Can Cockatiels Eat Bananas? Follow These Important Steps

Cockatiels are one of the most popular and common pet bird species. They are energetic, playful, and yet calm and gentle. These quiet birds are easy to care for, but precaution is needed when feeding them. A cockatiel’s diet comprises seeds, grass, berries, and fruits. Not all fruits are healthy, though. Too much can also cause health issues as fruits are high in sugar and sometimes acid. So, can cockatiels eat bananas? Follow along to find out.

Can Cockatiels Eat Bananas?

Generally, cockatiels can eat bananas, although in moderation. Too much of this starchy but delicious fruit can cause health issues as the fruit is high in sugar. Instead of giving bananas every day to a cockatiel, it should act as an occasional treat.

Bananas, though, are healthy as a supplement to your cockatiel’s regular diet. They are high in potassium and contain Vitamin C and B6.

But what about banana peels? Are they toxic to cockatiels? Thankfully, they aren’t toxic, so if your silly bird tries to help peel the banana and swallow a small amount, they’ll be okay. Still, you shouldn’t feed your cockatiel banana peels as they can cause digestive problems. They may also be a choking hazard.

How To Prepare Bananas for Cockatiels

You don’t have to do too much preparation when giving your cockatiel this tasty treat. Still, here are four steps on how to serve raw bananas to your pet. You can also freeze banana slices, peel-free, and give them to your cockatiel on hot days to cool down.

Step 1: Wash the Banana

The first step is to rinse your banana before you peel it. This is quick and just to rinse any dirt.

Step 2: Peel the Fruit

The second step is to peel the banana. After this step, you can get creative.

Step 3: Cut the Fruit into Small Pieces

After you’ve peeled the banana, cut it into small pieces to feed your bird. At this point, you can either freeze the slices or blend them into a smoothie. If you make your cockatiel a smoothie, make sure you don’t add toxic foods like chocolate, avocado, or apple seeds.

Step 4: Monitor your Cockatiel

Last but not least is to monitor your cockatiel. They can accidentally choke when eating fruit, although this is more common with other fruits that have seeds in the center.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Rosa Jay/Shutterstock.com