Does your cockatiel snatch your grapes while you are eating? But can cockatiels eat grapes, I hear you ask? Is it safe to give them grapes since they are toxic to dogs? Let’s find out.
Cockatiels enjoy a variety of fruits and fresh vegetables to have a well-balanced diet.
Many pet owners don’t feed them grapes and raisins because these fruits are toxic to other animals, especially dogs.
However, I am here to tell you that both seeded and seedless grapes are safe for your pet bird.
They are loaded with Vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and fiber, essential for keeping cockatiels healthy.
But you must serve grapes in moderation because of their high sugar content.
Grapes Nutritional Info: Is It Good For Cockatiels?
Pet owners often hesitate to give grapes to their birds because of the bad rap they get from vets since they are toxic to dogs.
However, grapes are one of the most delicious treats for your feathered friend. Cockatiels love the taste and enjoy eating it.
One hundred grams of raw green grapes contain the following nutrients.
- Water – 80.5grams
- Energy – 69 Kcal
- Protein – 0.72gram
- Lipid fat – 0.16 gram
- Carbohydrate – 18.1gram
- Fiber – 0.9 gram
- Sugar – 15.5 gram
- Calcium -10mg
- Iron – 0.36mg
- Magnesium – 7mg
- Phosphorous – 20mg
- Potassium – 191mg
- Sodium – 2mg
- Zinc – 0.07mg
- Vitamin C – 3.2mg
- Vitamin B6 – 0.086mg
- Vitamin A – 66IU
- Vitamin E – 0.19mg
Let’s look at how this makes them an excellent food for cockatiels.
Vitamins
- Vitamin C: Grapes are high in Vitamin C, which helps in iron absorption and in boosting the immune system of your bird. It also reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Vitamin B6: Grapes contain Vitamin B6, which helps keep the nervous system healthy. It plays a vital role in the brain development of cockatiels.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps maintain good vision and the skin in pet birds.
Minerals
- Potassium: Potassium helps maintain normal blood pressure and retains normal fluid levels in cells and tissues.
- Phosphorus: Phosphorus helps in forming the bones and teeth of cockatiels.
Other Nutrients
Grapes contain fiber which helps to maintain a healthy gut in your bird. Simultaneously it contains protein which aids in increasing muscle strength.
Grapes are rich in antioxidants which help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
How Should Grapes Be Given To Cockatiels?
You need to wash the grapes thoroughly in water, cut them into a few pieces, and serve your little bird on a flat plate.
Keep a bowl containing fresh water on the side so your feathered friend can drink it anytime.
Raw Grapes
Commercial grapes may contain pesticides, insecticides, and other chemicals.
So you need to thoroughly wash them in warm water before feeding Cockatiel.
It’s best to purchase organic grapes as they do not contain any chemicals. You can cut them into small pieces and serve your bird on a plate.
You don’t need to remove the seeds of the grapes, unlike apple seeds. Even the seeds are loaded with antioxidants and various other nutrients.
But if you have a small cockatiel and are worried about choking, remove the seeds from the grapes before serving.
Raisins
Yes, raisins are also safe for your bird. They are loaded with nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, and iron, which help to keep your cockatiel healthy.
You can serve raisins and other dry fruits or seeds to your bird.
But don’t give too much to cockatiels since raisins have a higher sugar content than grapes.
It is better to use raw grapes rather than raisins.
Grape Juice
Even grape juice is safe for cockatiels.
Most commercially available grape juice is heated and pasteurized during production and is healthy as is.
However, some brands add sugar and various additives to grape juice, which is not good for the bird’s health.
So, we recommend you always give homemade grape juice to cockatiels.
How Much (And How Often) Should You Give Grapes To Your Bird?
I recommend you to give only one or two grapes in a week and give other fresh fruits on the rest of the days.
Don’t feed grapes regularly, as they can cause health problems in cockatiels due to their high sugar content.
Fresh vegetables should also be added to the daily diet to help keep the digestive system healthy.
Give fresh fruits and vegetables only 30 percent of the daily calorie intake (30 calories) to your 100 grams bird; the rest can be pellets, seeds, and dry fruits.
Are There Any Dangers To Giving Grapes to Cockatiels?
Overfeeding anything is not good, and the same holds for grapes too.
Grapes are sweet fruit, i.e., rich in fructose.
So, giving a lot of grapes can cause chances of obesity, heart disease, liver disease, and other chronic health problems.
Again, giving a lot of grapes can cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and vomiting in birds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruits are toxic to cockatiels?
Most fruits are good for cockatiels. But there are few fruit seeds and pits containing cyanide which can be fatal for cockatiels.
So you must remove the seeds and pits of these before serving your bird. I am listing these fruits below.
Apple
Peaches
Plums
Apricots
Pears
Can I give my bird a grape?
Yes, you can feed a grape to your bird as they are loaded with various nutrients and antioxidants that help it stay healthy and live longer.
However, grapes can cause various health problems if given in large amounts. Hence always limit the quantity to be given to your bird.
What foods are toxic to cockatiels?
Certain foods can be poisonous for your bird. We are listing them below.
Chocolate
Caffeine
Salt
Onion
Garlic
Xylitol
Apple seeds
Pits of some fruits
Will grapes hurt birds?
No grapes will not hurt your bird. They are a powerhouse of various nutrients which are good for birds’ health.
However, grapes are high in sugar and can cause obesity and other health problems, so it is best to only offer them to cockatiels or other birds in moderation.
Wrap Up
Grapes are an excellent occasional treat for your pet bird. They are loaded with several nutrients which help cockatiels stay healthy.
I would suggest not giving a lot of grapes at once to your cockatiel, as they can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Also, in the long run, excess grapes can cause obesity and sugar imbalance in birds.
Additionally, wash the grapes properly in warm water and then serve your bird, as harmful chemicals can pose a health problem for the bird.
Thank you for reading this article.
