Cockatiels cannot eat chocolate, and you shouldn’t offer some to your pet. Chocolate contains toxins that can be lethal to cockatiels, even in small amounts. While chocolate may be safe for us, it’s not safe for our pets, so avoid giving it even in small pieces. If your cockatiel accidentally ate chocolate, take it to an avian vet as soon as possible to get checked up.
It shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that chocolate is toxic to cockatiels since it’s also the same for other pets.
If you’re curious to know how chocolate affects cockatiels and what to do if your pet eats some, you’re in the right place. Below are some helpful tips that you may find useful to keep your pet bird safe from toxic food.
Let’s get into it!
Contents
Is chocolate toxic to cockatiels?
Yes, chocolate is toxic to cockatiels, and you shouldn’t give your pet any of it.
Like many animals, cockatiels can also be in danger if they eat chocolates, even in small amounts.
Chocolates contain alkaloid theobromine, a component that birds and other animals can’t digest.
This component is not only present in chocolate. It is also in tea and soda that contains cocoa. Thus, you should avoid these foods for your cockatiel altogether.
Another thing is that chocolates also contain caffeine, which is also toxic to them.
You May Also Read – Can cockatiels eat peaches?
What happens if a cockatiel eats chocolate?
Chocolates aren’t safe for cockatiels, and they can be in danger by eating such, even in small amounts. For this reason, you should always avoid giving chocolates of any kind to your pet.
Most people know how toxic chocolates are for pets such as dogs and cats. The same principle applies to pet birds like cockatiels.
Since birds have a much smaller build, chocolate toxicity can take a more significant toll on them.
If a cockatiel eats chocolate, it will first affect the digestive system. Thus, it will cause vomiting and diarrhea immediately upon intake.
As the condition progresses, the toxins will then affect the central nervous system. It will cause seizures, which will lead to death.
Thus, if you see your pet ate chocolate, it would be best to rush it to an avian vet to get checked.
How much chocolate can kill a bird?
As I said, cockatiels and other birds have smaller build than other home pets such as cats and dogs. For this reason, the toxicity of chocolate would be worse for them than it will be for these animals.
A couple of chocolate bites could put your cockatiel’s life in danger already.
Since cats and dogs can be in danger by eating a few grams of chocolate, anything more than 2 grams can harm birds.
As always, make sure to keep your cockatiel safe by keeping any food with chocolate out of its reach.
Why can’t cockatiels eat chocolate?
As I said earlier, cockatiels can’t eat chocolate because of its toxic components.
According to a study, a specific bird died after ingesting dark chocolate. The findings state that death causes toxic components such as theobromine, caffeine, and theophylline.
The bird, according to the study, has likely ingested 20 grams of chocolate.
Cockatiels, like other birds, would love to eat chocolate, especially if they see one for the first time. However, the toxic components in chocolate can cause them great harm.
The three components, namely theobromine, caffeine, and theophylline, can induce severe symptoms.
Among these symptoms are tremors, seizures, and increased heart rate—all these leading to death if not taken care of soon.
You May Also Read – Can cockatiels eat cabbage?
What to do if your cockatiel ate some chocolate?
Since chocolates are incredibly toxic, getting your cockatiel to a vet is your best choice.
Even in small amounts, chocolates can cause death to cockatiels. It’s more harmful to birds because they have smaller bodies than other animals.
Thus, if you think your cockatiel ate chocolate, take it to the vet immediately, even if it’s just a small amount.
It would be better to have your pet consulted even if it shows no signs of poisoning.
It will also ensure your pet gets proper medical attention regarding chocolate toxicity.
What other food kills birds?
It would be best if you were mindful to avoid other toxic food for your cockatiel besides chocolates.
Like any other animal, cockatiels have foods they shouldn’t eat, which can be toxic to them.
Aside from chocolate, below is the list of the toxic food you shouldn’t feed:
- Avocado
- Any Fruit Seeds
- Onions
- Garlic
- Alcohol
- Mushrooms
- Honey
- Salt
- Caffeine
- Dried or Uncooked Beans
- Rhubarb
- High-Fat
- High-Sodium
- High-Sugar Foods
As long as you stay away from these foods and maintain a balanced diet for your cockatiel, you can be confident that it remains safe and healthy.
Are potatoes and broccoli safe for cockatiels? Check it out!
Summary
Chocolates are one of the foods that we love but can’t share with our cockatiels. As much as it’s good for us, chocolate can compromise our pet’s health and can even put their lives in danger.
For this reason, it would be best to let our cockatiels stay away from chocolate treats. Further, always be mindful not to give any food with chocolate content.
This way, you can avoid unwanted incidents from happening, and you can keep your pet safe.
Resources
BD Gartrell & C Reid’s study on the deadly effects of chocolate on birds
Avianexoticsvet.com’s list of toxic food for birds
Image Credits:
- Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash
- https://p1.pxfuel.com/preview/72/258/534/cockatiel-perch-bird-portrait.jpg
