Most people know that seeds are good for birds. In the wild, seeds form a natural part of their diet and help them meet their nutritional needs. However, when it comes to domesticated birds, it’s important to note that just because it’s a seed doesn’t automatically mean it’s suitable for your pet.
On that note, can your parrot eat sesame seeds? The answer is yes. Sesame seeds are great for birds thanks to their nutritional content and taste. That said, sesame seeds should only be fed in moderation. One great benefit of sesame seeds is that they contain essential fatty acids.
Keep reading to learn more about sesame seeds, their benefits to your bird, why moderation is essential, and everything in between.
Can Parrots Eat Sesame Seeds?
Part of caring for a pet bird means providing them with a balanced diet that would help them meet their nutritional needs.
Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. After all, parrots don’t always know what’s good for them and aren’t choosy eaters, to begin with. This makes it easier to feed them food that’s not good for them.
So, if your bird is eating sesame seeds, which category do these seeds fall under? Well, sesame seeds are not only on the good side but also on the nutritious side. Wild parrots eat all sorts of seeds as part of their diet, and the sesame seed helps fill this gap for domestic birds.
Commercial sesame seeds sold in supermarkets are often the perfect munching size for parrots and are an excellent way to keep them engaged and occupied in their cages. Adding sesame seeds also introduces variety, which is always a good thing.
However, this doesn’t mean that your parrot should follow a seed-only diet, especially one made of sesame seeds. If you’re looking to make sure that your parrot stays healthy, there are certain reminders you must follow to include sesame seeds in its diet.
What are the Benefits of Feeding Sesame Seeds to Parrots?
Besides being tasty and perfect for parrots to munch on, sesame seeds also contain several nutrients essential to the avian diet.
For one thing, sesame seeds are exceptionally high in fiber, ensuring their digestive system stays normal. In addition, fiber helps reduce the risk of digestive issues while stopping your bird from overeating.
Furthermore, these seeds are also a good source of calcium, which can help your pet parrot maintain their strong bones to prevent osteoporosis later in life. It also helps form healthy eggshells for parent parrots.
Also, sesame seeds contain tons of protein, a nutrient that gives your parrot enough energy to stay chatty, chirpy, and active. Lack of protein can lead to a weakened immune system, as well as laziness.
Of course, sesame seeds are also high in omega-6 fatty acids, healthy fats that keep your parrot’s cardiovascular system strong, pumping, and healthy.
Lastly, sesame seeds contain manganese and magnesium, which help grow healthy feathers and strong muscles.
As you can see, such a small package has plenty of benefits, which is why sesame seeds are a favorite among parrot owners.
How to Feed Sesame Seeds to Parrots?
Since parrots already love sesame seeds, feeding them to your pet should be easy and straightforward.
That said, there are a few things you can do to shake it up and keep things fresh for your pet. One of these is mixing the seeds with a variety of other seeds. You can also hand-feed your parrot or treat the seeds as a reward.
Keep in mind that sesame seeds should only be served raw. This means avoiding roasting, soaking, baking, or boiling sesame seeds before feeding them to your parrot. This is because doing so only reduces the number of helpful nutrients. It might even introduce some unnecessary ingredients.
So, to keep it healthy, serve the sesame seeds as is, and you should be good to go.
How Much Sesame Seeds Should Your Parrot Eat?
While sesame seeds are nutritious and are a favorite snack enjoyed by domestic birds, it’s essential to keep in mind that they should make up a small part of your pet’s diet.
This is for a variety of reasons. For starters, sesame seeds don’t have enough nutrients to fulfill your pet’s needs, and feeding many of them means there will be no more room for other healthy foods.
Second, sesame seeds have a high fat content. This is because sesame seeds are oil seeds. So, while fat is essential for a budgie’s diet, too much of it on a regular meal can lead to obesity and other health complications. However, it’s important to note that this makes sesame seeds ideal for underweight birds, although it’s best to ask your vet about it first.
Lastly, sesame seeds contain properties known as phytates and oxalates, colloquially known as “anti-nutrients,” as they inhibit your pet’s body from absorbing nutrients. Luckily, this only happens when sesame seeds are consumed in large amounts, making your bird sluggish and prone to disease.
As such, keeping sesame seed feeding to twice a week (or as an occasional treat) should work best for your parrot. Instead, fill that diet up with healthier seeds and nutrient-rich formula.
Related Questions
How many sesame seeds should your parrot eat? Ideally, you should keep sesame seed feedings to only twice a week. If this is still too much, treat the seeds as an occasional treat, you can hand-feed to your pet parrot.
What other seeds can your parrot enjoy? There are plenty of good seeds that your parrot can enjoy. Some of the best examples include pumpkin seeds, corn, thistle, pine tree seeds, millet, flaxseed, chia seeds, millet, and canary grass. Both sunflower and safflower seeds are good, but they’re also high in fat.
What seeds should your parrot avoid? Unfortunately, some seeds shouldn’t be fed to parrots. This includes apple seeds, cherry pits, plum seeds, pear seeds, apricot pits, and peach pits.
Final Thoughts
Sesame seeds make for a nutritious snack that your parrot can enjoy while benefiting from their nutritional content. However, feeding sesame seeds in moderation is vital to maximize their health benefits and avoid health repercussions.
As long as you’re keeping these in mind, then your parrot will stay healthy and happy.
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