There’s no denying that parakeets are curious about everything. They are quickly intrigued and fascinated with anything new, especially regarding things they can consume or not. It’s in their nature to be curious about their surroundings. Besides, their wonder and curiosity took them into our hearts in the first place.
Indeed, sometimes you get a little iffy about situations, especially seeing how your parakeets are chewing on something. There may be a time that you’re munching a portion of blueberries and see your bird intrigued, perhaps drooling over your food. These cheeky parakeets always have something up their sleeves. But can they use this food of choice?
Parakeets can eat blueberries, and it is also healthy for your pet. Blueberries are high in essential nutrients and antioxidants that help sustain your parakeets’ health in the long run. So, if you fancy a portion of blueberries, don’t forget to share it with your lovely parakeets.
This article will share excellent and valuable insights on the benefits of blueberries to your parrots and more!
What’s In The Blueberries?
You might have heard from your peers that blueberries are an excellent addition to healthy and organic snacks. That’s why you didn’t hesitate to purchase a bunch to satisfy your snack cravings in the afternoon or at midnight, which holds facts! Blueberries are high in vitamins and nutrients that can benefit your parakeets.
So, it is your lucky day if you’re in a tight stretch between not giving blueberries. Blueberries have outstanding nutritional value for your parakeets. Here is the nutritional value found in blueberries as sourced in the Keeping Pet blog on July 16, 2021. (source)
- Vitamin C
This vitamin in blueberries can maintain your parakeets’ overall immune system. Naturally, vitamin c or ascorbic acid builds a solid immunity in your parakeet’s body. Your parakeet has the upper hand in fighting infections and diseases in this context. Also, it helps in strengthening the bones and muscles and balances cholesterol and heart rates. It will keep your parakeet in optimal health.
- Antioxidants
Free radicals are one of the main concerns of parakeet owners. With great free radicals in a parakeet’s body, your parakeet may experience debilitating health. Good thing that blueberries are high in antioxidants that remove free radicals in the bloodstream.
- Vitamin K
Parakeets are highly active and social birds. They love flying from one perch to another. It is because it’s in their social nature to do so. So, maintaining their bone strength and beaks is of the highest priority. So, giving your parakeets blueberries will keep your parakeets’ beaks and bones strong and healthy!
- Manganese
While bones and beaks are essential, let’s not forget that tissues, blood clotting, and hormones should also be on the list. Manganese found in blueberries can take care of these organs. Moreover, it aids in developing fresh feathers when your parakeet is in molting season.
In all essence, blueberries can be an excellent addition to your parakeet’s diet and portion. Now, we know your parakeet’s essential minerals, nutrients, and vitamins. It’s imperative to remember as well that blueberries come with seeds. Now, seeds are notorious for being a choking hazard. Therefore, here’s the breakdown of the blueberry seed’s advantages.
Are Blueberries Seeds Good For Parakeets?
Naturally, a blueberry’s seeds are significantly tiny and have nothing to fear. The seeds are so tiny that they are digested easily without negatively impacting your parakeet’s digestive system. Understandably, owners worry about seeds since seeds are simply bad for your parakeets.
But it is otherwise for blueberries, and you can retain the seeds—to save hassles from removing them. As for being worried about seeds, blueberry seeds are rich in minerals that supplement the development of feathers and wings. Putting the good benefits aside, parakeets do enjoy something small they can chew. You’ll notice that your parakeet will make ends meet by picking on the seeds from blueberries.
So, to save you the trouble of removing the tiny seeds, you can retain them and let your birds do the picking since they enjoy it so much.
What Is The Overall Nutritional Value Of Blueberries?
Now that we moved past the minerals, nutrients, and some of the good stuff in blueberries. Here is the overview of the healthy nutrients, vitamins, and minerals your parakeet can have.
Nutrients | Quantity |
Calcium | 8.9 mg |
Carbohydrates | 21.4 g |
Dietary fibers | 3.6 g |
Energy | 85 calories |
Iron | 0.4 mg |
Magnesium | 8.9 mg |
Niacin | 0.6 mg |
Phosphorous | 17.8 mg |
Potassium | 114 mg |
Protein | 1.1 g |
Riboflavin | 0.1 mg |
Sodium | 1.5 mg |
Thiamin | 0.001 mg |
Vitamin A | 79.9 IU |
Vitamin C | 14.4 mg |
Vitamin E | 0.8 mg |
Zinc | 0.2 mg |
How Many Times Can My Parakeet Eat Blueberries?
Parakeets do love some of that sweet goodness. They enjoy it so much that sometimes giving them blueberries too much may go beyond the health line. It is because blueberries have such high sugar content that may affect their health long term.
Therefore, giving your parakeets blueberries twice or thrice a week is best. You can also provide blueberries to your parakeets as a treat they can enjoy after a long training or flying. Nonetheless, moderation is the key to maintaining your parakeet’s sugar ingestion.
You know what they say, “Too much sweetness can be deadly.”
Although your parakeets enjoy eating blueberries and may demand through shrieks from time to time, it’s crucial to limit the quantity and frequency of portioning blueberries in their meals or treats. Since this will result in losing motion, diarrhea, calcium level imbalances, deficiencies in increased carbohydrates, and susceptibility to diseases, try providing a moderate or limited quantity when feeding blueberries. (source)
What’s The Best Way To Feed Blueberries To Parakeets?
We’re now on the exciting part—feeding! Parakeet owners’ number one worry would be the how-tos in feeding parakeets. We can’t blame you since parakeets—like any other birds—are truly sensitive to food portions. Therefore, some resort to avoiding unnecessary fuzz about feeding and stick with pellets and mixes—not that it’s a problem, but parakeets get bored quickly.
And as much as possible, we don’t want our lovely parakeets to get bored with their food. It would be such nightmare shrieks and shrills for them, for sure! That’s why it is best to follow these considerations. (source)
Try Mixing Blueberries In Seeds And Pellets.
In this way, you have a variety in the food servings for your birds.
Then you can also include blueberries in your treats after the training sessions or afternoon snacks, if necessary.
More so, including blueberries in your parakeet’s seasonal food plating and serving can increase food engagement. Remember, parakeets, like parrots, are social eaters and eat anything based on the seasons. Tons of parakeet-based diets and cookbooks could be helpful for you.
Of course, choose organic produce all the time. Some fruits and vegetables are high in toxic insecticides and pesticides that can affect your parakeet’s health. These toxins induce high levels of the chemical.
But, for instance, you experience limited organic blueberries, or the farmer’s market takes a long ride back home. Then make sure to wash your blueberries thoroughly. You can use baking soda and water solution for 10 to 15 minutes to remove all the harmful chemicals in the blueberries you bought.
Feed Them With Your Hands
You can put the blueberries in a clean bowl or hand feed them with your clean hands. Even though these blueberries are fleshy and juicy, it’s vital to have available fresh water right by their side.
There Is No Need To Pick The Seeds
The seeds in blueberries do not affect your parakeet’s digestive system as long as you follow the frequency and portion when feeding them blueberries. If so, then your parakeet is good to go!
Check Your Parakeet’s Response To The Food
Some parakeets have allergies and are prone to quick queasiness. Hence, it is better to keep an eye on your parakeet’s bodily response and stool consistency. Bad body response and stool are good indicators to keep blueberries away from your parakeet’s diet.
Alternatives For Blueberries
If your parakeet showed aggression or distaste for blueberries, you could also select other types of berries since it’s good for them. Here are the alternative fruits you can give to your parakeets:
- Apple And Bananas
These fruits are also rich in antioxidants and potassium, which can help remove free radicals and strengthen bones. Unlike blueberries, where you can retain the seeds, removing the seeds of apples is necessary as these are deadly to your parakeets.
- Grapes
This fruit can give lots of energy to your parakeet to shed for a day. Remember to keep it to a minimum since grapes have high levels of fructose.
- Strawberries And Raspberries
Out of all the berries out there, it’s sure that your parakeets will enjoy these berries more. These berries are high in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that can help your parakeet’s overall health.
- Oranges
This round flesh can boost your parakeet’s immune system. Just keep in mind to peel the oranges and take out the seeds before feeding them.
- Peanut Butter
As weird as it sounds, peanut butter is also suitable for your parakeets. This savory goodness is high in fat and calories, and you can give this as occasional treats. Even though peanut butter is good, keep in mind to choose an organic one. Highly processed peanut butter can impact your parakeet’s health badly.
- Pineapple
Just like blueberries, pineapples are rich in vitamin c. Your fruit fanatic parakeet will munch on this sour and sweet fruit. Furthermore, like other fruits, moderation in feeding is necessary since pineapples contain a high level of compounds. Your parakeet may feel a tingling sensation on their tongue and get confused and irritated. Don’t forget the sugar! It has high fructose content too!
- Mangos
Who wouldn’t go loco with mangos? Parakeets love chewing on these tropical fruits. Aside from that, you can give them the pits since it’s not as dangerous as other pits and seeds. Just make sure it’s all in an average serving.
- Cherries
An organic and fresh cherry can be another staple or treat to your parakeet. In this case, you must remove all the cherry pits as they contain toxic substances.
Other Fruits That Are Safe For Parakeets
Kiwi, nectarine, plums, peaches, apricots, pears, lychees, coconuts, dragon fruits, and cherimoya.
Fruits To Avoid
Lemon and lime, grapefruit, pomelo, avocado, and passion fruit.
Overall, these fruits and treats are good sources of nutrients and vitamins. It’s just essential to remember that you must take everything in moderation and caution for some. Following the previous considerations help in making sure that your parakeet is in optimal health and at its best too!
When Are Blueberries Dangerous?
Excessive feeding will turn out bad for your parakeet, and you don’t want that since it will make you worry at first and pile up your bills too. There’s no doubt that vet bills and expenses are such bank breakers. Therefore, make sure not to exceed the limit of feeding blueberries because if so, then here are what may likely happen:
Your parakeet can be diagnosed with diabetes. Fruits are high in fructose and sugar, and overfeeding them with blueberries can yield that. Infections, chronic illness, drastic weight loss, incessant thirst, unusual urine, coma, and seizures are indicators of diabetes in parakeets.
Obesity is another cause of the high sugar level in a parakeet’s body weight. Increased intake of blueberries results in fluctuating heartbeats, chronic sickness, and hemorrhage. Thus, make sure that everything is in moderation.
Conclusion
Indeed, blueberries are suitable for your parakeets, and so are other alternative fruits if your parakeets don’t like blueberries. Your parakeets can eat blueberries as treats and as part of their seasonal meals or occasional treats.
Do you have fruit suggestions? Comment down below!
Did this article help you? Like and share it with your buddies!
These Articles May Also Interest You
- The Parakeet Vs. Parrotlet (A Complete Comparison)
- Can Parakeets Eat Strawberries?
- Reasons Why Parakeets Make Good Pets
- Can Parakeets Eat Watermelon?
- Can Parakeets Eat Cucumbers?
- Can Parakeets Eat Grapes?
- Can Parakeets Eat Tomatoes? (Read This First!)
- Can Parakeets Eat Carrots?
- 7 Things A Parakeet Needs
- Parakeets and Cockatiels: A Comparison
- Khawaja, Awais A . “Parakeet Food: Can Parakeets Eat Blueberries.” Keeping Pet. keepingpet.com, July 16, 2021. https://keepingpet.com/can-parakeets-eat-blueberries/.
- Momad. “Can Parakeets Eat Blueberries? (Serving Size, Risks & More).” Can Parakeets Eat Blueberries? (Serving Size, Risks & More). smallpetshq.com, October 7, 2020. https://smallpetshq.com/can-parakeets-eat-blueberries/.
- A., Jesse. “Can Parakeets Eat Blueberries? [3 Things To Watch Out For] – ThePetFAQ.” ThePetFAQ. thepetfaq.com, November 23, 2020. https://thepetfaq.com/can-parakeets-eat-blueberries/.
- Cosgrove, Nicole. “Can Parakeets Eat Blueberries? What You Need to Know! | Pet Keen.” Pet Keen. petkeen.com, September 23, 2021. https://petkeen.com/can-parakeets-eat-blueberries/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20parakeets%20can%20eat%20blueberries,which%20is%20good%20for%20them.