Can Cockatiels Eat Peanuts? (Are They Safe?)

I was snacking on some peanuts the other day when my cockatiel came over and wasn’t going to be deterred from trying to steal one.

I didn’t really feel like sharing in any case—he had his own food.

Nonetheless, though, I couldn’t help but feel compelled to get him some peanuts of his own since he seemed so interested in mine.

I had never given him peanuts, though, so I wanted to look into it first and make sure it was safe.

So, I did some research.

So, can cockatiels eat peanuts?

Yes, cockatiels can eat peanuts in moderation. Nuts are a great snack for cockatiels and peanuts in particular, but snack is the key word here—they shouldn’t eat too much, and it shouldn’t replace their regular food. If you can, get bird formulated peanuts.

So, yes, cockatiels love peanuts, and they are healthy in small amounts.

But as with any treat, moderation is really important, and overfeeding will become a problem quickly.

Nuts in general are a great snack and actually quite an integral part of a cockatiel’s diet—but still only a small part.

Let’s look further into this.

 

Are peanuts good for cockatiels?

Nuts have long been popular as a source of protein, and peanuts are particularly good.

They have lots of healthy protein to support healthy bones and muscles in your cockatiel, keeping them strong and fit.

Protein can be hard to fit into the rest of their diet, so peanuts are a great way to do this.

Peanuts are also rich in fatty acids, which might sound unhealthy but are actually essential to the body.

Cockatiels need them, too, and the fats in peanuts are monosaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats—both healthy fats.

Peanuts are also rich in fiber.

Fiber is essential for digestion and cholesterol levels, and though cockatiels generally get plenty of fiber elsewhere in their diets, a little boost never hurt.

In lots of general ways, too, peanuts are really healthy for cockatiels.

They maintain blood sugar at healthy levels, and can help your cockatiel to maintain a healthy weight.

They also support heart health, reducing the risk of tremors or other similar circulatory problems.

All that said, there is an important caveat.

 

Are peanuts bad for cockatiels?

Inherently, no, peanuts are not bad for cockatiels.

However, you should remember that they should only ever represent a treat.

They shouldn’t be the main part of your cockatiel’s diet, simply because they’re so nutrient-rich.

Your cockatiel really only needs to eat a small amount before it will have had its fill.

Any more could be problematic.

So, while peanuts aren’t inherently bad for cockatiels, you need to be very careful about how much you feed them.

Once or twice a week is plenty.

Swap the peanuts out for other treats in the rest of the week, like fruits and vegetables.

This will keep them from getting bored and give them the greatest variety of nutrients.

Also, you should be careful about exactly what peanuts you give them.

Beyond just the particular type as I will get into shortly, it’s probably best to try and find peanuts that were formulated specifically for parrots.

Peanuts grown for human consumption may contain harsh pesticides or other chemicals harmful to a cockatiel.

 

Can cockatiels eat salted peanuts?

Salted peanuts should definitely be avoided.

Cockatiels should never eat that much salt in one sitting.

Salted peanuts could cause all sorts of problems for your cockatiel, and even one or two might be enough to do it.

Do not feed them salted peanuts, or any kind of salted nut.

They should never eat that much salt.

 

Can cockatiels eat dry roasted peanuts?

Dry roasted peanuts, of some kind, are going to be the better option.

They are much lower in salt, and certainly don’t have a lot of salt added.

Some will be there for seasoning, but not to the point that they taste salted.

Again, though, I would also advise avoiding ordinary dry roasted peanuts that you would buy in the store.

Look for something tailored for parrots, or even better cockatiels, in a pet store.

While the risk is still low from dry roasted peanuts, it will be better in the long run if you avoid giving them ordinary peanuts.

If you can’t find parrot specific peanuts anywhere in store, look online.

So, as long as you’re strict on moderation, peanuts are a great addition to your cockatiels diet.

They come with all sorts of health benefits and they’re a great, tasty snack that your cockatiel will love.

As with any highly nutritious food like this, it’s important that you don’t overfeed, or your cockatiel will quickly become sick and nutrient deficient in other places.

As long as you keep this in mind, peanuts are great for your cockatiel.

 

 


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