Bread is not usually something a pet owner would consider giving their animal. However, it is something that is always (or almost) in our homes. Are we missing a tasty treat for pets, or is it right to avoid this type of food? Let’s find out whether your little parakeet will benefit from it.
The answer is no. Parakeets should not eat bread. This is not a beneficial product for birds whatsoever. And while a tiny amount of it once in a while won’t harm a parrot, it should be treated as a, well, treat. So it’s best to avoid bread at all.
Overall, bread is not recommended to any animals. Despite what you will see in a regular park (meaning people feeding bread to ducks and a variety of other animals.) It certainly won’t kill a bird immediately, but the long-term effects pile up to problematic consequences. The main concern is the numerous digestive issues that come with regular bread consumption.
Why Is Bread Bad for Parakeet Parrots?
Parakeets, and parrots overall, would receive no benefits from eating bread. This is a type of precessed food digested well only by humans as our organisms are used to it.
Animals don’t have bread or any other processed products in nature. Thus, their digestive system is not adjusted to it. And this is where the main concern about bread comes from. As the dough and its ingredients sit in a parakeet’s belly, there is always a chance for indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and so on.
Luckily, parrots are social and vocal birds that stay what they want. So you just have to learn parrots’ ”signs” and habitual changes.
What Can Parakeets Eat? Full Diet Review
If you give your bird a piece of bread by mistake, the bird will be okay. But it’s better not to introduce bread as a regular treat.
Can Parrots Eat White Bread?
A parakeet can eat white bread and be fine at that time. However, it’s also better if the bread is roasted or toasted. Besides, all parrots love the crunchiness of baked foods. But, again, don’t make it a regular treat.
If it happens so that you can only give your parrot a piece of bread for the foreseeable future, it’s better to be plain with no potentially harmful additives. This is why plain white bread is the least harmful kind.
Can Parakeets Eat Brown Bread?
Brown bread is made with whole grain flour that is tougher on the pet’s digestion. Thus, it may bring more heaviness and bloat to your parrot. White bread is a bit better in this regard, but not by much.
If this is a plain and eco brown bread, you can be sure that no long-term ill effects will follow aside from the short-term digestive issues. These are not deadly to a parakeet!
Again, if you HAVE to choose, white bread is a bit better!
Do Parakeets Eat Breadcrumbs?
If offered, your parrot will eat breadcrumbs and probably even like them. Especially if they are already crunchy and dry. However, this is where comes an issue. Though it may be a teeny tiny percentage, but those crumbs can be tricky little devils and go the wrong way!
But there’s only a small chance of that happening.
What Can Parakeets Eat? Full Diet Review
Anyway, I’d advise enriching your parrot’s diet with better things, like seeds, nuts, and greens. Breadcrumbs bring no benefits aside from added carbs. And your parrot should receive enough of them from its standard diet. No need to heighten its chances of obesity!
In Conclusion
My position is to avoid breadcrumbs unless you are in a drastic situation and have no choice. There are many better snacks for a parakeet, e.g., hazelnuts, pineapple, all sorts of greens, etc. However, if it happens so that your parakeets eat a piece of bread, do not panic; nothing drastic will happen. Just pay close attention to the bird’s behavior.
Please, take care of your pet and don’t feed it unnecessary things just because you like a product.
