Which Foods Are Safe for Parakeets to Eat?

Kristen is a proud parakeet parent who enjoys researching and writing about pet care.

What Should You Feed Your Pet Budgie?

Parakeets are small, tropical parrots whose captive diets usually consist of store-bought seed mixes, the occasional millet spray, and not much else. However, for optimal health and happiness, you should incorporate a wide variety of foods into your pet's meal plan. It's a lot of fun to offer your bird a variety of tasty morsels to eat and, in doing so, you will find that they have their own personal taste preferences.

Safety note: Never offer your budgie a new type of food without first ensuring it is safe for parakeet consumption. If you notice any changes in your parakeet's behavior or appearance after they consume a new type of food, contact your veterinarian.

By offering your budgie a variety of healthy treats, you'll learn what they like, what they don't like, and what their favorite foods are. Listed below are a variety of foods that are safe to feed your pet parakeet in addition to store-bought seed mix. They have been divided into the following four categories:

1. Vegetables
2. Fruits
3. Nuts
4. Grains (occasionally)

Healthy Parakeet Treats by Category

1. Veggies

Vegetables can be a very important part of a parakeet's diet. They contain many necessary nutrients that may not be included in a typical store-bought seed mix. Some veggies that are safe to feed to parakeets are:

Bite-Sized Is Best

Anything you feed to your parakeet should be cut up into small, bite-sized pieces. Otherwise, they may have trouble breaking it into consumable portions.

2. Fruits

Parakeets love fruits. However, just like in a human's diet, these should be consumed in moderation. Fruits are high in natural sugars that can be detrimental to your parakeet's health when consumed in large quantities. Fruits that are safe for parakeet consumption include:

Keep It Fresh

You should only feed your bird fresh fruits and veggies. Dried or packaged fruits and vegetables may contain added sugars, spices, preservatives, or other ingredients that could be harmful to your feathered friend.

3. Nuts

Many parakeets love to eat nuts. They are tasty, protein-rich, and full of nutrients that they may not be getting anywhere else. Here are some nuts that are safe for your budgie to snack on:

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A Note About Nuts

Be sure to de-shell and chop or mince any nuts that you wish to feed your parakeet. Most nuts are far too large to be consumed by a parakeet whole, and shells can be difficult and dangerous for them to open themselves.

4. Grains (Occasionally)

Healthy, whole-grain breads can be a tasty supplement to your parakeet's diet when offered in moderation. Be sure to choose breads that are free of sugar, preservatives, and other harmful additives. Don't use sweet, heavily-processed breads like Wonder or Franz. Instead, opt for fresh, natural, whole-grain varieties that are free of salt.

Breads in Moderation

When compared to the other parakeet-safe treats listed in this article, breads have fewer nutrients and are more filling. Only offer bread to your budgie in small amounts and very occasionally. Bread is a treat and should not be used to replace other components of a parakeet's diet.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Comments

T on June 22, 2020:

I'm confused, so are you allowed to feed parakeets peanut butter or not ?

??? on June 02, 2020:

Don't feed them milk either

??? on June 02, 2020:

If you want to know, they eat bugs, Not steak or pork.

megan on May 13, 2020:

can they have banana too

hi on May 07, 2020:

why wont my parakeet go in my hand

Bujie on April 30, 2020:

So good i

Bella on April 25, 2020:

Can Budgies actually eat peanuts because I have been told before that they can't? Thankyou though I am getting a budgie and this was really helpful.

THANKS!!!

Cc on April 23, 2020:

Thx for the information

Krish on April 02, 2020:

Same

Dakota on October 09, 2019:

Hahaha i had a apple for my parakeet pumpkin but i didnt know if he was aloud it so i had to check before feeding it Xxxxx Dakota

Ponchoismyparakeet on September 22, 2019:

Hello seen many youtubers feed there birds peanut butter so yea

Serenity on July 11, 2019:

Why do you have peanuts as a nut that they can eat, when someone posted that peanuts are very bad for them??

kiki

12 months ago

Actually, peanuts are highly toxic to budgies in any amount because their tiny hearts cannot handle the caffeine that peanuts offer, please do not feed peanuts to your precious budgies. (This isnt some random fact i am making up, my local avain vet told me this tid bit of info

lilli jones on June 14, 2019:

can parakeets eat cockatiel food/seed

Person on April 28, 2019:

Thank

new owner on March 26, 2019:

Can parakeets eat hard boiled eggs? And I played parakeet sounds and my parakeet started to talk back so is that bad because I only have the one parakeet?

Unicorn bird lover on March 25, 2019:

Can birds eat meat? If so what tipe?

A.K on February 25, 2019:

Many of my friend's birds have eaten peanut butter and nothing happened to them.So I think it's fine for them to eat it.Also,I don't feel comfortable sharing my name so I am putting my initials.

u bum on November 11, 2018:

oof peanuts are bad

Budgielover on November 08, 2018:

My parakeet is always moulting. It's only a week, two tops between moultings. He always gets new feathers and is healthy but he's already 2 yrs.10 mos. old. Should he still moult this often?

Jack on October 06, 2018:

ca sweet potatoes or yams be fed to a budgie

Foxstar on August 09, 2018:

I am going to get two girl budgies. I read somewhere that if you get two budgies at a time,they will bind with each other and not me. Is that true?

kiki on June 18, 2018:

Actually, peanuts are highly toxic to budgies in any amount because their tiny hearts cannot handle the caffeine that peanuts offer, please do not feed peanuts to your precious budgies. (This isnt some random fact i am making up, my local avain vet told me this tid bit of info

Laura Spry on May 25, 2018:

We have had two parakeets for two months and they r still terrified of us, breaks my heart, any suggestions?

mystery on April 25, 2018:

I don't like giving my name but my Parakeet just ate a leaf. Is that ok Kristen or anyone

Erika on April 10, 2018:

Is kiwano okay for parakeets?

frank on April 08, 2018:

is sourdough bread bad for parakeets?

Mary on February 18, 2018:

My parakeet is constantly scratching all over. Has been doing this for about a week and a half. I've contacted the bird shop and asked if I should be concerned about It because he seems so uncomfortable. I'm told it's natural for this to happen when their feathers are coming out, that the process is itchy for them not to worry it will dissipate within 2 to 6 weeks? I feel sorry for my bird, anything you can suggest to help him?

Isabella Rodriguez on January 04, 2018:

What happends to your parakeets if you only feed them seeds is this bad?Your list made me change the diet I'm really concerned you really helped

kathy on December 14, 2017:

Do they like bananna chips and if so, do i break them up?

Questionable Owner on September 26, 2017:

Is red chard safe for birds?

Sam on July 25, 2017:

Hello, can someone please answer my question? My pet budgie parakeet died recently due to an unexpected cause. But she did escape out of her cage and flew into the dog`s cage while I was taking him [the dog] for a walk. I came home and saw her eating some of the dog kibble, and put her back in her cage. The next morning, she sadly passed away in the cage. Could the dog kibble be the cause of her death? She had perfect living conditions with food and water, so i am very confused of how this happened. If I could find out this information it would help me avoid future problems with other parakeets. Thank you.

meowmix on July 21, 2017:

can they eat rat treats

Basmati on July 14, 2017:

Can I feed them raspberries?

Pamela M Blommer on May 20, 2017:

Okay to feed canned cut yams in light syrup

Gildaangline on May 19, 2017:

What about sunflower. What every can they can eat

Kristen Haynie (author) from Scotia, CA on April 04, 2017:

Hi Elle.

I appreciate your concern! That comment was complete SPAM. Someone was just trying to get a rise out of people. I've removed it, I won't put up with that. Thank you for your comment... and you're totally right about asking for help with training! So important!

Kristen Haynie (author) from Scotia, CA on April 04, 2017:

It should be fine that they're eating that, but make sure they have access to a seed blend that's made specifically for parakeets. Seed blends for other kinds of birds may not have the same nutrients that should be in a diet specific to parakeets.

Elle on March 31, 2017:

HELP...Please, will the author of this article try to respond to the posted comment re: a budgie, a cat and one of those two animals getting SHOT!!!! Oh my GOSH, I'm hoping this was a typo????

Please, readers.... NEVER PUNISH or HARM your pet!!!!! Ask for help with Training your pet if things are not going the way you would like.

Austin nolte on March 24, 2017:

I love it .it is so handy.

Derenda on March 21, 2017:

Can I feed my paraketts gamebird feed? I have a large pen with quail in the bottom. My paraketts stay at their feeder eating this feed rather than their feeder full of seeds. Is it ok for them to eat?

Michael on February 26, 2017:

Is it ok for my budgies to grape seeds?

Holly on February 07, 2017:

Really helpful!Thanks!

Roseilina Alicks on February 05, 2017:

I am now going to get a parakeet soon I will have 2 and this list helps a lot

May on February 04, 2017:

That is so helpful. Thanks so much

Mary Malone on January 30, 2017:

i am getting 2 parakeets and this list will be very helpful i can not wait to try it out

Sandy on October 13, 2016:

If you feed sweet potatos do cook first or feed it raw?

abby on September 13, 2016:

thanks a lot

RoseMary on October 27, 2014:

I have 2 parakeets and i feed them mixed veggis and a side disd of fruit ,like blueberries, grapes cherries, oranges and ect. they been eating them since they where young ,they ar 3 1/2 yrs old now and brandy sings to songs on the radio and chis just listens LOL. They are both males i got lucky :-) when i want to give them something else i go on the internet to make shore they can have it. Everything is chopped up small for them.They also get there seeds every day and treats now and then.I love my guys i hope they live a long time. So look on the internet to find out what they can't eat and what they can.....Good luck. :-)

Kristen Haynie (author) from Scotia, CA on June 25, 2013:

Great idea for a hub! Thanks for suggesting that!

Dr Mark from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on June 22, 2013:

This is good, but how about a list of things parakeets cannot eat, and why? I feed my bird all sorts of things, and am always curious if there is something I should avoid, like grapes in dogs.

Hannah Thompson on July 29, 2012:

Thank you for this list. I'm thinking about getting a parakeet and this list really helped me a lot.

Donna Sundblad from Georgia on October 14, 2011:

This is a handy list. It is so important to feed our birds healthy foods.