Grapes are not on the list of poisonous fruits for your cockatiels. So your cockatoo can safely eat the seeded and seedless versions of grapes.
Can cockatiels eat grapes? Is there a problem feeding them frequently? Cockatiels can eat and enjoy this bite-sized fruit without any harm. However, you’ve to be careful about the frequency. The sweet taste of grapes can be addictive and energizing for cockatoos, but the high amount of sugar (mainly fructose) can cause obesity and other sugar-related problems.
Since grapes are a nutritious fruit and are liked by the cockatoos, you must consider them in the fruit & vegetable slot of their diet sparingly (typically once a week). Besides its serving amount, you need to consider a few more things. Continue reading the article to learn more about them.
Can You Feed Grapes to Cockatiels?
The grapes are probably in the top tier when you’re looking to feed fruits to your cockatiels. They don’t harm your cockatoo when fed moderately.
Feed All Variety of Grapes
Grapes come in different colors, but all the varieties are liked and safely consumed by the cockatoos. All these variants (commonly green, black, and red color grapes) contain similar vitamins and minerals, but they slightly vary in nutrition value.
Whether the grapes are seeded or not, you can feed this amazing fruit delicacy to your dear friend in both forms. However, it’s highly recommended to provide them seedless grapes to avoid choking hazards.
Essential Nutrients
Grapes make a top choice when considering a nutritious fruit to add to your cockatoo’s fruit & veggie diet (which should make up 15% of your bird’s diet).
Grapes are a nutrient-dense fruit and According to USDA, 100 grams of seedless green grapes (about 10 grapes) contain the following nutritional values.
Nutrients | Amount in Green Grapes (Seedless) |
| Water | 80.54g |
| Carbohydrate | 18.1g |
| Protein | 0.72g |
| Fat | 0.16g |
| Fiber | 0.9g |
| Potassium | 191mg |
| Vitamin C | 3.2mg |
| Manganese | 0.071mg |
High in Sugar
The above chart shows the high amount of carbohydrates in the grapes, which is typically a combination of fiber and sugars. The sugar includes glucose, fructose, and sucrose (check out the differences here). So this sugary fruit makes an amazing energy booster for your cockatiel. But due to the same reason (sugary), your cockatiel could get obese and suffer from different sugar-related problems.
Offer Moderately
Cockatiels enjoy eating grapes, but you’ve to be careful they don’t get used to it. Otherwise, they may reject other fruits and get deprived of many beneficial nutrients. The best way to offer them grapes moderately is to serve a handful of grapes (not more than two) sparingly.
Do Cockatiels Like Grapes?
Cockatiels like the juiciness and sweetness of the grapes. Since grapes are tiny and bite-sized, they make an amazing treat for the cockatoos. Some owners say their pet bird likes eating uncut grapes, but in most cases, owners like to cut them in half or even smaller portions to make it easier and more enjoyable to consume.
Health Benefits For Cockatiels Eating Grapes
Grapes have incredible nutritional value that can offer your cockatiel numerous health benefits. The major ones include:
Contains Antioxidants
Grapes can be an excellent source of antioxidants for your cockatiel. They include resveratrol, polyphenols, catechins, carotenoids, and more. They form a powerful combination together to fight against different cancer cells while also boosting immunity and gene activity. These antioxidants can also help lower inflammation and elevated HDL levels of your cockatoo.
Enriched Vital Minerals
Grapes are low in sodium and high in potassium. So they can minimize the ill effects of salt to keep the blood pressure of your cockatoo under control. They also help these birds avoid heart diseases. Its calcium, along with potassium, can help with the bird’s bone development.
They’re also enriched with fiber which improves the digestive health of your bird. Grapes also include many other important nutrients like manganese and magnesium to improve your bird’s bodily functions like growth, bone development, cardiac ryhtm, and so on.
Essential Vitamins
Grapes contain vitamins B6, C, & K. These are essential vitamins for your cockatoo. They can help with good blood coagulation, bone development, and keep the brain and nervous system of your bird healthy.
Risks of Grapes for Cockatiels
Although grapes are generally healthy, there are also a few risks associated with their overconsumption.
- The fructose in grapes can increase blood sugar, while its insoluble fibers can cause digestive issues.
- If the grape size is slightly bigger and swallowed completely by your bird, it may cause a choking hazard. Seeded grapes could also cause the same issue.
- The grapes available in the market could include potential pesticides. If you don’t wash them thoroughly, they can cause different health issues to your cockatoos.
- Frequent consumption can make cockatiels reject other fruits.
How Many Grapes Should Cockatiels Eat?
The fresh fruits and vegetables should make up around one-seventh of your cockatiel’s diet. Since you’ve got a wide variety of fruits and veggies to offer, you can provide grapes to your cockatiel once a week. Regarding the adequate amount, two grapes should be enough for one feeding per week.
How Do You Prepare Grapes for Cockatiels?
Try getting natural and organic grapes for your cockatiels free from pesticides. Wash and rinse the grapes thoroughly under running water for a few minutes. Make sure they’re seedless, then cut them into smaller pieces so your cockatiel can easily chow down them. Don’t peel the skin as it’s easily digested by your birds and is also beneficial to them.
Can You Feed Grapes to Baby Cockatiels? If so, How?
Yes, you can feed your baby cockatiels year-round fruits like grapes. Just make sure they’re organic and pesticide-free. Only take one grape each week, wash it properly, and cut it into smaller chunks so your nestling bird can have it without struggle.
Video Of a Cockatiel Eating Grapes
Check out the video here to see how smashing a grape into smaller pieces helps cockatiel enjoy the grapes better.
FAQs
Although it’s not what the cockatiel is supposed to eat, there’s nothing wrong in playing or chewing with these stems unless they’re washed properly. So the grape stems are safe to eat for cockatiels in an insignificant amount.
Yes, they can, but it’s inconvenient for them and also includes the risk of potential choking issues. So it’s best to smash them into smaller chunks.
Grape seeds are generally harmless for most birds, including cockatoos. It doesn’t have any toxic effect and can be fed safely.
Final Words
Because your cockatoo loves eating grapes, you can’t add them to their daily diet. But you can surely offer them a special treat with one or two grapes weekly. Don’t be tempted to give them more, as it can cause different health issues. However, the risks associated with grapes are minor and not life-threatening.
The cockatiels can safely consume all the variants of grapes and even dried grapes (raisins). Serve organic, fresh, and seedless grapes to ensure their health benefits. The nutrient-rich fruit can improve digestion and energy while also helping with their growth and development. But make sure you don’t follow your instincts while feeding grapes to your cockatiels; rather, follow the guidelines discussed in the article.
Do you know if your cockatiels can eat parsley or oranges? Read our articles about it to learn more.
