If you own a lovebird, you know how tricky it can be for any beginner to feed them. While there’s no doubt that they make lovely little pets, lovebirds don’t always know what’s good for them. This means they’ll gobble up whatever you place in front of them, which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to watch their diet.
So, on account of their diet, can lovebirds eat mealworms? The answer is yes, and there’s no need to worry. Lovebirds are omnivores, with their diets consisting of birdseed, formula, and the occasional insect larvae in the wild. But while mealworms are a good source of protein and energy, they should only make up a fraction of your lovebird’s overall diet.
Keep reading if you’d like to learn more about mealworms and what they can do for your pet.
Why Feed Mealworms?
If your bird’s diet already consists of a healthy mix of birdseed and formula (good job, by the way), then you might be wondering why you need to add mealworms.
The truth is, you don’t, as mealworms are only an option like most fruits and vegetables. But like most fruits and vegetables, properly adding mealworms to your pet’s diet will add many health benefits that will help maintain optimal health.
Furthermore, mealworms will provide variety, an essential aspect of any bird diet. Lovebirds are omnivorous birds that thrive on eating different types of food in the wild, so doing the same for domestic lovebirds is always recommended.
As the larval form of mealworm beetles (found across North America), mealworms are a rich source of protein, as well as a few other vitamins and nutrients that your pet will benefit from.
On top of that, mealworms are also readily available and affordable and are sold either fresh or freeze-dried to increase their shelf span.
That said, it’s essential not to just add mealworms to your pet’s diet. Before doing so, it’s always a good idea to ease them into it.
Of course, it would be helpful to know that every lovebird has its food preferences, so yours might end up loving mealworms or rejecting them altogether.
Hence, the importance of slow experimentation when introducing a new type of food.
Slow and steady is also the general rule for feeding something new, as too many mealworms can harm your pet’s well-being.
What are the Advantages of Feeding Mealworms to Your Lovebird?
As larvae, mealworms may not always look delightful or particularly healthy. However, they are still full of nutrients and health benefits, and here are some of the most notable ones your pet can get:
- Protein – Of course, like most insects, mealworms are a rich source of protein, which your lovebird can benefit from. With enough protein, your pet should build plenty of strong muscles and tissue while maintaining their energy for all-day chirping and flying.
- Potassium – Mealworms are also a great potassium source, which helps in water retention, reduced blood pressure, stroke protection, and of course, healthier and stronger kidneys.
- Magnesium – There’s also magnesium found in mealworms, which are instrumental in helping keep your bird’s brain, nerve, and reproductive organs operating in optimal shape. It also helps in a few other bodily functions.
- Iron – Lastly, mealworms contain iron, which ensures your pet lovebird doesn’t suffer from any form of anemia. Aside from that, it also helps the blood carry oxygen, and it’s important in the manufacturing of hemoglobin.
Other than that, mealworms also contain a few other vitamins. This includes:
- B-vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B7, B9)
- Choline
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin D
As you can see, mealworms add a ton of nutritional value for lovebirds, all without costing an arm and a leg.
How Many Mealworms Should Your Lovebird Eat?
Follow the “less is more” when feeding mealworms to lovebirds for the best health results. While mealworms are healthy, too much of any good thing can be harmful.
As such, limit mealworms in your pet’s diet to about 1-3 times per week and only on small servings. Then, fill the rest with pellets and birdseed, with the occasional fresh fruit or vegetable.
Generally, allot around 15% of your pet’s diet for mealworms. This percentage should be smaller if this is your first time feeding mealworms to your pet. By doing so, you can observe more easily whether your pet will like mealworms or not.
Refraining from overfeeding will also ensure your pet has room for other types of healthy food.
As for how to feed mealworms, you can go live or dried. Live mealworms are more appealing for birds, but they’re often more expensive and don’t have a long shelf life.
On the other hand, dried mealworms are easier to keep, cheaper, and readily available. However, some love birds may only prefer eating live ones, so experiment to find which type your pet likes more.
Are there Downsides to Feeding Mealworms?
Now that you already know the benefits of feeding mealworms to pets, let’s briefly tackle some downsides to keep in mind.
First off, too many mealworms can lead to a few health problems. While none of these are critical, it’s better to always keep your lovebird’s health in its optimal state.
Second, mealworms can be contaminated, so buying high-quality mealworms from a trusted supplier is essential. If you can’t find one locally, try to find one online.
Follow these steps to ensure your lovebird always remains healthy and happy.
Related Questions
Can lovebirds eat dried mealworms? Of course! Dried mealworms are often cheaper and easier to purchase, not to mention having a longer shelf-life. That said, some love birds prefer live mealworms, so experiment with your pet first.
Are there any good mealworm alternatives? If you can’t find mealworms, you can also try alternatives like Morio worms, buffalo worms, waxworms, and calci worms. All of these are healthy and safe for lovebirds.
What foods to avoid if you own a lovebird? Caffeine, chocolate, sugary sweets, avocados, and most fruit seeds and pits are a no-no for lovebirds. To have a better idea, make sure you ask your local vet or do your own research.
Final Thoughts
As bird owners, it’s your responsibility to keep your pet healthy, happy, and chirpy. Luckily, mealworms can help you get there, as long as you don’t go overboard and mix it with other types of healthy food.
Happy bird-keeping!
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