Here’s the issue, though: budgie owners tend to be inquisitive types when it comes to their pets’ food.
They want their feathered friend to sample human cuisine so that they can increase their dietary variety.
You are reading: Can Parakeets Eat Peanuts
The problem is that budgies can’t eat everything that humans can. The avian digestive system isn’t very similar to the mammalian digestive system.
Here’s the scoop for anyone who’s ever wondered if their budgie can munch on peanuts.
If you want to know the answer to the question Budgies: Do they like peanuts?
In sum, peanuts of good quality and long storage life are safe for Budgie consumption.
Unfortunately, birds can be poisoned by a naturally occurring toxin found in peanuts called Aflatoxin.
Calm down, keep reading, and you’ll learn how to give a peanut to your budgie without harming it.
Peanuts And Aflatoxin
Did you know that every bird possesses a second stomach?
That goes for your sweet budgie as well.
The proventriculus, or glandular stomach, is the primary digestive organ, while the gizzard, the secondary digestive organ, is the third.
That’s pretty cool, right?
Since they lack teeth for mastication (chewing), birds rely on these two stomachs to assist in the digestion of their food.
But the risk with peanuts isn’t that your bird won’t be able to digest them.
Wild budgies, as you may recall, thrive on a diet of various seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
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Aflatoxin is a mycotoxin that is created by a mold, according to Donna Muscarella, Ph.D., of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Cornell University’s Veterinary Medical Center (of the fungi aspergillus variety).
Cereals, grains, and peanuts are all susceptible to contamination from this mold if kept in conditions that promote growth: wet, dark, and warm.
More frightening still is this.
Aflatoxin is highly lethal for both animals and humans.
It’s a potent liver toxin, and birds can be super-susceptible to its toxicity – even in the smallest concentrations.
Numerous bird deaths have been attributed to the consumption of moldy peanuts or grains.
In humans and birds, low-level exposure to aflatoxin can induce disorders including liver cancer.
This is due to the fact that aflatoxin is a highly effective carcinogen.
Talk about a double whammy.
We know what you’re thinking: if peanuts are so dangerous, why are they still widely produced and consumed around the world?
It’s not the peanuts themselves that are the problem, but rather the inefficient storage methods that encourage mold growth and, consequently, aflatoxin production.
To prevent this, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) conducts thorough tests on domestically farmed grains and harvests for aflatoxin-producing mold.
If you’re interested in providing peanuts to your budgie but are unsure of the proper procedure or want to guarantee the safety of your pet, read on!
Keep reading to learn more.
How To Feed Your Budgie Peanuts Safely?
We hope we haven’t put you off peanuts for life because there are undoubtedly many ways to ensuring the peanuts you purchase for your budgie (and yourself) are high-quality and aflatoxin-free.
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Here’s how
- Buy Only The Best-Quality Peanuts
We agree that eating organic is the best choice for our health.
But, when it comes to peanuts, you may want to stick to the big firms, even if the peanuts are not organically cultivated.
That’s because major peanut growers and processors do frequent checks for aflatoxin levels to verify compliance with USDA regulations.
You can find growers who strictly adhere to USDA requirements for organic peanut production by doing a quick Google search.
On top of that, even if these businesses aren’t in your immediate area, they probably still want to deliver to your house.
- Get Your Peanut Products From A Reputable Commercial Brand
If you’re considering of giving your budgie peanut goods like peanut butter instead of raw peanuts, we recommend sticking with a well-known commercial brand for the same reason we suggested buying peanuts in bulk from a commercial grower.
Large corporations are less likely to break the regulations when it comes to USDA requirements because their procedures are constantly being monitored and checked.
- Feed Your Budgie Unsalted Peanuts
Birds can die from eating too much salt, especially in large quantities (according to the size of your budgie, not yours).
Dehydration is another potential side effect.
That’s why it’s best to err on the side of caution and not give your feathered friend any salted peanuts.
Wrapping It Up
So, there you have it, guys.
We’ve outlined all you need to know about giving peanuts to your budgie.
A word of caution, though: don’t overindulge your pet with this tasty gift or you risk neglecting its nutritional requirements.
Before we say goodbye, here’s one more piece of advice from the experts: always shell the peanuts you want to give your parakeet, and always slice the nuts down to bite-size pieces to eliminate choking dangers.
Source: https://petstutorial.com
Category: Birds
