FAQ: Treats for birds

Sugar or syrup is often used as a binder or to improve the taste. The more there is, the more calories the treat has, so such products should be given less often and in smaller amounts.

The analytical constituents show the percentage of protein, fat, fibre and ash. A high fat percentage means a calorie-rich treat, best given less often, especially to inactive birds or those prone to weight gain.

Some treats have added vitamins or minerals, but that does not make them a complete food or a supplement. If your bird already gets a vitamin supplement, ask a vet so the total amount is not too high.

Herbs such as camomile or dandelion in treats mostly add variety to taste and smell. They are not medicine and do not cure illness, so health problems need a vet.

Fruit pieces add variety, but dried fruit is sweet and high in calories, so such treats are not necessarily healthier. What matters more is the total amount and how often the treat is given.

Manufacturers use different seed mixes, binders and additives, and some products are made for a particular species, age or period, such as the moult. So it is worth comparing the ingredients, not just the name or the packaging.

The word ‘natural’ does not always mean the product contains no sugar, binders or other additives. Always read the full list of ingredients on the pack and compare it with similar treats.

Seed-eating birds husk their seeds, and the empty husks stay in the dish and can look like food. Blow or tip the husks out every day so you can see whether the bird really has something to eat.

It is a clip, spiral, basket or hook that fixes a treat, piece of fruit or greens to the cage bars. A holder stops the treat falling to the floor and getting soiled.

Stainless steel holders are usually safe and easy to clean. Avoid rusty, galvanised or peeling painted holders, as the bird chews them and can swallow harmful substances.

A hanging treat has to be reached, gripped and picked at, so the bird stays busy longer and moves more. The treat also does not get mixed in with the main food.

Holders that have held fresh fruit or vegetables should be washed daily, and those for dry treats at least once a week. Bacteria and mould grow quickly on damp leftovers.

Either works, but treats given in the cage help the bird see its cage as a pleasant place. On a play stand, treats are good for keeping the bird busy while it is supervised.

Many birds are cautious about new food, which is natural behaviour. Offer the new treat several times next to the usual food and show it is safe, for example by holding it in your palm or ‘tasting’ it in front of the bird.

Birds often pick out their favourite seeds and flick the rest away, and they also play by tossing food. If it happens all the time, reduce the amount of treats and offer ones that have to be husked or pulled out of a holder.

Cut treats right back or stop them for a while so the bird goes back to its usual food. Check every day that it is eating, and if it seems not to eat at all or grows weak, see a vet straight away, as small birds cannot survive long without food.

Sometimes a bird simply loses interest, or the treat has changed, for example got damp or gone rancid. But if the bird is eating less overall, sits fluffed up or its droppings change, it may be a sign of illness and needs a vet.

Some birds do not notice the block at first or are wary of it. Fix it next to a favourite perch, scrape a little powder onto the food or put a small piece in the food dish.

Yes, fatty or sweet treats given too often, especially to a bird that moves little, are one of the most common causes of obesity in pet birds. Obesity raises the risk of liver, joint and other health problems.

An overweight bird has a rounded chest, fat may show under the skin of the belly, and it tires more quickly when flying. A vet can judge it most accurately, and regular weighing on kitchen scales helps at home.