Cockatiels will often be curious about what their owners are eating and want to sample a bit of it. If you are eating kiwis, is it safe to share this fruit with your cockatiel? Can kiwi be included in the fruits that you offer to your cockatiel? Can cockatiels eat kiwi?
Yes, cockatiels can safely eat kiwi. Kiwi is packed with vitamins and minerals that bolster the health of cockatiels. However, they are rich in nutrients, so your cockatiel can eat a small amount of them. Moderation is the most important thing.
Many cockatiels will love the taste of kiwi, as it’s sweet and juicy. Cockatiels also enjoy pecking their way through the fuzzy skin that houses kiwis. Kiwis’ flesh, seeds, and juice are safe for cockatiels.
This fruit is full of calcium and vitamin C, both of which help the immune system and prevent hypocalcemia.
Antioxidants are also found in kiwi, staving off serious illnesses as cockatiels age. Moreover, the fiber in kiwis promotes a healthy and active digestive tract.
All fruits must be served to cockatiels in moderation, and no cockatiel should eat more than half a kiwi a week.
Keep reading to find out more!
Do Cockatiels Like Kiwis?
Cockatiels have unique likes and dislikes, but the kiwi is likely to be a universal favorite.
Most cockatiels are drawn to sweet tastes, and the sugar found in kiwi will override the acidic properties of this fruit. Many cockatiels also eat kiwis in the wild.
If you offer kiwi to a cockatiel, it will likely accept the fruit without a second thought.
See Also: Can Cockatiels Eat Blackberries?
Benefits Of Feeding Kiwi To Your Cockatiel
All fruit should be given to cockatiels in moderation, but there is no doubt that kiwi is good for your cockatiel’s health.
The only real issue is the sugar content, as kiwi contains more sugar than many other fruits, which can lead to stomach and digestive upsets in cockatiels.
However, kiwi is beneficial to cockatiels in a variety of ways, including:
Vitamin C
Despite its acidic characteristics, kiwi is not a citrus fruit. Nevertheless, kiwi fruit is rich in vitamin C. Introducing kiwi to your cockatiel’s diet will ensure a robust immune system.
Calcium
Perhaps the most significant advantage of bringing kiwi into your cockatiel’s diet is the high quantities of calcium in the fruit.
Cockatiels rely on their diet to obtain this mineral. By feeding kiwi to your cockatiel, you can negate the need to offer supplementation. Variate kiwi with other calcium-rich fruits.
Digestive Health
Look back over the nutritional data of kiwi, and you will notice that the fruit is high in fiber.
The European Journal of Nutritional explains how one-third of this is soluble and the remainder insoluble. Both types of fiber ensure that your cockatiel has a healthy digestive tract.
Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your cockatiel’s stool, making excretion easier for a cockatiel. Meanwhile, soluble fiber helps your cockatiel digest solid foods and absorb vitamins.
Antioxidants
The presence of antioxidants in the fruit confirms that kiwi is regarded as a superfood, as reported by the Biological and Clinical Sciences Research Journal.
Choline, lutein, and zeaxanthin are all prominent in kiwi neutralizing free radicals in a cockatiel’s body.
Antioxidants are important for the health of cockatiels because they lower the chance that they will get sick later in life. Kiwi is also rich in flavonoids, which work with vitamin C to keep a cockatiel healthy.
Can Cockatiels Eat Kiwi Flesh?
Yes, cockatiels can eat kiwi flesh.
When fed this fruit, most people anticipate its juicy, chewy flesh. Cockatiels are no exception; your cockatiel will likely go crazy for this delicious snack.
Kiwi flesh should be chopped before feeding it to a cockatiel. Once this has been done, you can hand-feed your cockatiel. Alternately, dice the kiwi into little pieces and place them in a bowl inside the cage.
Can Cockatiels Eat Kiwi Skin?
Yes, cockatiels can eat kiwi skin, although they probably won’t be that interested in it.
Most people remove the kiwi fruit’s unique furry skin.
It is entirely optional to do the same before offering Kiwi to a cockatiel. Some cockatiels enjoy working through the skin, while others find it irritating and frustrating.
If your cockatiel does have a taste for kiwi skin, plenty of benefits will be gained, most notably the sizable presence of folic acid and vitamin E, both of which are essential to the long-term health of a cockatiel.
Can Cockatiels Eat Kiwi Seeds?
Yes, cockatiels can eat kiwi seeds.
In contrast to other popular fruits, kiwi seeds do not contain cyanide.
They are also very small and unlikely to pose a choking hazard to cockatiels. Better yet, kiwi seeds are packed with goodness that will benefit cockatiels.
The primary advantage of kiwi seeds is the presence of Omega-3 fatty acids.
The Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery warns that atherosclerosis (the hardening of arteries) is a common concern in companion birds, and Omega-3 works to minimize the risk of atherosclerosis.
Can Cockatiels Drink Kiwi Juice?
Yes, cockatiels can drink kiwi juice, and this is another excellent way to get vitamin C into your cockatiel as well as avoid the risks of dehydration.
If you give your cockatiel pure kiwi juice to drink, it may make them more reluctant to drink water. Try putting a few drops in a bottle of water.
This will sweeten the taste of water, attracting a cockatiel while still providing hydration.
You might also be interested in: Can Cockatiels Eat Aloe Vera?
How Much Kiwi Should You Give To Your Cockatiel?
Any fruit, including kiwis, is high in sugar, but cockatiels should not get too much of it.
It’s inadvisable to offer more than half a kiwi to your cockatiel in a week. Excess sugar can lead to weight gain, while cockatiels can also get too much calcium.
In the same way, cockatiels can be picky eaters, especially once they like a certain food.
Cockatiels may start rejecting other foods, including those that contain essential vitamins and minerals, if they think more kiwi may be an option.
Kiwi fruit contains plenty of nutrition that benefits cockatiels and can be a great addition to a cockatiel’s diet, especially when used as a training reward or a treat.
Are There Any Risks To Giving Kiwi To Cockatiels?
Kiwi can be unsafe for your cockatiel, but not because of the fruit itself.
Kiwi fruit has a high sugar content, so while your cockatiel might love the taste, it’s not advised to give them too much. This is a snack best enjoyed by your cockatiel in moderation.
Too much sugar can cause obesity in your cockatiel, leading to other health problems in the future.
If you are peeling the kiwi before serving it to your cockatiel, there is no need to worry about the skin. However, if you are allowing your cockatiel to eat this fruit with the skin still on, this is unsafe to do unless the fruit is washed first. Washing the skin removes any chemicals and debris.
Clean Kiwi skin is always the safest option.
Also, any uneaten kiwi that you offer your cockatiel should be removed after 2 hours. After that, the fruit can grow bacteria and be unsafe for your cockatiel to continue eating.
If your cockatiel doesn’t eat the fresh food you give it quickly, you should always take it away and throw it away.
See Also: Can Cockatiels Eat Apples?
Conclusion
Cockatiels can safely eat kiwi and enjoy it very much.
When added to your cockatiel’s balanced diet, kiwi can be a healthy treat for them. Because of its high sugar content, it’s advised to feed this fruit in moderation.
Pellets, seeds, fruits, and vegetables are all part of your cockatiel’s diet, so you can swap out the different foods that you offer every day. This will keep your cockatiel healthy, happy, and excited to eat different things.
