# Pet Bird Diet in the UK: Safe Foods — Quick answer

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/bird-diet-uk): Pet Bird Diet in the UK: Safe Foods — Quick answer. Feed pet birds a pellet-based diet with fresh vegetables, not seed alone — the RSPCA advises about three-quarters pellets and one-quarter fresh food for parrots, with seed as a small extra. Avocado, chocolate and caffeine are toxic and can kill. Change diets gradually with avian vet guidance.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/bird-diet-uk): Pet Bird Diet in the UK: Safe Foods — Why seed-only diets fail. According to the RSPCA, ready-made seed mixes are high in fat and low in calcium and vitamins A, D, K, E, biotin and B12. Birds pick out the fattiest seeds, and pet birds fly far less than wild ones. Seed-only diets lead to: - Obesity - Fatty liver syndrome - Vitamin A deficiency (weakening skin, airways and immunity) - Calcium deficiency

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/bird-diet-uk): Pet Bird Diet in the UK: Safe Foods — The pellet base — RSPCA ratios. | Food group | Parrots | Budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds | Canaries and finches | |------------|---------|-------------------------------|----------------------| | Complete pellets | ~three-quarters of the diet | Free access | Beneficial — introduce gradually | | Fresh fruit and vegetables | ~one quarter, washed | Daily | Fresh washed greens (dandelion, chickweed, groundsel) | | Seed | Small occasional treats | Some daily — no more than ~a tenth of the diet | Seed-based diets are traditional; improve with pellets and greens |

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/bird-diet-uk): Pet Bird Diet in the UK: Safe Foods — Safe fresh foods. According to the RSPCA, good choices include: - Vegetables — carrots, broccoli, peas, sprouts, leafy greens - Fruit — de-seeded apples, grapes, blueberries, pomegranate (remove pips and stones) - Native berries — rowan and hawthorn; check before picking, as some native berries are poisonous - Wash everything; serve at room temperature; remove uneaten fresh food the same day

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/bird-diet-uk): Pet Bird Diet in the UK: Safe Foods — Toxic foods — never feed. | Food | Risk | |------|------| | Avocado | Highly poisonous to birds — can cause sudden death | | Chocolate | Toxic in any amount; darker chocolate is more dangerous | | Caffeine | Coffee, tea, energy drinks — dangerous stimulant | | Alcohol | Even tiny amounts can be fatal | | Onion and garlic | Can cause anaemia and digestive damage | | Fruit seeds and stones | Apple seeds, cherry and peach stones contain cyanide compounds | | Salty, fatty, sugary snacks | Crisps, biscuits and fried food harm small bodies | | Rhubarb leaves, mouldy food | Toxic; discard spoiled fruit | If your bird eats any of these, contact a UK avian vet immediately — time matters with small birds.

Source: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/bird-diet-uk