Q: What is the healthiest diet for an African Grey?
A: A few things to remember about your parrot’s diet – firstly, many bird owners don’t know that seeds can be harmful to their parrots, and that feeding only seeds can create an imbalance in their diet. Giving your bird a high-quality pellet should give him the right ratio of carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals needed to maintain a healthy body. Feeding fresh fruit and vegetables is also good for your parrot, but 60% of their food intake must be a balanced diet in the form of pellets. We are lucky to have quite a few balanced diets available in South Africa. Check the labels to make sure you buy a product that has good nutritional value.
Also, there are a few things your parrot should definitely stay away from. Please avoid avocado, too much salt, anything that contains too much fat (meat, seeds, nuts and the like), caffeine, chocolate and alcohol. Follow these guidelines and you should have a happy, healthy parrot!
Dr Deon de Beer, veterinarian
