Can Budgies Eat Strawberries? What You Should Know

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Meals for your budgerigars should always include fruits. But not all of them can be in the diet regularly. For example, strawberries are one of them. Can budgies eat strawberries?

While budgies can eat strawberries, they should not consume it daily. You can keep them in the diet, sometimes, in a limited amount. They should be more like occasional treats than daily food items.

Read the article to learn why a nutrient-rich fruit like strawberry cannot be more than a treat.

Can Budgies Eat Strawberries?

Budgies are omnivores that like a diet of insects and seeds. Wild budgies enjoy different veggies and fruits, too. They all contain the essential nutrients for their health.

Preparing food for your pet budgies should include the natural combination (except for the insects, of course!). But you have to prioritize some factors here – one, the safety of the food, and two, their quantity and frequency.

The same applies to strawberries. They have plenty of helpful minerals and vitamins to offer your budgies. So, it is safe to feed them this fruit. Yet, that is only as long as you keep it moderate.

What Do Strawberries Contain To Improve A Budgie’s Health?

Strawberries contain vitamin C, folate, potassium, protein, calcium, fiber, and natural sugar to improve a budgie’s health. Let me explain their roles below.

Fiber

As the fruit is fiber-rich, it will improve your budgie’s digestion and prevent constipation. Budgies’ diets need a decent amount of fiber that strawberries can provide.

Protein

Strawberries do not have much protein, but even a little portion can nourish your bird’s tiny muscles. Another benefit is that it can handle the heat better and stay safe from digestive problems. Then, there is potassium in a small amount that also makes the same contribution.

Folate

Every bird needs folate, but budgies need them more for their high activity levels. Folate allows the body to produce energy by processing food and keeps your budgie’s energy intact.

Vitamin C

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C. It ensures the health of your budgie’s heart while reducing plaque in its arteries. Besides, your budgies will have higher immunity from diseases because of the vitamin intake.

Calcium

It is no news that calcium protects and magnifies the bones of our body. The calcium in strawberries does the same to your budgie’s bone health.

Vitamin K

It protects a budgie’s brain cells and nerves from damage, keeping its instincts sharp. As a result, it will be better able to process information, solve puzzles, and learn tricks more quickly.

Sugar

Strawberries have natural sugar content, fructose, sucrose, and glucose, which make the food tastier and more enjoyable for budgies. Additionally, they provide an instant energy dose. So the fruit makes a meal both healthy and happy for the birds.

Do Strawberries Have Anything Harmful To My Budgies?

Saying yes to that is odd after explaining the benefits of strawberries. Technically, it does not have anything harmful to your budgies. Again, the technicality lies in moderation.

When you limit the amount of strawberries, they will not be harmful at all. However, high consumption will cause the carbs in the fruit’s natural sugar to create problems. They will outdo the fiber and can lead to constipation. They will increase the birds’ weight, making them sluggish, dull, and vulnerable to diseases like diabetes.

Another component is the minor portion of salicylic acid in strawberries. It is not concerning when the quantity of strawberries is moderate. But having too many will make your birds sick.

Are There More Factors To Consider Regarding Strawberries?

Though it is not directly linked to the fruit, it is vital for budgies’ health. Nowadays, all vegetables and fruits contain toxic chemicals. Our body system may withstand them for a while, but our budgies’ small digestive tracts are too fragile to do so.

Therefore, only purchase organic and fresh strawberries for your budgies. If they are not available, rinse them thoroughly to remove the chemicals. Be very careful about them because they can be lethal enough to cause the death of your budgies.

The last one is the fruit color. Although I do not find it necessarily threatening to budgies, it can happen that some will get scared to see the color.

I have read about it but did not face such issues with my budgies. It is just a tiny piece of fruit. So it is highly likely your budgies will not go mad after seeing them. However, look for their reaction when you introduce the fruit to them to be on the safe side.

How To Prepare And How Much Fruit Should I Give?

Piece a strawberry into tiny blocks because large ones can cause choking. Put at most a couple of slices in one meal. You can place the pieces on the food dish or mix them.

Avoid offering dried strawberries because they contain extra sugar. But you can make raw strawberry juice and add it to their water. Jam or jelly made with raw sugar will also do. Now you might ask yourself, how many strawberries should I give them?

Well, it’s enough to give them one per week. Giving more will make your budgies addicted and will not grant them the benefits. It is just a little part of their diet. Keep it that way.

How Do I Know My Budgies Have Eaten Too Many Strawberries?

You will notice the following symptoms in such cases.

• Weight gain
• Loose motion, diarrhea
• Nonstop yawning
• Vomiting
• Reduced appetite
• Mucus or blood in stool

Stop giving your budgies strawberries when you spot the signs. Give them water to keep them hydrated. And consult a vet soon to see if they need medical treatment.

Can I Give Strawberry Leaves And Seeds To My Budgies?

Yes, you can give both to your budgies. The leaves and seeds are non-toxic and aid in the birds’ digestion. They may even enjoy the leaves more than the fruits. Wash them well beforehand and limit the quantity.

As for the seeds, most budgies will prefer them to strawberries because the seeds stimulate their foraging instinct. And wild budgies have a seed- or pellet-based diet. So, there is no problem with giving your pet budgies strawberry seeds.

Conclusion

Now you know, it’s perfectly normal for budgies to eat strawberries. When you offer, always give them in moderation to prevent overeating and digestive issues. And make sure the strawberries are fresh and washed well.