Can Budgies Eat Mint Leaves? All You Need to Know

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What if your curious budgie seems bored with their usual lettuce? Can you safely give them mint leaves for a refreshing change? Or can budgies eat mint leaves at all?

Budgies can eat mint leaves. It’s perfectly safe if given in small amounts. Just make sure to avoid mints that contain toxins like pulegone.

I know mint leaves are not very common in budgie diet instructions. That’s why newbies feel guilty after giving mints after the birds demand a change in diet.

So read the full article to erase any doubt you have on this topic.

Can Budgies Eat Mint Leaves?

Yes, budgies can eat mint leaves if you offer. I have never seen a budgie reject any herb without trying it first. This herb is a beneficial addition to a budgie’s diet and also aids digestion effectively.

However, mint is not something a wild budgerigar would find in the wild. So, it’s not a part of their natural diet. But still, if you offer it to a captivated budgie, they will eat it whatsoever.

The best part is that there is no harm in feeding mint leaves to budgies. But still, there are some important things you have to keep in mind before giving them this herb, which I will discuss below.

Things to Consider Before Feeding Mint Leaves to Budgies

Mentha or mint leaves have a refreshing and unique taste. It can restore the birds’ taste buds once they are bored of eating seed mix and lettuce every day.

However, you have to make sure the mint is non-toxic. What I mean by that is there are different kinds of mint available.

If you buy the regular types found in the supermarket, including spearmint, peppermint, or lemon balm, there’s no safety hazard. But, the wild mints are not always safe!

For example, there’s a type of mint known as Pennyroyal (Mentha Pulegium). It’s not easily available in the market. But if you have access to Wild Mint, please ensure it’s not pennyroyal.

This particular type of mint contains a toxin called pulegone. If consumed, even humans suffer from nausea, gastrointestinal disturbance, seizure, and liver injury. Heavy doses can push someone into a coma. So, there’s no chance your pet budgie will survive even a small dose of pennyroyal.

Just to be safe, pennyroyal plants have tiny leaves with purple flowers. Apart from this particular type, other species of mint are safe for your budgie. And I am including Apple mint, water mint, and even wild mint here.

Nutritional Benefits Of Mint Leaves

You shouldn’t give your budgies mint just because they like nibbling on it. As a responsible caregiver, you have to check the nutritional value of any food you offer, including mint leaves.

Here are the main health benefits provided by mint leaves or Mentha.

Nutrients	Health Benefits
Menthol	Keeps their breath fresh and has a soothing effect that relieves stress
Vitamin A	Improves vision
Dietary Fiber	Helps with a smooth digestion
anti-oxidant	Fights against allergies or inflammation

Even though the nutrient list is long, I like mints mostly for the menthol effects. The cool and sweet sensation is not easily found in other budgie food. Plus, if your budgie stays nervous or anxious most of the time, menthol can help them release the stress.

What’s The Right Way To Offer Mint Leaves?

Whether your budgie likes or rejects a food depends on your presentation. Instead of giving mint leaves straight out of the packet, I suggest you wash it first.

Because the store-bought mint can have dirt on it. If you can find organic mint, that’s even better. Regular mint from the supermarket often has pesticides. It can negatively affect your budgie’s health. So, rinsing it with fresh water is a must.

Then, just pick a few leaves and put them inside the food bowl. The point is to not go overboard with mint leaves.

Can I Give Mint Leaves To My Budgie Every Day?

Absolutely, no. Although mints are safe, please remember that they’re mainly used as an aromatic ingredient. Even we humans don’t consume mint in large portions. 

The same goes for your feathered friends. Make sure you are only giving mints occasionally in small amounts. Regular feeding of mints can actually harm your budgie.

According to reports, the essential oils available in mint can trigger or irritate the digestive and respiratory systems of your birds.

The rule of thumb is not to add mint to every meal of the day. When you do, restrict yourself to only picking a few leaves. Two to three leaves are usually enough.

In A Nutshell

Budgies don’t complain about their food very often. So if your one is a bit picky, I recommend adding different veggies to its diet.

But don’t give anything without a quick research about its nutrients or toxins.