Can Budgies Eat Oranges? ( Avian Vet Reviewed)
Last Updated on December 27, 2023 by Ali Shahid
Since oranges are a common fruit around the world, many people wonder whether oranges are safe for budgies. In terms of budgies’ diet, it is safe to be cautious since toxic foods can cause harm to our beloved pets. So, can budgies eat oranges? Yes, budgies can eat oranges, including the flesh, peel (properly washed and free of pesticides), and seeds, provided it is done in moderation and about once or twice every week. When consumed in high amounts, it may be too much for budgies to digest properly, resulting in diarrhea.
Orange is a good source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It boosts budgies’ immune systems. In addition, budgies should only be given fresh orange juice. Orange juice has a high vitamin C content, but store-bought fruit juice is high in sugar, artificial colors, and preservatives.
However, it’s crucial to exercise caution when considering feeding your budgie trifoliate orange, also known by various names like Japanese bitter orange, Chinese bitter orange, or hardy orange. This fruit is not suitable for all parrots, including budgies, as every part of it contains toxins that can harm them.
Consequently, it’s essential to refrain from offering trifoliate oranges to your budgie to ensure its well-being. Always prioritize understanding the dietary requirements and potential hazards associated with specific foods before introducing them to your pet bird’s diet.
Nutritional Facts of Oranges
Based on nutrition data, oranges contain the following macronutrients per 100 grams:
- 47 calories
- 87% water
- 0.1 grams of fat
- 9.4 grams of sugar
- 2.4 grams of fiber
- 11.8 grams of carbs
- 9 grams of protein
Health Benefits of Oranges for Budgies
In moderation, oranges provide several health benefits, which are described below.
Vitamin C
Budgies need vitamin C to be healthy and happy. Oranges are full of vitamin C, a vital vitamin for your pet bird, so adding oranges to its diet will:
- Prevent the formation of bad cells
- Maintain a healthy cholesterol level
- Boost the immune system
- Maintain a healthy bone and muscle development
- Assist the body in absorbing iron
- Maintain a healthy blood sugar level
Additionally, vitamin C can help injured or wounded budgies heal faster by fighting infections and viruses.
Vitamin A
The carotenoids in carrots, oranges, tomatoes, and lemons provide a yellow or reddish hue. Several compounds can be produced from carotenoids, including vitamin A. Since budgies can get vitamin A deficiency, they need lots of vitamin A-rich food.
Fiber
Fiber promotes gut health as it forces the digestive system to work harder. As a result, the gut is flushed out, keeping it healthy and regular. Additionally, fiber softens budgie stools, making waste passing easier.
According to Nutrition Research, fiber from citrus fruits lowers blood cholesterol, resulting in a healthier budgie.
Antioxidants
The antioxidant properties of oranges are derived from plant-based compounds. The presence of antioxidants can reduce the risk of age-related diseases such as:
- Cancer
- Inflammatory diseases
- Metabolic diseases
Oranges contain two types of antioxidants. One type is flavonoids, such as anthocyanins and hesperidin. The antioxidant hesperidin lowers blood pressure, while anthocyanins boost the immune system, improve vision, and increase mental agility in budgies.
In addition to their antioxidant properties, flavonoids have the following benefits as well:
- Enhanced blood flow
- Prevention of heart disease
- Regulation of blood pressure
Citric Acid
Because oranges contain citric acid, they have a sour taste. It’s great for your budgie’s health because it helps with the following:
- Prevention of kidney stones
- Calcium processing
- Digestion Skin
- Feather color and strength
Side Effects of Overfeeding Oranges to Budgies
While it’s generally safe for budgies to consume oranges in moderation, overindulgence can lead to various adverse effects. Here are some potential side effects of feeding your budgie excessive oranges:
- Blood Sugar Imbalance: Oranges have a high sugar content, which can result in a sudden surge in blood sugar levels. This spike might make your budgie feel unwell or lethargic.
- Digestive Issues: Given their high water content, feeding too many oranges can cause diarrhea in budgies.
- Nutritional Imbalance: Since oranges primarily consist of water, overfeeding them might deprive your budgie of essential nutrients, potentially leading to behaviors like feather plucking or excessive eating.
- Weight Concerns: The fructose in oranges can be challenging for budgies to digest, potentially causing weight gain and obesity if consumed excessively.
- Stomach Discomfort: Overconsumption can irritate your budgie’s stomach, resulting in discomfort and watery droppings.
To ensure your budgie’s well-being, it’s crucial to offer oranges as an occasional treat rather than a staple food. Aim to provide them once or twice a week in modest portions to mitigate the risk of overfeeding and associated health complications.
How to Serve Oranges to Budgies?
It is a good idea to choose certain days each week when your budgie can enjoy oranges as part of their diet. In this way, they won’t get too much food. Let’s see how you can get your feathered friend to eat some delicious oranges.
Peel the Orange
Some budgies may eat the peel if given some, but it may contain pesticides. It might be toxic for your little bird. For extra safety, peel the orange first, and make sure you buy organic oranges.
Chop up the Orange
It is best to chop up your orange into small pieces before putting it in your budgie’s cage. It is the easiest way to observe what your budgie consumes.
To keep track of how much your budgie eats, you can select the number of pieces to provide each week. By reducing fructose, you’re helping to keep your budgie healthy.
Introduce Oranges to Your Budgie
The reaction of budgies to new items in their cage can vary. Many will be curious about oranges and may seek to understand them, while others will be cautious. Therefore introducing oranges gradually is so important.
You can always try hand-feeding your budgie if he or she seems uncomfortable at first. Initially, your budgie might not like the orange pieces. It will take them some time to gain the courage and try it!
Remove at Night
When it is time to go to bed, you should remove all oranges from your bird’s cage. A fruit exposed to the open air for too long is likely to develop bacteria on it.
Budgies may get sick if they eat oranges contaminated with this bacterium. Take the dish or orange pieces out of the cage. The fresh pieces can be served the other day.
What is the recommended amount of oranges for your budgie?
A segment of orange per week is the right amount of orange to feed your budgie. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t give it to your bird every day since it is a treat.
For such a small bird, even the tiniest oranges are still full of sugar, and they need a variety of foods to stay healthy. If your budgie has never eaten an orange before, introduce it gradually over time and quite slowly.
Make sure you peel the orange and cut it up. Before removing the peel, make sure the orange is not rotten or moldy.
Can Budgies Eat Orange Peels?
It is safe to feed orange peels to budgies provided it is properly washed and free of pesticides. Some budgies prefer the peel over the flesh and seeds, even though the peel is unpleasant for humans. The food is not only nutritionally healthy but also mentally stimulating.
The skin contains the most vitamin C, so budgies benefit from eating it. During farming, the peel is exposed to pesticides, therefore it should be thoroughly washed.
Can Budgies Eat Orange Seeds?
Budgies can safely eat orange seeds. Occasionally, your budgie may eat seeds along with orange segments because it is difficult for him to remove seeds from stringy meat.
Conclusion
Following our guidelines will allow you to give your budgie an orange safely. If you want to keep your budgie around for a long time, feed him pellets made for budgies with a small portion of fruit and vegetables.
