We Reviewed the Best Parakeet Food

Parakeets, sometimes called budgies, are multicolored, smart, and playful pets with long tail feathers. They are popular across the United States because they are easy to take care of and have happy natures.

Parakeets range from small to medium-sized and enjoy hopping, flying, and playing both inside and outside their cages. Similar to parrots, you can teach your parakeet to talk — especially the males.

These sweet and clever birds can live between six and 12 years in captivity when you give them enough space and take good care of them. Nutritious and well-balanced food is critical to the well-being of your pet. 

In addition to the quality parakeet foods below, supplement your parakeet’s diet with fresh vegetables and fruits. Healthy examples you can use include fresh romaine lettuce, kale, spinach, dandelion leaves (avoid pesticides!), pears, kiwi, oranges, berries, pineapple, melon, grapes, and apples. 

Our review includes the best parakeet foods to keep your playful pet happy and healthy for as long as possible.

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Parakeet Food

#1 Best Overall: Kaytee Egg-Cite! Forti-Diet Pro Health Parakeet Food

In our review, the overall best parakeet food is the Kaytee Egg-Cite! Forti-Diet Pro Health Parakeet Food for a variety of reasons.

First, this food contains tasty real egg crumbles which your bids are sure to love. It also has added DHA and omega-3 fatty acids. It is also enhanced with vitamins and minerals. Plus, unlike other egg-based bird foods, this is designed to be your bird’s primary food source, not just a supplement.

The natural seeds, pellets, grass, and grains come in colorful shapes, sizes, and textures to attract your parakeet and promote foraging. It is conveniently packaged in a resealable bag so you can keep it fresh and guard against bugs.

The main issue that customers have with this product is that several of the bags were ripped open when they received them. However, some also found that their birds were selective while eating and only ate the seed.

Pros and Cons of the Kaytee Egg-Cite! Forti-Diet Pro Health Parakeet Food

Best Overall

Kaytee Egg-Cite! Forti-Diet Pro Health Parakeet Food

• Tasty real egg crumbles
• Added DHA Omega-3 fatty acids
• Contains natural seeds, pellets, grass, and grains
• Comes in a resealable bag

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2. Most Fortified Food: Brown’s Encore Premium Parakeet Food

In our opinion, the most fortified food is Brown’s Encore Premium Parakeet Food.

In the wild of its native Australia, your parakeet would forage for food. He would sort through different plants and seeds to pick out tasty and nutritious bits. Brown’s seed mix contains little fortified biscuits in colorful and vitamin-packed food shapes to keep your parakeet engaged.

The food mix includes red and white millet, corn, oats, canary seeds, safflower seeds, and striped sunflower seeds. The biscuits also deliver beneficial probiotic bacteria to support your pet’s healthy digestion. Plus, it promotes your bird’s natural foraging instinct. However, some birds can be selective when eating and only pick out their favorite pieces.

Pros and Cons of Brown’s Encore Premium Parakeet Food

Most Fortified Food

Brown's Encore Premium Parakeet Food

• Contains little fortified biscuits
• The variety keeps your bird engaged
• Includes red and white millet, corn, oats, and canary seeds
• Added beneficial probiotic bacteria

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3. Best with Tropical Fruit: Lafeber Tropical Fruit Nutri-Berries Bird Food

Parakeets love fruit, and that’s why we recommend the Lafeber Tropical Fruit Nutri-Berries Bird Food.

Lafeber hulls their seeds and grains, so your parakeet benefits from all the added vitamins and minerals, and none are discarded with the hulls. Lafeber is developed by veterinarians and made in the USA and is naturally flavored and preserved.

In the wild, your parakeet would sample a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. This food includes tropical fruit like pineapple, papaya, and mango in fun-to-eat shapes for foraging and mental stimulation. It is also packed full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which promote a healthy skin and feathers.

The only drawback to this product is that some customers have reported that their birds do not like it.

Pros and Cons of the Lafeber Tropical Fruit Nutri-Berries Bird Food

Best with Tropical Fruit

Lafeber Tropical Fruit Nutri-Berries Bird Food

• Added vitamins and minerals
• Developed by veterinarians
• Includes pineapple, papaya, and mango
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

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4. Best Supplemental Food: ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food

As the best supplemental food we recommend the ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food.

Parakeets thrive on seeds, but they need a variety of other foods. Some bird owners overfeed their parakeet’s seeds which can add to weight gain. This is not good for their long-term wellness.

This unique blend of seeds and pellets balances a heavy seed diet and adds enriching variety to your bird’s regular diet. The fun pellets are designed for interaction and to help motivate and develop your parakeets. It contains a mix of canary grass seeds, white milo, white proso millet, and ground corn. Plus, it helps to promote their natural foraging instincts.

Once again, the only issue customers found with this food was that their birds tend to only pick out their favourite pieces.

Pros and Cons of the ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food

Best Supplemental Food

ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food

• Blend of seeds and pellets
• Adds enriching variety
• Made especially for small birds
• Very healthy variety

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5. Best Value: Kaytee Supreme Parakeet Food

If you’re looking for parakeet food that is high quality yet doesn’t break the bank then we recommend the Kaytee Supreme Parakeet Food.

This clean and wholesome mix of seeds, pellets, and grains is affordable at approximately one dollar a pound. The mix of canary grass seed, ground corn, and white millet is fortified with vitamins and minerals to promote good health. Plus, it is naturally preserved with no artificial colors or flavors.

Unfortunately, some reviewers have reported that their parakeets do not like this food.

Pros and Cons of the Kaytee Supreme Parakeet Food

Best Value

Kaytee Supreme Parakeet Food

• Budget-friendly option
• Contains canary grass seed, ground corn, and white millet
• No artificial colors or flavors
• Veterinarian-recommended

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6. Best With Fruits and Vegetables: Brown’s Tropical Carnival Gourmet Parakeet Food

If you’re looking for parakeet food that contains a variety of fruit and vegetables then look no further than Brown’s Tropical Carnival Gourmet Parakeet Food.

This seed, grain, and nut mix include tasty fruits and vegetables like dried carrots, dried papaya, dried pineapple, dried strawberries, dried cranberries, dried sweet potato, dried peas, dried banana, and dried coconut for plenty of variety and nutrition. The fun shapes, textures, and sizes stimulate your parakeet’s natural foraging instinct.

This food is fortified with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and beneficial bacterial to promote a healthy digestive system. It also contains a mix of vitamins and minerals to promote all-round good health.

Unfortunately, some of the pieces of food are quite large which some birds may struggle with.

Pros and Cons of Brown’s Tropical Carnival Gourmet Parakeet Food

Best With Fruits and Vegetables

Brown's Tropical Carnival Gourmet Parakeet Food

• Contains seeds, grains, and nuts
•  Include dried carrots, papaya, pineapple, and strawberries
• Added beneficial bacteria
• Only natural preservatives

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When choosing the best parakeet food, there are three factors you will want to consider. Specifically:

• Does it have a variety of seeds, nuts, and grains?
• Is it fortified?
• Does it contain fruit and vegetables?

Seeds, Nuts, and Grains

For a broad spectrum of nutrients, you want to give your parakeets a variety of seeds, nuts, and grains. If your food contains only two or three different nutrient sources and your birds rely on it exclusively, they are likely to miss out on critical factors for their long-term health.

Fortified Food

Fortified bird foods support a well-rounded and balanced diet. Added vitamins and minerals ensure your birds get the nutrition they need. Beneficial bacteria support long-term gut health and good digestion. Egg adds taste, protein, and nutrients.

Fruit and Vegetables

Birds need nuts and seeds, but a diet too high in fat can cause weight gain, especially if your bird isn’t getting a lot of exercise outside of its cage. It’s best if you introduce fresh fruits and vegetables, even if you purchase food that has dried fruits and vegetables. However, having a seed mix that includes fruits and vegetables avoids a daily diet too heavy in fats.

The Different Types of Parakeet Food: Pros and Cons Compared

There are three basic types of best parakeet food, including hulled seeds, seeds in hulls, and pellets.

Here are some pros and cons of each type.

Hulled Seeds

Seeds With Hulls

Pellets