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List of food you should not give your lovebird

Giving your lovebird a proper diet  is important for their health and well being. It is therefore important to know what you should not give your lovebird to eat or drink.

Your lovebird’s digestive system is completely different than your own. Therefore, it cannot eat certain types of food. Some can even be toxic to your lovebird, like alcohol, chocolate and avocado.

Content

  1. Fruit and fruit seeds/pits that are toxic for a lovebird
  2. Vegetables you should not give your lovebird
  3. Avoid giving lovebirds the following spices
  4. Food that is best to avoid giving to lovebirds, but not as harmful
  5. Food that is harmful when not prepared correctly
  6. Fluids your lovebird should not drink
  7. Food ingredients to avoid giving your lovebird
  8. Other food that should be avoided

Fruit and fruit seeds/pits that are toxic for a lovebird

The seeds of some fruits contain substances (like cyanide) that are highly toxic for you lovebird. The fruit itself might still be fine for your lovebird to eat.

The following fruit seeds/pits should not be in your lovebird’s diet:

  • Apple seeds
  • Apricot pits
  • Cherry pits
  • Nectarine pits
  • Peach pits
  • Pear seeds
  • Plum pits

The following fruit shouldn’t be given to your lovebird:

  • Avocado

Vegetables you should not give your lovebird

Vegetables should be on your lovebird’s menu every day. However, don’t give your lovebird the following vegetables in any shape or form (raw, cooked or dehydrated). They might cause upset stomach, food poisoning, liver failure, anemia and more.

  • Eggplant (Aubergine)
  • Cabbage
  • Kale
  • Leek
  • Mushrooms (any kind)
  • Rhubarb
  • Onions

The leaves, stems and vines of the plants in the nightshade family are also very toxic for your lovebird. Vegetables such as potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and eggplants fall under this group. Never give your lovebird the leaves, stems and vines of these plants.

Avoid giving lovebirds the following spices

We love to spice up our food. While there are many spices that are safe for your lovebird to eat, there are a few you should avoid.

  • Chives
  • Garlic
  • Salt/sodium. This includes salted chips, popcorn, pretzels etc. Salt upsets your lovebird’s fluid system. It can cause dehydration, kidney failure and death.

Food that is best to avoid giving to lovebirds, but not as harmful

Not all food is deadly to your lovebird. Maybe your lovebird managed to get some of it by sneaking it off your plate. It’s not that bad in that case, but avoid feeding them the following:

  • Dairy products with milk (cheeses, milk, yogurt, butter, etc.), your lovebird is lactose intolerant.
  • Peanuts

Food that is harmful when not prepared correctly

Some food is harmful to give to your lovebird unless you remove part of it or cook it first.

  • Celery, remove the stringy stems
  • Raw dried beans, cook them first.
  • Sweet potatoes, cook them first.
  • Tomato, when cooked properly, the acid is gone, and your lovebird can eat some of it in moderation.

Fluids your lovebird should not drink

Wild lovebirds only drink plain water. As a pet, we might want to give them something else than only plain boring water. But you should avoid the following fluids to make sure your lovebird doesn’t get sick.

  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Caffeinated drinks (this includes coffee, tea and energy drinks)
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Chocolate milk
  • Milk
  • Soft drinks
Don't give your lovebird these liquids; tea, coffee, milk and coca cola.

Food ingredients to avoid giving your lovebird

Sometimes it’s the ingredients that should be avoided. Read the labels to find out if the food you are about to give your lovebird contains any of the following.

  • Artificial coloring
  • Artificial flavoring
  • High fat food
  • Preservatives
  • Sugar
  • Xylitol (artificial sweetener, used in gum or sugarless food)

Other food that should be avoided

  • Chocolate/Cacao
  • Fried food
  • Meat