This articles offers specific foods that you, being a bird owner, should never feed to your pet bird.  If you have questions concerning a particular kind of bird seed or fruit, consult your veterinarian.  Buy your bird seed from a reputable producer like ABBA or Kaytee and read about the native diets of your bird species and supply a diet that includes bird seed, fruit, and vegetables that closely resembles the natural food source of your particular bird species.    

Prior to investing in a bird as a pet, read and gather information on specific things to do and not to do.  There are numerous varieties of bird that, if cared for correctly, will be lifetime companions and family members.  

Every conscientious bird owner should know there are certain foods and certain ingredients that must never be fed to a pet bird.  Here's a list of six (6) food items that should not be fed to a bird or caution must be taken in the preparation of the food.  

1.  Chocolate, unfortunately, is absolutely not for the birds.  That wonderful candy bar can have disastrous consequences for your bird.  Chocolate is incredibly damaging to a bird's digestive system.  Initially, chocolate will cause vomiting and diarrhea.  It can then affect the central nervous system resulting in  seizures and eventual death.  Chocolate and food containing chocolate ought to remain well out of reach of your feathered friend.   

2.  Though fruits are without a doubt good for birds, there are actually types that should by no means be given to birds. These include apples, apricots, cherries, peaches and pears.  The reason is quite surprising.  These fruits have minute amounts of cyanide within their seeds which is an incredibly harmful and a likely lethal substance even in trace quantities.  Birds can eat portions of these types of fruit so long as it is cut away from the seeds or core.  Also, always clean fruit before giving to your pets, your children or yourself.  Damaging chemicals present in pesticides are often detrimental to small animals such as birds.     

Avocado is one fruit that should not be given to your pet bird.  Skin of the avocado may cause cardiac distress and heart failure in particular bird species. Better safe than sorry with the avocado so don't even bother letting them try it. 

3.  Certain kinds of vegetables are often harmful.  Onions may cause severe digestive problems and mushroom, which is really not a vegetable but a fungus, can cause respiratory distress, kidney failure and death.  While some veterinarians and pet owners are concerned about giving pet birds certain vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes, these vegetables are not unsafe if they are cleaned and sliced prior to giving it to your pet.  Remember, consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about any food source, including fruits, vegetables and bird seed.     

4.  Although you may like to have a few, never ask your pet bird if he or she wish to join you for a drink.  Alcohol depresses a birds organs which, in some cases, can be lethal.  Caffeine is incredibly harmful to birds also.  It causes cardiac malfunction in birds and, in some cases, could lead to arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, hyperactivity, and increased heartbeat.  Keep alcoholic and caffeinated drinks well from reach and from areas where your bird can access them.  Other than water, pure fruit or vegetable juice is good.  It can provide additional nutrition your bird needs.  

5.  Salt or products containing salt should not be given to birds.  Like in humans, excess salt often results in dehydration, kidney dysfunction, thirst and death.  Due to their small size, it does not require a large amount of salt to have negative affects.  

6.  Lastly, never give your pet bird dry or uncooked beans.  Dry or uncooked beans contain a poison called hemaglutin.  Hemaglutin is no longer a concern once the beans are cooked so if you wish to offer beans to your bird, cook them first. 

These are 6 food items that you need to avoid feeding your feathered friend.  Knowing and avoiding these and other damaging food items will help ensure they will live for a long time.  Pet birds can be very expensive.  Do not take a chance with your birds health by feeding it food that might be unsafe.  So what should you feed your pet bird to keep it fit and happy?  To play it safe, provide a good quality seed and pellet diet and supplement with approved fruits and vegetables if desired.  By doing this you will keep your bird healthy and happy.

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