If you’ve been rummaging through your pantry in search of parakeet treats, a question that you may be asking yourself is, can parakeets eat blueberries? The answer to this question depends on the kind of food you usually feed your pet, as all parakeets will have their personal preferences.
However, the answer ‘yes'. Parakeets can eat blueberries and it is safe for them to do so. If you feed them whole berries, you do not need to cut them into smaller pieces, their beaks are strong enough to handle a whole berry.
Nutritional Information For Blueberries
Blueberries have high vitamin and antioxidant content. They have a very low fat content, which means that feeding them to your parakeet will not contribute to obesity, as they only provide 20 calories per 100 grams.
In addition, blueberries contain 320 micrograms of vitamin C and 2 mg of iron per 100 grams.
They are high in micronutrients such as calcium, copper, and manganese.
1 cup (148g) of blueberries
| Calories | 80 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Daily Value | ||||
| Total Fat | 0.0g | 0% | ||
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0% | ||
| Trans Fat | 0g | |||
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% | ||
| Sodium | 0mg | 0% | ||
| Total Carbohydrates | 21g | 8% | ||
| Dietary Fiber | 4g | 14% | ||
| Sugar | 15g | |||
| Includes 0g Added Sugars | 0% | |||
| Protein | 1g | |||
| Vitamin D | 0mcg | 0% | ||
| Calcium | 0mg | 0% | ||
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% | ||
| Potassium | 110mg | 2% |
Benefits Of Blueberries For Parakeets
As blueberries contain high amounts of antioxidants, they help fight free radicals in the body. They also have a positive impact on vision and skin health. Moreover, blueberries strengthen immune cells, thereby warding off infections and other illnesses.
The calcium content helps add structure to bones and teeth while copper boosts the production of hemoglobin inside red blood cells. Blueberries are high in pectin, which helps improve digestion and reduce cholesterol levels.
Blueberries are not only rich in antioxidants, but also phytochemicals like carotenoids (like lutein), tannins and flavonoids. The tannins present in blueberries help to reduce inflammation while flavonoids act as anti-carcinogens and promote healthy skin and feathers in your parakeet.
How Many Blueberries Can Parakeets Eat?
A single blueberry is enough as your parakeet should not be fed with too many fruits. Large amounts of fruit can cause diarrhea, which is extremely dangerous for parakeets.
Having said so, you should not feed your pet with more than one or two blueberries every one to two weeks.
Excess consumption of fruit sugars may also affect the calcium levels in their diets and reduce levels to a deficient range. Fruit sugars can also increase the number of carbohydrates in your parakeet’s diet, which may not be too healthy for them to consume regularly.
How To Feed Blueberries To Your Parakeet
You will likely mix the blueberries with other foods your parakeet eats such as seeds, pellets or vegetables. If you feed your bird dried fruit, make sure to keep the amount small.
If your parakeet is not used to eating fresh fruit, you can also mix blueberries with seeds or white millet to make them more appealing to your pet.
Are There Any Dangers To Feeding Blueberries To Parakeets?
If you are not sure whether or not it is safe to feed your parakeet blueberries, make sure you consult with your avian veterinarian before doing so.
Parakeets can safely eat fresh fruit in small quantities; however they do not require fruit in their diets the same way that humans and other animals do. When given a choice, they would rather eat seeds!
FAQs
Can Parakeets Eat Blueberries Raw?
Yes, parakeets can eat blueberries raw and it is safe to feed your parakeet a fresh blueberry.
