A parrots diet needs to be well balanced and full of quality vitamins and minerals to ensure they have a long healthy life. Foods like pellet mixes, fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts along with some snacks thrown in now and again to treat them. Fish is a food I often get asked about from parrot owners who are unsure if their birds can eat it. Let’s find out.
Can parrots eat salmon? Yes parrots can eat salmon it’s one of the healthiest fish options available for parrots to eat. Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, protein, potassium, selenium and it’s full of B vitamins. These things work together to make salmon a safe option to add into your parrots diet. However feed it in moderation as salmon among other seafood is high in heavy metals isn’t good for parrots.
In this article I’ll explain how salmon can benefit parrots, any risks it proposes and some other things you need to be aware of so read on!
Salmon Benefits For Parrots
We know salmon is good for our parrots, but just how good is it? Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional content.
3 ounces (85g) of raw, wild Atlantic salmon contains :
| Calories | 121 |
| Protein | 17g |
| Carbs | 0g |
| Fat | 5.4g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Fiber | 0g |
Full Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Salmon and fish in general are high in omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are essential to get from diet as your parrots body cannot naturally produce them.
Omega-3 fatty acids come with an array of health benefits like the ability to reduce inflammation, reducing the chances of getting cancer, lowering blood pressure and improving cell function.
Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish like mackerel and tuna, along with nuts and seeds providing a healthy dose.
Protein
Salmon also contains a high amount of protein with there being 17 grams in just 85 grams of salmon. Parrots need protein in their diet to build and repair muscle, without an adequate amount they would become very weak and it would show in their appearance.
It’s also needed for :
- Healing wounds
- Protecting the immune system
- Maintaining healthy skin, bones, feathers and organs
- Aids in metabolism
If you want some alternative sources of protein then eggs, meat, fish, beans and whole grain breads are all safe for parrots to have.
Potassium
Potassium is required for the creation of bones and muscles. It regulates the following with the help of sodium:
- Contractions of the muscles
- Nerve impulses
- Balance of fluids
Another benefit of potassium is that it helps to avoid anemia. Potassium also aids in the clotting of blood.
Selenium
The immune system of your parrot requires selenium, a trace mineral.
Selenium is also an antioxidant, a substance that shields cells from harm caused by free radicals. These are unstable atoms that play a role in diseases associated with ageing, such as cancer.
Selenium also improves cognitive function and is good for the heart and circulatory system. Spinach, lentils, cashew nuts, and bananas all contain selenium.
High In B Vitamins
Lastly, salmon is an excellent source of B vitamins. There are eight B vitamins in total and salmon contains seven of them.
B vitamins are needed in your parrots diet for converting food into well needed energy, reducing inflammation, helping with genetic makeup and many more things.
Which Type Of Salmon Is Best For Your Parrot?
Not all salmon is equal and some types are a lot healthier than others. There are two main types of salmon, Atlantic vs Pacific.
Both kind of salmon live in regions around the USA however any Atlantic salmon you’ll find at the store will likely come from a farm.
Atlantic salmon is now endangered due to the population decreasing therefore catching it is now forbidden.
The main difference between salmon is how the fish is raised, with this this influencing the nutrition. Both farmed and wild salmon are high in omega-3 fatty acids however farmed salmon has higher levels of unhealthy saturated fats compared to wild-caught salmon.
How To Prepare Salmon For Parrots
You want to prepare salmon as organic as possible without the addition of oil or seasoning. For humans this can be okay as it provides additional flavor but for parrots it can cause adverse health effects.
The healthiest way to prepare salmon for you parrot is to wrap it in tinfoil and cook it in the oven and serve with some vegetables that they enjoy.
What Other Foods Can Your Parrot Eat?
You know salmon is safe for your parrot to eat but if you’re like me then your always looking for new foods to improve your parrots diet to create some variety and and include vital things that aren’t already in your birds diet.
So what other foods can your parrot eat?
- Fruit & Vegetables
Foods like asparagus, broccoli, carrots, peppers, bananas, blueberries and pineapples are all fine and encouraged for your parrot to eat.
- Nuts
Things like almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios and walnuts can be fed to your parrot. Just be wary of the fat content in some of them so they may need to be treated as a snack for your parrot. We don’t want them getting fat!
Salmon For Parrots – Final Thoughts
It’s good news for your parrot, salmon can safely be added to their diet every now and again. Salmon is full of protein, healthy fats and other nutrients they can benefit from. It shouldn’t feature too heavily as you should stick to feeding them pelleted foods, fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts. Fish is typically high in heavy metals like mercury than can harm your parrot in large amounts so feed it sparingly.
I hope your parrot enjoys this fishy new treat!