Can Cockatiels Eat Tomatoes: Vet Answer!

Why Are Tomatoes Considered Unsafe for Cockatiels?

Tomatoes are not harmful to cockatiels, thus they will not be poisoned if they consume this fruit. Some individuals refrain from feeding tomatoes to their birds because tomatoes are quite acidic. The citric acid in tomatoes can cause iron storage disease in birds by binding to iron in their bodies.

This illness causes breathing difficulties, an enlarged belly, and paralysis in birds. Too many tomatoes can also cause stomach ulcers in cockatiels. Hence, while feeding your bird an occasional tomato may not be instantly harmful, you should avoid giving them too much of this food.

If you prefer to feed it to your cockatiel, serve it in little amounts mixed with other foods. Furthermore, they should not be fed tomatoes too frequently.

Those who have fed tomatoes to their birds without incident claim that it is entirely safe to do so. However, because there is even the smallest reason to avoid feeding tomatoes to your cockatiel, it is preferable to restrict this fruit or avoid it completely.

Green Tomatoes

There is a possibility that green tomatoes are more acidic than red, mature tomatoes. Because of this, we recommend offering your bird only one or two bites of green tomatoes, if any at all.

Leaves and Stems of Tomato Plants

Tomatoes belong to the family of nightshade plants. These plants’ fruit may be safe for birds to consume. Nevertheless, neither the leaves nor the stems are. Your cockatiel should not be permitted to consume these tomato plant pieces. They contain solanine, which can make your bird sick.

Are Any Tomatoes Okay for My Bird?

If you do not want your cockatiel to miss out on tomatoes, the safest option to offer them is in dried form. Tomatoes that have been dried lose the majority of their acidity, making them safer for your bird to consume.

Unfortunately, this causes them to be chewy. Tomatoes that have been dried are significantly tougher than fresh tomatoes. Cutting dried tomatoes into little pieces will make them easier for your bird to chew and digest.

What Fruits and Vegetables Can Cockatiels Safely Eat?

20-25% of your cockatiel’s daily diet should consist of fruits, veggies, and leafy greens. The following fruits and vegetables may be safely combined in your bird’s diet:

• Apples
• Bananas
• Coconut
• Dates
• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Melon
• Pears
• Raspberries
• Asparagus
• Cooked beans
• Carrots
• Corn
• Cucumber
• Pumpkin
• Sweet potatoes (cooked)

In addition to these meals, the bulk of your cockatiel’s diet should consist of pellets that give full nutrition. If you prefer not to feed your bird tomatoes, they won’t be missing out on anything with all these wonderful alternatives.

Fruits and Vegetables That Cockatiels Should Not Eat

You are responsible for excluding tomatoes from your cockatiel’s diet. Ensure to feed them only a small amount of this fruit if you allow them to indulge.

But, you must avoid feeding your bird the following fruits and vegetables since they are toxic:

• Eggplant
• Cabbage
• Raw Potato
• Rhubarb (including the leaves)
• Avocado

Moreover, you should never consume chocolate, wine, tea, coffee, caffeine, milk, cream, or any portion of houseplants. If you are unsure about what to feed your bird, you should always visit a veterinarian before assuming that the food is safe.

Conclusion

As explained in “Can Cockatiels Eat Tomatoes: Vet Answer!” by BestForPets (bestforpets.org), tomatoes themselves may not be hazardous to your cockatiel, but the plant’s stem and leaves are.

Because to their high acid content, tomatoes should be served seldom and in tiny amounts to your bird. Dried tomatoes are the safest option for your cockatiel, but they must be finely diced because birds may have trouble chewing them.

Feeding your cockatiel with a variety of fruits and vegetables every day can prevent them from becoming bored. If you choose not to give them tomatoes, you will still be able to provide them with a variety of alternatives.