Pet Bird Nutrition

Bird owners might want to rethink their pet feeding strategy if they rely on a diet that is exclusively seeds.  Many years ago, a diet that is only composed of seeds for birds was the common practice.  However, experts today have discovered that only giving your bird seeds for all its meals is not very healthy.  Seeds are rich in fat and will increase your bird’s chances of being overweight.  Birds need to have a diet that is nutritionally balanced because, without it, they have a tendency to develop very specific deficiencies of certain nutrients.  Seeds should only comprise a fraction of a bird’s daily food ration.  Other components should be food that is rich in vitamin A, calcium, and iodine.  For skin and feather health and development, be sure to also give your bird sources of Linoleic acid, and other important fatty acids.  Calcium is needed for bone, claw, and beak health.  You can include mineral blocks, oyster shells, and cuttlefish bones as calcium sources for your pet bird.

Consulting your veterinarian McHenry, IL will make you more knowledgeable on how to fulfill your pet bird’s nutritional requirements.