As pet owners, we have been trained to always check the ingredients in our pet’s food before giving it to them.
More and more pet owners are opting to make their own pet food from scratch to control the ingredients.
But what about some of the natural pet food toppers that are available on the market today as an alternative?
I was at my local pet supply store the other day picking up some toys and pellets for my parrot when I came across bee pollen.
Seeing this made me wonder: can parrots eat bee pollen?
Yes, parrots can eat bee pollen and about one teaspoon per day is beneficial for their coloring, plumage, and overall health. You can use bee pollen as a topper on their regular meal or provide it as a treat. Try to add it to something wet or that it will stick to so it does not fall to the bottle of the food dish. Bee pollen is even recommended for treating parrots who deal with anxiety or self-mutilation, such as feather plucking.
When deciding what bee pollen is the right choice for your parrot, always make sure it contains no preservatives and that you store it in a closed container in a cool, dry place.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most types of bee pollen will need to be frozen or refrigerated if it is not used within three weeks.
How do you give your parrot bee pollen?
As mentioned, a great trick so that the bee pollen doesn’t just fall to the bottle of the food dish is by trying to add it to something in their meal that is wet or sticky.
For example, if part of your parrot’s meal included watermelon, you could sprinkle the bee pollen on there, so it actually gets consumed.
Of course, if your parrot prefers cherries or apples, you could put it on whatever you know your parrot will eat and enjoy.
You could also try to offer bee pollen to your parrot as a free choice in a treat cup, but that might be more challenging for them to consume.
If your parrot really likes bee pollen, you could consider giving their portion to them on a toy or other treat for them to snack on.
As with anything, you will not want to give your parrot too much bee pollen.
Make a habit of what time or which meal you give them their bee pollen with, and both you and your pet will come to look forward to the healthy ritual.
Why is bee pollen good for parrots?
Bee pollen provides many health benefits for parrots thanks to the essential vitamins and minerals it holds.
These nutrients, including protein, amino acids, enzymes, and fatty acids, have been shown to improve the quality and coloring of a parrot’s plumage as well as aid in other areas of a parrot’s mental and physical healing.
For example, suppose your parrot is acting lethargic or depressed.
In that case, you could try adding bee pollen to your parrot’s diet since bee pollen stimulates the immune system, promotes endurance, and increases energy levels.
Bee pollen is a fantastic multi-vitamin supplement to give your parrot as it fights off infections, speeds up healing, and improves vitality.
Some even claim that the inclusion of bee pollen can prevent cancer and other diseases faced by birds.
But, of course, administering bee pollen is only a preventative measure. If you suspect your parrot is ill, seek professional veterinary help.
As mentioned, bee pollen can help parrots that suffer from anxiety and things like self-mutilation and plucking.
Since bee pollen has so many great vitamins and minerals, the addition of bee pollen can help balance any nutrient deficiencies your parrot might be experiencing.
In addition, bee pollen is a powerful rejuvenator of organs and glands, which is why it can be a great addition to a treatment regimen for many common problems parrots face.
If you are not sure if bee pollen is suitable for your parrot, you can try introducing it very slowly over time to help them get used to it, or consult your local veterinarian clinic for advice.
What else do I need to know about bee pollen?
Bee pollen is the mixture of pollen from flower blossoms collected by bees and enzymes from the bee itself.
Bee pollen looks like gold granules, and the healing properties of bee pollen have been recognized for thousands of years.
Bee pollen was known as ‘ambrosia’ or Food of the Gods and was a favorite rejuvenating tonic for many civilizations due to its potential to increase energy, stamina, and health.
Although bee pollen has health benefits for both humans and parrots, typically, the bee pollen you purchase for your parrot you will not want to consume.
The label on bee pollen from a pet store will often recommend that it is not for human consumption.
If you would like to share the same bee pollen as your parrot so you can also enjoy the health benefits, you could visit a health food shop or local beekeeper.
But, again, always look for a bee pollen option with no added preservatives for you or your parrot.
As mentioned, you will not want to give your parrot too much bee pollen as it can have the opposite effect as intended.
Too much of a good thing can become a bad thing, and overloading your parrot’s system with bee pollen and all the nutrients that come with it is not a good idea.
Rather, introduce it slowly over time and try to make it something that your pet looks forward to having.
While bee pollen can help with many things your parrot may be experiencing, if there really is an issue with feather tweezing or anxiety, you will want to seek help from a veterinary professional above all else.
You can even consult with them and see if introducing bee pollen might be a good solution or part of a treatment regimen for your parrot on their road to recovery.