We like to eat cherries because they are tasty and healthy snack that is full of vitamins and minerals that are good for all of us. But what about cockatiels? Can cockatiels eat cherries?
Yes, cockatiels can safely eat cherries, but only if you exclude the pit and seeds. They contain trace amounts of cyanide, which is toxic for cockatiels. Aside from this, cherries should still only ever be fed in moderation as part of a cockatiel’s balanced diet.
People love the sweet and fruity taste of cherries, and for sure, our cockatiels will enjoy eating them too. Still, there are some things you need to know before giving cherries to your cockatiel.
Keep reading to find out more!
Do Cockatiels Like Cherries?
Cockatiels like to eat cherries due to their sweet and fruity taste. So, your cockatiel will enjoy a few cherry treats.
Still, just because your bird likes fruit doesn’t mean you can give it as much as you want.
As I said, cockatiels can get sick if they eat too many cherries because they are high in sugar.
You can give your cockatiel cherries, but only in small amounts to keep them safe.
Also, giving your cockatiel cherries can make it have dark red poop. Even though it looks scary, it’s totally fine.
Cherries have a dark red color, which can change the color of your bird’s poop. Even though it looks like blood, it’s just the color of the fruit.
See Also: Can Cockatiels Eat Kiwi?
Benefits Of Feeding Cherries To Your Cockatiel
Cherries are a wonderful fruit for your cockatiel to enjoy because they’re sweet, tasty, and full of healthy things. Before they consume cherries, though, it’s important to wash the fruit thoroughly to remove any pesticides. Then they will benefit from all the good things, such as:
- Vitamin C: This vitamin boosts your cockatiel’s immune system and can lower blood pressure.
- Vitamin A: This vitamin supports healthy skin and feathers and the overall development of your bird.
- Fiber: A proper amount of fiber will promote healthy digestion in your cockatiel.
- Calcium: Cockatiels need calcium for a healthy heart, bones, muscle function, and breeding.
- Magnesium: This helps your cockatiel absorb calcium properly.
- Iron: This enables oxygen to be carried in your cockatiel’s bloodstream by producing hemoglobin.
Also, cherries can help people with gout, and this may be true in cockatiels as well! Cockatiels suffer from gout when too much uric acid builds up in their bloodstream. Cherries can lower uric acid levels.
How Much Cherrie Should You Give To Your Cockatiel?
Although cherries are high in nutrients, your cockatiel should not eat too many of them.
Just like all other birds and animals, cockatiels need to eat a balanced diet. Even though cherries have nutrients, eating them won’t be enough on their own.
Cherries and other fruits should only make up 10% of what cockatiels eat every day. Seeds and other foods, like peanut butter and bread slices, are also used as food treats.
Pellets should make up 60% of a cockatiel’s daily diet, so they should be the main food they eat.
The second one is 30% and is made up of different vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and others.
In general, when feeding your cockatiel, you should always maintain a balance. As a result, don’t give out too many cherry bites in one day.
Also, it would be best if cherries weren’t the only fruit you gave them. You can also give apples, pineapples, blueberries, and watermelons, among other things.
By giving your bird a list of other fruits, you give it a balanced diet.
You may also want to read: Can Cockatiels Eat Strawberries?
Can Cockatiels Eat Bing Cherries?
Bing cherries are a popular and widely available variety. They are also safe for your cockatiel, which is good news.
Most kinds of cherries are safe, so you should just try to find the ones that are easiest to get in your area.
Can Cockatiels Eat Dried Cherries?
Yes, and eating dry cherries is a completely different kind of pleasure.
Cockatiels will like how crunchy they are, which is something they wouldn’t get from fresh cherries.
Your cockatiel will love dried fruit as a snack, but you should know that the drying process takes away many of the health benefits.
Find out if your cockatiel likes dried cherries or fresh ones, and then give it those from then on.
Are There Any Risks To Giving Cherrie To Cockatiels?
A cockatiel might be able to eat cherries without any risk. However, there are some risks that it offers. You need to be aware of these risks to ensure your cockatiel is safe from eating.
Cherries are naturally high in sugar. Too many cherries can lead to obesity in your cockatiel. Cherries are good for your cockatiel, but you should only give them in small amounts. They should also eat pellets and other fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Cherrie pits are never safe for your cockatiel.
Cherry pits contain amygdalin, a chemical that turns into cyanide in the bodies of birds. It’s unsafe for birds to swallow cherry pits.
Even part of a cherry pit poses a threat to your cockatiel and can be deadly. Therefore, always make sure the cherries that you offer to your cockatiel have no pits or parts of pits in them.
If you think that your cockatiel has swallowed a cherry pit, a trip to the vet is in order to ensure that they are not at risk for cyanide poisoning.
However, if you are worried about pits, dried cherries are a good alternative to fresh ones. They have no pits and can be given to your cockatiel in their natural state.
Nonetheless, dried fruit occasionally contains sulfur dioxide. Make sure the dried fruit that you purchase for your cockatiel contains no sulfur dioxide because cockatiels can be allergic to it. It can cause several health problems, such as aggression, molting at odd times, and trouble breathing.
See Also: Can Cockatiels Eat Aloe Vera?
Conclusion
Cockatiels can safely enjoy cherries. The flesh and the skin can be a tasty treat for your cockatiel and offer many benefits to their health.
To keep your cockatiel the healthiest that they can be, offer fresh or dried cherries as part of a well-balanced diet that includes pellets, vegetables, nuts, and other fruit. Stay away from dried cherries that contain sulfur dioxide.
Fresh cherries have pits that are toxic to cockatiels and can cause cyanide poisoning. Therefore, always wash the cherries before offering them to your cockatiel to remove pesticides.
Remember that the cherry pits need to be taken out completely before your cockatiel can eat them.
