If this is your first time being a pet bird owner, it can be very confusing to determine the kind of fruits your parrot should eat and what not to eat. You might also be wondering if oranges are a good choice or not.
All the 350 species of parrots benefit from getting a portion of fruits in their daily meals, and most of the fruits that you eat can be eaten by your parrot. There are also different kinds of fruits and veggies that parrots can and cannot eat that you can check here. The difference is the ratio to other foods they eat will vary depending on the size and nutritional needs of each species, so if you’re not sure about how much fruit you should give, it’s good to consult your veterinarian.
So, can parrots eat oranges?
The simple answer is yes since they’re safe fruits for your feathered friend. Oranges not only have a great taste, but they’re loaded with lots of vitamin C which is responsible for strengthening your parrot’s immune system. You can also feed your parrot oranges if he’s going to experience some stress during the day like a visit to the vet or when you have a lot of rowdy visitors over at your house. They can help boost your parrot’s natural resistance to falling sick, just make sure the oranges are peeled and have no seeds.
However, you need to limit the number of oranges you give to your parrot because they’re highly acidic which is harmful to your parrot’s health, but if given in moderation and occasionally, oranges can provide your parrot with a good source of vitamin A, C, and B as well as dietary fiber and potassium. If you choose to give your parrot orange juice, make sure to dilute it with a lot of water and the portions given should depend on the size of the parrot.
Nutritional value of oranges
Oranges are considered to be a great source of vitamin C, B, and A, and also rich in dietary fiber and potassium. If fed in moderation, they can be a very tasty supplement and healthy fruit for your parrot. It can also be a juicy and delicious treat that you can give on occasions or as a reward when training your parrot. Oranges have a high sugar content and sugar isn’t good for parrots, so limiting the amount you give is very important. On the bright side, they strengthen your parrot’s immunity and help to improve his digestion. Oranges also have high water content which increases your parrot’s urine output, a change in its color or softer feces which is natural after eating watery fruits so don’t be alarmed. This condition is called polyuria which is healthy and natural and even if you see your parrot’s feces being too soft, don’t confuse it with diarrhea.
Should you give your parrot the orange peels or not?
Some parrots love to eat the inside part of the orange as well as the peels while some avoid eating the peels. However, it’s recommended that you peel the oranges and only give your parrot the inside part because the peels may contain pesticides. If you grow your oranges and freshly pick them from the garden, it’s fine to give the peels to your parrot. Orange peels are mostly painted and sprayed with lots of pesticides and sometimes even waxed, and although they provide a different nutritional value than the rest of the fruit, it’s safer to feed your parrot the oranges without the peels.
How you should feed your parrot oranges
As already mentioned before, oranges contain high levels of ascorbic acid or vitamin C so giving your parrot too many oranges can lead to many health problems. That’s why it’s very important to remember to give in limited quantity so that it can be beneficial. Here are a few ways you can feed oranges to your parrot without causing any harm to his health or watch this to learn more.
- There is nowhere that suggests that you should give only give a few slices of oranges regularly to your parrot without including anything else in his diet, but rather make sure you give him a balanced diet that also includes slices of oranges as a treat occasionally.
- If you plan on giving your parrot dried oranges, ensure that they don’t contain my traces of sulfates and sulfides.
- If you opt to give your parrot orange juice, don’t give it in its concentrated form, first dilute it as much as you can with water then give it to him. Instead of using the packed orange juice from your local store, give the homemade one because packed orange juice contains preservatives that could compromise the health of your feathered friend. It also contains color and artificial flavor which is a big no for your parrot.
- If the oranges you want to give your parrot are spoiled or have mold, it’s best to throw them away. If you’re going to give the whole orange together with the peels, ensure that you thoroughly clean the oranges to remove any dirt or traces of pesticides if any.
Remember, if you have no idea of the right amount, how, and when you should feed your parrot or what are the health effects, consult your local veterinarian so that you don’t overdo it.
Other fruits that are safe for parrots
Fruits that are healthy and safe for your parrot to eat apart from oranges include; apple, pears, pineapples, apricot, grapefruit, watermelon, banana, mangoes, kiwi, strawberry, peach, cranberry, papaya, pomegranate, tangerine, cherries, etc. Remember to give your parrot a mix of at least 3 different fruits daily and change the combination regularly so that you don’t give him an excess of one fruit and especially those that have high sugar content.
Conclusion
Oranges and other fruits are safe and healthy to give to your parrot all you need to do is give in moderation. Oranges like many other fruits are very nutritional and although the boost your parrot’s immune system, they can also cause a lot of harm because of their high acidic levels.
