Cockatiels pet owners are always conscious about their pet’s health and diet. Many people love oranges and find them delicious so they often wonder if they can share a slice of their juicy orange with their Cockatiels. Oranges are part of the citrus family and have excellent health benefits.
Can Cockatiels Eat Oranges?
Yes, Cockatiels can eat oranges. Oranges are a very good source of vitamin C and other vital nutrients. Cockatiels love fruits and they primarily eat small wild berries in their native habitat in Australia.
Although oranges are good for their overall health, expert opinion implies that the quantity should be limited. This restriction is due to the high amount of sugar in oranges because they contain fructose which may have adverse effects on the bird’s digestive and metabolic system.
Are Oranges Healthy for Cockatiels?
Fruits are, undoubtedly, a great source of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins C, A, and K are some of the most important vitamins in fruits and they also contain vital minerals like potassium and magnesium.
Oranges are no exception, they contain a good quantity of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and anti-oxidants. So, oranges can be a part of a healthy and balanced diet for your bird. Another plus point is that they are low in fats and calories. The only thing to be careful of is the number of oranges you feed your Cockatiel.
Another aspect to keep in mind is that your Cockatiel may have a certain allergy or condition due to which it may have an unhealthy reaction to some fruits. So, always be cautious to introduce small quantities of fruits that you are feeding your Cockatiel for the first time.
Let’s take a look at the nutritional values of an orange.
Orange Nutritional Values
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
| Energy | 197 kJ (47 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates
Sugars Dietary fiber |
11.75 g
9.35 g 2.4 g |
| Fat | 0.12 g |
| Protein | 0.94 g |
| Vitamins | Quantity |
| Vitamin A | 11 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) | 0.087 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.04 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.282 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 0.25 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.06 mg |
| Folate (B9) | 30 μg |
| Choline | 8.4 mg |
| Vitamin C | 53.2 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.18 mg |
| Minerals | Quantity% |
| Calcium | 40 mg |
| Iron | 0.1 mg |
| Magnesium | 10 mg |
| Manganese | 0.025 mg |
| Phosphorus | 14 mg |
| Potassium | 181 mg |
| Zinc | 0.07 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 86.75 g |
Units
μg = micrograms
mg = milligrams
IU = International units
Source: USDA FoodData Central
Benefits of Oranges for Cockatiels
The benefits of some of these nutrients for your bird’s health are as follows:
1. Vitamin C
Oranges have a lot of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that lessens the harm free radicals do in your bird’s body. It also helps to prevent or slow down DNA damage and aging. It also helps in strengthening the immune system of the bird’s body.
2. Potassium
Oranges are also rich in potassium. Potassium has been proven to be beneficial for the cardiovascular system as well as the nervous system.
3. B Vitamins
Oranges are also high in vitamin B1-Thiamine and B9-Folate. These B vitamins are crucial for good metabolism and they allow your birdie to turn food into energy.
How Often can your Cockatiel eat Oranges?
We all know that oranges are nothing but juicy goodness, and have wide-ranging benefits for health. However, an excessive orange diet for your bird can cause it harm. The most prominent reason for this is the sugar oranges contain in the form of fructose.
Excessive sugar can disturb the digestive system of your Cockatiel and result in various health complications later. The recommended diet by experts is one to two portions per week.
How Many Oranges Can You Feed to Your Cockatiel?
Oranges should not be included in your birdie’s everyday diet; they should be fed as a tasty sweet treat for them once or max twice per week. While slices of orange may seem small to us, they are a lot for our feathery friends.
How to Feed Orange to Cockatiels?
Taking care of a pet takes a lot of time and effort. Pet owners like to be educated and informed about the best methods for feeding different foods to their pets. The recommended process for feeding oranges to your Cockatiel is quite simple and very effective.
The first step for the preparation of the orange is to peel off the orange and discard the skin. The peel itself is not poisonous but it may contain pesticides and thus be harmful to your pet. The next step is to separate the slices of the orange and then remove the seeds.
Remember, NEVER feed the seeds to your Cockatiel because they contain cyanide-producing compounds. After removing the seeds, break the slices into small pieces so that your Cockatiel can easily consume them and let your little feathered friend indulge.
Alternative to Oranges for Cockatiels
Conclusion
You should keep introducing new fruits and vegetables to your Cockatiels, but make informed decisions and refrain from those diets which are considered harmful for your pet’s health. Control and restraint are of much importance, but indulging your pet with tasty and safe treats like oranges contributes to the overall well-being of your pet.
Most Cockatiels totally love eating oranges and they are a great source of many vitamins and minerals which are essential for your Cockatiels health.
I hope this guide answered most of your concerns about feeding oranges to your Cockatiels and that you found this informative and interesting.
FAQ
Do Cockatiels like to eat oranges?
Yes, most Cockatiels love to eat oranges because of their sweet taste and refreshing flavor. If you own a Cockatiel, you should be aware by now that Cockatiels are very picky eaters, and it’s hard to make them like anything by force. They mostly eat fruits, vegetables, and other greens especially wild small berries.
Which fruits do Cockatiels like the most?
Cockatiels relish all fresh fruits. Feeding different fruits on a daily basis will help meet your Cockatiels nutritional requirements.
Last Updated on March 22, 2023 by Lily Aldrin
