What Are The Foods Macaws Should Avoid?

Macaws eat almost everything; however it is good to note that some of the foods do not agree with your macaw and could also be toxic and kill them.

Some of the foods macaws should avoid are:

• Avocado, one of the foods that macaws need to avoid could prove toxic to birds and cause considerable and irreparable damage to the liver of a macaw. It is also significant to note that the avocado fruit alone is not toxic, but it is best that a macaw does not have an access to the branches, leaves or trunk of the avocado tree.

• Fruits are the favorites of your macaw; however make sure you remove the pits and the seeds of all the fruits before you give it to your macaw. In addition it is also best to ensure that the fruits are well scrubbed and washed and cut into small pieces before giving them to your macaw to eat at leisure. Pesticides and sprays used on fruits could harm your macaw; organic fruits and vegetables are preferred to other fruits and vegetables.

• You need to be careful about introducing salt to your macaw; it is futile to buy a block of salt for your macaw’s cage. Buy a mineral block instead and allow your macaws to get their salt from the fruits they love to eat.

• If you like to give your macaw branches in their cage, make sure you introduce only those branches that the bird is supposed to eat. It is significant to observe that some branches have toxins and pesticides in them; also make sure you wash and scrub the branches and make them free of parasites and bugs by baking them in an oven at 200 degree for about an hour.

•It is best to give your macaws’ vegetables, nuts and fruits, however it is best to avoid processed foods. It is OK to give them processed foods once in a while as a treat, but even this should be in a small quantity to be safe for the macaw. 

• Macaws are fond of most foods, but it is best to avoid certain foods like dairy foods; these foods are not easily digested by macaws and should be given in small amounts and rarely.

• Watch out for food allergies in your macaw and avoid them; if your macaw has breathing difficulty or runny eyes after eating a certain food consult a vet immediately. There are blood treats that help ascertain food allergies.

• Last but most important your macaw could also live up to 100 years; the best thing that you could do for them is to provide them healthy and good food.