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Parrots, like many birds, enjoy a variety of seeds and nuts in their diet. They will even snack on fruit and vegetables. Wild birds greatly benefit from the fats found in nuts to help them through the winter. Birds that are kept as pets also benefit from the proteins and nutrients that are found in nuts. But exactly which types of nuts can parrots eat?
Since nuts can be expensive, parrot owners may grab a bag of peanuts to give to their bird because they are not as costly as almonds or walnuts.
But can parrots eat peanuts? Shelled raw or roasted peanuts are safe for parrots. However, there are some considerations that need to be thought about before giving your parrots peanuts of any kind. This article goes over information and tips about how to safely feed your parrot peanuts.
Peanuts in a Nutshell
Peanuts, sometimes known as groundnuts, are not nuts. Instead, they are legumes that originated from South America. In the United States, peanuts are commonly consumed as peanut butter or roasted. Peanut products are found in a variety of things, such as cakes, cookies, and sauces.
Peanut oil is also a popular fat used in cooking. Peanuts are high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, but they are also high in fat. For that reason, humans should consume peanuts in moderation even though there are health benefits.
Parrots and Peanuts: Pros & Cons
Pros
Peanuts are nutrient-dense, and as far as nuts/legumes are concerned, they don’t have a terrible nutritional profile. For instance, they are “only” around 43% fat 1, which, while not ideal, is definitely better than something like pecans (which contain over 70% fat).2
They also contain a good protein profile and offer other health benefits in the form of certain vitamins and minerals. However, given how nuts shouldn’t constitute the majority of a parrot’s diet, these additional benefits are somewhat marginalized in the grand scheme of things.
Cons
Peanuts are not without their fair share of drawbacks. For starters, their fat profile is not conducive for the long-term health of a parrot, despite the fact that they are lower in fat than some other nuts.
Peanut shells are highly prone to harboring different molds. The most concerning of these molds are Aspergillus sp. These molds can produce toxins (known as aflatoxins) which can be detrimental to a parrot. Aflatoxins are also a causative agent of various cancers in humans. Though such a link hasn’t been established in pet parrots, it does nonetheless warrant extreme caution.
Though shelling a peanut will be beneficial, peanuts themselves go rancid quite rapidly, and therefore, aren’t always risk-free. As such, you should only offer your parrot the freshest of peanuts, shelled, in moderation to ensure that they offer minimal amounts of risks to your pet.
Should You Choose Raw or Roasted Peanuts?
Roasted peanuts were thought to have a lesser chance of having aflatoxin growing on them, but this is not the case. If the peanuts (roasted or raw) are safe for human consumption and stored properly, they are deemed safe to feed to your parrot in moderation. It is worth noting that roasted peanuts have a slightly different nutritional profile than raw peanuts.
Some parrots like the raw peanuts, while others like the roasted kind. Get both types and see which one your parrot prefers.
Avoid Added Ingredients
You want to check the added ingredients if selecting roasted peanuts. Avoid peanuts that have added salt, sugars, or spices. Those additions are not beneficial for your parrot overall.
Can Parrots Eat Peanut Shells?
As mentioned earlier, you should remove the shell from the peanuts before feeding them to your parrot. While it may seem like a good idea to give your parrot a small challenge opening the nut, the shell of the peanut often has the most aflatoxin (if microscopic mold has started to grow).
Even if your peanuts are fresh and properly sealed, remove the shell and discard it.
How Many Peanuts Should You Give Your Parrot?
As for the number of peanuts you should give, that depends on your parrot. For an active adult parrot, 2-3 peanuts per day is a reasonable amount. However, we strongly encourage you to reach out to your avian veterinarian to get a better estimation of how many peanuts you should offer your pet (if any). Keep in mind that peanuts may not be appropriate for all parrots.
What About Peanut Butter?
Yes, pure peanut butter is safe to feed your parrot. But the rules for safely giving peanuts to your pet must apply to peanut butter also. Limit the amount of peanut butter to half a teaspoon (or even less) sparingly during the week. Make sure the peanut butter is safe for human consumption, has not expired, and has been stored properly.
The FDA tests peanuts and peanut butter manufactured by major brands for aflatoxin before going to stores. Smaller companies might not do those tests, so always buy major brands of peanut butter that are natural (no added salt, sugar, or flavors).
Final Thoughts
While you can feed your parrot peanuts, certain precautions must be adhered to. Peanuts have proteins and nutrients that are beneficial for parrots, but people are often concerned with the risk of aflatoxins in peanuts or peanut butter. There is also the concern for added salts and sugars in peanuts. Some bird owners are also concerned about the higher fat content in these legumes.
These are all valid concerns; however, this does not mean it is impossible to feed your parrot peanuts. As a responsible bird owner, you just need to take some extra steps to ensure that the peanuts are safe to eat. Remember that high-quality peanuts in their natural state are an excellent treat for your bird. Give your parrot a peanut or two to try out. They might love them!
Next on your reading list:
- Can Parrots Eat Mushrooms? Vet-Reviewed Explanation, Precautions & Alternatives
- Can Parrots Eat Grapes? What You Need to Know
Featured Image Credit: congerdesign, Pixabay
