10 Top Tasty And Nutritious Bird Treats

Talking of treats that we as owners should give to our pet birds, we need to make sure that these treats make up for the lack of vitamins and minerals in a pet bird’s diet. These 10 top, tasty and nutritious bird treats would help provide taste and nutrition.    

10 top, tasty and nutritious bird treats:

1) Fruits: A favorite among birds, fruits like grapes, oranges, bananas, and melons are not only full of taste, but also contain vitamins and nutrients. Offer fresh fruits to pet birds and discard any leftovers a few hours after serving to prevent growth of bacteria inside your pet’s cage.

2) Sprouts: Your pet bird would like sprouts like alfalfa sprout; make sure you wash the sprouts thoroughly before offering them to your pet bird. The reason being that the sprouts may contain pesticides that could prove toxic to your pet bird. 

3) Beans: Beans provide rich sources of protein to your pet bird; this is preferably served cooked as some raw beans could prove poisonous. Most pet birds love being served unseasoned cooked beans that is cooled. 

4) Bread: Serve your pet bird small bites of wholegrain bread that not only taste great, but are also rich sources of fiber for good behavior. 

5) Vegetables: Captive birds love fresh veggies; try serving your pet bird some thoroughly cleansed broccoli, cauliflower, greens, carrots, asparagus and peas. 

6) Popcorn: Pet birds love snacking on popcorn; serve your pet popped and not popped kernels. In case of not popped kernels, make sure to boil the kernels in plain water to soften the tough hulls. Ensure you pop kernels with a little pure vegetable oil; avoid giving the pet bird microwave popcorn as they are high in fat and salt and could prove harmful to the bird’s health.

7) Pasta: Pet birds love both cooked and uncooked pasta; they are full of energy enhancing carbohydrates. They can be served by boiling some bowtie pasta with vegetables and then serving it when cool. Some pets prefer pasta crunchy; then serve a few raw macaroni noodles with peanut butter for a fun and tasty snack.

8) Nuts: They are tasty and appreciated by pet birds as special treats; but they are high in fats and should be used sparingly to prevent obesity. Nuts can be used as exercise toys as well as treats as birds are able to exercise their beak and jaw muscles on the shells of certain varieties. However ensure you serve nuts that are cleaned well and unsalted. 

9) Cereal / Grains: Wild birds are very fond of cereals and grains; they are not only good but nutritious for them also. Whole grains are good sources of protein and carbohydrates. Your pet birds would love being served oats or shredded wheat.

10) Peppers: Spicy peppers are the favorites of most birds all around the world; they can definitely take the heat and lack taste receptors that pick up on a pepper's stinging bite. They would love a nice fresh chile or banana pepper.   

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