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Celery is a vegetable that is considered a healthy food option for humans. Its ease of accessibility and typically low cost may have made you wonder if it could be a menu item for your parrot. So, is celery safe for your parrot? The short answer is yes, celery is safe for parrots to eat. Celery is also considered a healthy option for parrots, and can aid in weight-management.
Can Parrots Eat Celery?
Yes, parrots can eat celery stalks, celery seeds, and even celery juice. However, it’s best to remove the leaves before offering celery to your parrot.
Celery is a safe food option to offer to your parrot. It is not toxic to parrots, but it is important to wash it thoroughly before feeding it to your parrot. Commercially available celery has potentially come into contact with pesticides and bacteria, so feeding it raw and unwashed to your parrot can result in illnesses. Birds in particular can be sensitive to harsh chemicals, so while eating unwashed celery from time to time is unlikely to harm you, it could harm your parrot if something bad is on the surface.
Is Celery Good for Parrots?
Celery can be a healthy part of a varied diet for your parrot. It’s low in calories, coming in around 14 calories for a cup of chopped celery. It’s low in protein, fat, sugar, and sodium, and contains around 1.6 grams of fiber. It’s a good source of antioxidants, which help support immunity. It’s a good source of potassium, vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, iron, and magnesium. On top of all that, celery is made up of around 95% water, making it a good source of hydration and satiety without adding a significant number of calories, but too much can lead to diarrhea.
Though the vitamin C in celery is touted for its health benefits for us, this appeal is largely irrelevant for parrots because they can make their own vitamin C. Nonetheless, supplementing their diet with some vitamin C isn’t going to cause them harm. A parrot that is unwell may also benefit from the inclusion of vitamin C in their diet.
What Should I Be Aware of Before Feeding Celery to My Parrot?
As mentioned earlier, the primary concern with celery is if you don’t wash it properly. Unseen substances, such as pesticides, the eggs of some parasites, or any other form of debris, can potentially be problematic for your parrot’s health.
The best way to prepare celery for your parrot is to thoroughly wash it first and ensure you only offer them fresh celery. As a rule, if you wouldn’t eat it, your parrot shouldn’t either!
The other thing to be aware of is that many parrots enjoy indulging in celery, probably because of its crunchy texture. However, the vegetable is almost entirely water and, if eaten in excess, can lead to digestive distress (which often manifests in the form of loose droppings).
How Much Celery Can I Feed My Parrot?
Like most things, parrots should eat celery in moderation. It can be part of a rotation of fruits and veggies in your parrot’s daily diet. Since it’s low in calories, fat, and protein, it should not be fed exclusively.
Other fruits and veggies that provide more calories, fat, and protein should be offered alongside celery. Some parrots will be indifferent to celery, choosing instead to eat tastier foods first or ignoring it altogether. Other parrots enjoy the crunchiness and texture that celery provides.
Are There Better Options to Give My Parrot?
There are lots of options you can try with your parrot. For example, citrus fruits and kiwi are excellent sources of vitamin C. Peas are a good source of fiber, and shelled peas lack the fibrous materials found in pea pods. Dark leafy greens, carrots, peppers, and sweet potatoes are great sources of vitamin A. Leafy greens, like kale and collard greens, are high in vitamin K, and bananas are known for their potassium content. Okra, artichoke, and zucchini can all provide a similar crunch to celery.
Keep in mind that variety is crucial for a parrot’s diet as far as vegetables are concerned. Instead of offering them just celery (or just any other single vegetable), consider offering them a salad with several options.
Conclusion
Celery can be an interesting food option to add into the fresh food rotation for your parrot. Make sure you are properly preparing it before offering it to your parrot, though. Though very low in calories and a favorite for many parrots (in part due to its crunchy texture), celery is mostly water and doesn’t offer much in the way of meaningful nutrition. As such, it should be offered to them in moderation and as part of a salad rather than a standalone vegetable.
Related Reads:
- Do Parrots Make Great Pets? Guidance, Facts & FAQs
- 11 Parrot Myths & Misconceptions You Should Know About
Featured Image Credit: ptanpm, Pixabay
