Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are not only delicious but also nutrient-rich. It’s no wonder so many people love them.
But can we share these foods with our beloved pets? Can parrots, for example, eat dairy?
We don’t recommend feeding your parrot dairy. These foods aren’t natural for our feathered friends to eat. As such, they can cause birds discomfort and harm – and there are even varieties of processed dairy that can kill your pet.
Keep reading to learn more about why you should avoid feeding dairy products to parrots!
What is Dairy?
We call food that contains milk or milk derivatives “dairy.” Dairy products, which can also be referred to as milk products or lacticinia, all contain a sugar called lactose.
Dairy products are typically produced from the milk of animals such as cows, nanny goats, ewes, and water buffalos. Examples of such foods include:
- Butter
- Cheese
- Cream
- Milk
- Yogurt
Each of these foods can be consumed by itself or mixed with ingredients. For example, cakes are pastries that usually contain dairy in the form of cream.
Dairy products are nutrient-rich. For instance, they’re typically high in the minerals calcium and potassium, the former playing a crucial role in the development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth, and the latter being good for the heart and other muscles. Dairy products also contain vitamin A, which is good for vision and the immune system, and vitamin B1 a.k.a. riboflavin, which is involved in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into the energy necessary for life-sustaining biological processes.
Unfortunately, not everyone – or everything – can ingest dairy without experiencing problems. Which brings us to…
Lactose Intolerance – The Main Reason Dairy Isn’t Good for Parrots
As mentioned above, milk as well as the dairy products created from milk contain a sugar called lactose.
Here’s the problem: parrots can’t digest lactose properly. Or in other words, parrots are lactose intolerant.
Lactose intolerance occurs when the body doesn’t produce any or enough lactase, an enzyme required for the breakdown of lactose into its constituent parts. Parrots don’t produce lactase at all; thus, lactose can’t be absorbed into their bloodstream but instead stays within their gut. Here, bacteria ferment lactose to produce various gases, resulting in digestive issues such as the following:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Depending on the parrot and how much dairy it ingested, the severity of these symptoms can range from mild to extreme. Seek veterinary assistance if your pet experiences any of such problems after feeding on dairy.
Why don’t parrots produce lactase?
Why parrots don’t produce lactase likely has something to do with the fact that they’re birds, not mammals. Thus, while they may have similar nutritional needs as mammals, they evolved to meet those needs in their own unique ways.
Because milk is essential to young mammals, all mammal mothers produce this food for their newborn offspring. As mentioned previously, milk is chockful of nutrients that baby mammals need not only to survive but also to thrive. Without milk, the baby can suffer from various health concerns, such as brittle bones and a weak immune system, leaving it vulnerable to illness and disease.
The baby bird benefits from such nutrients, too. However, all the nutrients it needs can be found inside the egg it’s encased in. Thus, its mother doesn’t need to produce milk. And once the chick has hatched, the mother vomits up the food she’s ingested, which the newborn then feasts on.
In other words, birds evolved to have no need for milk, which is why they also evolved with no ability to produce lactase. For this reason, you shouldn’t give your feathered friend dairy.
Other Reasons Dairy Isn’t Good for Parrots
In addition to containing lactose, dairy products may also come with other substances that can make a parrot sick.
With that in mind, let’s explore the other reasons why dairy isn’t good for parrots.
Dairy can be high in calories
Dairy products such as cheese are often high in calories.
If eaten often or in large amounts, high-calorie foods can contribute to the unnecessary weight gain that can culminate in obesity. Obesity, in turn, increases the risk of serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which can reduce the parrot’s quality of life and even kill it prematurely,
Consuming calorie-dense foods can also lead to a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries as well as raise the levels of bad cholesterol, both of which can make a parrot more susceptible to heart disease and stroke.
Dairy can be rich in sodium
Some dairy products, such as cottage cheese, buttermilk, and processed or regular cheese, are high in sodium.
Sodium isn’t good for birds. In fact, even a tiny amount of the stuff can lead to toxicity in a small bird.
When ingested, sodium can upset the fluid and electrolyte balance in the parrot’s body, resulting in the following symptoms:
- Increased thirst
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Fluid discharge from the beak
- Breathing difficulty (dyspnea)
- Weakness
- Leg paralysis
If left untreated, sodium toxicity can lead to kidney failure and even death. Make sure to contact a vet should your parrot display any of the above symptoms after consuming dairy.
Dairy can harbor harmful bacteria
Some types of dairy products harbor bacteria that can harm parrots.
For instance, during the fermentation process, cheese can become populated by dangerous bacteria. If swallowed, these microorganisms can cause problems such:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Lack of energy
- Loose, foul-smelling poop
Infections caused by bad bacteria in the gut can be treated using avian probiotics and antibiotics. For this reason, we recommend taking your bird to the vet if it starts experiencing the above problems following dairy ingestion.
Dairy can have dangerous ingredients
Many types of processed dairy products contain a host of ingredients that are bad for birds.
For instance, chocolate milk contains chocolate, which is highly toxic to parrots thanks to the alkaloid compound theobromine. Even a small amount of theobromine can damage the parrot’s liver and nervous system, which can lead to problems such as seizures, respiratory distress, diarrhea, and ultimately liver failure and a slow, painful death.
Some milk products are high in refined sugar. Unlike the healthy natural sugar found in fruits, refined sugar typically lacks the nutrients that can benefit parrots. It can also cause digestive concerns as well as the unhealthy weight gain that can lead to obesity.
Then you have artificial flavoring, preservatives, and other chemicals that can cause everything from allergic reactions to deadly toxicity.
Your Parrot Ate Some Dairy. Should You Worry?
Did your parrot drink some milk or eat some cheese? Don’t panic. However, be prepared to do what’s necessary to help your pet.
First things first: find out what type of dairy your parrot consumed and how much of it consumed.
Read the food’s ingredients list. If your parrot consumed only a small amount of any type of plain dairy (such as plain milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.), then it shouldn’t experience significant discomfort or harm. Nevertheless, observe your pet for digestive issues such as diarrhea and gas, and contact a veterinarian for advice should your pet display such symptoms.
If your parrot ate a large amount of plain dairy, then it’ll likely end up suffering, so calling a vet is a must if its recovery is your priority.
Did your feathered friend eat dairy that’s high in dangerous additives such as chocolate, caffeine, and chemicals like artificial coloring and flavoring? Then even a small amount of this food can make your pet mildly to intensely ill. Seek veterinary advice as soon as you can; if a trip to the animal clinic or hospital is necessary, then don’t hesitate, as prolonging your bird’s suffering can cost it its life.
Safe and Healthy Dairy Alternatives for Parrots
While animal-based dairy is generally bad for parrots, some types of plant-based dairy can do them a lot of good.
Below, we list a few examples of safe and healthy dairy alternatives you can feed your pet bird.
Nut-based cheese
Cheeses created from nuts make delicious and healthy dairy substitutes that parrots can eat.
Nut-based cheeses are often made from cashews, pistachios, almonds, or macadamia nuts. These are nuts that parrots naturally feed on in the wild, so your pet won’t have any issues digesting them. In addition, such nuts are loaded with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and other nutrients that can keep a parrot in excellent health.
For the above reasons, it’s a good idea to feed your pet nut-based cheeses. Just make sure to do so in moderation only, as too much of a good thing can be bad for any animal.
Also, avoid nut-based cheese products that contain harmful ingredients such as artificial flavoring and coloring, as these can make your pet ill. Alternatively, you can simply make nut-based cheese at home so you can decide what goes into it.
Milk thistle
A plant-based beverage, milk thistle is good for parrots thanks to boasting medicinal properties. For instance, milk thistle is known to keep the liver healthy by relieving symptoms of hepatitis, jaundice, and cirrhosis. It can even help prevent diabetes and heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood sugar.
The fact of the matter is that vets recommend offering milk thistle to birds with liver problems. If you want to give your pet this beverage, consult a veterinarian so they can give you advice on how much of the drink it should have.
Oatmeal milk
Created by mixing ground oatmeal with water, oatmeal milk is dense in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are crucial to every bird’s health.
Parrots can consume oatmeal milk in moderation. Ensure your avian companion enjoys organic oatmeal only, as inorganic varieties may contain ingredients (including flavor enhancers, preservatives, sugar, etc.) that can cause allergic reactions and other problems.
Coconut milk
Parrots can drink coconut milk in moderation. While this beverage is rich in essential nutrients, it’s also high in sugar and fat, so it can cause unhealthy weight gain and obesity if consumed in excess.
Additionally, don’t give your parrot coconut milk that comes in a can. This is because the can’s interior lining can interact with high-fat foods to release a chemical known as bisphenol A. (or BPA), which can be toxic to birds. Any coconut milk you give your pet should therefore come in a cardboard box, bottle, or any form of eco-friendly packaging. You can even make coconut milk yourself.
Conclusion
Dairy isn’t a good option for parrots. Any food product derived from animal milk contains lactose, a sugar that parrots can’t digest. Thus, consuming dairy can lead to the symptoms of lactose intolerance, which can range from mild to severe gas, bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
Other varieties of dairy products are rich in calories, which can contribute to unneeded weight gain and obesity. Dairy can also be high in sodium, populated with harmful bacteria, and full of ingredients that are inappropriate for birds.
Thankfully, dairy-free foods exist that are safe and healthy for parrots. Consider giving your pet nut-based cheeses, milk thistle, coconut milk, and oatmeal milk in moderation.
If your feathered friend experiences any problems after consuming dairy, make sure to contact a veterinarian for help.