Apples are not only delicious but also nutrient-rich, which explains why they’re so popular among the health-conscious.
But is this a fruit we can safely share with our pets? Can parakeets, for example, eat apples?
The short answer is: yes, parakeets can eat apples! Parakeets can benefit from the many vitamins and minerals this fruit contains. However, as the apple’s pits can harm a tiny animal like the parakeet, you should only feed your pet bird the fruit’s flesh and skin. Additionally, apples are high in sugar and should therefore be fed to parakeets in moderation only.
Keep reading to learn more about how parakeets can benefit from apples, and what you can do to guarantee your pet’s safety when feeding it this fruit!
Why Are Apples Good for Parakeets?
Apples are good for parakeets because they’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, and other substances that birds need to enjoy optimum health.
Let’s explore the various ways apples can keep your feathered friend healthy and strong!
Apples maintain immune system health
Apples contain nutrients that help keep the immune system functioning properly, thereby offering the parakeet protection against various illnesses and diseases.
For starters, thanks to substances such as vitamins C and E, these fruits have antioxidant properties that prevent free radicals from causing cellular damage. Consequently, this supports immune function and even reduces the risk of serious chronic conditions such as cancer.
In addition, apples are dense in the minerals magnesium and zinc as well as vitamins A, D, and B9, which all help enhance the parakeet’s immune response.
Apples prevent heart disease and diabetes
Did you know that parakeets can suffer from serious health issues such as heart disease and diabetes? Thankfully, apples contain substances that can help lower the risk of such problems.
The mineral potassium is involved in heart contractions, the reduction of cholesterol levels, and the maintenance of heart and blood pressure health – all of which protect the parakeet against cardiovascular diseases. This mineral also plays an important role in the healthy development of muscles – and as we all know, the heart is a muscle.
The aforementioned magnesium helps keep the heartbeat steady, which is good for the heart, and normalizes blood glucose levels, which keeps diabetes at bay.
In addition, this fruit contains a type of dietary fiber referred to as soluble fiber, which helps keep blood sugar levels normal, thus lowering the risk of diabetes.
This fruit also helps prevent obesity, which brings us to…
Apples reduce the risk of unhealthy weight gain
Companion birds such as parakeets live sedentary lives that make them exceptionally susceptible to unnecessary weight gain, which can contribute to obesity. Obesity, in turn, increases the risk of serious issues such as diabetes and heart disease.
Thankfully, apples boast a high dietary fiber content. When consumed, fiber makes the parakeet feel full longer, thus discouraging it from overeating and gaining unhealthy weight.
Like most fruits, apples also contain a healthy type of sugar. This means that as long as the parakeet eats apples in moderation, it won’t be at risk of gaining unneeded weight and becoming obese. And if a parakeet’s weight is already healthy, occasionally ingesting this fruit can help it maintain said weight.
Apples contain lots of water
Apples are around 86% water, which means they can help quench thirst and prevent dehydration.
Water also makes it easier for a parakeet to void its bowels, thereby preventing blockages that can threaten its life.
Apples provide energy
To survive and remain capable of movement, all animals need energy. Fortunately, apples are a good source of energy.
As stated earlier, apples contain manganese and magnesium. They also come with thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and niacin (vitamin B3). All of these substances are involved in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and protein into the energy necessary for the various biological processes that enable the parakeet’s body to function.
Apples are also high in the mineral iron. Iron is a key player in the production of the protein hemoglobin, which red blood cells need to transport oxygen from the lungs to every other part of the rat’s body. Oxygen then converts food into energy.
Apples support brain health
These fruits contain vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which both play a role in keeping the brain healthy.
Apples help develop and maintain strong bones
These fruits are a source of the minerals calcium and phosphorus, which both support the development and maintenance of strong, healthy bones. This fruit can therefore protect the parakeet’s bones against disease, trauma, and strain.
This fruit also comes with the minerals magnesium, which plays a crucial role in increasing bone density, and manganese, which aids in the proper development and maintenance of bones and cartilage.
Additionally, apples include vitamin K, which helps produce the proteins required for bone health.
Apples keep the digestive system healthy
Apples come with two types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber feeds the good bacteria in the parakeet’s gut. This keeps the populations of said gut bacteria balanced, which contributes to good digestive health.
On the other hand, insoluble fiber supports a healthy digestive system to reduce the risk of digestive concerns such as diarrhea, constipation, and stomach upsets.
Apples boast a wealth of vitamins
The vitamins you’ve read about above have more benefits than we’ve already discussed. In addition, apples are an excellent source of other vitamins.
The aforementioned vitamin A not only supports healthy immune system response but also keeps the vision healthy, allows cells to function properly, and plays a role in healthy growth.
Thiamine, otherwise known as vitamin B1, is required for healthy growth and development.
Niacin, which is also referred to as vitamin B3, keeps the skin and nerves healthy.
Pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, is essential for the maintenance of a healthy nervous system, muscles, skin, and blood.
Folate, a.k.a. folic acid or vitamin B9, is needed for many processes, including the formation of blood cells and rapid cell growth.
Vitamin C is important in the wound healing process; the formation and maintenance of muscles, skin, blood vessels, cartilage, bones, and teeth; the development, growth, and repair of all the tissues in the body; and the absorption of iron, which is required in the process that keeps the body’s cells oxygenated.
Vitamin K helps makes proteins, which provide the building blocks necessary to develop and maintain healthy muscles, blood, skin, fur, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
Apples are dense in minerals
Apples are also chockfull of minerals, some of which we’ve already discussed, others which we’ll talk about below.
Potassium performs various metabolic tasks, keeps nerve function and muscle activity normal, and helps balance a parakeet’s diet. It’s an essential electrolyte and helps keep cell functions healthy. On top of all that, it supports muscle and bone strength as the body grows older, prevents dehydration by regulating fluid balance, and makes many bodily functions possible by allowing the brain to convey information throughout the body.
Calcium assists in muscle contractions, which are vital to bodily functions such as the heartbeat.
Phosphorus is crucial to protein and amino acid synthesis, cell growth, and energy use and storage.
Manganese supports carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
Zinc is heavily involved in cell growth, protein formation, the healing of damaged tissue, and the enzyme actions needed for many critical biological processes.
Feeding Apples to Parakeets: Safety Tips
While apples make healthy snacks for parakeets, it’s a good idea to practice caution when feeding your avian friend these fruits.
Below, you’ll learn how you can keep your parakeet safe when feeding it apples.
Cut the apple into chunks
Cut the apple into chunks. These portions don’t have to be tiny; in fact, you can cut the fruit into two to four chunks, then offer each to your parakeet. Your feathered friend will enjoy chewing pieces off the flesh of these chunks.
Of course, you can also slice the apple into bite-sized pieces that your pet can swallow whole without the risk of choking.
Wash or remove the skin
It’s best to offer your pet raw, fresh, organically grown apples, as these don’t have skin coated with pesticides and other chemicals that can harm birds.
The easiest way to ensure your parakeet’s safety is to avoid giving it apple skin. Therefore, peel off the apple’s skin and offer your pet the juicy flesh only.
However, as apple skin is rich in fiber, it’s not a bad idea to feed it to your pet. Therefore, a good alternative to peeling the skin off is thoroughly washing said skin before feeding the fruit to your parakeet.
Washing will cleanse the skin of potentially harmful debris and/or chemicals. According to a University of Massachusetts study, the most effective way to rid the skin of pesticides is to soak the fruit in a mixture of water and baking soda for around 15 minutes, then rinse said fruit using cold water. In the study, the researchers specifically used a solution containing four cups of water and around two teaspoons of baking soda, then tap water to rinse the apple.
Remove the seeds and core
Apple seeds contain a chemical known as cyanide. While their levels aren’t high enough to kill a human, they’re extremely toxic to parakeets. Therefore, you should remove these seeds from the apple before offering the fruit to your pet.
It’s also a good idea to remove the core, as parakeets generally don’t eat this part of the apple.
Seek veterinary assistance immediately if your parakeet ingests apple seeds. Hesitation could cost it its life.
Feed parakeets in moderation
As mentioned previously, fruits such as apples contain healthy natural sugar. While this sugar is healthier than processed sugar, it can still contribute to weight gain if ingested regularly.
We also stated that apples are fibrous fruits and that consuming fiber prolongs the parakeet’s sense of fullness. This means that feeding your bird plenty of apples will make it feel extremely full, thereby reducing its appetite for other foods it needs for a balanced diet. This can result in malnutrition and a wide range of associated health issues that can diminish its quality of life.
To avoid such problems, feed your parakeet apples in moderation only. Don’t give it apples every day, and don’t give it more than one apple per feeding session.
To determine the exact number of apples your parakeet can devour per week, seek veterinary advice.
Throw away uneaten apple slices
If your parakeet isn’t interested in the apple chunks you’ve offered it, remove said chunks from its cage especially before they go bad. Stale or rotten apples may attract disease-carrying insects and dangerous microorganisms that can harm birds. Mold is especially dangerous to parakeets, so throw away moldy apples before your pet has a chance to eat them.
Exercise caution when feeding baby parakeets apples
Baby parakeets can safely eat apples as long as you ensure they eat them in moderation only. Remember, the health of a baby bird is more fragile than an adult’s, so the apple’s nutritional content can do more harm than good if the fruit is eaten often and/or in large amounts.
Also, as baby birds have a weaker bite, make sure to give one softer apples.
Other Fruits That Are Good for Parakeets
So we’ve established that apples are good for parakeets. Well, these aren’t the only fruits that these birds can benefit from!
To ensure your parakeet enjoys the best health, feed it the following fruits, as well:
- Apricots
- Bananas
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Coconuts
- Grapes
- Oranges
- Mangoes
- Melons
- Pineapples
- Strawberries
Before feeding your parakeet any of the above fruits, consult a veterinarian for advice, as they can determine what foods it can eat as well as how often and how much of these foods it can eat.
Conclusion
Yes, parakeets can eat apples. In fact, it’s a good idea to feed these birds this fruit as it’s rich in many nutrients that offer them many benefits, including improved immune system, heart, brain, and digestive health; the development and maintenance of the bones; protection against obesity, heart disease, and diabetes; the provision of energy; and hydration.
Of course, make sure to feed this fruit to your parakeet properly; either remove or wash the apple’s skin and never give it its seeds. Offer your pet this fruit in moderation only, as well.
Remember, you can also feed your pet other fruits, though you should always ask a veterinarian for advice before giving it any new food.