Everyone wants their budgie to be happy and healthy. Part of that, of course, is a good diet. Many owners want to feed their little bird friends some strawberries because they are brightly colored and taste good. However, can budgies eat strawberries?
If you’re worried and looking for a quick answer to the question, then the answer is – yes, budgies/parakeets can have strawberries as part of their diet.
However, strawberries do contain some fructose and salicylic acid, which can be harmful to their health and possibly even toxic if fed too much. This means that budgies should only eat some strawberries as a treat, once or twice a week.
Let’s learn more about what you should know before feeding strawberries to your budgies/parakeets.
Can budgies eat strawberries- Why Strawberries
We all love strawberries and know they are healthy for us. In fact, strawberries have some health benefits for budgies as well.
Strawberries contain fructose or sugar; the good thing is strawberries don’t contain as much sugar as other fruits, but they still contain sugar. So it’s best to limit the amount of strawberries you feed your budgies/parakeets. Think of them as a treat for your little bird friend.
After all, they are very small, and a small amount of sugar to us is still more than enough for them. Too much sugar ingestion can be harmful to their digestive system, which can make your budgie sick and lead to obesity.
Another thing about strawberries is that they contain salicylic acid. This can be toxic to your little feathered friend if they overeat it. This is another reason you should limit your budgie’s diet to strawberries.
It is also important to remember that some birds are afraid of red colors. This means that it may require some time for your budgie to try to eat the strawberries you offer.
In the animal kingdom, red is often a color that symbolizes warning and danger and requires flight or fight reactions.
For example, some wild birds have red on their wings that become visible when they fly away to warn other birds. Therefore, when introducing this new fruit to your budgie, take a moment, so they don’t get scared.
Can budgies eat strawberries – Benefits of Strawberries
Not only will your budgie enjoy the taste of fresh fruit like strawberries, but there are many health benefits as well. Strawberries are full of vitamins that are good for your budgie and keep them healthy and happy.
some benefits include:
- being hydrating – its succulent nature means it is a good source of water
- vitamin-rich
While you can obtain the same benefits as a seed mixture, your budgie also has the benefits of trying new things. In addition, strawberries contain water, which will keep your little feathered friend hydrated.
In addition, budgies love to play with their food, and trying new things will get them excited. They smell new and have different textures that will make your budgie curious.
Of course, this is where they can gain confidence and muster up the courage to go near the red stuff!
Just be sure to save your strawberries once or twice a week as a treat. While there are benefits, there are also drawbacks that have already been discussed. To get the good ones instead of the bad ones, limit the amount of strawberries you feed your budgie.
How to offer strawberries to your budgie/parakeets
So, you want to know how to offer strawberries to your budgie? Well, you buy fresh fruit for your little bird friend once or twice a week, and there are a few steps you can follow to make sure they are happy and enjoying the fruit.
Take your time
Your budgie may not mind if you put the strawberries directly into the cage. But read their body language, and if they seem distressed and scared, remove the strawberries and try again later; it’s recommended to do so on a different day.
To begin with, you may be able to reduce the portion size or even try hand feeding your budgie. The most important thing worth taking note is not to rush them. Eventually, your budgie will become curious on its own.
Don’t panic
It is common for budgies’ droppings to change color after eating fruits like strawberries. Therefore, if you notice their feces are red after offering fruit, do not start to worry. This is normal, and there is no need to panic.
Wash off the pesticides
Of course, you will feed your budgie the strawberries you would eat. So, that means it’s essential to wash them well before offering them to your budgie.
Unfortunately, farmers can spray all kinds of fruits and vegetables with pesticides, which can be bad for your little ones.
Cut into small pieces.
Budgies only have a small beak. So, make sure to cut the strawberries into small pieces. This will make it easier for them to eat and more enjoyable for your little bird friend.
Also, if your budgie is afraid of red, cutting it into small pieces may help.
Serving with other vegetables
As we have already discussed, budgies can be afraid of red. This may mean you must get creative in how you serve them! A great way to overcome the color red fears to disguise strawberries in their dish.
You can easily do this with vegetables and fresh greens such as broccoli, parsley, cucumbers, flavorful cabbage, etc.
Proper disposal at the end of the day.
If your budgie has not eaten some strawberries, remove them from the cage at the end of the day.
While it may be tempting to leave them there if your budgie is hungry, the fruit will disappear after being out in the open for a while.
There is a chance that bacteria will grow from the sugar, and if they consume it, it will make your budgies sick. So it’s better, as the saying goes, to be safe than sorry!
Can budgies eat strawberries- Related Questions
What other fruits can my budgie eat? There are many kinds of fruits you can feed your budgie. Of course, the same rules apply when looking at the candy, and they should be limited.
Some good fruits include
- bananas,
- apricots,
- blueberries,
- melons,
- pears,
- raspberries,
- plums.
Are there any fruits budgies//parakeets can’t eat? Some citrus fruits contain too much natural acid for your budgie/parakeets.
Fruits such as oranges and tangerines can contain high levels of acid, damaging your budgie’s digestive system. Therefore, it is best to limit the amount they have. Some toxic fruits include avocados, apple seeds, and the cores of cherries and peaches.
Can budgies eat vegetables? Budgies can eat unprocessed and raw vegetables. It keeps them hydrated and has many vitamins and minerals that are good for their health. Suitable vegetables include broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, and cucumbers. It is recommended that vegetable proportions make up about 20% of a budgie’s diet, in addition to pellets and seeds.
