Fresh Parrot Mixes

Seed sprouts, mixed with fresh fruit and vegetables, have a higher nutritional value than non-sprouted seeds. The mix is tasty and readily accepted by most companion parrots. This type of parrot mix can be easily adapted to mimic the food your parrots will consume in the wild. Here is a link to how we make our Fresh Sprouted Mix. We came up with this mix a few years back after having a lengthy conversation with the renowned Neil Forbes (Great Western Exocotics) about a way of feeding our birds fresh and healthy food. In this article, we describe Step by Step how to sprout and prepare the Fresh Parrot Mix.

Benson's Story (An Example Of a Bad Diet)

This is the story of Bensons. An African Grey parrot we rescued a few years ago, who sadly is no longer with us only because she was on a poor diet. Benson's owner (a friend of a friend) could no longer look after Benson, and we were asked if we could care for her. When Benson arrived, we were advised that all she was fed during her lifetime was sunflower seed and an occasional apple or grape. Benson was 20 years old (the owner had her as a baby).

As a responsible parrot owner, I immediately started the process of changing Benson's diet to a healthier alternative. I was shocked but not surprised when she immediately started eating the new food offering and completely refused to eat sunflower seeds ever again.

Sadly, Benson had a heart attack after approximately three years with us, and the autopsy revealed a fatty liver and clogged arteries.

I knew that she would not have a long life, but I honestly expected her to be with us for at least another 5 – 10 years. My conversation with the Vet revealed that most African Greys on a bad diet do not make it past the age of 35. Just to clarify, the life expectancy of an African Grey parrot is 50 – 60 years.

How to Change Your Parrot's Diet

Start by asking: What should I feed my parrot? If you think that your parrot is not eating well or is too fussy and will not eat what is good for a parrot, simply start by reducing the daily food offerings. In a few days, you will see that your parrot will start trying new things.

If you think that a change of diet is required, choose the right one for your pet and slowly introduce the new food over a 4 – 6 week period. During this period, the old food will gradually be reduced, and new food offerings will be introduced.

As a result, you will have a much healthier companion pet.

For older parrots and birds who have been on a poor diet over a long period, I would recommend pellets, not a seed or fresh mix. You can still offer a little bit of fresh food with the pellets.

Conclusion

Feeding your parrot the right diet is crucial to their health and well-being. As we've seen with stories like Benson's, a poor diet can lead to serious health issues and drastically shorten a parrot's life expectancy. By offering the right amount of food, selecting the correct diet for your bird’s species, and gradually introducing healthier alternatives, you can ensure your parrot enjoys a long, happy, and healthy life.

Remember, the key to a balanced diet lies in moderation, variety, and quality. Whether you choose complete parrot food, seed mixes, or fresh parrot mixes, always aim for a diet that supports their nutritional needs and helps them thrive. If you're ever unsure or need advice, Parrot Essentials is here to help. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and make sure your feathered companion receives the care they deserve.