A cockatiel’s diet is mainly made up of seeds, pellets, and fresh water. Cockatiels also enjoy green, leafy fresh vegetables and fruits, for example, lettuce, kale, bananas, and mangoes.
Can cockatiels eat almonds? Yes, cockatiels can eat almonds. Almond nuts contain various minerals like vitamin E, calcium, and manganese that boost health, reduce aging, and help form strong bones. However, cockatiels should be fed seeds and pellets with nuts making up about 10% of the diet.
But like everything else in life, there’s more to cockatiels eating almonds. Read on to find out the health benefits and risks of feeding almonds to cockatiels and how much is safe.
Can you feed almonds to cockatiels?
Yes, you can feed your cockatiels with almonds. Almonds are both highly nutritious and very tasty, making them a delicious treat for your cockatiel.
According to harvard.edu, 28 grams of almonds contain about 165 calories, 14 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein, 6 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of fiber.
Proteins provide energy to cockatiels, repair muscles and tissues, aid in growing the bird and feathers, and play a significant role in immune responses. Proteins also boost wound healing, are used to make new blood, and help maintain hormonal balance.
Fats help in immune responses and gaining weight, while carbohydrates provide cockatiels with energy. Fiber aids in the digestion and absorption of food.
Almond nuts also contain many minerals that have varied benefits, as shown below.
| Nutrient | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Vitamin E | Vitamin E improves your cockatiel’s immunity to disease and response to stress. |
| Manganese | Manganese helps in blood clotting, metabolism, growth, and reproduction. |
| Phosphorus | Helps in bone formation and promotes energy storage. However, too much phosphorus inhibits calcium uptake. |
| Vitamin B2 | Vitamin B2 helps your bird convert carbohydrates into energy. |
| Magnesium | Magnesium supports your bird’s immune system, boosts calcium absorption, helps regulate blood pressure, and boosts metabolism. |
| Copper | Copper boosts iron absorption, helps maintain a strong skeleton, and boosts immunity. |
| Calcium | Calcium strengthens bones and is important for egg-laying cockatiels. |
Almond nuts have numerous health benefits while contributing to a balanced diet for your pet cockatiel.
Do Cockatiels like almonds?
Yes, cockatiels like almonds because they are tasty and an excellent snack for the birds.
Health risks for cockatiels eating almonds
Though almond is among the safe nuts, and there are many health benefits of feeding your cockatiels with almonds, there are also a few risks.
Avoid copper
Feeding your cockatiel too many almonds might result in copper toxicosis, so it is wise to moderate portions.
Choking
The size of the almond pieces you feed your cockatiel is essential. Larger chunks might be harder to swallow, and may choke the bird.
Avoid salt
Salted almonds are dangerous to cockatiels because they affect body fluid and electrolyte balance. These imbalances could cause dehydration, affect normal kidney function, or even cause the death of your bird.
Remove almond shells
Almond shells have some compounds such as phytic acid that prevent the uptake of minerals such as calcium and iron. Feed your cockatiel roasted almonds or deshell the almonds before feeding.
Mold
Mold is toxic to cockatiels, so avoid feeding your bird almonds with mold.
How many almonds should cockatiels eat?
The recommended amount of almonds per serving in grams is 2 to 3 grams for one cockatiel.
How do you prepare almonds for cockatiels?
You can feed your cockatiel with raw or cooked almonds. Though you may cook the almonds, cockatiels don’t mind raw almonds. Besides, some nutrients are lost during cooking. Instead, dry roast the almonds to retain full nutrient content while eliminating the effects of the almond shells.
Lisa Shea has shared an easy-to-make Almond hanging toy, and you can make one and use it to give your cockatiels almonds.
You’ll need a needle, some string, and some almonds. You’ll also want a thimble to help you get the needle through the almonds and something safe to press the almonds against as you’re working. I used a pad of paper.
To make the toy, start by threading the needle and tying a knot at the end of the string. Then, push the needle gently into the first almond. It takes some force to get the needle through the almond, so the thimble comes in handy here.
Once the needle is poking out the other side of the almond, turn it over and press it down onto the needle. This will leave a dent in the almond.
When you get the needle all the way into the almond, i.e. when the head of the needle is now flush with the almond’s outer edge, it’s time to “pull” the needle the rest of the way through. I found a pair of nail clippers that was perfect for this. They would grab tightly onto the needle and allow me to pull it through. Those would also work well if you have a pair of jewelry clamps.
Can you feed almonds to baby cockatiels? If so, how?
Yes, you can feed almonds to baby cockatiels. However, you should cook or moisten the raw almonds to soften them before feeding. Also, ensure you crush the almonds into tiny pieces that the baby cockatiels can swallow.
Video of a cockatiel eating almonds
The cockatiel breaks the chunks of almonds into smaller pieces that it can easily swallow.
What to do if your cockatiel eats too many almonds?
If your cockatiel eats too many almonds, find a vet immediately. Some signs that your bird consumed too many almonds include diarrhea, vomiting, and abnormal sleeping.
Can you feed a cockatiel with almonds every day?
Yes, you can add almonds to your cockatiel’s daily diet. However, be careful to serve portions of about 2 grams per day to avoid adverse health effects.
Related questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions that need to be answered-
Cockatiels can eat many kinds of nuts, including;
1. Walnuts
2. Brazil nuts
3. Macadamia nuts
4. Peanuts
5. Pine nuts
6. Cashew nuts
Some foods that are toxic to cockatiels include;
1. Alcohol
2. Honey
3. Mushrooms
4. Caffeine
5. Avocado
6. Chocolate
Conclusion
Cockatiels can eat almonds as part of their diet. Almonds provide beneficial nutrients that help in various body processes, including immune responses, growth, muscle repair, bone formation, and many more.
However, you should be careful to feed your cockatiel with moderate amounts of almonds to avoid health risks. Ensure that the almonds do not have mold and are unsalted.
Do you know if your cockatiels can eat mango or potatoes? Read our articles about it to learn more.
