Pretzels have always been my favorite snacks since I was younger.
The other day, I was standing there and eating a pretzel and my parrot seemed rather intrigued.
I could guess he was after some, and I didn’t see an issue with giving him a small bit.
That when I thought, can parrots eat pretzels?
I should probably check this out before giving it to him.
The answer to this is no, the toxic ingredient in pretzels is salt. Just like humans, salt can increase blood pressure in parrots and can ultimately encourage the chances of heart failure and other blood-type related diseases.
In this article, we’ll look at why parrots can and cannot eat pretzels and the negative effects salt can have on your bird and why you should avoid this at all costs.
It’s important to know how to feed your parrot a balanced diet as it can have some great benefits on their growth and development.
It will make them smarter, look more appealing and make them more satisfied with the location they are in.
Can Parrots Eat Salt-Free Pretzels?
Pretzels are simply bread but in a peculiar shape.
They are made from wheat, water and normally salt.
However, you are able to make or buy salt-free pretzels or also known as “baldies”.
Just make sure these are soft-baked rather than the hard pretzels.
The hard pretzels are made with sugar, which is another toxic ingredient to your parrot.
Pretzels are considered a carbohydrate which is important for a parrot’s balanced diet.
Birds have a similar nutritional requirement as humans.
Carbohydrates are the main provider of energy and help fuel their internal organs, brains and muscles to ensure that they’re able to function and work together properly.
Just note, carbohydrates should be used as a balanced diet and in moderate amounts.
Too many carbohydrates can cause obesity and increase blood sugar levels as the parrot’s body will produce more insulin.
Increasing insulin production is bad as these cells store fat in important arteries and reduces blood flow to vital areas.
Why Parrots Can’t Eat Salted Pretzels
As you’re aware from the above, parrots can’t eat salted pretzels.
They include the harmful ingredient of salt that has many negative effects on birds.
Birds have a huge similarity to a human’s balanced diet, just in smaller qualities.
If you constantly give your parrot salt it can be extremely toxic and can potentially kill them.
Even one salted pretzel could lead to insufficient fluid levels which can cause dehydration, kidney issues and ultimately death.
It’s important to know how to give your parrot a balanced diet, and it can depend on their age, size, sex and breed.
A balanced diet will include carbohydrates, proteins and natural fats and oils.
These diet requirements can be found in fresh fruit and vegetables, fruit and vegetable seeds, bird pellets, nuts and flowers, etc.
Before getting a parrot it’s beneficial to know exactly what diet you’ll need to put it on to keep it healthy.
It’ll cost you a lot less in vet bills and even better you’ll have a healthy parrot which will be a lot happier being your pet.
Pretzel Treats Made for Parrots
If your thinking about giving your parrot pretzels and your unsure of the long-term effects it may have on them, you can also buy pretzels made for parrots.
Just like bird food, but they replicate it into a pretzel shape.
The best parrot-safe pretzels on the market right now are made by Browns.
Browns specialize in animal food, and they’ve done a great job at making these pretzel-like treats for parrots.
They’re highly packed with great nutritional value for your birds and come in a multi-pack of four different flavors.
These four flavors include different berry tastes and have a bright instinctive coloring to them to make it more inviting for your parrot.
However, this still needs to remain in the right qualities for your parrot’s balanced diet.
It’s been noted on the feeding guide that it should be mixed into a daily diet as a special meal and must not exceed more than 20% of the diet.
Just like with any diet, if it’s not done correctly it can have long-term effects.
Negatives of Giving Your Parrots Pretzels
As you can see from the above, pretzels aren’t necessarily bad for parrots, and it’s the salt that can be toxic.
There are a lot of toxic foods that can be very dangerous to parrots and salt shouldn’t be the only ingredient you should watch out for.
Some fruits also can have some short and long-term effects on parrots.
Without further or due, what are the main negatives when it comes to feeding your parrot salt?
Disease
Giving too much salt to your parrot can lower their immune system and increase the chances of disease, these diseases include fatty liver disease.
Fatty liver disease is caused by obesity and an unhealthy diet that includes high levels of sugar or salt.
It one of the most common diseases found in parrots but something that can be easily avoided.
To decrease the chances of fatty liver disease, you’ll have to put your parrot on a strict diet and eliminated all fatty foods which include high levels of salt or sugar.
You’ll then have to replace these with natural fruits, seeds and pellets.
If your parrot needs additional care, the veterinarian will provide medications to increase fluid levels and decrease blood ammonia levels.
In the case, your parrot has to “mend” itself through these practices.
It’s fairly possible but requires a lot of care and attention.
You’ll have to be consistent with your diet plan and medication required to clear your parrot from any current and future diseases.
Your parrot may be dissatisfied to start with, but once it starts to feel the benefits of the diet you’re giving them the inclined the parrot will be to eat it.
Health
Salt can have a negative effect on the mental health of the parrot.
Eating salty foods like pretzels doesn’t only increase the chances of disease for your parrot, but it can rapidly turn them depressed on unsatisfied due to the lack of energy.
Parrots are a lot like us, we feel better and more motivated when we eat good fresh food.
Sitting there and eating 10 chocolate bars isn’t going to give you the same health benefits as eating a pasta salad nor make you feel as good.
Remember, this is the exact same for any birds just on a smaller scale.
Even the smallest amount of sugar and salt can cause your parrot to be demotivated.
If your parrot is showing a lack of interest in anything, not moving like they used to, change in feathers or isn’t breathing correctly then this may be signs of an unbalanced diet.
Unsure if it’s the unbalanced diet causing the issues or not?
I recommend seeking professional veterinary help, they’ll be able to suggest what the issue is and possibly give you a diet plan for your parrot.
However, on the other side of the spectrum.
If your parrot is showing signs of happiness by moving a lot, has clear bright eyes and body, feet and beak are looking strong and healthy.
These are all signs of a healthy parrot, and you should maintain the current diet they’re on.
Mobility
Following from the above, mobility is a massive issue when it comes to feeding your parrot salt.
Giving salt to a bird can increase fatigue and tiredness and eventually can demobilize them due to the lack of exercise the parrot partakes in.
This isn’t just caused by salt, but can also be caused by the lack of “energy” nutrients or also known as carbohydrates in the diet.
Moderately increasing the consumption of these nutrients will ensure your parrot has more energy.
Birds can die from exhaustion and unhealthy birds have an even higher chance of this.
It’s important to keep your parrot entertained, you can do this by changing their cage location or taking them out of the cage a few times a day.
This will decrease the chances of “boredom” and fatigue as the parrot will be refreshed by the new location.
Remember, how would you feel living in the same location without leaving?
Probably extremely bored and experience a decrease in energy.