Cockatiels are small birds. They like different types of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and pellets.
Can Cockatiels Eat Cheese? Yes, Cockatiels can eat cheese but in a small amount. Cheese contains Calcium, Proteins, Vitamin A and B12, Fats, Zinc, Riboflavin, and Phosphorous. It is one of the dairy products.
Cheese contains a high amount of salt and lactose. The high amount of salt and lactose in Cheese can mess up the cockatiel’s digestive system. You can feed your cockatiel with cheese like Parmesan, Cheddar, and Swiss as they are not very harmful to the health of your bird due to low salt and lactose. You can serve it in the form of miniature pieces or in shredded form.
Do Cockatiels like Cheese?
Yes, almost all cockatiels like cheese but you can know whether your cockatiel like cheese or not by just feeding them in small pieces. If your cockatiel eats it happily without turning around then it means he likes cheese. But the owner of the pet should be very careful about the type of cheese before feeding the bird as the effects may be harmful.
However, the cheese should not be served in large amounts. If the birds gain weight because of the fatty content present in cheese it may be unhealthy for the bird and bring risk to cockatiels life.
Is Cheese Healthy for Cockatiels?
No, talking about the health of cockatiels cheese is not good. Other nutritious foods may be considered to treat instead of cheese.
Seeds, Pellets, and leafy greens can be easily digested by birds because they also contain a rich amount of calcium and is better than cheese.
Before feeding cheese to birds don’t forget to check the amount of salt and lactose, also the additive flavors added to it because it’s not healthy for cockatiels.
Types of Cheese Which Are Good for Cockatiels?
Cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan cheese are the finest types of cheese. They have less salt and are lactose-free but should also not be offered regularly to cockatiels.
Swiss and Cheddar cheese has less lactose but a high amount of sodium, so plenty of water should be given to them after feeding with these two types of cheese.
Cockatiels enjoy the taste of Parmesan cheese as it enhances the flavor. It should be shredded and mixed with vegetables or fruits before serving to birds.
Cheese Safe for Cockatiels?
Cheese is safe for cockatiels but its safety varies according to the type of cheese you are feeding to your pet. Cockatiels can easily digest hard cheese instead of soft as their names vary difference. And always serve the least amount of cheese.
You may consider other foods as treats instead of cheese like green leafy vegetables and fruits and also pellets and seeds. It will be good for your bird’s physical and mental health.
Nutritional Values of Cheese
| Nutrients | Quantities |
| Calories | 402 |
| Protein | 25 grams |
| Fat | 33 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 21 grams |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 grams |
| Vitamin C | 0% |
| Vitamin B6 | 5% |
| Vitamin D | 6% |
| Potassium | 98 mg |
| Magnesium | 7% |
| Cholesterol | 105 mg |
| Sodium | 621 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1.3 g |
| Sugar | 0.5 g |
| Iron | 3% |
| Calcium | 72% |
| Cobalamin | 13% |
| Zinc | 1.2 |
| Riboflavin | 0.375 |
Benefits of Cheese for Cockatiels
1. Protein
Protein is a rich source of energy. Protein in cheese provides great energy to cockatiels.
2. Potassium
Potassium helps to balance the physical and mental growth of a bird.
3. Magnesium
Magnesium present in cheese helps to develop healthy feathers and bones of your bird.
4. Vitamin B12
It is helpful in the blood formation, functioning of the nervous system and brain.
5. Zinc
It plays a role in insulin production. Aids in cartilage and bone development, feathering, and molting.
6. Calcium
Cheese contains calcium and is a good source for the bones development of birds.
Some nutrients which are not good are,
- Fat
Fats are not good for bird’s health as they cause cholesterol problems.
- Salt
Humans use salt in every dish for taste. Excess of it is not good for our health and also for birds and lead to high health damage like kidney failure, dehydration, excessive thirst, and death.
How Often Can Cockatiels Eat Cheese?
Cockatiels should not eat cheese daily, Once a week is fine. Excess of cheese is not good for bird’s health. As it causes health disasters. Some cheese contains a huge amount of salt and lactose which can be dangerous for birds if eaten on daily basis.
How Much Cheese Should I Feed My Cockatiel?
Cheese is harmful to cockatiels to consume on daily basis. A huge amount of cheese is harmful. If you want to give cheese on daily basis limit the quantity from 3 to 4 grams a day.
Due to a ton of fat in cheese cockatiels gain weight hence becoming overweight and lactose also impacts negative effects.
How to Feed Cheese to Cockatiels?
Always gave a minimal amount of cheese to cockatiels. Only hard cheese should be given because soft cheese will be stuck in the intestine of birds and cause digestion problems.
Cheese should be given in small chunks or in shredded form mixed with vegetables so that birds can eat easily.
Alternatives to Cheese for Cockatiel
Some alternative food that can be given to Cockatiels instead of cheese are
- Sweet potatoes
- Blueberries
- Pellets
- Seeds
- Cucumber
Conclusion
This was a detailed discussion on Can Cockatiels Eat Cheese? And how cheese affects cockatiels. We shared details about the nutritional values of cheese, the advantages, and the side effects of nutrients present in cheese, and also the Disadvantages of eating excess cheese. For more details, leave your comment in the box given below
FAQ
Is Cheese Toxic to Cockatiels?
Dairy products like cream, butter, milk, and cheese are not toxic to birds but the amount of quantity and the time matters a lot. Excess cheese can cause health damage because of fat, salt, and lactose present in it.
Last Updated on March 22, 2023 by Lily Aldrin
