Cockatiels can eat raisins, yes. Unlike other pets, cockatiels would love to eat raisins and it’s completely safe for them. These dried grapes are enticing for them, along with other fruits. However, it is also high in calories and sugar, so you should limit it as snacks or treats only.
Raisins aren’t safe for some pets. Thus, you may be doubtful if you can offer some to your cockatiel.
For this reason, I answered the questions you will probably ask before you feed raisins to your pet.
Let’s get into it!
Contents
Are raisins good for cockatiels?
Raisins are suitable for cockatiels. In fact, most cockatiels love raisins and will enjoy eating them.
Now, it doesn’t mean that you can give raisins as much as you want because your cockatiel enjoys it.
According to HealthLine, half a cup of raisins has about 217 calories and 47 grams of sugar.
To compare, an ounce of soda has 150 calories and 33 grams of sugar.
Just by looking at that, you can already see that raisins are not exactly low calorie and low sugar treats.
It’s something you need to consider in feeding dried fruits to pets. Dried fruits usually have high amounts of calories and sugar.
For this reason, it’s best to keep feeding small amounts only. Still, it would be best if you didn’t disregard the nutritional value it has.
Aside from calories and sugar, one-half cup of raisins still includes:
- 3.3 grams of fiber (which aids digestion)
- 1.3 milligrams of iron (which helps in red blood cell production)
- 45 milligrams of calcium (which helps strengthen bones)
Lastly, it also has antioxidants, which can help your bird prevent diseases.
You May Also Read – Can cockatiels eat chia seeds?
How many raisins can cockatiels eat?
Raisins are high in calories and sugar. Thus, you should only limit it as treats to your pet.
In fact, all other fruits and treats should only take 10 % of their daily consumption. It would also be best if you don’t feed raisins and other dried fruits daily.
Along with other birds and pets, cockatiels need a balanced diet. Thus, raisins wouldn’t suffice as food on its own.
The most significant part of their diet should involve pellets, making up a total of 60% of their daily diet. Although it’s unnatural, it still offers the nutrition they need for each day.
The second one is 30%, which should consist of a variety of vegetables for their nutrition. By giving different veggies, you can incorporate various nutrients into your pet.
As a general rule of thumb, always keep a balance when it comes to feeding. For this reason, you should never feed too many raisins for a day.
Further, it would be best if you didn’t feed raisins as the only treat or snack. Consider getting a variety of options like seeds and other dried fruits.
You can make a diet plan for your bird. This way, you can be confident it gets the right amount, while not too much or too little.
Do cockatiels like eating raisins?
Cockatiels would love to munch on a variety of dried fruits like raisins.
For birds, fallen fruits or bruised fruits are always appetizing. Thus, they would have an eye for raisins.
You can also offer other similar treats like fruits and seeds. Further, you can even give a taste of human-grade nuts like almonds, peanuts, or walnuts.
Just make sure the nuts you give are the unsalted and unseasoned ones.
Now, it doesn’t mean that you can give as much as you want just because your pet likes to eat it.
Dried fruits like raisins should only remain as treats. Thus, you should limit it to a couple of pieces per day. Feeding more than that could lead to unwanted incidents.
You May Also Read – Can cockatiels eat pineapple?
What dried fruit can cockatiels eat?
Dried fruits are excellent substitutes if you want to give your pet some fruity snacks, but you can’t find fresh ones.
Raisins are one of the examples of dried fruits, as it is dried grapes. Aside from that, you can also offer other fruits such as:
- Dried cranberries
- Dried prunes
- Dried mangoes
As I said earlier, dried fruits still have nutritional benefits. Nevertheless, you should remember that these snacks are high in calories and sugar.
For this reason, limit these dried fruit snacks to a couple of bites to avoid unwanted incidents.
Another thing is to make sure your pet gets dried fruits that have no sulfur dioxide.
Some people put sulfur dioxide to preserve dried fruits. By adding such, the bright color remains.
While this is not toxic for us, it can be harmful to our pets. Thus, you may want to avoid feeding such fruits.
If possible, make some dried fruits on your own and feed it to your pet. This way, you can be confident there are no added chemicals on it.
What birds will eat raisins?
Many birds favor fruits as food and snacks. They can always get some in fruits or even take delight in the fallen and bruised ones in the wild.
Thus, they would also like to eat raisins if allowed to feed on such. Among the birds that eat such dried fruit are:
- Bluebirds
- Catbirds
- Mockingbirds
- Orioles
- Robins
- Waxwings
If you have other birds aside from cockatiels, you can also feed raisins, and it shouldn’t cause any issues.
Aside from raisins and other dried fruits, you can also offer fresh fruits. You can hand some pomegranates, watermelons, old berries, grapes, oranges, and other fruits.
Are rice and almonds safe for cockatiels to eat? Check it out!
Summary
Cockatiels can eat raisins, and they would like it if you feed them such. However, it does not mean you can feed raisins as much as you want.
Raisins, like other dried fruits, are usually high in calories and sugar. Thus, you should limit raisins to a couple of pieces once in a while. If fed in moderation, raisins still provide nutrients your cockatiel will enjoy.
Resources
HealthLine’s nutrition facts on raisins
Image Credits:
- Photo by Andreas Haslinger on Unsplash
- https://www.pickpik.com/cockatiel-parrot-cockatoo-bird-closeup-animals-152633
