Cockatiels can eat chips, but they shouldn’t. Chips offer very little nutritional value and are rich in processed chemicals that are not ideal for birds. Of course, a bite or two of chips wouldn’t put your pet’s life at risk. However, it would be best if you didn’t offer chips in large amounts and not regularly.
If you are a chip lover and you always got some chips on hand, it will be quite tempting to share some with your cockatiel. If you want to do so, consider knowing a little bit more about it.
Let’s get into it!
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Are chips good for cockatiels?
Chips aren’t good for cockatiels. These junk foods offer little to no nutritional value. Further, these snacks even consist of processed chemicals that aren’t ideal for birds.
Indeed, a bite or two of chips wouldn’t put your cockatiel at risk. Still, if you want to offer some treats and snacks, it would be best to opt for other food types.
Chips of any kind aren’t ideal for birds. While this junk food is tolerable for us, a couple of pieces may be harmful to your cockatiel already.
Birds, especially cockatiels, have a smaller build and size. Thus, what may seem like a small amount for us can already be a big serving for them.
For this reason, it would be best to keep junk foods away from cockatiels and let your pet pass on such treats.
If you wish to consider it, limit a bite or two, and don’t go any further than that.
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Can cockatiels eat potato chips?
Cockatiels can eat potato chips, but it doesn’t mean they should. Like all other chips, potato chips have high amounts of sodium and different flavors.
For this reason, while a bite won’t put your pet in danger, it still isn’t a great snack you can offer.
To further understand, take into account the human body. We can tolerate potato chips, and we can eat such, but only in small amounts. Too much potato chips can harm us as well.
Like us, our cockatiels can be the same. They can also eat potato chips, but it isn’t healthy for them as well.
As I said earlier, what may be small for us may be large enough for them. Since cockatiels have smaller bodies than us, they shouldn’t eat chips even a couple more pieces.
Can cockatiels eat Doritos?
Doritos are the same for cockatiels as it is for humans. It’s not good for us to overeat, and a few won’t hurt us as well.
The same thing applies to our cockatiels. It’s not healthy food for them. Still, a few bites won’t put these birds at risk either.
Further, consider the amount they take as well. As I said, what we see as a small amount can already be too much for these birds. Thus, when feeding such food, always be cautious and consider moderation.
Instead of feeding Doritos and other chips, opt for healthy treats for your pet.
It will do them good if you feed treats like unsalted nuts and even fruits. Just make sure not to give them too much as well.
Can cockatiels eat Pringles?
If you have some pringles to spare, you should limit it to a single piece for your cockatiel to eat.
Pringles are quite large in pieces. While it may take us two bites to eat a bit, it is already enough for cockatiels.
This chip is also high in sodium and has different flavors that can be too much for your pet.
If you can, it would be best to let your cockatiel pass on pringles and opt for other food instead.
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How many chips can cockatiels eat?
Like other snacks, chips are not that nutritious and safe for consumption. Thus, it shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your pet’s daily meals.
Chips and other fruits and snacks should only serve as treats and not a part of their meal. For this reason, snacks and treats should only make up 10% or less of their meals.
In general, cockatiels should eat 30-40 grams of food per day. Thus, you should limit chips to less than 3-4 grams. Further, it would be best not to give chips always.
Like all other birds and animals, cockatiels should have a balanced diet of a few things.
The most significant percentage should be pellets, making up a total of 60% of their daily diet. The remaining 30% should be for vegetables like carrots and fruits like grapes or raisins.
The key to a good diet is always balance. For this reason, you should limit feeding chips to once or twice a week.
Further, it would be best if you didn’t feed chips as the only treat or snack. Consider getting a variety of options for your bird’s snacks.
Having a list of other vegetables gives your bird balanced nutrition.
Risks of feeding your cockatiel chips
Feeding chips to your cockatiel carries many risks. Thus, before feeding such food, always remember the following things to consider.
Chips contain salt.
Chips are always high in sodium, even if the package says it’s less. For this reason, don’t give too many chips to your pet. While sodium is essential, too much can cause dehydration and even further health complications.
Chips contain chemicals.
Aside from sodium, other chemicals are present in chips. These chemicals build up more flavors. Further, it consists of artificial preservatives to keep chips for prolonged storage. Thus, always consider this before feeding.
Chips don’t have nutritional value.
If you want to give a healthy snack for your cockatiel, chips aren’t your choice. Aside from having too much sodium and chemicals, chips have little to no nutritional value either. Thus, it would be best to offer other snacks instead of chips.
Do cockatiels like eating chips?
The thing about cockatiels is that they want to try the food you offer. Moreover, they would be curious enough to taste whatever you’re eating if they see you.
For this reason, they would like to munch on chips if they see you eating such.
Still, it doesn’t mean that you can give cockatiels chips as much as you want just because they like it.
When it comes to chips, you can either let them have a piece or two or not let them have at all. Don’t give more than a couple of bites of chips to your cockatiel to make sure it is safe.
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Best treats for your cockatiel
While cockatiels can eat chips, it doesn’t mean they should. Instead of chips, you can offer other snacks and treats for your pet.
Cockatiels can eat a variety of food. Thus, you won’t find it challenging to find other snacks to offer.
If you have no idea where to start, here’s a list of snacks you can consider.
Fruits such as
- Kiwi
- Papaya
- Cucumber
- Grapes
- Watermelon
- Apple (remove seeds)
- Banana
- Cherries
- Oranges
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
Aside from fruits, you can also offer nuts, seeds, and even other human snacks such as:
- Peanuts
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Bread
- Rice Krispies
- Mini Shredded Wheat
- Animal crackers
- Millet seed
- Sunflower seeds
- Fruits with seeds not intact
Summary
Cockatiels can eat chips, but it doesn’t mean they should. Indeed, a bite or two of chips on certain occasions won’t put your pet at risk. Still, it would be best to let your pet skip this snack, as it offers little to no nutritional value for them.
When it comes to treats and snacks, opt for other healthier alternatives instead. Cockatiels have a wide range of food they can enjoy, so it shouldn’t be a hassle feeding snacks other than chips.
Resources
Image Credits:
- Photo by Sean McClintock on Unsplash
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Brevard_Zoo_-Flickr–Rusty_Clark%28157%29.jpg
