Cockatiel Care Guide: Pet Nutrition Information

If you're a bird lover like I am, you want to provide the best for your beloved bird to promote a long and healthy life. Did you know if a cockatiel's well cared for they can easily live to 20-25 years of age? This means once you make the commitment to bring a cockatiel into the home, you have to understand it will be a life long commitment to that bird. A vital commitment aspect of caring for a cockatiel includes providing the pet nutrition requirements they need. Use this cockatiel care guide to provide the best nutrients for your feathered friend so they can live a long and healthy life.

Cockatiel Care Guide

As with humans, cockatiels can be picky eaters. Some prefer fruits over vegetables. When you first bring your cockatiel home, pay careful attention to what they eat so you can quickly learn their taste preferences.

While many believe a cockatiel can easily survive off a diet of seeds, there's a piece of information that's rarely known. Seeds are basically junk food for your cockatiel. Sure they can survive with seeds and they will eat them willingly, but this can shorten their life span and put them at risk for a number of health conditions. It's best to give your cockatiel a diet that consists of pellets, fruits, vegetables, and seeds in moderation.

Seeds and Pellets

Pet nutrition for your cockatiel can consist of seeds. However, make sure the seeds are offered in moderation and aren't the bulk of their diet. Make sure you only feed your pet seeds that are fresh and free from bugs and fungus. Placing the seeds in the freezer is a great way to keep them fresh.

Pellets are the best food to give your pet. They contain the nutrition your bird needs to stay healthy, plus make less of a mess. The pellets come in fruit and vegetable forms- this is why it's vital to know your pets' taste preference. Only by pellets that are free from dyes. Dyes can eventually lead to kidney complications if consumed for a long period of time.

Water

Pet nutrition also consists of an adequate fresh water supply for your cockatiel. It's best to have a dish for drinking and a larger dish for bathing-- although you will still catch your cockatiel bathing in its water dish. Offer clean, fresh water daily. Make sure the water dish is cleaned daily and rinsed well.

Fruit and Vegetables

Cockatiels love fresh and dried produce. You can give your cockatiel just about any vegetable or fruit. Offer the fruit and vegetables in small pieces. This will encourage the bird to eat them. Never give your cockatiel the seeds produced from fruits and vegetables because they can be dangerous to your pets health.

Protein

As odd as it may sound, cockatiels love meat. They can eat cooked chicken, fish, and beef that's offered in small portions. Cockatiels also love cooked pasta and eggs. They will also eat beans, nuts, yogurt and cheese. Cockatiels love cheerios for a special treat.

References:

"Cockatiel Diet and Nutrition" 2009 www.cockatiel.com

"Pellets vs. Seeds" By Eleanor McCaffrey www.cockatielcottage.net