Can Cockatiels Eat Apples? (What’s With the Seeds?)

Cockatiels can eat apples, yes. Cockatiels enjoy munching on fruits you can easily get your hands on such as apples. Apples are highly nutritious for your pet. However, you shouldn’t offer the apple’s core and seeds, as it can be toxic for cockatiels. If you’re feeding apples, you should serve it in small pieces without the core and seeds.

Apples offer a wide array of nutrients. Moreover, it has that sweet fruity goodness that everyone loves. Thus, it can be tempting to spare some for your bird.

For this reason, I researched and answered questions you may ask about feeding apples to cockatiels. 

This article should help you be aware of the precautions and the benefits of apples if appropriately fed.

Take a look at this!

Are apples good for cockatiels?

Indeed, apples are a great fruit, and it’s a healthy snack not only for us but also for our cockatiels.

Cockatiels take delight in most fruits you can get at your nearby store or grocery. Thus, if you have some apples around, you can offer some to your bird.

According to HealthLine, a hundred (100) grams of apple slices contains:

  • Calories: 52
  • Water: 86%
  • Protein: 0.3 grams
  • Carbs: 13.8 grams
  • Sugar: 10.4 grams
  • Fiber: 2.4 grams
  • Fat: 0.2 grams

Since apples consist mainly of water, feeding your bird some apple bits helps them hydrate. More than that, apples are also rich in the following:

  • Carbohydrates (which gives energy)
  • Fiber (which aids digestion)
  • Vitamin C (which boosts immunity)
  • Potassium (which benefits their heart’s health in high amounts)

The only precaution you need to take concerns about the apple seeds. While the flesh is nutritious, the apple seeds contain cyanide. Such a component can be toxic to cockatiels if fed.

For this reason, it would be best to feed apples in bite-size pieces, with the seeds removed.

Now, let’s talk about the skin.

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Can cockatiels eat apple skin?

When it comes to cockatiels, they can eat the apple’s skin, and it shouldn’t cause any issue. 

Unlike other animals, these birds can also eat the apple skin since it’s not toxic for them.

If you plan to feed apples to your bird, you can offer apples in bite-size pieces without peeling. In fact, the skin contains the same nutrients like that of the flesh.

Thus, if you’re worried about having issues by feeding apple skin, you won’t. 

The only thing you need to remove is the apple core and seeds. 

Are apples toxic to birds?

apples

Apples are only toxic to birds when they eat such fruit along with their seeds.

The flesh and skin of apples may not be toxic. However, the core and the seeds contain cyanide, which is harmful to almost all birds.

Thus, if you have other birds around aside from cockatiels, it’s likely that they can eat apples, but not the seeds.

As a general rule of thumb, always offer apples in bite-size pieces, with seeds and pits removed.

As long as you offer apples without seeds, your pet should be alright.

What fruits can cockatiels not eat?

Most fruits are safe and healthy for cockatiels to consume in small amounts. However, there are fruits with seeds and pits that you remember. 

While the fruits themselves aren’t toxic, they can be harmful if fed with the seeds.

Aside from apples, you should also be mindful of pears, as it contains seeds that are toxic to cockatiels.

The fruits with pits are cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums. Like the apples, the pits should get removed first before feeding.

Without the pits and seeds, these fruits are safe for your cockatiel’s consumption.

Seeds from other fruits such as grapes, citrus fruits, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, melons, mango, pomegranate, and berries are safe for bird consumption. 

Thus, you can feed these fruits without removing the seeds.

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What can cockatiels eat?

Apples may prove itself to be a nutritious snack for cockatiels. Still, this fruit, along with the others, does not have all the nutrients for their daily sustenance.

As owners, we want to feed the best we can offer for our pets. For this reason, you should always make a well-balanced nutrition plan.

Aside from apples and other fruits, here’s a list of what cockatiels can and should eat:

Pellets

Pellets are the first thing to consider feeding your pet. Many experts would recommend such to be a part of a cockatiel’s diet. Although it’s not natural food, pellets can give a good diet for your pet.

Seeds

Unlike apple seeds, the other types can do good for your cockatiel if fed. When feeding such, make sure it’s clean and free from fungus and other substances. 

These birds know how to separate the seed from its husk. Thus, it may look like the bowl is full, and yet there’s no food anymore. For this reason, make sure you always check if they still have seeds to eat.

Vegetables

Vegetables also form part of their diet. You can offer almost any veggie like carrots, broccoli, corn, kale, spinach, and others.

When feeding vegetables, it’s important to give into bite-size pieces to make it easier to eat. Further, it would be best to wash everything first.

Cooking, such as steaming or boiling, may also help to soften and moisten the veggies.

In general, you can feed any vegetable or fruit you can find in the market. Be careful, though, as some may contain seeds and parts that can be harmful.

Protein Foods

You can also offer protein-rich food for cockatiels. However, if you opt for meat, make sure it’s good quality.

Aside from the meat, you can also offer eggs and dairy products such as cheese and yogurt.

Are carrots and peanuts safe for cockatiels to eat? Check it out!

Summary

Indeed, apples are very nutritious fruits. Thus, you can share it with your cockatiel without worrying. Nevertheless, it would be best if you still were careful as its seeds and pits can be toxic to your cockatiel.

For this reason, always feed apples in bite-size pieces, with the core and seeds removed. This way, you can be confident your pet doesn’t eat any toxic stuff.

Lastly, always make sure you feed your bird a balanced diet, and not just fruits and vegetables. A balanced diet is a key to a healthy life for your pet.

Resources

Healthline’s nutrition facts on apples

Image Credits – Photos by Zoe Graham and Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

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