Cockatiels can eat crackers, yes. This food doesn’t have any toxic component that can put your pet at risk if you feed it in small amounts. The only problem is that most crackers contain salt and other seasonings, which are unhealthy. Further, this snack doesn’t have that much nutritional value to your pet. Thus, it would be best not to give more than a couple of bites.
Cockatiels might enjoy the crisp texture of crackers. However, it doesn’t mean you can give crackers anytime and as long as you want. Here are some things about this snack that you should know.
Take some time to read more!
Contents
Are crackers good for cockatiels?
Crackers are good for cockatiels as long as you feed it in small amounts and not regularly.
The thing about this snack is that it contains high amounts of salt for our pet birds to take.
Indeed, a single cracker may seem like a tiny food that’s impossible to cause too much harm. However, going overboard with these salty snacks can upset our pet’s small build.
Crackers may be small for us, but not for our cockatiels. Since they have a smaller build than us, a single piece that does not affect us might put their lives in danger.
Even a single salty cracker can upset the electrolyte and fluid balance in a cockatiel’s body. Such a complication can lead to excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney failure, and death.
For this reason, it would be best always to watch out and be cautious when feeding crackers.
True enough, a single cracker may not do much harm. However, if you have other snack alternatives, go for those instead of this one.
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Can cockatiels eat ritz crackers?
Ritz cracker is a famous brand that your cockatiel would love. However, it’s not something you can offer to your pet regularly.
To understand further, take a look at this nutrition fact. SmartLabel states that 16 grams of 5 pieces of this cracker contain 105 mg of sodium.
While it may not be that much for us, it can be a large amount for our pets.
If you wish to give ritz crackers to your cockatiel, always keep in mind that it has a high salt content. Thus, limit your feeding to a single piece and don’t live daily.
Further, always prepare some fresh and clean water for your cockatiel every day.
Having fresh and clean water in your cockatiel’s cage prevents dehydration. It is ideal, especially if your pet takes in some salty food like crackers.
How many crackers can cockatiels eat?
While crackers don’t have any toxic components, it’s also not a healthy snack either.
For this reason, you shouldn’t make crackers a regular part of your pet’s diet. It would be best if you would only give some of this snack on certain occasions.
Treats and snacks should consist mainly of fruits, nuts, and seeds. Such foods should only take 10% or less of a cockatiel’s diet.
The significant amount of food should consist mainly of pellets, taking up 60% or more of their daily consumption.
The rest, which is 30% or less, should consist of a variety of healthy vegetables.
Since crackers have too much salt, it would be best to consider it as a treat. You can offer one or two pieces, but don’t give more than that.
Further, it would also be best to limit it to a maximum of twice per week.
By doing so, you keep your cockatiel safe from the crackers’ sodium content.
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Risks of feeding your cockatiel crackers
While snacking on crackers may be a typical thing for us, it’s quite risky for our cockatiels. For this reason, you may want to be aware of these risks to keep your pet on the safe side.
The salt in crackers can be harmful.
Although cockatiels can take in some small amounts of salt, too much can harm them.
These birds have smaller builds than us, and so even a tiny amount of salt for us can already be enormous for them.
Sodium in crackers can disrupt the electrolytes in cockatiels. It can be a cause of extreme symptoms and effects.
For this reason, always limit crackers into small amounts, and don’t feed such for your pet.
Crackers have little to no nutritional value.
Crackers may be safe for cockatiels, but it doesn’t mean it’s healthy either.
This snack does not have that many nutritional benefits to offer, especially to birds.
For this reason, feeding such wouldn’t help much to a cockatiel’s health.
Can cockatiels eat saltines?
Saltine is a thin and crisp cracker sprinkled with salt that cockatiels can eat only in small amounts.
Many people take delight in saltines because of its savory goodness. However, as much as it is enjoyable for us, it can’t be the same for our cockatiels.
Saltines are rich in sodium, which isn’t necessary for our pets. For this reason, always feed saltines only in small amounts.
There’s no specific limit of sodium intake for cockatiels. Still, since too much sodium can harm them, it would be best to limit saltines for cockatiels to a piece or two.
Consider giving more than that as way too much salt content for your pet.
If you don’t have any other snack options, you can go ahead and give a couple of bites.
However, if you have other snack options, go for those instead of Saltines and other crackers.
If you don’t know what snacks or treats to offer, read more about it below.
Are asparagus and parsley safe for cockatiels to eat? Check it out!
What other snacks can I give my cockatiel?
Aside from crackers, you can also offer other snacks in moderation. As long as you keep snacks in small amounts, it should be safe for your pet.
If you don’t have any idea what to offer, here are a few starting options:
You can give 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
- Cheerios
- Rice Krispies
- Mini Shredded Wheat
- Animal crackers
- Millet seed
- Sunflower seeds
- Fruits with seeds not intact
Summary
Crackers offer an excellent snack for us, but apparently, it’s not the same for our cockatiels. Most of these foods contain salt to improve the taste. While the added flavor works for us, it can be harmful to our pets, especially large amounts.
For this reason, you can’t give more than a small number of crackers to your pet. Further, if you have other healthier snack options, it would be better to offer those foods instead.
Of course, cockatiels won’t be at risk if you feed crackers in small amounts. However, if you have a healthier option, go for it instead.
Resources
SmartLabel’s nutrition facts on ritz crackers
USDA’s nutrition facts on saltine crackers
Image Credits:
- Photo by Romina BM on Unsplash
- https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/01/09/15/20/cockatiel-594475_960_720.jpg
