The top ten toxic foods for Parrots
1. Chocolate
Chocolate is a wonderful treat to share with human family members, but it can be harmful or fatal to your pet bird. Chocolate poisoning first affects the digestive tract, causing vomiting and diarrhea. As the condition progresses it affects the birds central nervous system, causing seizures and eventually death.
2. Apple Seeds
Believe it or not, apples along with other members of the rose family including cherries, peaches, apricots and pears—contains trace amounts of Cyanide within their seeds. While the fruit of the apple is fine, beware of pesticides on the skin. Be sure to wash thotoughly and remove any seeds.
3. Avocado
The skin and pit of this fruit has been known to cause cardiac arrest and eventual heart failure in pet birds. Although there is some debate to the degree of toxicity of avocados, it is advised better to be safe than sorry.
4. Onions
Excessive consumption of onions causes vomiting, diarrhea and a host of other digestive problems. It has been found that prolonged exposure can lead to a blood condition called haemolytic anemia, which is followed by respiratory distress and eventual death.
5. Alchohol
Although responsible bird owners would never dream of offering their pet an alcoholic drink, there have been instances in which free roaming birds have attained alcohol poisoning through helping themselves to unattended cocktails. Alcohol depresses the organ systems of birds and can be fatal. Make sure your bird stays safe by securing them in their cage whenever alcohol is served in your home.
6. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and have known to cause digestive upset in companion birds. Caps and stems of some varieties can induce liver failure.
7. Tomato leaves
Tomatoes, like potatoes and other nightshades have a tasty fruit when used as a treat for your bird. The stems, vine and leaves however are highly toxic to your pet. Make sure that at any time you offer your bird a tomato treat it has been properly cleaned and sliced, with the green parts removed, so your birds will avoid exposure to any toxins.
8. Salt
While all living beings need regulated amounts of sodium in their systems too much salt can lead to a host of health problems in birds, including excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney dysfunction and death. Be aware of the amount of salt your bird consumes.
9. Caffeine
Caffeinated beverages such as soda, coffee and tea are popular among people– but allowing your bird to indulge in these drinks can be extremely hazardous. Caffeine causes cardiac malfunction in birds, and is associated with increased heartbeat, arrhythmia, hyperactivity, and cardiac arrest. Have a drink of fruit juice to share with your parrot instead.
10. Dried Beans
Cooked beans are a favourite treat to many birds, but raw, dry bean mixes can be extremely harmful to your pet. Uncooked beans contain a poison called hemaglutin which is very toxic to birds. To avoid exposure, make sure to thoroughly cook any beans that you choose to share with your birds.